Home

On the November 3 general election, Fargo Public Schools will have a question on the ballot for approval of an excess mill levy. The approval would grant Fargo Public Schools the authority to maintain its current offerings in its schools. Providing this authority ensures that the District can continue to cover the costs of offering a comprehensive educational experience for all learners.

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.

The September edition of the Parent Guidance Newsletter, focusing on Suicide Prevention Month, is about exactly that: recognizing the signs, knowing what to do, and understanding that a caring conversation can change everything. When someone feels heard and supported, they are far less alone in their struggles. You don't need to be a therapist to make a difference. You just need to know what to look for and how to show up.
Read Newsletter

Fargo Public Schools uses the Here Comes the Bus app to help families track their students who ride the bus. This free app provides real-time notifications when your child boards or disembarks the bus, ensuring you always know their travel status. FPS strongly encourages all parents to download the app and set up notifications for added peace of mind.

Remember to purchase tickets and season passes online with GoFan Digital Ticketing! To purchase tickets or season passes, visit gofan.co or use the GoFan Mobile App, and search for your event.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. One of the most important messages is also one of the most misunderstood: talking directly about suicide does not put the idea in someone's head or increase suicide risk. Read more about Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

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. 

Fargo Public Schools Activities department is implementing admissions changes which go into effect for the 2026-27 school year. Read more about these changes and how see team schedules and purchase passes.
 

As students head back to school this week, many families may be using e-bikes and e-scooters to get around the community. Not all electric devices are treated the same under the law, and where they can legally be ridden depends on the type of device. Read important guidelines for parents and young riders to know about e-bikes and e-scooters from General Counsel Tara Brandner and Lt. Nick Kjonaas of the Fargo Police Department.

Fargo Public Schools remains deeply committed to ensuring each student has access to meaningful learning experiences, challenge, support, and opportunities for growth, including students identified for Gifted and Talented services. This school year, FPS will begin the next phase in the evolution of Gifted Services. The District’s updated model is designed to preserve core services for identified students while also creating greater consistency, alignment, and access across schools.

Drivers, please help keep our students safe by using extra caution around schools and their adjacent intersections and neighborhoods. Please slow down for school buses and remember when a school bus stops with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended, you must stop. That applies to traffic approaching from either direction. The exception is when you’re traveling on the opposite side of a divided highway or separate roadway with a median or barrier.

As of July 1, 2026, Fargo Public schools applies processing fees to payments made by families and community members using electronic payment methods for District services and purchases. This includes all payments and fees made via SchoolPay and Square, including but not limited to school meals, activity fees, parking permits, instrument rentals, yearbook purchases, etc. 

Students may qualify for federal and state assistance to cover the cost of meals. Households may qualify based on income and size, participation in a federal assistance program (SNAP, etc.) or other criteria. Families receive free meals if they fall below 225% of the federal poverty line. Families must submit a Student Fees Assistance and Benefits Application (also known as a Free-and Reduced-Price Meal Application) every year.

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 $85 through the GoFan App.

Beginning July 1, 2026, Fargo Public Schools will apply credit card processing fees to payments made by families and community members.

Each year, the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction releases a report called the Levels of Determination Report Card. This report looks at how school districts support students who receive special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. For the 2025–26 school year, Fargo Public Schools received a rating of Needs Assistance (NA1) with a total score of 9 points. While the report highlights areas that still need improvement, it also shows important growth in several key areas across the District.

The Fargo Public Schools 2027-28 school calendar has been officially approved by the Fargo Board of Education. The calendar was developed by the FPS Calendar Committee over the course of multiple meetings. The committee examined multiple sources including community survey results to guide preferred start and end dates and whether or not to have a full-week spring break.

Fargo Public Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for their outstanding support and commitment to music education. This award recognizes districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students. FPS has received this award for 17 consecutive years and 23 times overall.

Human Performance gives students a supportive, hands-on environment to build strength, confidence, and lifelong healthy habits. The course blends age-appropriate weight training, cardio conditioning, mobility work, and practical lessons in nutrition and injury prevention. Students learn proper technique, improve overall fitness, and understand how to take care of their bodies in ways that support long-term wellness.

FPS yearbooks have been digitized and are now available online for alumni and interested community members to explore. This collection preserves decades of student memories, traditions, and school history all accessible from anywhere. Visitors will need to sign in to an alumni network account, to access the yearbooks.

Families play an important role in shaping the success of our schools, especially when it comes to supporting students served on Individualized Education Programs. One of the ways FPS brings families and school staff together is through the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee. Director of Student Support Services Shelby DiFonzo recently spoke with SEPAC Chairperson Katy Barnum to learn more about the committee.

FPS has launched a new District Scorecard webpage designed to provide our community with a snapshot of how the District is performing in key areas. The Scorecard highlights data points connected to our Strategic Plan, including student learning outcomes, staff data, and progress across our strategic initiatives and will be updated annually.