SchoolTalk

Read more about WIDA ACCESS testing in this Feature Column by Multilingual Learner Facilitator Jenna Polley and Director of Standards-Based Instruction Dr. Liann M. Hanson.

Congratulations to Explorer Academy Teacher Melissa Uetz on receiving a Teaching America250 Award grant from the Jack Miller Center! The Jack Miller Center is awarding a $5,000 grant to one teacher in every state plus Washington D.C. to carry out a creative project that will engage their students and school communities in the study and celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Uetz proposed a project for the award in which students will explore what it would have been like to live in colonial America in 1776 through reading about and enjoying colonial-era food and crafts during a "Birthday Party for America," allowing students to engage with the values, key individuals, and way of American life at the time of the independence.

Congratulations to Longfellow Elementary School on being recognized with a High-Performance Ranking by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction! Longfellow ranks in the top 10% of all North Dakota public schools based on the accountability system under the Every Student Succeeds Act. These indicators reflect important outcomes related to student achievement, growth, engagement, and readiness.

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. Meet Fargo Public Schools Print Services Manager Shane Lugert in this week's Employee Spotlight.

Congratulations to the nine Virtual Academy students that will be recognized at the school's Semester 1 Graduation Ceremony at 6 p.m. tonight in the Marcil Commons at the Bluestem Center for the Arts in Moorhead. Click here for a livestream link.

The second History Harvest event is at Madison Elementary School from 5:30-7 p.m. TONIGHT, January 22. The History Harvest events, aim to honor the history and legacy of Madison, Horace Mann, and Roosevelt Elementary Schools as they journey toward their consolidation into a new single facility. Horace Mann Elementary School hosted a History Harvest event last week and Roosevelt will host one from 5:30-7 p.m. on February 17.

Community members are invited to participate, contribute, and celebrate the legacy of these beloved schools. Voices gathered through the History Harvest will help ensure that the history, culture, and traditions of Horace Mann, Roosevelt, and Madison continue to shape the next chapter in public education for our students. Information and materials collected will be preserved in a digital time capsule and may help inspire elements within the design of the new elementary school. Learn more about the History Harvest Events on the FPS website.

At the Horace Mann History Harvest event, community members, students, families, staff, and alumni shared stories, artifacts and memories of their time at the historic school.

Fargo Public Schools has launched a new District Scorecard webpage designed to provide our community with a snapshot of how the District is performing in key areas. The Scorecard highlights data points connected to our Strategic Plan, including student learning outcomes, staff data, and progress across our strategic initiatives.

This resource reflects both where we have been and areas of continued focus as we work to support student success in a fiscally responsible manner. The Scorecard will be updated annually as new data becomes available and as our Strategic Plan continues to evolve.

Community members are encouraged to explore the Scorecard and learn more about the results and priorities shaping Fargo Public Schools at: www.fargo.k12.nd.us/about-us/scorecard

North High School presents "A Night of Theatre" at 6:30 p.m. tonight and tomorrow, January 22-23 at the North High School theater.

The performance features North's one-act play "26 Pebbles" and two student directed projects, a staged reading of "The Great Gatsby" and the musical number "She's in Love" from "The Little Mermaid."

Tickets are $3 at the door.

Thinking about staying home? Research shows that students who miss more than 10 days in a school year are 20% less likely to graduate on time.

By coming to school each day they aren't sick, students stay on track for graduation.

The Ask a Therapist LIVE series from ParentGuidance.org and the Cook Center for Human Connection offers parents a unique opportunity to engage directly with a licensed therapist at 7 p.m. January 27. Register here.

Ask questions of leading family therapists and take advantage of a free resource to help parents with important topics such as anxiety, depression, grief, suicidal ideation, child development and parenting, just to name a few.

Eagles Elementary School recognized the school’s 10-year anniversary with a 10th birthday party for its mascot, Ace the Eagle, last Thursday. The party honored the school’s history and recognized the people who helped shape the school and build a strong sense of community. It featured music, dancing, a special video highlighting Ace’s journey over the years, and the students and staff sang "Happy Birthday" to Ace.

The Fargo Public Library is celebrating its 125th anniversary with the "Happy Birthday, Fargo Public Library" 2026 Winter Reading Challenge, running through February 28. Kids and teens can participate by registering and logging into the Fargo Public Library Beanstack app and completing reading initiatives, activities, and challenges to earn prizes. With events and reading opportunities for readers of all ages, the winter reading program can add a little excitement, adventure and mystery to dreary winter days; plus it also provides opportunities to win prizes for reading. To participate, stop by any Fargo Public Library location or visit the library’s website for details.

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 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

Mrs. Volk's kindergarten class at Eagles Elementary School wrapped up its unit on farms with a tasty hands-on project. After reading "Farm to Table" and "The Little Red Hen," students talked about how food is made and the importance of working together. The class worked together to mill flour and make pizza dough, then took the project home and parents and sibling helped turn their dough into pizza. The project showed students that teamwork and community make hard work not only fun but delicious. (Photos courtesy Carri Volk)

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