Packer Nation News

Welcome to Semester 2! It feels like spring, but I'll reshare the inclement weather schedule (just in case!). This time always seems to fly as we head into registration for the 2026-2027 school year and other schoolwide events like our Day of Service. We are thankful for your collaboration and involvement.

This newsletter contains important information about staff and students of the quarter, the inclement weather schedule, academic integrity, academic supports (new this semester- peer tutoring!), and college/career opportunities! Contact information for administrators, counselors, and support staff, as well as repeat information and important links and dates are included toward the bottom. Additional information can be found on school and district webpages. You can also follow West Fargo High School on Facebook (@WFHighPackers) and Instagram (@wfhs.pack). After review, do not hesitate to contact the school with questions or concerns.

A few notes for your radar:

• We have seen an uptick in Ray-Bans Meta glasses after the winter holiday. Please be advised that these glasses are included in the list of banned devices for the statewide cell phone law. They have the capacity to send and receive messages and are not allowed to be worn on campus.
• Attendance resets at the beginning of Semester 2 and students have a limit of 10 absences per course (excused and unexcused... the only absences that do not count are sanctioned school activities and those with a medical note) before they are at risk of losing credit. As much as possible, family travel and vacations should be limited to times during school breaks when students do not miss more than a few days. Please monitor your student's attendance and ensure they are in school! This is the number one key to student success.
• Learners receive a grade for advisory at the end of the school year. The grade is Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory and is recorded on student transcripts. Advisory is worth .25 credits each school year. Grades have been entered for Semester 1 for you to see how your learner is progressing through this yearlong expectation, but they will not be finalized until the end of the year.
• Save the date for Quarter 3 conferences on Wednesday, February 11 from 5:00-7:30p! 4:00-5:00p is by administrative appointment only and 5:00-7:30p is an Open House!
• In Semester 2, West Fargo High will be running adjusted schedules for the following events: Day of Service (February 25), ASVAB Testing for selected seniors (March 31), and the District Reunification Drill (April 15). More information will be shared closer to each event! Please have these dates on your radar!
• We now have a form to request a food box from the West Fargo High School Packer Pantry! Simply submit your request here and we will get a box prepared for you! More information about food assistance is below!

It's always a great day to be a Packer.

All my best,

Rachel Bachmeier

• Peer Tutoring: New this semester and available every block, these representatives from National Honor Society are here to help! As students who have recently taken many WFHS courses, they are uniquely situated to offer guidance to their peers.
• PowerSchool and Schoology Access: Help your learner with academic support by staying on top of their progress! Make sure you can access your learner's grades and attendance in PowerSchool and assignment and assessment information in Schoology! If a student has a grade in both Schoology and PowerSchool, please remember that PowerSchool is the OFFICIAL gradebook for learners. If you need help gaining access, please contact the WFHS Main Office!
• Homework Room: Every Tuesday and Thursday afterschool, learners are welcome to attend Homework Room in 108E from 3:40-4:30p. Due to staffing and space constraints, attendance is limited to the first 15 learners.
• WIN Sessions: WIN sessions are offered 4 days each week (typically Tuesday through Friday) to help support students’ academic, wellness, and Choice Ready skills. Families can help students select their sessions each week by using PowerSchool to view and register students for WIN session that best meet their individual needs. Learn how by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/WFHSWIN
• Study Tables: WFHS teachers offer a variety of study tables throughout the day. See below for more information!
• Ask! The best way to advocate for academic support is to reach out to the teacher with questions and concerns!

Important Information from the Counseling Office:

Dana Rosendahl will be out of the office on maternity leave for approximately 12 weeks beginning in December. While she is out of the office, the counseling team will be supporting her students. Mrs. Rosendahl works with students in grades 10-12 with last names beginning F-Le. See below for a breakdown on who to contact for learner support.

