The Fargo Public Schools held graduation ceremonies at Fargo Davies, Fargo North and Fargo South High Schools on Sunday, June 2, 2013.
Each high school’s graduation ceremony is posted on the Fargo Public School’s web site – see them here.
Kennedy students, staff attempt world record
On Thursday afternoon, Kennedy students and staff attempted to dance their way with hula hoops into the Guinness Book of World Records.
Earlier this spring, Kennedy Librarian Susan Kempel was approached by two fifth grade students who were browsing a print edition of the Guinness Book. They noticed that the world record for “Most People Dancing with a Hula Hoop” was within reach at a little more than 600 people. Kennedy’s student population is more than 730, and Kempel and Principal Jerry Hanson believed that the school could easily round up enough students, staff, and hula hoops to meet the challenge.
With a break in Thursday’s weather, 751 participants spread out in the school’s parking lots, warmed up and began shaking and spinning their bodies and hula hoops to a “Gangnam Style” dance routine choreographed by two fifth grade students.
In order to meet the requirements for the official world record, participants were registered, and the event was captured on still cameras and video from the building’s roof. Guinness is expected to certify the official attempt later this summer.
Posted in Uncategorized
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The new technology plan
The Fargo Public Schools has finalized its five-year Long Range Technology Plan, an effort led by the Teaching & Learning department that will continue to integrate technology into the learning process. It is modeled after the National Technology Plan, and addresses the core areas of learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and research & development.
The 2013-2018 plan calls for continuous improvement in the technologies that will best engage and support personalized learning experiences at all ages. The emphasis in the plan is on how technology can help engage learners, focus instruction, advance professional development, support electronic resources, and continuously improve as new technologies emerge.
The plan was led by the Teaching and Learning Department and sought input from both instructional and operational stakeholders. It serves as the vision for technology-enhanced learning for the District.
Posted in Strategic Plan, Teaching & Learning, Technology
Tagged education, Fargo Public Schools, K12, learning, North Dakota, plan, students, teachers, teaching, technology
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Summer technology camps to launch in July
Do you know a Fargo student entering grades 6-9 next year who likes science or technology? In July, the Fargo Public Schools will hold its first-ever summer Technology Camps for middle school students and those entering 9th grade.
The Camps, which will immerse students in the technology that impacts their daily lives, will take place on Tuesday, July 23 at Ben Franklin Middle School; on Wednesday, July 24 at Discovery Middle School; and on Thursday, July 25 at Carl Ben Eielson Middle School.
During the six-hour experiences, attendees will learn how to create apps, explore computer programming, learn about software and websites that will help them manage their schoolwork, and see how technology can help them manage their lifestyle and fitness goals, as well as other topics. This year’s sessions will be taught by NDSU technologist Dr. Jeff Boyer, Ph.D.; VCSU Great Plains STEM Education Center Coordinator Dr. Gary Ketterling, Ph.D.; Sundog Interactive employees; and Fargo Public Schools staff.
The idea for the camps originated earlier this year in conversations between administrators and staff in the middle schools, who were looking for a way to introduce new technology tools for students to use in the classrooms. The group decided that the format of a one-day summer camp would best fit students, and could be structured around fun and engaging topics and activities that would help connect the tools they use in school with those on the outside.
This year’s camps are limited to 50 students per site. The deadline for registration is June 21. For additional information, visit the Tech Camp website or contact Instructional Resources Director Jodell Teiken, 446-1060.
Posted in Activities, Community, Teaching & Learning, Technology
Tagged Ben Franklin, camps, Carl Ben Eielson, community, computer programming, Discovery, Dr. Gary Ketterling, Dr. Jeff Boyer, education, Fargo Public Schools, Great Plains STEM Education Center, High School, K12, Middle School, NDSU, North Dakota, Ph.D., software, STEM, students, summer, Sundog Interactive, technology, VCSU
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City PTA honors three for their service
The City PTA has honored three educators for their service to the Fargo Public Schools.
Washington Elementary Principal Dana Carlson was named Outstanding Administrator of the Year. He was cited as a master at encouraging positive school culture and relationships with students. Dana goes into every classroom to teach the Washington school’s beliefs of caring hearts, sharing hands, talking and listening with respect, responsibility for learning, cooperation, and doing “what is right.” He has always been a visible figure in hallways and the lunchroom, and he leads the Wellness walking student groups before school. Dana holds Parent Focus meetings before PTA meetings to communicate on important topics with parents. He attends and participates in all PTA events, such as conga line leader at dances, setting up movie screens, and serving food at the school carnival.
