SchoolTalk
FPS e-Newsletter for April 16, 2026
Feature Column - Celebrating National Library Week in Fargo Public Schools
This year, National Library Week will be recognized April 19–25, with the theme of “Find Your Joy.” Fargo Public Schools is proud to highlight the many ways our school libraries support students, staff, and families. Fargo Public School libraries serve more than 11,000 students across the district in grades PreK–12.
Read more about the services provided by FPS' libraries in this Feature Column by Library Program Facilitator Jen Hess.
Staff Recognition Nominees
Fargo Public Schools thanks all of its staff members for helping the District fulfill its mission of educating and empowering all students to succeed! To honor our employees, the District annually holds a staff recognition program. FPS staff and community members were invited to nominate a teacher, administrator, or support staff member who they feel is serving our students with excellence. Read the full list of nominees for the 2026 FPS Staff Recognition Program.
AFJROTC Unit Assessment
Congratulations to the Fargo Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps unit on scoring a 98.5 and earning an overall rating of "Exceeds Standards" during a Unit Assessment on March 31! This is the highest rating attainable and reflects the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Paul Dosch and Chief Master Sergeant James Gibson.
The purpose of this visit was to provide feedback regarding the performance of the AFJROTC unit, and to assess its compliance with the applicable laws, policies, and the Memorandum of Agreement between your school district and the United States Air Force.
North Dakota Youth of the Year
Congratulations to South High School's Jocelyn Evensen on receiving the 2026 North Dakota Youth of the Year in the Traditional Club Category by Boys & Girls Club of America this weekend at the Minot Air Force Base. Evensen receives a $2,500 college scholarship and will advance to compete in the Midwest Regional Competition in Chicago.
For more than 75 years, the Youth of the Year program has honored and celebrated the nation’s most inspiring teens and their incredible journeys. Stories of outstanding leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle have made Youth of the Year America’s premier leadership and recognition program for teens.
National Speech & Debate Honor Society Premier Distinction
Congratulations to South High School Junior Cora Wixo-McGavin on reaching Premier Distinction, the highest degree in the National Speech & Debate Honor Society! Fewer than 3% of NSDA members earn Premier Distinction prior to graduation. This milestone celebrates the hundreds of hours Wixo-McGavin has spent preparing, practicing, and competing to hone communication and leadership skills.
Employee Spotlight - Keith Lehman
Meet North High School Math Teacher Keith Lehman 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.
Summer EBT
Summer EBT will be available to eligible families in North Dakota this summer. This program provides additional help for families with children to buy nutritious food when school is not in session. The benefit is $120 per eligible school-aged child and must be used within 122 days of issuance. Most families will get these benefits automatically, but some will need to apply.
Households already participating in SNAP, FDPIR, or TANF will be automatically enrolled in the Summer EBT program. Households not automatically enrolled and may be eligible can apply for Summer EBT by filling out a simple application. Learn more and apply on the Summer EBT Portal.
Davies Musical Disney's Mary Poppins Opening Tonight
Davies High School presents Disney's Mary Poppins this Thursday-Sunday, April 16-19 in the Davies Theater, with Thursday-Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday performance at 2 p.m.
This classic musical, based on the Disney film and the books by P.L. Travers, features the memorable songs from the movie. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family members how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren't the only ones upon whom she has a profound effect.
Tickets are $6 for students and $8 for adults and can be purchased on the Fargo Public Schools Online Theater Box Office website. A fee will be charged for credit card purchases.
Attend to Win
Thinking about missing another day?
Research shows that improving attendance by just five days per year leads to higher achievement in reading, English, and math.
Self-Directed Academy at Carl Ben Eielson Middle School and South High School
The Fargo Public Schools Self-Directed Academy is adding a high school option and moving to Carl Ben Eielson Middle School and South High School. Learn more here and by reading the flyers below.
SDA at Carl Ben Eielson Middle School
The Self-Directed Academy at Carl Ben Eielson Middle School puts students in control. They will design real projects that matter, move through content with flexible pacing, and show what they know in ways that make sense to them.
Students take core subjects (math, ELA, science, social studies) plus one Project-Based Learning elective alongside multi-age groups in the Self-Directed Academy mode. Teachers coach them through challenges, help them dig into passion projects and studios, and trust them to take ownership of their learning. Students still have the opportunity to take traditional electives with their grade-level friends for a complete middle school experience. SDA builds the skills high school demands: voice, choice, critical thinking, and independence.
SDA at South High School
The Self-Directed Academy at South High School is a choice program for students who are choice-ready and motivated. In SDA, students earn real high school credit through projects they help design – not just worksheets and lectures.
Six-week studios give students voice and choice in what they study, how they show learning, and how fast they move. Teachers act as coaches, pushing students' thinking while trusting them to take ownership. If your student is looking for flexibility, independence, and learning that feels meaningful and motivating, SDA is their next step.
