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- Written by: Jesse Thorstad
- Category: Districtwide News
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Make a difference every day. Become a Promise Fellow for youth at our school! Benefits include a monthly stipend, health insurance, assistance with childcare and food expenses, funds for current, future, or past college expenses, and more!
Find more info and see the application here:Â https://mnyouth.net/
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- Written by: Jesse Thorstad
- Category: Districtwide News
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Enjoy these words of wisdom from Miss Jessica's kindergartners!
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- Written by: Fergus Falls Public Schools
- Category: Districtwide News
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Referendum
Question 1Â
- Yes - 4,599 (42.18%)
- No - 6,304 (57.82%)
Question 2
- Yes - 4,234 (39.75%)
- No - 6,417 (60.25%)
School Board - Top 3 vote totals are elected
- Zachary Blumberg 1,456 5.53%
- Kristina Bradley-Khan 3,004 11.41%
- Jeney Christensen 3,755 14.27%
- Kristina Glas 2,904 11.03%
- Kelli Graff 5,341 20.29%
- Arden Kjono 872 3.31%
- Tim Nanson 2,777 10.55%
- Micah Narimani 2,311 8.78%
- Stephen Vigesaa 3,817 14.50%
- WRITE-IN 83 0.32%
Fergus Falls Voters Say No to Both Referendum Questions
Fergus Falls, MN (November 6, 2024) The Fergus Falls School District faces some tough decisions following the November 5 ballot, in which both bond referendum questions failed.
Question 1 failed with 6,304 (57.82%) voting No and 4,599 (42.18%) voting Yes. Approval of this question would have resulted in a $48.84 million bond levy to build a new school for grades 3-5.
Question 2 failed with 6,417 (60.25%) voting No and 4,234 (39.75%) voting Yes. The $910,000 bond levy would have been used to construct soccer and baseball fields at the new school.Â
“First, we thank all voters for seeking information and making an informed decision,” stated Fergus Falls Public School Superintendent Jeff Drake. “We respect the community's decision and we will continue to provide the best educational experience and outcomes for each child which our community expects and deserves.”
What These Results Mean
Without the passing of the first bond referendum question, Fergus Falls Public Schools will not be able to construct a new grade 3-5 school at this time.
Superintendent Drake shared his concerns regarding the results of the bond referendum.Â
“As we noted prior to the election, we do not have the annual operating revenue necessary to maintain our aging facilities,” said Drake. “Because the bond referendum was not approved, the grades 3-5 school will not be constructed. The district will continue to explore options to address our facilities challenges moving forward.”
Common Ground: Children’s Future
School Board Chair Natalie Knutson believes that now that the election is over, a new chapter in the future for students can begin. “Despite this disappointing news, we believe there is common ground in supporting the needs of our children. We will build on that common ground, working together with the community, to determine the best path forward for our facilities,” said Knutson.
Next steps:
District leaders and Fergus Falls School Board members will begin to discuss next steps, physical space and education needs. “The issues that we face with facilities will continue, but it's important to allow the new school board, administration, staff, and community some time to reflect, analyze, and come to consensus on what to do concerning our facilities,” Drake said.
The school district will provide updates to the community throughout the process.
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As we approach Veterans Day, I want to take a moment to reflect on the profound sacrifices made by the brave men and women who have served our country. It stands as a powerful reminder of the courage, dedication, and selflessness that define our veterans. Their commitment to defending our freedoms is the foundation upon which our great nation stands.
Patriotism is a prominent component of our vision for Otter education. Students across the Fergus Falls Public School District learn about the importance of Veterans Day and what it means to our country. We host a special Veterans Day program to honor our veterans that is open to the community. This year, our program will take place on Monday, November 11th at 10 a.m. in the Kennedy Secondary School’s Gold Gym.Â
This event is an opportunity for us to come together as a community to honor those who have served and to express our deep gratitude for the liberties we enjoy every day. Let us fill the gym with our appreciation and respect as we recognize the sacrifices of our veterans and their families.
