SchoolTalk
FPS e-Newsletter for April 2, 2026
Feature Column - Human Performance: A Districtwide Commitment to Lifelong Fitness
Human Performance is offered at all three Fargo Public Schools comprehensive high schools and 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. Every class is supervised by trained professionals who help students learn proper technique, improve overall fitness, and understand how to take care of their bodies in ways that support long-term wellness.
Read more about the human performance physical education class in this Feature Column by K-12 Physical Education & Health Facilitator Kayla Taralson and FPS Superintendent Dr. Cory Steiner.
Feature Column - April is Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month
Today is World Autism Awareness Day. Each April, schools across the country recognize Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month — a time to deepen understanding, foster inclusion, and celebrate the strengths of individuals on the autism spectrum. This month offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect on how we support every learner, every day.
Read more about Autism Awareness Month, how students, staff, and families can engage this April, and strategies for making classrooms more inclusive in this Feature Column by Inclusion Instruction Coordinator Emily Hanson.
Feature Column - Keeping the Learning Momentum
In classrooms across Fargo Public Schools, students are completing writing assignments, solving complex problems, working on group projects, and preparing for demonstrations of learning. What happens now sticks. That’s why showing up in April fully present and ready to learn sets the tone for a strong finish.
Read more about the importance of keeping the learning momentum through April in this Feature Column by Assistant Director of Student Support Services Dr. Jen Sahr
Mayors for a Day
Congratulations to Self-Directed Academy Seventh Grader Aubrie Myrmoe and Kennedy Elementary School Third Grader Laila Wangen on being named the winners of the City of Fargo's Mayor for a Day Essay Contest! Fargo Mayor Dr. Tim Mahoney selected the winning essays, in which students wrote about their vision for the future of Fargo and what they would do if they were mayor for a day. Read the winning essays.
On Monday, Myrmoe and Wangen toured City Hall with Dr. Mahoney, met city leaders, and presented their winning essays during the City Commission meeting.
AFJROTC Second at Sioux Falls Invitational
NDBDA Distinguished Service Award
Congratulations to Discovery Middle School Band Teacher Beanie Stotts on receiving the North Dakota Band Directors Association Distinguished Service Award! Stotts was recognized with the award at one of the North Dakota High School All-State Concerts.
Employee Spotlight - Deb Mattson
Meet Fargo Public Schools Project inVEST Teacher Deb Mattson in this week's Employee Spotlight.
The Fargo Public Schools Human Capital Department wants to shine a spotlight on its valuable employees who have a tremendous positive impact on the District's students, staff, and families. The District's educators are crucial to achieving our goal of educating and empowering all students to succeed and are dedicated to the idea that we are stronger together. HC has selected FPS staff members who are deserving of greater recognition and will highlight them each week.
No School Tomorrow
There will be NO SCHOOL TOMORROW, Friday, April 3 for the Easter holiday. Due to a storm day earlier in the school year, FPS will utilize the storm makeup day built into the calendar on April 6 and classes will be in session.
View the 2025-26 District School Calendar to see school out days and other important dates throughout the school year.
Horace Mann School Tours
Horace Mann Elementary School is inviting the community to come take a walk down memory lane inside the historic building before it is demolished following the completion of this school year.
The building will be open to the community for self-guided tours on the following dates:
- Saturday, April 11: noon-4 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 13: 5:30-8 p.m.
Kindergarten Registration
Help your school! Register for kindergarten as early as possible! Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2026 is open online at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/kindergartenregistration through May 15. It is important to register your child as soon as possible to give FPS and your future school enough time to provide students with the best possible experience. If your child turns 5 by July 31, 2026, they are eligible to attend school in the fall.
Kindergarten Registration is a three-step process:
STEP ONE: PRE-REGISTER ONLINE
Complete a pre-registration form at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/kindergartenregistration. After office staff review and approve your pre-registration, a confirmation email with instruction to create a PowerSchool account will be sent. For assistance, please contact your child’s school to schedule an appointment to complete in-person.
STEP TWO: POWERSCHOOL REGISTRATION FORMS
Create a Parent PowerSchool account and complete registration forms.
STEP THREE: SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION
- Upload or bring the following documents to your child’s school to finalize registration.
- Child’s certified birth certificate
- Parent Identity (driver’s license)
- Child’s immunization record with 5-year shots
- Proof of address (lease/mortgage statement or two documents that include parent/guardian name and current address, such as a utility bill and paystub)
If you do not know which school your child will attend, call 701.446.1043 or check online at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/boundarymaps. If you need help in PowerSchool, please call 701.446.1006.
A second round of registration will reopen in July with a different process.
Multilingual Learner Program Review
Do you want to help improve Fargo Public Schools' Multilingual Learner Program? All ML parents, students, and community members to the Annual Multilingual Learner Program Review! This event is a chance to look at what the program has done well, talk about successes, and find ways to make things even better.
Why Should You Come:
Learn about the ML Program and activities.
Share your thoughts and ideas.
Work together with teachers, staff, and parents to make our program the best it can be.
Event Details
- Date: Tuesday, April 14 from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
- Location: Professional Development Room 87, Fargo Public Schools District Office
Your opinion matters! This review is a time to celebrate and to plan for the future. Save the date and join the discussion.
For more information, contact ML Facilitator Jenna Polley at
Climate and Culture Survey
Fargo Public Schools invites parents and caregivers to share their thoughts through the Districtwide Climate and Culture Survey. Schools and district staff use the results to review current practices and to plan for the upcoming school year.
