SchoolTalk

- SPOTLIGHT -

Cabinet Column - All In. Every Day. in 2026-27

Fargo Public Schools' theme for this year is All In. Every Day. This theme reminds us that success is built through a shared commitment to showing up, staying engaged, and giving our best each day. Being all in does not mean being perfect. It means being present, being willing to learn, and continuing to move forward — even when the work is difficult.

Read more about the meaning of being All in. Every Day. and the importance of treating every day like it matters in this Cabinet Column by FPS Associate Superintendent Dr. Robert Grosz.

Read Cabinet Column

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month ribbon - connection is suicide prevention

Feature Column - Talking About Suicide Opens Pathways to Help

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. One of the most important messages is also one of the most misunderstood: talking directly about suicide does not put the idea in someone's head or increase suicide risk. A respectful question such as, "Are you thinking about suicide?" can open a conversation that someone may not know how to begin.

Read more about Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in this Feature Column by Assistant Director of Student Support Services Dr. Jen Sahr.

Read Feature Column

- NEWSMAKERS -

Dr. Cory Steiner's 'Why'

This school year, Fargo Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Cory Steiner challenged all FPS educators to develop a 'Why' statement as a reminder of why they choose to work in the education field and what they aim to accomplish through their work going forward.

Dr. Steiner's 'Why'

To help make Fargo Public Schools nationally relevant and globally impactful. I will work to create a culture where educators feel valued and heard while being challenged to create the conditions where learners own their learning and feel empowered to change the world.

Employee Spotlight - Dustin Foster

Meet Fargo Public Schools Senior Accountant Dustin Foster 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.

- YOUR FPS -

School Out Day - September 7

There will be NO SCHOOL next Monday, September 7 due to the Labor Day holiday. Classes will resume as regularly scheduled on Tuesday, September 8. View the 2026-27 FPS School Calendar to plan ahead for school out days, early outs, and other important dates for the 2026-27 school year.

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.

NDCEL Principal of the Year Nominations

The North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders is accepting nominations from teachers and community members for Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. Community members, students, and teachers are encouraged to nominate a deserving principal who consistently goes above and beyond to inspire excellence in education!

Nominate an elementary, middle school, or high school principal.

Nominations are open until October 25. Winners will be announced at the NDCEL Mid-Winter Conference on January 26-28.

Here Comes the Bus

Fargo Public Schools uses the Here Comes the Bus app to help families track their students who ride the bus. This free app provides real-time notifications when your child boards or disembarks the bus, ensuring you always know their travel status. FPS strongly encourages all parents to download the app and set up notifications for added peace of mind. To set up Here Comes the Bus on your phone, click these instructions.

Students in grades K-5 who ride the bus will receive a bar-coded card that will be attached to their backpack and students in grades 6-12 will use a student ID card or input their lunch number on a bus keypad. Students need to scan their card each time they get on and off the bus. This scanning process allows FPS to confirm, in real-time, that the student is safely on the bus or has exited at the correct stop. This extra step is a critical part of ensuring the safety of all students.

Free and Reduced-Price Meals Application

Students attending school are provided breakfast and lunch through the USDA National School Lunch Program. Students may qualify for federal and state assistance to cover the cost of meals. Households may qualify based on income and size, participation in a federal assistance program (SNAP, etc.) or other criteria. Families receive free meals if they fall below 225% of the federal poverty line. Families must submit a Student Fees Assistance and Benefits Application (also known as a Free-and Reduced-Price Meal Application) every year.

If families qualify, households can receive free meals and additional benefits such as:

Waived (canceled) fees for school related activities such as band rentals, activity fees, exam fees, and others.
Increased funding to the district for educational programs through Title 1 funding, foundation aid, e-rate for technology grants, and others.

Households wishing to apply for Free or Reduced-Price Meals may apply by submitting a Student Fees Assistance and Benefits Application. It is only necessary to submit one application per household.

For more information about Free or Reduced-Priced Meals or the Student Fees Assistance and Benefits Application, visit the FPS Nutritional Services Department website. If you need assistance with the application, call FPS Nutrition Services at 701.446.1153.

Follow FPS on Social Media

Do we show up in your news feed? Follow Fargo Public Schools on Facebook, Instagram, and X to keep up on all of the exciting things happening across the District and make sure you don't miss out on important announcements!

Instagram: fargopublicschools
Facebook: Fargo Public Schools
X (Twitter): @FargoNDSchools

- FEATURE -

First Day of School

Last Wednesday was the first day of school of the 2026-27 school year for Fargo Public Schools. Schools all around the District saw learners and their families return to the buildings for a new start after summer vacation. Learners waved farewell to their families, settled into their new classes, and set off on a brand new journey.