In every corner of our nation, from small towns to bustling cities, we see the impact of their service. Their love of country inspires us to embrace our own roles as active and engaged citizens. As we gather, let us reflect on the values of freedom, unity, and patriotism that bind us together.
Thank you to all our veterans for your service. You have defended our way of life, and for that, we are eternally grateful. Let us honor your legacy by fostering a community that values courage, resilience, and compassion.
I look forward to seeing you all at our Veterans Day program as we celebrate and pay tribute to those who have given so much for our freedom. With thanks and heartfelt appreciation to our veterans and their families.Â
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- Written by: Jesse Thorstad
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Homecoming coronation is Monday, Sept. 16th at 7pm.
While we'd love to have you there, if you can't make it, you can still watch the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/zhuJKnf5Xi4
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Subcategories
School Board
Minutes from the meeting of the Fergus Falls Public Schools School Board.
KSS News
News from Kennedy Secondary School, our grades 5-12 building.
ALC News
The Fergus Falls Area Learning Center is a choice alternative education program. “Our mission is to foster a caring and respectful environment with a focus on real world learning.”
The Area Learning Center of Fergus Falls has a long history of providing educational options, and has been in existence since 1982. Students and their parents have a variety of program options to choose from when enrolling at the Area Learning Center of Fergus Falls. These program options include: Middle School ALC; High School Day Program; Independent Study; Credit Recovery; and Credit Recovery Summer School. All students must meet state criteria for participation in an alternative school. Students are eligible to participate through age 21.
Relationships and challenging curriculum are a key components of the programs the Area Learning Center. The ALC is committed to establishing and maintaining relationships with students, parents, and community supports, along with working to meet individual student needs. The ALC applies a variety of techniques to support students in earning their high school diploma.
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Advisory: Students enrolled in the day program are a part of an advisory where students participate daily in discussion topics, team building/leadership activities, community building activities, and skill building activities.
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Restorative Justice Circles
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Structured day program with feedback to students on classroom behavior and credit earned toward graduation every class period of the school day.
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Credit Recovery built within the school day.
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Individualized curriculum pace.
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MAAP Stars participant for 10 years at the high school level.
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Community Service Projects: Toys for Tots; Pay it Forward
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Work Experience and On the Job Training
The REACH program is a school within a school model, alternative education program for middle school students. The program is located within the Kennedy Secondary School.
Academic skills are emphasized in conjunction with workplace and community living skills needed to be successful in the community. Learner performance is monitored and encouraged through daily and weekly monitoring of individual progress. Academic, social, and communication skills are evaluated daily.
The Day Program is designed to meet the needs of students not successful in the traditional high school setting ages 14 to 21. Students attend a traditional length school day that is a combined class schedule of structured classes and independent study classes. In a structured class, a student works in a small classroom setting to meet the course objectives to earn high school credit. In an independent study class, the student works individually on a course facilitated by a certified instructor at their own pace to complete a course. Student progress toward graduation in the areas of attendance, behavior, and course credit earned is evaluated with each class period. The Day Program operates on the school district calendar and is in session from 8:25 – 3:20 daily.
The Independent Study program is designed to meet the needs of students that are unable to attend a traditional school day program. Students choose this option when they are already attending an educational program full time and still need additional credit to graduate, have passed their graduation year and only need a small amount of credit to graduate, are working full time, parenting, or have any other obstacles preventing them from attending the traditional school day but aspire to achieve. Digital curriculum is used to meet the varied student academic needs. A certified teacher works with students to facilitate learning.
To be considered a full time student, a minimum of 20 units of work must be completed at a passing grade level each week. Independent Study students have the freedom to choose which classes, and how many classes they will work on each day. Some coursework can even be done from home. This flexibility can help cut out some of the stress of trying to juggle keeping up with school along with other obstacles that may be in place.
If you are interested in enrolling in an alternative program please contact your high school counselor.
For more information please email or contact the Area Learning Center at 218-998-0544, ext. 9230, or email the Area Learning Center at: