Home

By November, the energy of a new school year has started to settle. Routines are in place, and families are adjusting to the daily rhythm of school. This time of year is also when attendance habits take root. It’s not too late to improve attendance habits. Whether your student has already missed a few days or is showing signs of disengagement, November offers a chance to reset routines and re-engage with learning.

There will be NO SCHOOL November 26-28 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Classes will resume as regularly scheduled on Monday, December 1. View the 2025-26 District School Calendar to see school out days and other important dates throughout the school year.

In September, the school board approved a deficit budget. That means this school year’s expenses will exceed revenues. While this is not ideal, we have enough in reserves to absorb the deficit. The board is committed to a balanced budget next year. As such, the bulk of Planning Committee’s work this year has been spent discussing our budget. Read more about the planning committee's efforts to balance the budget.

Last month, the FPS Human Capital team gathered reflections from staff members who are also Fargo Public Schools alumni — individuals who once sat in the District's classrooms and now lead them. Their stories are a powerful reminder that education is not just about what we learn, but who we become along the way. Alumni shared how their teachers inspired them to return to FPS as teachers, coaches, counselors, principals, and support staff.

Get this week's news and events from across Fargo Public Schools in the current issue of SCHOOLTALK. This week's issue highlights include newsmakers, feature columns, and more.

November is Native American Heritage Month. This is the perfect time to recognize and celebrate the rich culture, traditions, and history of Native American people and to acknowledge the many contributions we have made to the world.

November is the National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, which also includes National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week from November 15-22. The goal is to acknowledge and raise awareness of the problems faced by youth, families and individuals at risk of and experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.

The Fargo-West Fargo Public Schools Native American Education Program is partnering with NDSU Extension to present a six-week course on Positive Indian Parenting from 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays from November 5 to December 17 (excluding Thanksgiving week) at the Agassiz Building. The free course, is for Native American families who want to gain and strengthen their parenting skills — especially those going through tough times or involved with child welfare services. 

During the month of November, The City of Fargo will partner with MinnKota Recycling to promote the “Cans to Cartons” Recycling Challenge. MinnKota Recycling will provide a one-cent-per-pound match for all aluminum cans collected in November at Fargo’s recycling sites

AD-Ventures is a district publication to help families find activities for their children throughout our community. It is published on the first of each month September-May. 

As of Monday, all FPS students in kindergarten through grade 12 now scan their student ID card or key in their student ID number (lunch number) when boarding and exiting the bus. This update established a consistent, districtwide system that reflects our Stronger Together  theme - unifying procedures across grade levels and strengthening collaboration among schools, families, and transportation staff.

Even in non-legislative years, the Fargo Board of Education's  Governmental Affairs Committee remains active. Members of the committee have developed a work plan alongside the administrative team to help prepare for the 2027 North Dakota Legislative Assembly.

Fargo Public Schools is partnering with Fargo Cass Public Health to bring the Tobacco Education Program to North, South, and Davies High Schools. The program is designed to increase awareness of the risks associated with tobacco and vaping while also equipping students with strategies to support and encourage making healthier choices.

FPS continues to expand Adapted Physical Education services to ensure equitable access to physical education for students with disabilities. Building on the pilot launched in 2024, APE will now be implemented in all elementary schools, Extended Resource Rooms, and sixth graders who are currently in alternative Physical Education and present with gross motor concerns.

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming many aspects of our  lives, and education is no exception. From personalized learning platforms to smart tutoring systems, AI is helping educators meet the diverse needs of students in new and exciting ways. 

FPS will be implementing a new safety and accountability measure for all middle and high school students who ride district buses. Beginning Monday, October 27, students will be required to scan their school ID card or enter their student ID number (lunch number) when boarding the bus to and from school.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law created to support the enrollment and education of students experiencing homelessness. McKinney-Vento is intended to provide homeless students the same educational opportunities as housed students by removing as many barriers to learning for homeless students as possible.

FPS will continue its participation in Medicaid Administrative Claiming - a program that helps us support students while also bringing important resources back into the District. Through this program, schools are reimbursed for certain activities that connect students to health services - such as special education supports, counseling, and other health-related needs.

Over the past five years, Fargo Public Schools has undergone a meaningful transformation in literacy instruction fueled by the Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant. Central to this work has been a Districtwide commitment to the Science of Reading, ensuring every student - from preschool through graduation - has access to strong, evidence-based instruction.

Bennett, Jefferson, and Carl Ben Eielson recently assembled teams of teachers to participate in an in-depth overview, training, and site visits at schools in Arizona as part of the Next Generation Workforce initiative. These educators explored strategic, team-based staffing models designed to make teaching careers more sustainable and to foster student success.

Children’s mental health is important! Students who miss just two days of school per month tend to be more stressed and anxious. Help lower student stress by encouraging attendance when students are feeling well.

FPS is preparing to adopt Infinite Campus to replace PowerSchool as the District student information system for next school year. Infinite Campus is a comprehensive platform that streamlines how schools manage student information, communication, and instructional tools - all in one place.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a Federal law that protects “education records,” records that are directly related to a student and maintained by an educational agency. FPS must comply with legal requirements in FERPA when maintaining, retaining, granting access to, disseminating, and disposing of student educational records.