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SchoolTalk - December 7
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. Click the button to view the current issue.
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STEM Panel
Director of Career and Technical Education Dr. Denise Jonas and FPS Recruiting Specialist Karmen Riley spoke on the STEM Education Pathway panel held at Wild Terra in Fargo. The panelists discussed how individuals can enter the field of STEM education, hurdles that arise for STEM teachers, and potential solutions to those challenges.
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Summer School Updates
Traditional elementary summer school and Extended School Year dates were combined for kindergarten - fifth grade in 2023. Students whose IEP teams had determined that they required ESY services attended at their home buildings. This will continue in 2024 with the addition of English Learners. Read more about Extended Summer School, staff thoughts on the combined summer school experience, and plans for 2024 elementary summer school in this Feature Column by District Assistant Principal Lori Nappe.
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Women in Leadership Award
Congratulations to FPS Director of Standards-Based Instruction Dr. Liann Hanson on being named a finalist for the 2024 Women in School Leadership Award in the "Central Office / Principal" category! The winner will be announced at the AAASA Conference in February. This award acknowledges exceptional talent, creativity, and vision demonstrated by outstanding women educational administrators in public schools.
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Now Hiring Support Staff!
Fargo Public Schools is now hiring full-and part-time support staff positions including paraeducators, custodians, and food service workers. Learn more about these great opportunities to impact our community's youth and apply for a position today!
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District Comprehensive Approach
Fargo Public Schools has been selected to participate in a groundbreaking program offered through The Jed Foundation (JED) and The School Superintendents Association (AASA). The District Comprehensive Approach (DCA) is a transformational program that guides districts across the country to enhance systems of support for the emotional well-being of students. Based on JED’s proven approach, the DCA is an evidence-based framework that combines expert support, best practices, and data-driven guidance to protect mental health and prevent suicide for millions of students.
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2024-25 Calendar
At the Fargo Board of Education regular meeting on November 28, Board members approved an updated calendar for the 2024-25 school year, as proposed by the District’s calendar committee.
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Staff Recognition Awards
Community members are invited to nominate a deserving Fargo Public Schools teacher, administrator, or support staff member for the annual Staff Recognition Program. The program honors FPS staff members who serve our students with excellence. The nomination period is open until Monday, November 27 at 4:00 pm.
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Governmental Affairs Committee
The Fargo Board of Education Governmental Affairs Committee is committed to work diligently to compose resolutions, monitor legislatively directed studies, and stay updated on any future education-related legislation. This committee plays a vital role in advocating for the interests of our school district and our work is guided by Governance Policy 7. Read more about the efforts of the Governmental Affairs Committee in this Board Column by Board Member Robin Nelson.
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Long-Range Facility Plan Update
FPS conducted a Facilities Study, which is substantially complete and preliminary reports were presented to the School Board in September. The data collected through this process will be used to prioritize annual maintenance projects as well as inform the community as FPS works through the Long-Range Facility Planning process. Read more about the Long-Range Facilities Plan and the key takeaways from the Facilities Study in this Feature Column by FPS Director of Facilities James Hand.
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Inspiring Readers
Inspiring Readers aims to empower FPS students to read to a better future by supporting quality book ownership. Donate to the program to provide books to students who may not otherwise have access. Through its partnership with the Fargo Public Schools Development Foundation, Inspiring Readers is getting books in the hands of students by providing books at school-based food pantries, providing books and materials for the Dakota High School family classroom, and providing reading materials for student reading mentorship.
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English Learner Program
FPS continues to emphasize the role the English Learner Program, with about 850 students, has in educating and empowering all students to succeed, regardless of their background or needs. This commitment reflects the program's core values of inclusivity and equity, ensuring that each student, including English learners, can thrive in FPS. Read about the English Learner Program and get an introduction to FPS' new EL Facilitator Jenna Polley in this Feature Column by FPS Director of Standards-Based Instruction Dr. Liann Hanson.