Kennedy Elementary 2nd grade teacher Colleen Kaeding was named Outstanding Educator of the Year. She was cited for her approach to treating students with respect, and the fact that families have specifically requested to have their children in her class. Colleen’s presence in her students’ lives stretches beyond the classroom – she is known for watching her students in their summer baseball games and is aware of all their extra-curricular activities. Colleen volunteers for PTA events, and has promised to come back and help next year during her first year of retirement.
North High Library Paraprofessional Vicki Hartland was named Friend of Education. She was cited for her uncanny ability to build relationships, for her awareness of other’s needs, and for making the school’s library a popular destination.
Posted in Community, PTA
Tagged administrator, award, City PTA, Colleen Kaeding, community, Dana Carlson, education, educator, elementary, Fargo Public Schools, Friend of Education, High School, K12, Kennedy, North, North Dakota, of the Year, Outstanding, paraprofessional, principal, students, teachers, teaching, Vicki Hartland, Washington
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Graduation ceremonies in the Fargo Public Schools
The high school graduation ceremonies in the Fargo Public Schools will take place as follows:
|
May 31 |
Woodrow |
7:00 p.m. |
Agassiz |
|
June 2 |
Davies |
12:00 p.m. |
FargoDome |
|
June 2 |
North |
3:00 p.m. |
FargoDome |
|
June 2 |
South |
6:00 p.m. |
FargoDome |
The Agassiz building is located at 1305 South 9th Avenue. Parking is off of 8th Avenue South.
Posted in Activities, Community, Teaching & Learning
Tagged Agassiz, ceremonies, Davies, Fargo, FargoDome, graduation, High School, K12, North, North Dakota, Public Schools, South, Woodrow Wilson
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Summer language experience to bloom in August
In early August, the Fargo Public Schools will hold an immersion experience into the Chinese language and culture for the first time.
The Chinese Language and Culture Program will take place weekdays August 5-16, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Bluestem Center for the Arts in Moorhead. It will bring the elements of Chinese society to students through the teaching of Chinese language instructors Chongmin Ji (FPS), Wei Wei Qian (Moorhead), and Professor Tsuo-wen Chao (MSUM).
The two-week program is set up like a camp for attendees on the grounds of Bluestem. The camp will utilize the outdoor facilities as much as possible, and will use curriculum based on the animals of the Chinese zodiac. During activity time, students will learn ancient Chinese art, calligraphy, ink painting, and paper cutting; traditional music and songs; and Chinese dance, tai chi, and traditional Chinese exercise. Technology will also be incorporated for both age groups in games and activities; the middle school group will be making “glogs” (graphical blogs) – interactive online posters that will include photos, text, video, and voice – as one of their projects.
No cultural experience would be complete without involving the cuisine. Meals, which are included at no cost, will be provided by two authentic Fargo Chinese restaurants – Lucy’s North China Cuisine and The Great Wall. Students will learn to eat with chopsticks, and will also have hands-on experience making dumplings.
During downtime, students will have opportunities to play Chinese sports, such as ping pong and hackey sack. The Chinese hackey sack is made with feathers; students will get the opportunity to make their own.
This year’s experience also includes a one-day field trip to the Concordia Language Villages International Day, held near Bemidji. At the end of the camp, participants will hold their own celebration of the Chinese New Year and compare it to American celebrations.
The Chinese Language and Culture Program is funded entirely by a federal STARTALK grant. The goal of the STARTALK initiative, now in its 7th year, is to increase the number of Americans speaking critical languages, including Chinese, Arabic, Russian, Portuguese, Urdu, Dari, Hindi, Swahili, Turkish, and Persian.
For more details, see the program’s webpage, or contact program coordinator Mary Thrond, (701) 293-5763.
Posted in Activities, Community, Teaching & Learning
Tagged ancient Chinese art, Arabic, Bemidji, Bluestem Center for the Arts, calligraphy, camp, Chinese restaurants, Chinese zodiac, Chongmin Ji, chopsticks, community, Concordia Language Villages, critical languages, cuisine, dance, Dari, education, elementary, Fargo, Fargo Public Schools, federal STARTALK grant, games, glog, glogs, graphical blog, hackey sack, Hindi, initiative, ink painting, International Day, K12, Lucy’s North China Cuisine, Mary Thrond, meals, Middle School, Minnesota, MSUM, North Dakota, paper cutting, Persian, ping pong, Portuguese, Professor Tsuo-wen Chao, Russian, sports, students, Swahili, tai chi, teachers, teaching, technology, The Chinese Language and Culture Program, The Great Wall, traditional Chinese exercise, traditional music and songs, Turkish, Urdu, Wei Wei Qian
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Three Davies seniors receive scholarships
Three Davies High School seniors have been recently honored with scholarships to assist them in their college pursuits for the 2013-14 academic year.
