The Journey

High school summer school is seeking teaching staff for this summer. Employment opportunities, both virtual and hybrid, are available in the areas of English, math, and social studies. For more information and to express interest, please fill out this form.

Minnesota Residents who do not want North Dakota income tax withheld from their Fargo Public Schools wages must complete the NDW-R (Reciprocity Exemption for MN and MT) form by February 28.

Please follow these steps to submit the form:

1. Complete the NDW-R form in full.
   
2. Submit the signed form to Alecia Laidley, Human Capital Office Assistant, at the District Office.

To assist in completing the form, employees may refer to their final paystub from 2025 to identify earned wages.

Important: A new NDW-R form must be submitted each year to maintain your exemption from North Dakota income tax withholding. Failure to submit a fully completed and signed form will result in North Dakota income tax withholding from your wages, as required by state law.

As the District begins planning for the mill levy request, which will be presented to voters at the November 2026 election, and the potential for a constitutional measure of school meals, FPS educators should be aware of the North Dakota Century Code (N.D.C.C.) requirements of the Corrupt Practices Act. Specifically, the Corrupt Practices Act N.D.C.C 16.1-10-02, prohibits the use of District property for any political purpose.

Read more about the Corrupt Practices Act in this Cabinet Column by General Counsel Tara Brandner.

Ramadan, a holy month observed by Muslims around the world, begins soon for many of Fargo Public Schools’ students and families. In 2026, Ramadan is expected to take place around February 17 through March 19, with exact dates determined by the lunar calendar. During Ramadan, Muslims fast daily from sunrise to sunset, meaning no food or water during daylight hours. As a result, students who are fasting may feel hungrier, thirstier, or more tired than usual.

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

February signals the beginning of preparations in the Activities Department for the numerous tournaments hosted in Fargo each year at the close of the winter sports season. The Metro Area Tournament Committee, a non-profit that serves as the umbrella organization for managing tournaments in Fargo and West Fargo, is hosting the State Wrestling Tournament from February 19-21, the State Boys and Girls Hockey Tournaments from February 26-28, the Boys Swimming and Diving State Meet from March 6-7, and the Class A Boys Basketball State Tournament from March 19-21.

Read more about the tournaments hosted locally in this Feature Column by Director of Student Activities Todd Olson.

Administrative Policy 5620 Gift Cards prohibits employees from purchasing gift cards with District funds. The only exception is for gift cards purchased using grant funds where the purchase has received prior approval from the Grantor. The exception is rare and is only in very specific circumstances.

Congratulations to Ben Franklin Middle School Principal Kirstin Hanson on being named the 2026 North Dakota Middle Level Principal of the Year by the North Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals!

The honor recognizes Hanson’s student-centered leadership, commitment to strong school culture, and belief that the best schools are built through relationships, clarity of purpose, and a shared dedication to doing what is best for students. Hanson is in her fourth year as principal of Ben Franklin Middle School and her 14th year in education.

Congratulations to all Fargo Public Schools students selected to the 2026 North Dakota Academic All-State Team! The Academic All-State Team is selected by the North Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals. A total of 245 high school seniors were nominated for the honor in Class AA, Class A, and Class B. Students were selected based on grade point averages, ACT or SAT scores, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and leadership. View the full 2026 North Dakota Academic All-State Team.

Gold, Silver, and Bronze Team members will receive an honor medallion. The medallions will be presented to the students at a ceremony at their school. WDAY and Forum Communications will air a digital presentation honoring all the Class AA medalists on Friday, March 13, between the boys basketball state semifinal games.

Congratulations to North High School Business Teacher Ronda Kelly on completing her Catalyst Demonstration Project and becoming a Catalyst Demonstration Educator! Kelly is the first Catalyst Demonstration Educator at the secondary level for Fargo Public Schools.

The Catalyst Approach is a comprehensive professional development and implementation model based on observation of more than 50,000 classrooms and school-wide common spaces. It aims to accelerate deep implementation of skills that lead to the creation of improved classroom and school leadership, relationships, and culture.

Congratulations to all Fargo Public Schools students who signed National Letters of Intent this February to compete in athletics in college!

Davies High School

• Wilmot Matadi, Football, Northern State University
• Gus Werremeyer, Football, University of Jamestown
• Jason Hunter, Football, North Dakota State University
• Jack Wheeldon, Basketball, Concordia College
• Blake McCarthy, Football, University of Jamestown
• Kolten Tesch, Football, Northern State University
• Alex Meece, Football, Minnesota State University Moorhead
• Jaxon Calvin, Football, University of Wisconsin-Stout
• Xavier Muse, Football, M State-Fergus Falls

South High School

• Jayvon Anderson, Football, University of Minnesota Duluth
• Henry Agray, Football, M State- Fergus Falls
• Kobe Siemers, Football, M State - Fergus Falls

North High School

• Mikel Lockwood, Football, M State-Fergus Falls

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 Self-Directed Academy Campus Coordinator Cassie Horner in this week's Employee Spotlight.

This Sunday, February 15 is National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day! This is a special day to show appreciation for school-based law enforcement officers. Please take some time this week to thank an SRO for the work they do to provide a safe environment in our schools.

There will be NO SCHOOL next Monday, February 16 due to the Presidents' Day holiday. Classes will resume as regularly scheduled on Tuesday, February 17.