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2022-23 Annual Report
The Fargo Public Schools 2022-23 Annual Report presents the District’s effort to carry out its mission of “educating and empowering all students to succeed” and to serve its students and families. View the Annual Report to learn more about FPS’ students, staff, schools, programs, and achievements.
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AD-Ventures
AD-Ventures is a district publication intended to help families find activities for their children throughout our community. It is published on the first of each month during the school year (September through May).
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Early Release Information
Fargo Public Schools will release students two hours early from school on four days this school year to support the professional development of teachers. The early release days are October 18, December 22, February 16, and April 19.
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Administrative Policy Updates
FPS has around 150 Administrative Policies in the categories of Business, Community, Instruction, Personnel, and Student Policies. The policies are reviewed on a set rotation, ensuring all policies are reviewed once in a four-year cycle. With the set rotation, administration reviews approximately a quarter of the administrative policies annually. Read more about which policies have been reviewed and updated in 2023 in this Cabinet Column by FPS Communications Officer AnnMarie Campbell.
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Communications, Engagement and Advocacy Committee
The Fargo Board of Education Communications, Engagement and Advocacy (CEA) Committee is comprised of five Board members and members of the Superintendent’s cabinet who work to enhance the transparency of how the Board makes decisions. This committee also focuses on communication with constituents and community stakeholders through engagement and advocacy efforts. Read more about the efforts of the CEA Committee in this Board Column by CEA Chair Dr. Tracie Newman.
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Connecting with Loved Ones
Finding a connection with loved ones can be the difference in getting them the help they need. Read about strategies for starting conversations with someone who may be suicidal from assistant director of educational justice Dr. Jennifer Sahr.
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Student fees Assistance and Benefits
Households may qualify for free or reduced-cost meals. FPS encourages all families to complete the Student Frees Assistance and Benefits application available online. Qualifying includes free waivers for some student activities, submitting collect applications, and taking national standardized tests in addition to meal payment benefits. Learn more about Student Fees Assistance and Benefits application and the FPS School Breakfast and Lunch Program in this Feature Column by FPS Nutrition Services Director Cindy Hogenson.
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Suicide Prevention
September is National Suicide Prevention Month: a moment in time in which Fargo Public Schools and the community can rally the public to create awareness of this leading cause of death and inspire more and more people to learn how they can play a role in their communities in helping to save lives. Read more about strategies for reducing suicide rates in this Feature Column by FPS Assistant Director of Educational Justice Dr. Jennifer Sahr.
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2024-25 Calendar
The FPS 2024-25 Calendar Committee will reconvene to update the 2024-25 school calendar. This decision is a direct response to the the recent action taken by the Fargo Board of Education to require Fargo Public Schools to be closed on all federal holidays beginning June 1, 2024. Read more about the necessary adjustments to the 2024-25 school calendar in this Cabinet Column by FPS Associate Superintendent Dr. Robert Grosz.
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FPS Philosophies
Fargo Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Rupak Gandhi wants to extend a heartfelt welcome to the 2023-24 school year each member of the FPS community. This school year is special for FPS as the District introduces the new FPS Philosophies, a set of principles that will guide its actions, decisions, and daily operations. Read more about the FPS Philosophies in this Cabinet Column by Dr. Gandhi.
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Native American Education
The Fargo/West Fargo Indian Education Program is now known as the Native American Education Program. The name change process spanned more than two years from May 2021 to its approval this June. Read about the renaming process in this Feature Column by Native American Education Program Coordinator Melody Staebner.
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Undelivered Emails
FPS has received reports from some families using Hotmail and GMail accounts that they may not be receiving school and district notification emails, although not every account is having an issue. The problem appears related to how Hotmail and GMail manage incoming email.
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AD-Ventures Seasonal Activities
AD-Ventures is a district publication intended to help families find activities for their children throughout our community. It is published on the first of each month during the school year.
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Educating & Empowering All Students to Succeed