• Ms. Courtney Quist, last names F-Go (grades 10-12), contact information: caquist@west-fargo.k12.nd.us

• Mr. Jamie Zuel, last names Gp-He (grades 10-12), contact information: jzuel@west-fargo.k12.nd.us

• Mrs. Tessa Roberts, last names Hf-Ka (grades 10-12), contact information: troberts@west-fargo.k12.nd.us

• Mrs. Megan Cowden, last names Kb-Le (grades 10-12), contact information: mcowden@west-fargo.k12.nd.us

Mrs. Rosendahl also works collaboratively with Mr. Asprey (grades 10-12 with last names F-G) and Mrs. Metz (grades 10-12 with last names H-L), so please continue to communicate with them regarding any administrative support needed.

Important Dates:

JANUARY

• 20-22: Pre-registration Info Sessions
• 12: Work Keys Test Date

FEBRUARY

• 2-6: National School Counseling Week
• 3-4 & 17-18: MTSS Community Circles
• 3-5: Registration for 2026-27
• 9-13: 10th Grade & EL Minute Meetings
• 23-27: Break Free from Depression in Grade 9 Health

The practice of community circles is a simple, structured process of communication that helps participants connect with themselves and their community. They are designed to create a safe space for all voices and to encourage participants to step in the direction of their best self. The practice of community circles is a strategy to build and maintain a healthy community in which all members feel connected and respected.

Registration for 2026-2027:

Between January 20th and February 5th, all learners in grades 9-11 will begin the process of registration for the 2026-27 school year. Please be mindful that whatever courses are selected by your learner during this registration window, including their first-choice and alternate electives, may not be changed later if they change their minds about their interest in the class. To better support all learners, there will be multiple opportunities (see below) for students to receive assistance on choosing their courses. Following the informational session, we ask that you review your student’s registration for the 2026-27 school year to ensure accuracy. If you have any questions about the registration process, please encourage your learner to ask for help from their school counselor or administrator during their designated registration time.

Registration Timeline:

January 20-22: Pre-registration informational sessions.

January 26-30: Students have time to review the course catalog, talk with teachers, and review ND Scholarship criteria to best pick classes.

February 3-5: All students grades 9-11 register at WFHS.

Family Resources:

Please encourage your learner to ask for what they need. Students commonly struggle in class, but do not talk with their teachers about those struggles. We know asking for help, especially the first time, can be hard. Practicing how to have those conversations with your learner can be helpful. While it may feel uncomfortable, hearing yourself say out loud how you would ask for help is a great way to feel more confident in those conversations. Encourage your learner to reach out to their teachers in ways that work for them, such as talking before or after class, sending them a message on Schoology, or attending WIN (What I Need) sessions.

Counseling Appointments:

Learners may make their own appointments to meet with their school counselor by going to the Counseling Office to identify a time that works with their schedule. This is the most efficient way to get learners on our calendars versus emailing. So, please encourage your learner to stop in and make an appointment!

If parents/guardians are concerned about their learner, they may reach out directly to their learner’s school counselor using the contact information below.

Did you know we have a full-scale pantry located at West Fargo High School? With over 40% of students from low-income families, we want to make sure we're providing as much as possible for everyone's basic needs. Stocked in the pantry are a variety of foods (including freezer foods), clothing, household products, and hygiene items. If you would like to place a request for a food box from our Packer Pantry, please complete this form! Other community food assistance information is below!

Click here (or view the photo below) to see West Fargo High School's inclement weather schedule. High school learners are expected to bring their device to school each day and home each evening in order to be prepared for an inclement weather day. Late start schedules are available here.

The first time school is cancelled due to inclement weather will be treated as a true snow day, with no expectations, virtual or otherwise, for learners. That day will be made up on April 6, 2026.

After the first inclement weather day, all future inclement weather days will be virtual learning. For this, all learners are required to log-in via Microsoft Teams at 10:00a to their advisory. During this time they will be able to check Schoology to identify expectations for each of their classes, including if their class is meeting synchronously (at the same time) in the morning. If their class is meeting synchronously, learners are expected to log-in for the class. All details about expectations will be posted in learner's individual Schoology courses!

