INTERCOM

Help us spread the word about the upcoming Kindergarten Registration Month, beginning on Sunday, February 1. Please remind friends and family members that registering early is the best way to secure a spot in their boundary school. More information about registering can be found at www.bismarckschools.org/kreg

Multiple session times and locations are being offered for each topic; families are welcome to attend whichever ones best fit their schedule and interests. More information can be found at www.bismarckschools.org/gearingup

As winter weather settles in, I know questions have been sent my way about whether we should be using virtual days instead of calling off school. Let me share my thoughts.

I do support virtual learning, when it is done well. We have taken time to build a fully virtual school that has the right teachers, structure, and support in place so students can be successful. In that setting, virtual learning has a place in our layered approach to education.

Using virtual learning on a storm day is different. A weather-related virtual day is not the same experience. It is lower impact, harder to support well, and not the kind of instruction I want to rely on unless we truly have no other option. An example would be a predicted multi-day storm, then I may consider it.

That is why I believe storm days built into our calendar are the right tool to use first. When we can, we also use a grace day. We have intentionally built flexibility into the school day to allow for that.

At the end of the day, I want kids in classrooms with their teachers. Our students benefit the most from being in classrooms with their teachers. All students deserve that level of instruction whenever we can reasonably provide it.

I will also say a good storm day is probably good for all of us. Many of us remember snow days spent outside with friends and neighbors, and I still believe there is value in that. Many childhood memories of sledding and playing in the snow.

If we need additional weather days, I will always choose a storm make up day first. Only in extreme situations, when we have already lost several days and have no realistic way to make that time up, would I consider using a virtual day. It is just not my first choice. This may not be a perfect approach, but it is what I believe after more than 30 years in education.

-Dr. Jeff Fastnacht, Superintendent

School times will be adjusted starting on August 20, 2026, the first day of the 2026-2027 school year. This decision was made after reviewing parent and staff feedback on surveys conducted earlier in the school year.

Elementary will now run from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM, Middle will go from 8:40 AM to 3:30 PM, and High will be in session from 8:30 AM to 3:38 PM.

At the January 12 Bismarck School Board meeting, Dr. Fastnacht shared a report about the current status of bell times and the new two-tier transportation system. His full report can be viewed below:

Join Kirby and his friends to help four local causes! The BPS Foundation, along with the BPS Fine Arts Department, BAGA, and the Central Dakota Humane Society, have partnered together again to bring you Paw Art!

Simply submit your pet’s photo online or by mail, and a BPS student artist will draw a rendition of your pet. These pieces of art will be sent back to you and will be featured in the Paw Art Parade online and the Paw Art Showcase at the Bismarck Art and Galleries Association.

Go to https://bpsfoundation.com/partners/2026-paw-art/ for more information or to sign up today!

“Wendy works as a building sub at Liberty Elementary School and is exceptionally dedicated and brings a positive influence to our school community. She consistently shows up with a warm, upbeat attitude and a willingness to support wherever she is needed. She makes meaningful connections, follows teachers’ lesson plans and goes above and beyond to help students stay excited about learning. We are grateful for all she does!”

“Jessica works as a building sub at Horizon but has also fulfilled a long-term absence for one of our teachers. She is always very flexible and always has a smile!”

Congratulations to Cherlyn Blacksher from Lincoln Elementary School for receiving the Teacher Spotlight Award!

Her students nominated her for this honor, which included a surprise assembly and a generous prize package donated by local businesses. Several students provided testimonies about why she deserves to be honored.

A huge thank you to Active Life Chiropractic for spearheading this recognition program, and to all the businesses that donated!

Principal Steve Madler at Century High School was honored earlier in the month with the Patriot Award from the National Guard! CHS teacher and National Guard member Ryan Kaufman nominated Mr. Madler for the Patriot Award for being so supportive and flexible in accommodating deployments.

The Patriot Award is given to leaders who go above and beyond in support of those serving in the National Guard.

Bismarck Public Schools is pleased to announce that Shelly Swanson has been named principal of Prairie Rose Elementary School beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. Mrs. Swanson currently serves as principal at Solheim Elementary and brings nearly 30 years of experience in education to this role.

As part of this transition, the Prairie Rose principal position will shift to a hybrid, strategic leadership model, maintaining dedicated leadership at Prairie Rose while also supplementing instructional support and professional development across the district.

Read more about this strategic leadership move and what it means for our district here.

Let's take a moment to thank the Bismarck School Board for its leadership and commitment to serving families and staff.

The Schedule for the February 17th Winter Elevate Summit is now live on InsideBPS for your reference.

The winter summit has a strong focus on health and wellness along with learning opportunities that place an emphasis on targeted Instructional Strategies sessions and Just-in-Time learning designed in response to your survey feedback.

🌟The February 17th District Professional Learning Day will feature:

• Two inspiring keynote speakers along with other special guest speakers on a variety of topics
• Breakout sessions on curriculum, instruction, classroom management, wellness, student engagement, and more
• Targeted learning sessions for specific groups, including Math, Student Support Services, EL, CTE, and Instructional Aides
• Two lunch time options – choose the one that works best for you
• The “Teacher’s Lounge” – you asked, we listened! If you need some processing time, choose one 35-minute session to debrief your learning in the “teacher’s lounge” (room B209/211).

