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The Ask a Therapist LIVE series from ParentGuidance.org and the Cook Center for Human Connection offers parents a unique opportunity to engage directly with a licensed therapist at 7 p.m. January 27.

Get this week's news and events from across Fargo Public Schools in the current issue of SCHOOLTALK. This week's issue highlights include newsmakers, feature columns, and more.

To maximize both family time and valuable learning time, we encourage families to plan vacations during school breaks. View the Vacation Planning Guide to help plan your vacation.

• Extended School Breaks: January 16-19, March 16-20
• School Out Days: February 16, April 3, May 25

The calendar has turned, the holidays have passed, and January marks a new beginning. However, for students, January isn’t just the start of a new year; it’s also the finish line for the semester and the launch of semester two. Families are encouraged to finish the semester strong and begin semester two with momentum. 
Read more about why attendance in January is so important and what families can do to improve attendance.

Families across the region now have access to CredibleMind, a digital platform that provides a wealth of peer-reviewed and evidence-based mental health resources, including expert-vetted and rated videos, podcases, assessments, apps, books and articles. Anyone can explore topics ranging from stress, anxiety and depression to sleep, resilience, time management, parenting and healthy relationships. All materials can be accessed at any time, from any device, and without the limitations of transportation, cost, location, or stigma.

Fargo Public Schools, with administrative assistance from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley, will now oversee an expanded Fargo Youth Initiative. FYI, originally created by the Fargo City Commission, has met regularly since 2013 to discuss opportunities and share input on issues facing young people in the community and provided input to the City Commission and City of Fargo staff.

AD-Ventures is a district publication to help families find activities for their children throughout our community. It is published on the first of each month September-May. 

Candidates interested in running for one of five positions on the Fargo Board of Education may submit an application until Monday, April 6, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.  Applications need to be submitted to the Fargo Public Schools Business Office by the deadline at the District Office, 700 7th Street South in Fargo, located on the first floor.

Residents of the Fargo School District who are 65 or older are eligible for a free Senior Citizen Activity Pass. Passes can be picked up at the Main Reception Desk at the District Office at 700 7th Street South. Please note: These passes are only for residents of the District and are not available for family members who are not residents. Non-residents can purchase tickets to each event or purchase an Adult Yearly Pass for $80 through the GoFan App.

The state is transitioning all school districts from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus over the summer of 2026. Accounts that currently exist to access the PowerSchool Parent application will not be transferred into Infinite Campus. Parents/guardians will be contacted next summer with instructions on how to create their new account in Infinite Campus. The new accounts will be used to complete forms for the 2026-27 school year. Please keep an eye out for that messaging, which the District plans to send out in mid-July.

FPS now offers tickets and passes online with GoFan Digital Ticketing! Learn more about GoFan or use the GoFan Mobile App, and search for your event. 

FPS makes every effort to keep schools open each day. Our first choice will always be to remain open, but at times the weather conditions within the city merit closing. We have two school make-up days built into this year's calendar - Monday, April 6 and Friday, May 1. If weather causes the District to close, those days may turn into school days. If no school closures occur and the make-up days are not used, April 6 and May 1 will be no school days. 
 

In September, the school board approved a deficit budget. That means this school year’s expenses will exceed revenues. While this is not ideal, we have enough in reserves to absorb the deficit. The board is committed to a balanced budget next year. As such, the bulk of Planning Committee’s work this year has been spent discussing our budget. Read more about the planning committee's efforts to balance the budget.

November is the National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, which also includes National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week from November 15-22. The goal is to acknowledge and raise awareness of the problems faced by youth, families and individuals at risk of and experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.

As of Monday, all FPS students in kindergarten through grade 12 now scan their student ID card or key in their student ID number (lunch number) when boarding and exiting the bus. This update established a consistent, districtwide system that reflects our Stronger Together  theme - unifying procedures across grade levels and strengthening collaboration among schools, families, and transportation staff.

Even in non-legislative years, the Fargo Board of Education's  Governmental Affairs Committee remains active. Members of the committee have developed a work plan alongside the administrative team to help prepare for the 2027 North Dakota Legislative Assembly.

Fargo Public Schools is partnering with Fargo Cass Public Health to bring the Tobacco Education Program to North, South, and Davies High Schools. The program is designed to increase awareness of the risks associated with tobacco and vaping while also equipping students with strategies to support and encourage making healthier choices.

FPS continues to expand Adapted Physical Education services to ensure equitable access to physical education for students with disabilities. Building on the pilot launched in 2024, APE will now be implemented in all elementary schools, Extended Resource Rooms, and sixth graders who are currently in alternative Physical Education and present with gross motor concerns.

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming many aspects of our  lives, and education is no exception. From personalized learning platforms to smart tutoring systems, AI is helping educators meet the diverse needs of students in new and exciting ways. 

FPS will be implementing a new safety and accountability measure for all middle and high school students who ride district buses. Beginning Monday, October 27, students will be required to scan their school ID card or enter their student ID number (lunch number) when boarding the bus to and from school.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law created to support the enrollment and education of students experiencing homelessness. McKinney-Vento is intended to provide homeless students the same educational opportunities as housed students by removing as many barriers to learning for homeless students as possible.