Academic integrity is essential to promote student independence and for teachers to accurately assess student mastery of skills. This becomes harder and harder with various forms of technology. For example, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for writing assignments is popping up more and more in schools and we've already managed a few situations in the Main Office. Unless otherwise specifically noted by the teacher, the use of AI to complete assignments, including writing assignments, qualifies as academic dishonesty at West Fargo High School.

The learners and staff at West Fargo Public Schools value academic honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty (cheating) is unacceptable because it threatens the ability of a learner to learn the material, violates our core behavior expectations in a variety of ways, including disrespecting other learners and the educator, as well as violating the expectation of conducting oneself with honesty and integrity.

Furthermore, a key part of an educator’s job is to assess what a learner knows, understands and is able to do. Cheating produces results on assessments that do not allow an educator to accurately assess a learner’s knowledge and skill, and thus makes it even harder for educators to help their learners succeed.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:

• Copying another learner’s work.
• Submitting work that was completed by someone else as if it were your own.
• Plagiarism – Presenting another individual’s ideas as your own, failing to cite others in writing.
• Unauthorized use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) – see AI practices for more information.
• Using unauthorized materials to complete any assessment.
• Completing work in a group when not authorized to do so by the educator.
• Looking at another learner’s materials during any assessment when not authorized.
• Providing answers to another learner before or after a test and/or quiz.
• Taking educator materials (tests, keys, example questions, etc.) without receiving approval from the educator.
• Leaving classroom materials out and visible during an assessment.
• Using any form of technology (e.g. computers, calculators, cell phones) to provide or receive unauthorized content.
• Any other behavior in submitting work which is performed with the intent of misrepresenting one’s performance

Consequences include family meetings, receiving a score of zero for the assignment, receiving a grade of F for the course, and exclusion from academic awards.

WFHS Career Center Resources:

For questions or interest in exploring your Career and College Readiness opportunities visit the Career Center webpages or book an appointment with Career Advisor, Allison Caldwell.

• WFHS Career Center: https://wfhs.web.west-fargo.k12.nd.us/programs/career-center
• Allison Caldwell: acaldwell@west-fargo.k12.nd.us

College Entrance Exam (ACT):

Some institutions and scholarship applications require an entrance exam for admission or consideration. There are two tests that will usually satisfy this requirement. Most four-year colleges in our area use the ACT but will accept the SAT as well. The ACT exam measures skills in English, mathematics, reading, and scientific reasoning. Please be sure to check admission policies for any schools a student might apply to.

West Fargo Public Schools is no longer requiring all juniors to take the ACT. Students wanting to take the ACT, must register to take the exam directly through ACT. To receive the results in time to meet application deadlines, we encourage seniors to take the test early in the school year. Seniors should test/re-test no later than February to have test scores available for consideration for most scholarships and some college applications. The registration fee is $68 or $93 with the Writing Test. Students with documented economic needs may be eligible for a fee waiver. Students can visit with their school counselor or career advisor for more information. CLICK HERE to register for the ACT and see upcoming test dates.

WorkKeys Test Days:

Learners interested in taking or needing to take the WorkKeys Test to work towards earning the ND Scholarship, please see below for some information about the test and upcoming test days.

The WorkKeys is part of the Workforce Ready portion of the ND Scholarship and is comprised of 3 subtests. The three subtests are: Graphic Literacy, Applied Math, and Workplace Documents. Students need to score at least a 5 on a scale of 3 - 7 on each to meet the requirements for the ND Scholarship. Each subtest costs $13.50. Students can take the subtests as many times as needed to earn that score, but each additional attempt costs $13.50 per subtest. If cost is a concern, please let us know. There will be several test days offered throughout the school year. The 3 subtests can either be taken all in one sitting or across several test days.

Test Days Schedule

Thursday, January 15th (A Day - Blocks 3 & 4)

Monday, February 2nd (B Day - Blocks 1 & 2)

Tuesday, March 3rd (B Day - Blocks 3 & 4)

Monday, March 30th (A Day - Blocks 3 & 4)

Friday, May 1st (A Day - Blocks 1 & 2)

Wednesday, May 6th (B Day - Blocks 3 & 4)

Monday, May 18th (B Day - Blocks 1 & 2)

Click on this link to view the test days and sign up.