Trollwood Summer Registration
Alpha Gamma Delta Donation
Thank you to Alpha Gamma Delta for the donation of $10,000 to the Emergency Lunch Fund! Alpha Gamma Delta hosted the annual Mr. NDSU event on March 5, bringing together men from organizations across campus for a fun and competitive night, all in support of a meaningful cause. One outstanding participant was crowned to represent NDSU, but the real win was the impact made in our community.
Alpha Gamma Delta’s philanthropic mission focuses on fighting hunger, and funds raised from this event will go toward helping reduce Fargo Public Schools’ lunch debt, ensuring local students and families have access to the meals they need.
The check was presented by Alpha Gamma Delta representatives (front row from left to right) Josephine Davison, Maddie Kleen, Larissa Lahaise, Ava Grams, Natalee Merrigan, Izzy Lindberg, and Karlee Albertson to members of the Fargo Public Schools Foundation Board.
FPS Development Foundation Swing for Success Golf Tournament
The Fargo Public Schools Development Foundations is hosting its second annual Swing for Success Golf Tournament fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. April 30 at Suite Shots. Enjoy a four-person nine-hole scramble tournament in private bays or play interactive golf games. Prizes will be awarded in both categories. Register here.
Fargo Public Library Events
The Fargo Public Library has a number of events for kids and teens coming up, including the Science Saturday pop-up science event at 10 a.m. Saturday, featuring soapy science, liquid nitrogen, magic magnets and more; the Volunteer Fair from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, with representatives from local organizations sharing how to get involved; the Earth Day Crafts event at 5:30 p.m. April 22 at the Dr. James Carlson Library, where guests will make a beeswax food wrap or a pine-cone bird feeder. The Northern Focus Photography Project for teens is accepting submissions through May 31 and the Northern Narratives Jr. kids-only literature publication is accepting submissions through April 30. For more information about these events, visit www.fargolibrary.org.
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 April 14 regular meeting of the School Board.
Neighborhood Q&A
Superintendent Dr. Cory Steiner and Fargo Board of Education Member Nikkie Gullickson conducted a question and answer period at the Clara Barton Hawthorne Neighborhood Association meeting on April 7. They answered questions and addressed concerns from community members in the Clara Barton Hawthorne neighborhood. (Photo courtesy Becky Folden)
Eagles Battle of the Books
The team of Josie Woodley, Madelyn Fritz, Gavin Askvig, and Hendrick Larson was crowned the Battle of the Books champion at Eagles Elementary School. The team will advance to the compete against teams from other FPS schools in the reading incentive program that tests student knowledge of books on their reading list. (Photo courtesy Erin Hansen)
RAAISE Art Gift
Students from the RAAISE classroom at North High School created artwork and gifted it to the North High Counseling & Career Center and the main office. The colorful cacti and tree are on display and helping brighten the offices. (Photo courtesy Nichole Brandenburg)
Book March Madness
The Racing Readers
Bison Guest Readers
Washington STEAM Night
Washington Elementary School hosted its STEAM Night last week. Students and their families enjoyed projects and activities centered around building skills in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. (Photo courtesy Bobbi Cody)
North Mural
North High School students in the advanced art class and Art Club collaborated to design and paint an 8-foot by 8-foot mural that is now on display at West Acres Mall. The square panels connect to panels created by students at other area schools and can be viewed near Best Buy. (Photo courtesy Tracy Melendez)
CBE Catalyst
Carl Ben Eielson Middle School staff celebrated seven teachers becoming Catalyst Whole Group Certified this week. All seven teachers up for certification met their goals and earned certification. (Photo courtesy Mariah McKenney)
National Foreign Language Week
World language students at Davies High School and South High School celebrated National Foreign Language Week in March with the theme "Learning Languages: A Prescription for Healing Misunderstandings." Students discussed transferable skills they gain by taking a language. They ended Foreign Language Week with a cultural competence activity where they worked in groups to demonstrate their understanding of products, practices, and perspectives from cultures around the world. (Photo courtesy Kendra Hansen)
Central States Foreign Language Conference
Davies High School French Teacher Jill Bergen, Davies and South High School Latin Teacher Kendra Hansen, Davies Spanish Teacher Mercedes Doblado-Hanson, and South and Carl Ben Eielson Middle School French Teacher Amanda Leonard attended the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages in Chicago from March 13-15. Bergen, Doblado-Hanson, and Hansen presented on a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals capstone project that they implement with their Level 4 language students. (Photo courtesy Kendra Hansen)
Big Floody Band Festival
Seventh and eighth grade band students from all three Fargo Public Schools middle school band programs spent the day performing for their peers, listening to their peers, and learning and growing as musicians at the Big Floody Band Festival on Thursday, April 9 at Discovery Middle School. Nine middle school bands and four middle school jazz bands performed two to three musical selections each throughout the day. (Photo courtesy Verlene Stotts)
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