Knight News

Nov. 2nd - Daylight Savings Time - Fall Back One Hour

Nov. 3rd - Jazz Band Concert - 7:00 PM - Auditorium

Nov. 5th - Herff Jones Graduation Presentation For Seniors

Nov. 5th - Early Release - 1:00 PM

Nov. 10th - Boys & Girls Wrestling, Boys & Girls Hockey Seasons Begin

Nov. 10th - FAFSA Frenzy - 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Staff will be on hand to help seniors and their families apply for college financial aid in the Media Center on this day. An email will be sent on 11/6 with additional instructions.

Nov. 11th - NO SCHOOL - Veteran's Day

Nov. 13th - Band Concert - 7:00 PM - Auditorium

Nov. 19th - Picture Retakes/Makeups - 9:00 - 10:00 AM

Nov. 19th - Early Release - 1:00 PM

Nov. 24th - Boys & Girls Basketball Seasons Begin

Nov. 27th - 28th - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Holiday Break

Dec. 1st - Boys Swimming & Diving Season Begins

Dec. 11th - 14th - Winter Musical "Into The Woods" - Auditorium

Athletics:

Boys Soccer

Rylan Dobrovolny - All EDC Team

Pictured: (back row) Eli Thompson, Trey Clausen, King Brooklyn Bruce, Eddie Bartholomew (front row) Piper Severson, Julia Biby, Avery Spartz, Queen Stella Blue (photo credit Zach Erickson Media)

Senior students interested in taking the WorkKeys should register for the November 19 test in the counseling office by November 12. The cost for the WorkKeys test is $40.50 (or $13.50 for each of the three tests). Students should check their ND Scholarship dashboard in PowerSchool to see if this test could benefit them. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Bailey in the counseling office.

GFC Tryout Form

1. Tryouts dates will be Nov 24th, 25th & 26th Players are expected to attend all 3 days. Any absences should be communicated with Coach Carlson.

2. Athletes must have a physical on file at Central from after April 15th, 2025.

3. Athletes must have a concussion from on file in the office prior to tryouts.

4. Athletes must have a code of conduct form completed on file in the office prior to tryouts. All forms can be found on GFC BB website under Parent Documents https://sites.google.com/mygfschools.org/gfcboysbasketball/parent-documents?authuser=0

5. You must complete steps 2,3,4 and bring these forms to the office to collect your white card. Athletes must have a completed white card from the office turned into the coach before they are allowed to tryout. If you were in a fall sport you need a new white card from the office.

6. Pre-season testing will take place on November 18th & 20th starting at 3:45 in the main gym at Central.

7. Grades 10-12 can come on the 18th. Grade 9 can come on the 20th.

8. Fees do not need to be paid until squads have been reduced at the end of tryouts.

9. Fees need to be paid prior to the 1st game.

10. If you have questions contact Dan Carlson – 746-2360 or dcarlson280@mygfschools.org

Coaching Staff

Dan Carlson – Varsity Coach

Justin Knowlton – Jr. Varsity Coach

Sean Norton – C-Squad Coach

Leo Strandell - Freshman Coach

Basketball tryouts will be on Nov. 24, 25 and 16th (time to be determined).

Head Coach: Mike Mathison

Email: mmathison4@gmail.com

Contact Coach Mathison for questions and tryout information.

Girls in grades 7-12,

We would like to invite you to join our newest sanctioned sport, girls’ wrestling. Practice starts on November 10, but the team is currently doing pre-season voluntary workouts if you would like to get

an early start. Please email Coach Matthew Berglund at mberglund200@mygfschools.org if you are interested in pre-season workouts with the current team.

Last season was the third season of Grand Forks “KnightRiders” girls wrestling. Girls from Grand Forks Central, East Grand Forks Sacred Heart, Grand Forks Red River, East Grand Forks Senior High and Thompson make up the team. 7th and 8th grade girls from Valley, Schroeder, South, Twining, Thompson, Sacred Heart and EGF are also part of the team.