More information about the tests and test prep information can be found at the links below:

Workplace Documents

Graphic Literacy

Applied Math

Test Preparation Resources

Questions about the WorkKeys may be directed to Courtney Quist and Megan Cowden.

Transcript Requests:

Current students can request their official transcript through their E-Transcript account. Instructions can be found here. Current students can also access and download an unofficial transcript using the above instructions. If a college/university is NOT listed in E-Transcript, please complete the form on our website.

Past graduates are able to request their transcript by accessing the school website.

*If you took a dual-credit course, you are required to send an official transcript directly from NDSCS to the college(s) to which you apply. To request transcripts from NDSCS go to: http://www.ndscs.edu/current-students/request-transcripts/.

NCAA Eligibility:

Does your learner have potential plans to play a sport at the collegiate level? If so, please encourage your learner to communicate with their school counselor, administrator, and the activities department to make sure they are academically eligible. More information can be found here: https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/

Bank of North Dakota Dual Credit Assistance Program:

Bank of North Dakota covers the cost of up to two college courses per school year for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors who participate in Free or Reduced Price Lunch. If students have questions about this support or their eligibility, they can meet with their school counselor. The deadline to submit applications is the last day of the semester in which they are taking the course.

North Dakota Scholarship:

Senior students graduating from a North Dakota high school may be eligible for one of three scholarships that can be used at a North Dakota college, university, or eligible training program. There are several requirements that must be met to be eligible for a scholarship worth up to $6,000. Information on the available scholarships can be found in the Counseling Office or online.

Packer Backers is West Fargo High School's booster program. All money raised is used to support our students, athletes, staff, and community. For example, Packer Backer donations have made senior class breakfasts, new scoreboards, and new scoring tables possible! They do not only support athletics; they have provided financial support for a variety of school programs including DECA, FCCLA, Post Prom/Post Grad, and Spanish Club to name a few!

For more information, reach out to wfpackerbackers@gmail.com!

• North Dakota Engagement Survey: Tuesday, February 10 (adjusted daily schedule to come!)
• Quarter 3 Family Conferences: Wednesday, February 11, 4-5p by appointment, 5-7:30p Open House
• Day of Service: Wednesday, February 25 (adjusted daily schedule to come!)
• Quarter 4 Family Conferences: Thursday, March 26, 4-5p by appointment, 5-7:30p Open House
• Tuesday, March 31: ASVAB Testing for Selected Seniors
• District Reunification Drill: Wednesday, April 15 (adjusted daily schedule to come!)
• Senior Day: Tuesday, May 12
• Senior Capstone Presentations: Wednesday, April 29
• Prom: Saturday, May 2 (doors close at 7p for student entry and audience entry for Grand March)
• Graduation: Sunday, May 24 @ 3:30p (Scheels Arena)

West Fargo Administration is excited to support your learner this school year! Please reach out to your learner's administrator with any questions or concerns.

The contact information and counselor alphabet splits are below. Please contact your learner’s school counselor with any questions/concerns.

In addition to the administrator and counselor supporting your student, check out the services and resources below!

• WFHS Bell Schedules

• 2025-2026 District Calendar Link

• Information about Student Activities

• Application for Free Reduced Meals
• Parent Portal of PowerSchool for Parents/Guardians
• FAQ for Parent Portal
• Schoology for Parents/Guardians
• MySchoolBucks
• Graduation Requirements
• College Planning Checklists
• Financial Aid and Scholarship Information
• Transcript Requests

Follow us on Facebook (@WFHighPackers) and Instagram (@wfhs.pack). Support our student news channel by subscribing to Packer Television!

Email: wfhs@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
Website: https://wfhs.web.west-fargo.k12.nd.us/
Location: 801 9th Street East, West Fargo, ND, USA
Phone: 701-356-2050