Anjali Lall has been presented with the PEO STAR Scholarship, a $2,500 award based on excellence in leadership, extracurricular activities, community service, academics, and potential for future success. The scholarship is awarded through recommendation by a local PEO chapter.
Anjali has been accepted and will attend the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities where she plans to study biology beginning in the fall.
Jace Duffield (left) and Steven Schmidt have each been selected by the Associated General Contractors of North Dakota, to receive $1,500 scholarships. AGC of ND annually awards these scholarships to high school seniors who intend to pursue a career in a construction-related field. Both Jace and Steven will attend North Dakota State University next fall.
About PEO
The PEO Sisterhood, founded in 1869, is an international philanthropic and educational organization which promotes increased educational opportunities for women. The PEO Sisterhood has given nearly $225 million in financial assistance to almost 90,000 women.
About AGC
The Associated General Contractors of North Dakota is a construction trade association of 450 members representing highway, municipal/heavy, building, and associated contractors. The AGC of ND has awarded college scholarships since 1964.
Posted in Teaching & Learning
Tagged academics, AGC of ND, Associated General Contractors of North Dakota, Davies, education, Fargo Public Schools, High School, K12, North Dakota, PEO Sisterhood, PEO STAR, scholarship, students
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A change of direction
By Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Schatz
This school year, the Fargo Public Schools Board of Education has been working on reviewing the District’s Long Range Facility Plan (LRFP). A community task force has been meeting since March to develop recommendations to forward to the Board of Education for consideration.
The task force meeting facilitation was recently taken over by FPS administration from the consulting firm RSP & Associates. The last two meetings of the task force have been directed by Cabinet- level administrators, who presented data and information to help task force members better understand the District’s student population demographics, attendance boundaries, academic achievement, future facility maintenance, and financial constraints. At the meeting on May 2, task force members worked in groups to provide recommendations with corresponding rationales for the following questions:
- What recommendations or comments do you want to forward to the school board regarding overall capacity issues facing the school district?
- What recommendations or comments do you want to forward to the school board for their consideration regarding configurations and neighborhood schools?
- The school district facilities assessment report indicated that there are needs regarding the ongoing operational maintenance in several school buildings. What recommendations or comments do you want to forward to the school board for their consideration regarding these needs?
- We know that the far south end of Fargo is and will be experiencing significant student growth. Some schools are experiencing overcrowding in their buildings. What recommendations or comments do you want to forward to the school board for their consideration in dealing with this situation?
- The City of Fargo completed a citywide study called Go 2030. From that report, are there items you want the school board to consider during their deliberations about the Long Range Facilities Plan?
- Are there other recommendations or comments you want to forward to the school board for their consideration?
From their responses, six themes developed:
- Grade Configuration/Paired Schools
- Academics & Magnet Schools
- New Construction/Remodeling/Repurpose
- Public Relations/City, Parks, Schools
- Neighborhoods & Safety
- Long Range Operational Maintenance
At the meeting on May 16, the task force worked to further define potential recommendations for consideration in the District’s next long term plan. As the task force continues to meet in June, they will work together to refine the recommendations. Once finished, the recommendations will be forwarded to the Board of Education to consider.
Information on the LRFP process, including task force meeting agendas and materials, is available online at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/lrfp. I encourage you to stay abreast of the development of the plan. The process of developing a new long range plan for Fargo Public Schools is an important one for our District and will help define the future of our schools.
Posted in Community, Facilities, Operations, School Board
Tagged academic achievement, attendance boundaries, Board of Education, City of Fargo, construction, education, facilities, Fargo Public Schools, Go 2030, grade configuration, K12, Long Range Facility Plan, magnet schools, maintenance, North Dakota, paired schools, recommendations, school board, task force
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Davies educator honored for work with visually impaired
Davies High School special education teacher Julie Anderson, who serves the visually impaired, received the AER Friends of Vision Award at the Dakota AER Conference held last week in Grand Forks. AER is the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired; its mission is to suppport professionals who provide education and rehabilitation services to people with visual impairments.
Julie’s award is given to a person from North Dakota or South Dakota who has made significant contributions to those who are visually impaired. In addition to going above and beyond for her FPS students, Julie, a UND instructor since 2000, has also been preparing teachers from all over the US and Canada to teach the visually impaired. She is currently the vice president of the North Dakota School for the Blind Foundation, and founded a card contest for students who are visually impaired in the state of North Dakota.
Posted in Special Education, Teaching & Learning
Tagged AER, Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Dakota AER Conference, education, Fargo Public Schools, Julie Anderson, K12, North Dakota, North Dakota School for the Blind Foundation, teachers, teaching, visually impaired
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