The KnightRiders placed fourth in state out of 42 teams last season and had several state placewinners, including 3X state champion Emily Novak. Many of the girls were new to the sport and had a great deal of success. Check out our web page for more information. https://www.gfgirlswrestling.com

Great reasons to join wrestling

1. Wrestling develops agility, balance, reflexes, and strength.

2. Wrestling can dramatically improve one’s ability to perform in other sports.

3. Wrestling is a sport of control and technique – not violence. There’s no punching, kicking, or choking.

4. Wrestling is a great way to build confidence and self-defense skills.

5. Wrestling is very affordable. Equipment is provided by the school.

6. Wrestling does not favor any particular gender, size, or stature. You can be tall or short. You also don’t have to be a great athlete to be a good wrestler.

7. Learning good sportsmanship is a vital part of wrestling. Win or lose, wrestlers shake their opponent’s hand and the hand of the opposing coach after every match.

8. Wrestling teaches young people to develop healthy eating habits and proper weight management that can benefit them for the rest of their lives.

9. Wrestling teaches goal-setting, self-motivation, and accountability—skills that are very important in academics and athletics.

10. Most importantly, being on a wrestling team is fun. Sure, it’s not that fun to lose sometimes,

but you’re part of a team that knows what you’re going through and they’ll be there to support you.

You get to take road trips, go on overnight trips, hang out with your teammates and make many good memories.

Listed below are a few answers to some questions about wrestling

What is practice like? At practice we learn wrestling technique, wrestle against teammates of similar size and get in good physical shape.

When does the season start and where do we practice? Monday, November 10 is our first practice. Practices start at 4:00 pm and go until 5:30 pm. We practice at GF Central High School on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. We practice at Red River on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If rides to the

high schools are an issue, we will help you figure out a plan. You are also welcome to come watch a practice to see if you’re interested. Bring friends. Everything is more fun with friends and you will make more if you join the team.

What do we practice in? T-shirt, sports bra, shorts, or tight-fitting sweatpants or leggings. Wrestling shoes are preferred, but are not required. Extra wrestling shoes may be available. All equipment (headgear, knee pads) is provided.

How long is the season?

The season starts on November 10th and runs through February 21st with some breaks worked in over Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Who do we compete against?

Other girls from across the state and Minnesota. We usually have wrestling meets on Fridays and/or Saturdays with a few weekday home matches on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

What do I need to join?

You will need to get a “White Card” in the office. Make sure you have a physical form on file in the office. If you don’t have one, you would need to get one before you can start practicing (but you can still come watch). You also need to have a signed concussion form, and pay your participation fee (before the first competition). Here is a link to those forms: https://gfc.gfschools.org/athletics/athletics-info-forms

You can also come watch practices to see if you would be interested in joining. You must have 9 practices before you can compete. We also encourage you to bring friends to check it out. Newcomers are always welcome.

Requirements:

1) Physical prior to the start of practice

2) Pay online with MYSCHOOL BUCKS (If you are on free or reduced lunch, you can apply for a fee waiver.) The cost is $100 for the entire season and this covers motel rooms, travel costs and equipment. If you do not attend a Grand Forks public school, you can write a check to GFPS.

3) Parent signed concussion form (only need to do once per year)

We look forward to you joining the fastest growing high school sport in the state. There are so many great benefits to joining a wrestling team and you will make memories that will last a lifetime.

Let us know if you have any questions, email:

Coach Matt Berglund: mberglund200@mygfschools.org

701-330-2093

Coach Brady Terrill: bterrill219@mygfschools.org

Who: Any boys in 9th - 12th grade that are interested in being a part of the Wrestling Team. Everyone is welcome to join and nobody gets cut from the team.

When: First Practice is November 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM

Where: Grand Forks Central High School Wrestling Room

What:

• You will need to have all the documentation required by the office filled out and on file and bring a white card to participate in the first practice. If you are unsure of what you need you may contact Kristin Wilcox in the main office.

• Just bring a pair of athletic shorts and a t-shirt for practice.

Why:

• The sport of wrestling builds confidence, discipline, and a work ethic.

• You will forge friendships that will last you a lifetime.

• You will become a better student, athlete, and most importantly a better person.

Head Coach: Garrett Litzinger

Email: glitzinger220@mygfschools.org

Season opens: Nov. 10th

Head Coach: Grant Paranica

Email: gparanica290@mygfschools.org

Season opens Nov. 10th

Head Coach: Kelly Kilgore

Email: kkilgore130@mygfschools.org

Contact Coach Kilgore for questions and tryout information.

Why?