✅Action Items for You

• Review the main schedule to familiarize yourself with the learning opportunities that day and the locations.

💡Key Notes About the Schedule

• Color Coded Sessions: A key is included at the top of the schedule for easy reference.
• Session Descriptions: Click this link or the one at top of the main schedule to learn more about each of the sessions.
• Invite-only Learning: Some sessions are restricted; please check details carefully.
• Locations: Not all offerings will be held at Legacy High School. Pay close attention to location details when reviewing sessions.

We’re excited to announce that the Legacy DECA Club will be providing concessions.

Concessions will open at 7:30 with coffee, Bearskat donuts, fruit, and other items. There will be multiple options for lunch including knoephla soup from Kroll’s and Rockin’ 50’s. Concessions will be available through the second lunch option. All sales will go towards the Legacy DECA Club’s participation in the state and national competitions. Thank you for your support!

This day is designed to provide meaningful, practical strategies that you can take directly into your classrooms and individual roles.

Please take a moment to review the schedule and plan your day.

On June 8 – 11, 2026 the Lignite Energy Council will conduct an education seminar for elementary and secondary teachers from Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota and North Dakota. The seminar is an activity-filled four-day event that allows participants to receive two graduate professional development credits at no cost!

Learn more here.

We LOVE our public schools! North Dakotans for Public Schools invites you - fellow parents, families, friends, and neighbors - to JOIN the coalition and FOLLOW ALONG on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!

The BPS Foundation makes an apparel store available to all employees. Visit the link to see what's available: https://bismarckpublicschools.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Agendas, minutes, and more are available on the Bismarck Public Schools website.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) is transitioning its virtual care providers for next year. Beginning January 1, 2026, AmWell will no longer be an in-network virtual care provider for you. If you have completed a behavioral health visit within the past 18 months, AmWell will send a notification to you securely through your AmWell account.

As of January 1, 2026, new providers will include:

▪ Spring Health: Spring Health offers fast access to virtual therapy, medication management, and mental health support. Members can find a care provider and book an appointment within minutes, connecting members with licensed providers when they need care most. Spring Health is accessible via mobile, tablet or computer. Members can get started by visiting springhealth.com/connect. No cost to employees and individuals 6 years and older who are under the health coverage plan.

▪ Teladoc Health: Teladoc Health offers access to U.S. board-certified providers seven days a week by video, web, or app from anywhere. While not a substitute for a regular physician, Teladoc Health can help with non-urgent care when your doctor isn’t available. Services include support for skin conditions, cold and flu, pink eye, stomach bugs, sinus infections and more. To register, members can download the Teladoc app, visit teladochealth.com or call 800-835-2362. No cost to employees and family members who are under the health coverage plan.

To explore virtual care options, please review the attached information. You can also find these resources on BCBSND.me or InsideBPS.

If you have any questions or need additional details, please reach out to HR at 323-4072.

BPS employees are eligible to participate in either a traditional 403b or Roth 403b supplemental retirement savings plan. Contributions are deducted from your paycheck. A list of authorized investment providers can be found HERE.

2026 Meaningful Notice/Plan Summary Information
2026 Annual Retirement Benefits Guide

A salary reduction agreement would need to be completed and returned to the Accounting Department. The salary reduction agreement can be found HERE.. Questions, please call Human Resources at 323-4072.

Have questions for HR? Try out our new AI chat feature here.

Go from coping to thriving. meQ provides tools and techniques to help you reduce daily stress and improve your skills for mastering ongoing life challenges. Learn brain-boosting methods, improve your cognitive function, and strengthen your overall well-being.

How to Access

1. Create an account or log in to BCBSND.me

2. Click Benefits.

3. Click All Benefits.

4. Find meQuilibrium.

5. Follow the steps under “How to Get Started.

See the latest update here.

• February 16: Presidents Day, No School
• February 17: Staff Development Day, No School
• March 13: Parent-Teacher Conference Day, No School
• March 16: Storm Make-Up Day, No School
• April 3: Good Friday, No School
• April 6: Storm Make-Up, No School
• May 21: Last Day of School

At Bismarck Public Schools, we know that amazing things are happening all around us every day. To help recognize this, we invite you to share your photos and stories about exciting events, achievements, or positive moments you’ve experienced.

Whether it’s a team accomplishment, a fun event, or an inspiring personal story, we’d love to hear from you! Your contributions will help us showcase the excellence within our community on social media and other channels. If you let our Community Relations team know about it, we can come get photos, share press releases as appropriate, and provide other support to help elevate your stories.

Let’s celebrate together and continue building a strong, supportive environment. Submit your photos, stories, or tips to community_relations@bismarckschools.org and help us spread the positivity! Also, if you happen to post on social media, utilizing the hashtag #learnbps allows us to find and share your content!