View the 2025-26 District School Calendar to see school out days and other important dates throughout the school year.

Help your school! Register for kindergarten as early as possible! Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2026 is open online at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/kindergartenregistration from February 2 to May 15. It is important to register your child as soon as possible to give FPS and your future school enough time to provide students with the best possible experience. If your child turns 5 by July 31, 2026, they are eligible to attend school in the fall.

Kindergarten Registration is a three-step process:

STEP ONE: PRE-REGISTER ONLINE
Complete a pre-registration form at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/kindergartenregistration. After office staff review and approve your pre-registration, a confirmation email with instruction to create a PowerSchool account will be sent. For assistance, please contact your child’s school to schedule an appointment to complete in-person.

STEP TWO: POWERSCHOOL REGISTRATION FORMS

Create a Parent PowerSchool account and complete registration forms.

STEP THREE: SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION
Upload or bring the following documents to your child’s school to finalize registration.

• Child’s certified birth certificate
• Parent Identity (driver’s license)
• Child’s immunization record with 5-year shots
• Proof of address (lease/mortgage statement or two documents that include parent/guardian name and current address, such as a utility bill and paystub)

If you do not know which school your child will attend, call 701.446.1043 or check online at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/boundarymaps. If you need help in PowerSchool, please call 701.446.1006.

A second round of registration will reopen in July with a different process.

Roosevelt Elementary School will host the third History Harvest event from 5:30-7 p.m. next Tuesday, February 17. 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.

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.

Fargo Public Schools invites parents and caregivers to share their thoughts through the Districtwide Climate and Culture Survey. Schools and district staff use the results to review current practices and to plan for the upcoming school year.

This input helps shape decisions that support students, families, and staff. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and gives parents and caregivers a chance to share their experiences in our schools. Caregivers are invited to complete a survey for each school their child attends this year. This feedback is important.

Fargo Public Schools high school and middle schoolers, this is your chance to design a Fargo Police Department Squad Car! High school and middle school students are invited to submit artistic designs for wraps for two School Resource Officer squad cars starting the beginning of second semester.

Designs will be submitted no later than 4 p.m. March 6. One winning middle school and one winning high school design will be applied to the winning school’s SRO squad car for the 2026-27 school year. This project is being funded by the Fargo Police Foundation.

Design options are limited only by the imaginations of the student artists. The artwork may incorporate any designs or color schemes using the existing FPD graphics. Fargo Public Schools Administration has authorized the use of school-specific logos as part of their designs. School specific or FPS logos cannot cover original FPD graphics. There can be no changes to the End of Watch graphic on the back, or the United States flag on either side. Design templates can be picked up from each SRO or downloaded here.

Designs will go through a selection process involving school administrators, school resource officers, FPS Superintendent Dr. Cory Steiner, and FPD Police Chief David Zibolski, with final winners chosen through a public vote.

Discovery Middle School presents its musical Beetlejuice Jr. at 7 p.m. next Thursday and Friday, February 19-20 and at 2 p.m. next Saturday, February 21 in the Discovery auditorium.

The musical, based on the film and the Broadway production, sees Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager, grieving the loss of her mother. Lucky for Lydia, she and her father move to a new house haunted by a recently deceased couple and Beetlejuice, a delightful demon with a real zest for life. When Lydia calls on Beetlejuice to scare away anyone with a pulse, this double-crossing specter shows his true stripes, unleashing a (Nether)world of pandemonium.

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 or on the image to view the MHS calendar February.

The Mental Health Series features an Ask a Therapist LIVE event on February 17, which offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with a licensed therapist. Register here.

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

YouTube: @FargoSchools

Be part of the cast, crew, or orchestra for the musical, Disney's Frozen, directed by Trollwood Alumna and Broadway star Becky Gulsvig. The magical world of Arendelle comes to life on the stage in this musical phenomenon based on the smash hit animated film about sisterhood, acceptance, and finding the real meaning of true love. Learn more about the Trollwood Mainstage Musical.

Cast auditions will be held February 21-25. Students may sign up for an audition slot by calling 218.477.6500 or emailing trollwood@fargo.k12.nd.us. Orchestra auditions will take place February 20-March 8 at local high schools and Trollwood. Sign up for an orchestra audition slot here. Students may also participate as a run crew member or technician by registering for summer programming.

Giving Hearts Day, a 24-hour online giving event, is today, Thursday, February 12. The day is a large fundraising event that benefits North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota non-profits. Each organization finds a sponsor to generously match donations. Trollwood Performing Arts School and the Fargo Public Schools Development Foundation are both taking part. Tax deductible donations can be scheduled now. You may also wait to give on February 12.

Donate to Trollwood Performing Arts School.

Donate to the Fargo Public Schools Development Foundation.

Donations to the FPS Development Foundation are matched by the Fargo Public Schools Federal Credit Union and the Dr. Calvin K. Fercho Family Foundation. Donations to Trollwood are matched by Bell Bank.

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 February 10 regular meeting of the School Board.

On Friday, February 6 schools across the District celebrated the 100th day of school of the 2025-26 school year with events, activities, and theme days related to the number 100. Students and staff members dressed up like 100-year-olds, did 100-related arts and craft projects, practiced counting to 100, ate 100-piece snacks, singing counting songs, and more centennial activities.

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