Within ND Century Code, school districts have the opportunity to provide instruction via remote learning during school cancellation due to inclement weather days. When surveyed, GFPS families indicated they prefer to engage in remote learning rather than make up missed days due to inclement weather.

Teacher Expectations:

• Teachers post assignments in Google Classroom by 9:30am (10:00am grace period for teachers with 3 or more preps)

• Posts may include written directions, uploaded documents, or short voice/video recordings per teacher discretion

• Assignments should take 15-30 minutes to complete on average * NOTE: exceptions may be necessary for AP and Dual Credit courses to stay on pace

• Teachers will be available for meetings over Google Meet upon request between 10:00-11:00 am and 2:00-3:00 pm. Teachers will also respond to email periodically throughout the day.

Student Expectations:

• Students will check Google Classroom for their day’s assignments and complete their work

• Students will follow their building’s directions for attendance. Students who do not indicate themselves as present will be marked absent (unexcused) unless their guardian alerts the office of their absence.

• Students will communicate with their teachers via email or Google Classroom if they have questions

• A Google Meet can be requested through email

If your family qualifies for free or reduced lunch, you may also qualify for free or reduced participation fees for sports and fine arts. A Waiver Request and Release Of Information must be filled out and turned into our office to be considered. Either the full fee must be paid or a waiver submitted prior to the first game of the season for that sport or before publicly participating in fine arts activities. The waiver and release are below and paper copies are also available in the main office.

The 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available at https://studentaid.gov.

Use the FAFSA to learn if you are eligible for grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and loans for college or career school. Completing the FAFSA is free and gives you access to the largest source of financial aid for school.

The Bank of North Dakota has recorded new FAFSA videos over the summer and they are now available.

FAFSA FRENZY will be held on Nov. 10th and Dec. 9th. More information to come-stay posted!

Remember to check out the scholarship listing -

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MYdjtyIFEi4OwLX4fso-WGkJmZZle3riBQhmeuDECIQ/edit?gid=0#gid=0

If you purchased a 2024-2025 yearbook, those are now in and ready for pick up in the main office. There are a limited number of extra yearbooks for sale, first come first served in the main office. The cost is $60 cash or check made out to Grand Forks Public Schools.

2025-2026 GFC yearbooks are now available to order online. The cost is $55.00 plus a $2.75 processing fee. All payments are processed by PayPal, but a PayPal account is not required to complete the purchase. At checkout, the purchaser can choose to pay with a debit or credit card instead of using a PayPal account. The 2025-2026 yearbooks arrive in the fall of 2026.

Link to order a GFC yearbook for the 2025-2026 school year:

https://ybstore.friesens.com/403870

We are excited to share that digital ticketing is now available for our athletic events!

When purchasing a ticket online, please note:

• The ticket will list the first game of the evening (JV game) and the JV start time.
• One ticket provides entry to both the JV and Varsity games.

How to Purchase Tickets:

1. Visit: https://gofan.co/
1. or Download the app: GoFan: Buy Tickets to Events
2. On the home screen, type in the name of the school you wish to attend.
3. Select the event and purchase your ticket.

Important Reminders:

• We recommend purchasing tickets the same day as the event in case your plans change. No refunds will be issued for unused online tickets.
• Games will be uploaded one week at a time — check back often for updates.
• There are no additional fees for purchasing online; ticket prices are the same as at the gate.
• A cash option will still be available at the event gates: $8 for adults; $5 for students.

We look forward to seeing you at our games and appreciate your continued support of our student-athletes! Please reach out to the GFPS Activities office if you have any questions.

Like so many others, we are in need of some fine folks to fill out our staff at the school known as The Finest in Dakota! Please follow the link below to view the open positions at Central (and all of the Grand Forks Public Schools) that include paraprofessionals and custodians. Be part of the work to make a positive change in a student's life at Grand Forks Central!

Mr. Jon Strandell - Principal

Dr. Gabe Dahl - Associate Principal A-K

Mr. Mike Wilber - Associate Principal L-Z

Mr. Tony Bina - Athletic Director

Main Office : 701-746-2375

Attendance Line: 701-746-2482

Main Office Hours 7:00 AM-4:00 PM

School Doors Open at 7:30 AM

Location:

115 N. 4th Street

Grand Forks, ND 58203

Follow us on Twitter: @GFC_Activities

Follow us on Instagram: gfc_activites

GFPS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GrandForksPublicSchools/