SchoolTalk
FPS e-Newsletter for May 28, 2026
Feature Column - Creating More Good Days
Creating more good days is not something we do alone. While personal strategies matter, our environments and relationships play a powerful role in shaping how we feel and function each day. In Fargo Public Schools, working together is essential to building a culture where more good days are possible for everyone.
Read more about how to create more good days in this Feature Column by Assistant Director of Student Support Services Dr. Jen Sahr.
National Speech & Debate Academic All-Americans
Congratulations to the Davies High School students who received the National Speech and Debate Academic All-American Award. This award is an honor designated for fewer than 1% of the more than 141,000 NSDA members, requiring a 3.7 GPA or higher and having earned the top degree of Superior Distinction through competitive speech and debate. The Davies recipients are David Ha, Braden Li, Isabel Scherer, McKenzie Freier, Setiya Hamidi, Kendal Hauck, Ashley Hsu, and Lillian Meidinger.
State Track Champion
Congratulations to Davies High School's Luka Rout on placing first in the 800-meters, 1,600-meters, and 3,200-meters at the North Dakota Class A State Track and Field Meet last week in Bismarck. Rout finished the 800 in 1 minute, 54.03 seconds; the 1,600 in 4 minutes, 16.41 seconds; and the 3,200 in 9 minutes, 10.13 seconds.
Middle School Band Festival
Fargo Public Schools held its second annual Middle School Band Festival on May 2 at Davies High School. Band students from Discovery Middle School, Carl Ben Eielson Middle School, and Ben Franklin Middle School, as well as middle schools in Wahpeton and West Fargo school districts, participated in the festival, showcasing their musical talents and skills. The top-performing events in each room were awarded the Outstanding Performance honor.
The outstanding performances from FPS were:
- CBE Quintet: Second Line – Cole Samuel (tuba), Anders Steier (percussion), Samson Zurn (trombone), Fionn Hilmert (Trumpet), Carter Janssen (trombone)
- CBE Tuba Solo: Cole Samuel
- CBE Tuba Solo: Linus O’Brien
- CBE Clarinet Solo: Elizabeth Nkrumah
- CBE Flute Solo: Evalyn Juarez
- Discovery Clarinet Trio: All Through the Night (pictured to the right)– Danielle Ebiaboua, Royelott Fangah, Kataleya Baugh
- Ben Franklin Trumpet Solo: William Schneider
- Ben Franklin Oboe Solo: Eliot Bontjes
- Ben Franklin Mallet Solo: Brendan Griffeath
CBE Quintet
Cole Samuel
Linus O'Brien
Elizabeth Nkrumah
Evalyn Juarez
Schneider, Bontjes, Griffeath
Rebecca Johnson
Casey McCallum
Denae Monson
Employee Spotlight - Lucas Hoeg
Meet North High School Assistant Lead Custodian Lucas Hoeg 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.
Last Day of School June 4
Fargo Public Schools will hold its last day of classes next Thursday, June 4. Summer break starts for students on Friday, June 5. We wish you a safe and happy summer, and we look forward to seeing our students and staff members on August 26 when the 2026-27 school year begins. View the 2026-27 FPS School Calendar.
Meal Account Transfer/Refund Request
Meal account balances will carry over into the following school year and refunds are not necessary for returning students. For students leaving the District with $10 or more in their account, households will automatically receive a refund in the mail at the end of the year.
Requests for refunds, transfers to siblings, or donations of funds remaining in accounts are accommodated if made by June 15. Requests can be made by a listed guardian by going online to the Meal Account Request Form or by calling the nutrition services office at (701) 446-1152.
Graduation Ceremony Livestream Links
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2026! Graduation is less than a month away at Fargo Public Schools. To accommodate those who are unable to attend, FPS will livestream graduation ceremonies at the links below. The Dakota High School graduation ceremony at 7 p.m. June 5 will not be live streamed, but will be recorded for future viewing.
Virtual Academy, June 3 at 6 p.m.
Davies High School, June 7 at noon
North High School, June 7 at 3 p.m.
South High School, June 7 at 6 p.m.
Mental Health Resources
The Mental Health Series from ParentGuidance.org is a powerful resource designed to support family mental health and well-being. Experts agree that adult involvement is important in a child's success. When caregivers have helpful tools, it benefits children, strengthens families, and contributes to a thriving community. Click here to learn more about the Mental Health Series and view the MHS calendars for May, June, July, and August.
The Mental Health Series features Ask a Therapist LIVE events on June 9, July 21, and August 25, which offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with a licensed therapist. Registration is required. Register at the links below:
FPS Recommendation Survey
Fargo Public Schools seeks to gain feedback from parents/guardians/caregivers on their satisfaction with their student's school. Please complete this survey for as many students as you have in Fargo Public Schools. When completing the survey, please reflect on the experience you and your student have had at the school as a whole (i.e. academics, relationships, other programs). The data will be used as part of the monitoring process for the FPS Strategic Plan. The survey will close at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 4.