This input helps shape decisions that support students, families, and staff. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and gives parents and caregivers a chance to share their experiences in our schools. Caregivers are invited to complete a survey for each school their child attends this year. This feedback is important.
AD-Ventures for Kids & Teens
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).
AD-Ventures for Kids is for youth in grade levels K-5.
AD-Ventures for Teens is for youth in grade levels 6-8.
Trollwood Summer Registration
FPS Development Foundation Swing for Success Golf Tournament
The Fargo Public Schools Development Foundations is hosting its second annual Swing for Success Golf Tournament fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. April 30 at Suite Shots. Enjoy a four-person nine-hole scramble tournament in private bays or play interactive golf games. Prizes will be awarded in both categories. Register here.
School Board Application Deadline Next Monday
2026 brings an election year for the Fargo Board of Education. The application period for the June 9, 2026 ballot is now open.
Candidates interested in running for one of five positions on the Fargo Board of Education may submit an application until next Monday, April 6 at 4 p.m. Applications must be submitted to the Fargo Public Schools Business Office by the deadline at the Fargo Public Schools District Office, 700 7th Street South in Fargo.
For more information on the election, please visit https://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/school-board/board-election
Pi Week
Lincoln Elementary School gifted and talented students celebrated Pi Week before Spring Break. One activity was making a pi chain with students writing a digit of pi on a paper chain link as a visual representation of how long pi is. The students linked together 2,929 digits of pi in a chain that wrapped all the way around the school. They also competed in a Pi Bee to see who could memorize the most digits of pi with Nolan Sagar and Collin Horne tying with 160. Horne won the tie breaker by getting to 236 while Sagar got to 222. (Photo courtesy Emily Cummings)
Jazz Band
The South High School Jazz Band performed for fourth and fifth grade students at Lewis & Clark Elementary School. The elementary schoolers learned about jazz improvisation and the types of instruments that make up a jazz band. (Photo courtesy Tristan Byer)
Flag Presentation
Local veterans continued their tour of area elementary schools last week with a stop at Centennial Elementary School to teach first graders about the history and symbolism of the United States flag. Veterans from the Cass County 40 & 8, Fargo AMVETS, and the Fargo American Legion gave a presentation about the flag and each first grader received their own flag to take home. (Photo courtesy Kristen Knudsen)
Book Bracket
Centennial Elementary School first graders voted on their favorite children's books in a 16-book March madness style tournament. Students listened to the books and then voted on their favorite to advance. The final came down to "The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever" against "Don't Trust the Fish" with "The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever" taking the top spot by three votes. (Photo courtesy Kristen Knudsen)
Honor Band
The Discovery Middle School Honor Band was visited by NDSU Director of Bands Daniel Lee on Thursday, March 26. He helped the band students prepare for the Big Floody Band Festival coming up in April. (Photo courtesy Beanie Stotts)
Finish Carpentry
Students in the new finish carpentry class at South High School are sketching and building cabinets while gaining hands-on experience with skills like installing doors, millwork, tile, and finish hardware. The class is part of South's dual-credit Building Trades Pathway that allows students to graduate with an NDSCS Carpentry Certificate. (Photo courtesy Adrienne Eider)
NDSU Art Camp and Exhibition
South High School art students took a field trip to NDSU on March 27 and two students were recognized with awards in the student exhibition. Vivian Tinjum placed second for her mixed media piece in the Drawing and Illustration category, and Morgan Daley placed second for her colored pencil drawing in the Nature category. (Photo courtesy Megan Johnson)
Custodian Goodbye
Horace Mann Elementary School's students and staff said goodbye to Lead Custodian Sam Deleon on his final day in the school on March 27. After working at Horace Mann for eight years, DeLeon is transferring to Ed Clapp. On his last day, students and staff lined the halls and cheered him on and gave him high fives and hugs as he left for the last time. (Photo courtesy Missy Tedford)
NDMEA Performance
The North High School Symphony Orchestra was selected to perform at the 2026 North Dakota Music Educators Association Conference on March 27. They performed works by Handel and Moszkowski in front of the All-State student musicians and a large portion of the state’s music educators. (Photo courtesy Greg Schultz)
Survival Games
The students in Mr. Gillett’s seventh grade enriched English class at Carl Ben Eielson Middle School participated in groups in four survival games meant to simulate life on a post-apocalyptic Earth as they studied the novel "Life as We Knew it" by Susan Beth. The series of four survival games tested their collaboration and communication skills and helped them connect with the characters in the book.
Eagles Strings
Davies High School and Discovery Middle School orchestra students performed in the combined Eagles Strings concert on March 31. Individual orchestras each performed two-to-three songs before all of the orchestras combined together to perform the finale "Orpheus in the Underworld" by Offenbach.
Cardboard Boat Regatta
South High School physics students competed in the third annual South High School Cardboard Boat Regatta on March 25. The students put Archimedes’ principle into action to make their cardboard boats float during the race. Students climbed aboard their boat with themes like Vikings, pirates, Dexter, The Edmund Fitzgerald, and Moana. Prizes were handed out for first, second, and third fastest as well best costume, best design, best team spirit, and most spectacular sinking.
Fargo Public Schools - SchoolTalk
Email: comments@fargo.k12.nd.us
Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us
Location: 700 7th Street South, Fargo, ND
Phone: 701.446.1000