- IN FOCUS -

Staff Bonding

During teacher back to school week, Explorer Academy's educators participated in a staff bonding event to help everyone get to know each other better. Educators were split into teams and each given a "mission." They needed to dress like a spy, solve puzzles, and follow clues around the building. The teams invested their energy into this activity and enjoyed a chance to dress in costumes. Mrs. Larson's classroom was the winner. (Photo courtesy Holli Huus)

Four virtual academy Wolf Pack ambassadors sitting at a round table

VA Back to School Night

Virtual Academy held its Back to School Night on Tuesday, August 25. Wolf Pack Ambassadors greeted students and showed them to VA’s new space in the lower level of the Agassiz Building. Learners took their school pictures, checked out their computers, met with their teachers, signed up for dual credit opportunities, and met with various college reps. (Photo courtesy Vanessa Boehm)

Fire Drill

Hawthorne Elementary School got an early start on their fire drills for the 2026-27 school year. The learners in grades K-2 headed outside into the beautiful August sunshine for a fire drill on the second day of school, August 27. (Photo courtesy Rebecca Folden)

Learners dressed in bright t-shirts that say Bruin Ambassador

Bruin Ambassadors

South High School's Bruin Ambassadors gave students a warm welcome as they entered the building for the first day of school. They lined up along the doors and cheered on each person as they came in the doors. (Photo courtesy Adrienne Eider)

Eight paraeducators wearing t-shirts that say "Dream Team"

RAAISE Dream Team

The paraeducators from the RAAISE room at North High School wore matching t-shirts to celebrate the first day of school. The shirts said "Dream Team" recognizing that they will work together as a great unit this school year and featured each individual's name. (Photo courtesy Erin Sinner)

Second grader helping a kindergartener in the lunch room

Lunchroom Helpers

Second graders in Mr. Biberdorf's class at Hawthorne Elementary School helped give their youngest schoolmates some guidance in the lunchroom on Friday. As the kindergarteners went through the school lunch line for the first time, the second graders helped them out and showed them where to go. (Photo courtesy Rebecca Folden)

Strength Fans

Ed Clapp Elementary School educators identified individual strengths they add to the school team and wrote them on a fan during a professional development day. When the individual fans are displayed together, it serves as a reminder that the staff's collective strength comes from the many different people and gifts that make up the team and each person plays a part in keeping the team strong. (Photo courtesy Jennifer Schuldheisz)

Freshman Retreat

South High School welcomed its newest learners with a Freshman Retreat on the second day of school last Thursday. The retreat was designed to help students connect, build relationships, and feel at home in their new community. Seniors rooted on the freshman and taught them school cheers, Bruin ambassadors led community-building circles, and the freshmen participated in other activities to help them meet new people. (Photo courtesy Adrienne Eider)

Marble Run

Learners in Lincoln Elementary School's Extended Resource Room focused on relationship building while working on a marble run course. The learners, who use augmentative or alternative communication devices, returned to school and picked up where they left off with an activity they enjoyed last school year, showing the importance of connection and relationship building throughout a school year. (Photo courtesy Shaylie Fry)

Emily Dilliard, second from left, on a panel with three other educators

Legislators Retreat

Explorer Academy Principal Emily Dilliard spoke on a panel at the Hunt Institute 2026 North Dakota Legislators Retreat in August in Bismarck. She joined other leaders in education to speak to North Dakota lawmakers about how they strengthen early childhood education and school readiness, teacher recruitment and retention, technology in schools, and learners with special needs. (Photo courtesy Dr. Todd Bertsch)

Group of Eagles educators working together on a project

Survivor PD

Eagles Elementary School's pre-school year professional development had a theme based on Survivor. Teams worked together through a fire-building STEM challenge and a challenging 3D fire puzzle, putting their communication and collaboration skills to the test. They finished the day by creating a tribe buff. Staff thought about the people who lift them up and the qualities that make those people special and chose four words that best reflected the values they want to bring to their work and wrote them on their buff. (Photo courtesy Dr. Jennifer Jung)

Educators standing under a sign that says "Welcome 5th Graders"

Welcome Banners

Centennial Elementary School's Parent Teacher Organization helped give the school's learners and educators a warm welcome to start the school year. The PTO hung welcome banners for each grade throughout the school. (Photo courtesy Desiree Hoyt)

First Day of Kindergarten

Elementary schools across Fargo Public Schools welcomed its youngest learners for their first full day of school on Friday. This year, kindergarteners started with assessment days on Wednesday and Thursday before joining their classmates for their first full day.

kindergarten class sitting in a circle on a colorful rug

kindergartener sitting at a desk with an educator helping

Kinergarten class sitting on a colorful rug while an educator reads a story

Parents taking a picture on first day of kindergarten at Bennett

We're All in this Together

Jefferson Elementary School educators embraced the 2026-27 FPS theme of All In. Every Day. by performing a choreographed dance number to "We're All In This Together" from High School Musical for the school's learners in the gym.

- IN THE NEWS -

Student artwork featured on Fargo police vehicles

Fargo Students’ Artwork Rolls Out on New SRO Squad Cars

Fargo students head back to class as Washington Elementary welcomes 100 new students

Fargo Public Schools continues slow enrollment slide

Enrollment down slightly on the first day of classes for Fargo Public Schools

Fargo board of education approves key resolutions and prepares for new academic year

Fargo Public Schools - SchoolTalk

This newsletter is published weekly on Thursdays during the school year when classes are in session. Material for publication is due by noon on Tuesday of the week of desired publication.

Email: comments@fargo.k12.nd.us
Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us
Location: 700 7th Street South, Fargo, ND
Phone: 701.446.1000

- SPOTLIGHT - - SPOTLIGHT -