In January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported an outbreak of a new strain of Coronavirus, identified as COVID-19, in China. The virus spreads rapidly from person-to-person and primarily affects the respiratory system. Symptoms range from mild to severe illness and even death. The elderly and those of any age with underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more severe illness. COVID-19 was first reported in the United States in early February 2020. In early March, the WHO characterized COVID-19 as a world-wide pandemic. By mid-March, all 50 states and four U.S. territories had reported cases of COVID-19.  For more information on COVID-19, please see our resources page.

Fargo Public Schools (FPS) is 100% committed to our mission to educate and empower all students – no matter our current world circumstances. We are committed to providing the safest education environment possible for our students and staff. To that end, Fargo Public Schools administration has developed a “Smart Restart” reentry plan to our schools for students and staff for the upcoming 2020 – 2021 school year. For more information, visit www.fargo.k12.nd.us/smartrestart or use the menu at the left hand side of this page.

January 15th Update: 

The purpose of this weekly report is to share information specific to COVID-19 in Cass County and Fargo Public Schools. This data, in consideration with other factors, continues to be utilized by the FPS COVID-19 Instructional Plan Committee.

Data from FPS (as of 10 a.m. on 1/15/21):
Positive COVID-19 Test Results:  

Students: 11 students tested positive this week.  8 students are in isolation as of 1/15/2021 due to a positive test result. The chart below shows active positive cases for students. 

Staff: 3 staff members tested positive this week.  5 staff members are out as of 1/15/2021 due to a positive test result.  The chart below shows positive cases for teachers and paraeducators.

COVID-19-Related Quarantine: 

Student Close Contacts: 75 students are considered close contacts as of today due to being exposed to a  positive COVID-19 case. These students could be close contacts from school cases, family cases, and community-related cases. 

Student Close Contacts Quarantined: Out of the student close contacts, 54  are quarantined due to contact without mask wearing. Per the governor’s new guidelines, close contacts in cases where the positive individual and the close contact were properly masked do not need to be quarantined. 

Staff: The chart below shows teachers and paraeducators that are in quarantine.

Substitute fill rate data: 

The data below reflects the percentage of days that FPS is unable to fill for teacher or paraeducator needs. 

On January 11, the Fargo Public Schools (FPS) COVID-19 Instructional Plan Committee met to review COVID-19 data. Per recommended guidance from local healthcare agencies, the committee decided to continue with the previously adopted return to in-person instruction plan and make no changes. The plan keeps the current instructional model in place for all levels for the remainder of the first semester (until January 15). Fargo Public Schools will return to in-person instruction (Level 4 – In-Person Instruction with Restrictions) for all grade levels beginning January 19, 2021.

At the January 11 meeting, the FPS COVID-19 Instructional Plan Committee decided to transition to in-person instruction (Level 4 – In-Person Instruction with Restrictions) beginning January 19 five days a week for all levels (elementary, middle, and high school). Additional information about the transition to in-person instruction five days a week will be communicated by school administrators.

It is important to know that Fargo Public Schools will adapt and make changes based on new information or guidance, if needed. The committee will meet again on Monday, February 8, 2021 at 6:30 a.m. to review data, determine if there is a significant number of cases impacting schools, and discuss the status of a potential vaccination plan for staff.