ArtSpark
Back-to-School Immunization Clinics
Fargo Cass Public Health is hosting Back-to-School Immunization Clinics on the following dates in August; all clinics will be held from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Fargo Cass Public Health (1240 25th Street South, Fargo):
- August 4 & 25: Appointments only
- August 11 & 18: Appointments and walk-ins
Walk-in immunizations will be provided by Family Healthcare in their Mobile Unit in the FCPH parking lot. Registration forms for walk-in immunizations can be completed at this link.
Those planning to attend are asked to bring their insurance card. No one will be turned away for not having insurance. Please call 701.241.1383 to schedule or with questions.
Fargo Public Library Summer Reading Challenge: Unearth a Story
The Fargo Public Library is hosting its annual Summer Reading Challenge from June 8 through August 15. This summer's theme is Unearth a Story. Kids and teens can participate by registering and logging into the Fargo Public Library Beanstack app (pre-registration starts June 1) and completing reading activities and challenges to earn prizes. For more information and to view the Summer Reading Challenge preview video, visit the Fargo Public Library website.
School Board Schedule & Links
The Board of Education of the City of Fargo meets in regular session on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, beginning at 5:30 p.m. To find Board meeting agendas and schedules, a broadcast link, an archive of past meetings, and more, visit the Board of Education webpages on the FPS website.
Read the Board Briefs from the May 26 regular meeting of the School Board.
Nacho Average Retirees
South High School celebrated staff members set to retire at the end of the school year with a "Nacho Average Retirees" taco bar potluck. Donna Lee, Beth Martin, Jean Brandt, James Ferragut, Peter Glasheen, and Nancy Durow were celebrated over the lunch hours with food, retiree's superlative votes, and a photo booth. (Photo courtesy Shannon Mortrud)
Classroom Store
Hjemkomst Center
North High School students recently visited the Hjemkomst Center to explore several exhibits connected to local history, culture, and innovation. Students learned about the important role food plays in community identity through Land to Table: Food Stories from Clay County. In Gadgets Galore! Transforming the American Household, students explored how industrialization changed everyday life in America. The visit also included Treasures from Norway, an exhibit honoring Norwegian immigrants who settled the region. (Photo courtesy Zach Hochhalter)
Valleyfair Physics Day
On May 20, South High School AP physics students took a trip to Valleyfair for Physics Days. Students used their physics knowledge to analyze rides at the park as it hosted a day filled with specially designed physics and science educational activities. South's Booster Club helped cover a portion of this year’s trip expenses aligned with its goal to support a variety of student activities, groups, and clubs.
Veterans Project
Tree Planting
Forensics Day
South High School students in Brittany Olson's forensic science class invited Lewis & Clark Elementary School fourth graders for a Forensics Day. The high schoolers led the elementary schoolers through stations educating them on different forensic techniques including tracking footprints, fingerprinting, and keeping track of evidence.
Boston Tea Party
First grade classes at Centennial Elementary School celebrated the end of their American History Unit in reading by having their own version of the Boston Tea Party. Students drank iced tea, wrote with feather pens, and participated in USA-themed activities. This unit taught first graders about the beginning of the United States in celebration of the country's 250th birthday this summer. (Photo courtesy Kristen Knudsen)
State Projects
McKinley Elementary School fifth graders recently finished state research projects. Each student chose a state to research, wrote a report, created a poster, and brought in food to share that would represent their state. The students shared their treats with their kindergarten reading buddies, third and fourth graders, and McKinley staff members. (Photo courtesy Hannah Parsons)
Science Olympiad Nationals
The Ben Franklin Middle School Science Olympiad Team competed at the Science Olympiad National Tournament from May 22-23 at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. The team finished 53rd at the national competition that featured teams from across the country. (Photo courtesy Danijela Ljepoja)
Water Safety
On Tuesday, Eagles Elementary School kindergarteners received Summer water safety tips from Austin and Cailey with the US Army Corps of Engineers. They learned about boat safety, proper life jackets, and how to help in an emergency. Student know how to "RTG- Reach, Throw, and Go". For their training they all received safety badges and some cool swag. (Photo courtesy Carianne Volk)
Davies Academic Awards
Davies High School recognized its students in Grades 9-11 who received Academic Awards for the 2025-26 school year and took a group photo with each class this week. This year's seniors were recognized in a separate ceremony during Davies Day. (Photo courtesy Kaity Dalzell)
Fargo Public Schools - SchoolTalk
Email: comments@fargo.k12.nd.us
Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us
Location: 700 7th Street South, Fargo, ND
Phone: 701.446.1000