Minnesota school districts are required by statue 120B.11, Subdivision 3 to form a district advisory committee that ensures active community participation in all phases of planning and improving instruction and curriculum. This committee meets six times per school year to hear from departments, to discuss programming and to offer feedback on district curriculum.
Please contact the curriculum office if you are interested in serving on this committee.
Public:
Kristin Christenson
Amber Simonson
Kelsey Felstul
Dean Gutzmer
Paul Mayer
Chip McAllister
Laurel Peterson
Marc Rinke
Shari Sorkness
Brian Graber
Tony Rendz
Teacher:
Mona Davis - Elementary
Kelli McGovern - Middle School
Kari Flatau - High School
Administration:
Shane Thielke - world languages, art, music
Mark Anderson - language arts, work-based learning, career & technical education
Ryan Johnson - health, physical education, iQ Academy
Derek Abrahams - social studies
Tindyl Rund - language arts, academic interventions
Kristin Tuel - alternative education, social & emotional learning
Ivan Hirst - math
Jon Steinbrenner - science
Scott Colbeck - math
Kristie Sullivan - talent development, social & emotional learning
Melissa Amundson - preschool
School Board:
Stephen Vigesaa
Alumni of Fergus Falls Public Schools who would like a transcript should fax, email, or stop into Kennedy Secondary School and request as follows:
Alumni ~ fax to 1-218-414-2630
Scan and email –
Please include the following:
your full legal name at time of graduation;
date of birth;
graduation year;
the complete name and address of the school or location you would like your transcript sent;
your signature to release your transcript and date;
Phone number where you can be reached in case of questions
Or, use this form
Seniors will need to turn in their school issued Chromebook, charger and sleeve by the end of the school day on May 27th. Failure to return all items will result in those students not being able to participate in Senior activities like Valleyfair, or walking in the graduation ceremony the following week. They will also incur a replacement fee of $35.00.
7th and 8th grade students will turn in their Chromebooks, chargers and sleeves in English class on Wednesday, June 1st. Again, failure to bring all three items will result in a fee depending on what model chromebook they have. Make sure your student has all these items with them in school on the 1st.
9th-11th grade students will be keeping their chromebook, charger and sleeve until they graduate and we collect them at that time. If you do not want your 9th-12th grade student to have a chromebook over the summer, they may be turned in with the sleeve and charger no later than the end of school on the 3rd. Chromebooks turned in without chargers will be assessed a $20.00 replacement charger fee. We strongly encourage the students to retain their chromebook over the summer. If your student has the Chromebook Protection plan, that will continue through the summer and can be renewed in the fall.
The Chromebook Protection Plan is dropping in price this coming fall to $15.00. It covers all repairs and damage but does not cover lost or broken chargers. More on that as we get closer to the start of school in the fall.
Contact Mr. Anderson, Mr. Hirst or Mr. Donoho if you have questions or concerns.
Kindergarten classes share touchscreen Chromebooks between two classes. These Chromebooks remain at school.
Grades 1-6 have a Chromebook cart in each classroom. Teachers assign Chromebooks to students; however, the Chromebooks will remain at school.
Students in grades 7-12 are issued a school Chromebook which they are expected to bring to every class. Students bring these devices home, and are expected to bring them to school every day, charged and ready to go for a full day of learning.
Chromebooks will be distributed to students on Open House night. After grade-level meetings, students will be able to pick up their assigned Chromebook.
If a student has an existing repair or replacement fee from last year, they will not receive a different Chromebook until those charges are resolved.
Parents can purchase the yearly Protection Plan for $25, which covers accidental breakage to the Chromebook. This Plan does NOT cover theft or loss of the Chromebook or charger.
Fergus Falls Public Schools uses GoGuardian, software designed to help teachers manage students' Chromebook usage in class. GoGuardian also filters the content categories that we are legally required to filter from students.
With GoGuardian, teachers are able to push content to students during their class sessions. They are also able to monitor student screens, close tabs, and provide assistance to students via chat.
GoGuardian has an app for parents that allows you to see your child's Chromebook history. Additionally, you can use the GoGuardian parent app to limit your child's access to specific websites outside of school hours (6am - 5pm). While you cannot override what is available to students during the school day (for instance, we make use of YouTube, so YouTube is open during the school hours), you can restrict sites like YouTube after school hours if you feel it's necessary.
For you to use the GoGuardian parent app, we need to collect some information from you. We need your name, email address, and your children's names and SCHOOL email addresses in order to configure your account.
Please complete this form to get started.
We will follow-up with an email that contains directions for getting started!
NOTHING NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED ON SCHOOL CHROMEBOOKS.
Student Chromebooks cannot be set up to print on home printers. To print, sign into your child's Google account from a home computer and print from there.
Students must use Google Chrome for classes. If using a family computer, you'll need to Download Chrome.
Chromebook Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), Family Agreement, Family Handbook, and FAQs
Guide: SETTING YOUR CHILD UP AS A USER ON CHROME ON YOUR OWN COMPUTER
School Chromebooks are filtered when in use, whether at school or at home. However, NO FILTER IS PERFECT. If you'd like to provide additional filtering on your home network, we highly recommend OpenDNS, a free service.
Minutes from the meeting of the Fergus Falls Public Schools School Board.
News from Kennedy Secondary School, our grades 5-12 building.
On behalf of the Fergus Falls Public School District, I extend a warm welcome. We are honored that you have entrusted us with the care and education of your child.
The Fergus Falls Public School District is a special place. Our mission statement outlines our commitment to each and every child: “The mission of the Fergus Falls Public Schools is to prepare productive and engaged members of society by creating an environment where all students reach their full potential.”
What will your child’s experience be as a member of our school community? Children will be surrounded by adults who care about them. We will provide the necessary support to help ensure that each child is successful. Children will be challenged. That’s how new skills are developed and how learning, confidence and leadership is fostered.
In providing a robust 21st century learning environment - we emphasize the five “Cs” - Core Knowledge, Creative Problem Solving, Communication, Contributing Citizen and Character. These core competencies ensure that our students will be well-positioned for success wherever their dreams take them.
We pride ourselves on providing a rigorous academic curriculum with a diverse selection of electives. We support our students with a 1:1 technology initiative to augment instruction, we have strong vocational programs and excellent participation among our students in the arts. A large percentage of our students are involved in co-curricular activities and our programs are highly respected and competitive. In summary, we offer the family atmosphere of a small rural school combined with the opportunities typically only found in much larger districts.
Through the process of discovering and developing their talents, interests and skills, our students are going to make great memories, grow in confidence, become leaders in our school and community and form lifelong friendships. Once an Otter, always an Otter!
Warmest Regards,
Superintendent