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On the Road Visiting North Dakota Schools
State School Superintendent Levi Bachmeier continues his commitment to visit all 165 North Dakota school districts, spending this week in northwestern and north-central North Dakota. During each visit, he is touring facilities, observing classroom instruction, and meeting with educators, students, school leaders, and community members.
This week’s visits include Yellowstone, Williston, Divide County, Powers Lake, Mohall Lansford Sherwood, Bottineau, and Velva.
Additional district visits are scheduled through March, with more to be added in the coming weeks.
Required PowerSchool Data Replication Request
Last week, NDDPI sent districts a required-action notice regarding the PowerSchool data replication request, a critical step in preparing for the transition to Infinite Campus.
We’re pleased to report that more than 100 districts—approximately 68% statewide—have already submitted their requests. Thank you for taking prompt action to keep the BRIDGE timeline moving forward!
Districts that have not yet submitted a request should do so as soon as possible, following the instructions shared in last week’s message. Early completion helps prevent delays in upcoming validation and migration activities.
Questions may be directed to BRIDGE@nd.gov.
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North Dakota Student Engagement Survey Window Approaching
The 2025–2026 North Dakota Student Engagement Survey (NDSES) window will be open Feb. 1–28, 2026. This year, the survey reflects updates based on student and educator feedback, resulting in a more meaningful and relevant measure of student engagement across North Dakota schools.
The statewide participation goal is 95%, which helps ensure survey results accurately represent the student experience at each school. Students will access the NDSES through a link found in the Quick Guide and in LaunchPad, the same single sign-on platform used for the ND A+ Summative and Interim Assessments. The NDSES tile will appear in LaunchPad once the survey window opens.
To support survey administration, refer to the Quick Guide for NDSES Administration, which includes step-by-step instructions and best practices. For questions related to survey administration, contact dpiassess@nd.gov.
The NDSES student roster updates nightly using current STARS enrollment data. Appendix C of the Administration Manual provides guidance for troubleshooting enrollment issues. For questions related to STARS enrollments, contact Angie Thomas.
The NDSES contributes to district accountability results. Schools earn points for both Committed and Compliant participation. Additional information about how the survey functions as a North Dakota accountability metric is available on the Accountability, Support, & Improvement website. For general questions related to NDSES or accountability, contact Amanda Peterson.
Additional details and frequently asked questions are available on the NDSES website. More information will also be added prior to the survey window in the ND A+ Portal under the Student Engagement Survey tab.
Reminder: Download Student Engagement Survey Data
North Dakota schools and districts are reminded to download and save previous years’ Student Engagement Survey (SES) data from the Cognia platform if they have not already done so.
Cognia will transition from the eProve platform to a new system in summer 2026. After that time, historical SES survey data will no longer be accessible in eProve. To retain access to prior survey results, schools and districts should complete the steps below before summer 2026.
How to Download Your SES Reports
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Log in to myJourney
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Select the Surveys module
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Click the ellipsis (three dots) next to each survey name
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Select Download Summary Results
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An email will be sent with a link to download each PDF
If you experience issues downloading your survey results, contact Cognia Client Care at 1-866-239-0844.
Onsite Monitoring Forms for Federal Meal Programs: NSLP
For school districts participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and with multiple schools or sites, Onsite Monitoring forms must be completed by Feb. 1 per 7 CFR 210.8(a)(1). The office of Child Nutrition and Food Distribution (CNFD) has a worksheet containing both Breakfast and Lunch monitoring. You must complete monitoring for 50% of your breakfast programs each year and all of the lunch sites annually. Districts with a single site are encouraged, but not required, to complete the form.
The onsite monitoring form is intended to help school districts monitor program integrity and make corrections in between administrative reviews. Some particularly helpful questions to look for when completing onsite monitoring:
- Is the point-of-service count located at the end of the meal line?
- Are kitchen production records being accurately and fully completed at each site?
- Are eligibility lists for free and reduced meal benefits kept up to date?
- Are staff who take meal counts trained to identify reimbursable meals?
- Are staff recording professional development hours, including civil rights training?
- Has at least one staff member completed annual procurement training?
If you have any questions, please contact the CNFD office at 701-328-2294.
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ND COUNTS Administrative Rules Update
NDDPI has completed the public comment period for the draft ND COUNTS administrative rules and appreciates the thoughtful feedback shared by educators, district leaders, and stakeholders across the state. Input received during the comment period has been reviewed and incorporated where appropriate. A revised draft of the administrative rules has been submitted to the Attorney General’s Office and will be made available soon.
Implementation Timeline and Grade Bands
Consistent with guidance from State School Superintendent Levi Bachmeier, the ND COUNTS statute and administrative rules will apply to grades 4–8 beginning in the 2025–26 school year. Implementation for grades K–3 will begin in the 2027–28 school year.
Although the policy requirements are phased in by grade band, districts may choose to include educators in grades 9–12 in professional learning or training opportunities aligned with ND COUNTS when those opportunities are applicable to secondary mathematics instruction.
NDDPI will continue to share additional updates and implementation guidance through agency communications as the administrative rules are finalized.
The Wellness Wire: News for Safe and Healthy Learning
Monitoring Respiratory Illness in Schools
Respiratory illnesses (Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV) have been rapidly increasing in the state. If you are interested in monitoring trends and the potential impact on schools, you can view the Respiratory Pathogen Weekly Report or sign up for weekly respiratory illness reports on the North Dakota Health and Human Services website.
Measles on the Move: What Schools Need to Know
Measles is a highly contagious illness that can lead to serious health complications. If one person has measles, up to nine out of ten people nearby may become infected if they are not protected. When more than 95 percent of a community is vaccinated, most people are protected through community (herd) immunity.
Measles cases and outbreaks continue to occur across the U.S., underscoring the importance of preparedness. North Dakota schools are encouraged to remain aware of measles and to be prepared to respond if a case occurs. NDHSS has provided guidance to assist schools in preventing and responding to measles.
For questions or additional information about measles or immunization, contact NDHHS at 701-328-3386.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES |
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Wednesday, Jan. 14: Prepare to Schedule for New Admin
📍 Bismarck
⏰ 8:30 a.m. CST
🔗 Registration link
Thursday, Jan. 15: How to Grade for Learning – Book Study (Part A)
💻 Via Microsoft Teams
⏰ 3 p.m. CST
🔗 Registration link
Title I Schoolwide Reporting: Required Trainings & Resources
Updates on required annual reporting will be shared during the following webinars. All schools implementing schoolwide programming are strongly encouraged to attend. Schools in a schoolwide planning year are required to attend.
🕒 All sessions: 3–4 p.m. CST
Upcoming Webinars
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📅 Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026: Midyear Schoolwide Title I Reporting Review
🔗 Join the Meeting
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📅 SAVE THE DATE! Thursday, March 26, 2026: Requirements for Annual Schoolwide Title I Reporting (link forthcoming)
Resources (Recordings & Slides)
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📅 Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025: TA/SW Record-Keeping/Monitoring
▶️ Recording: click here | 📄 Slides: click here
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📅 Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025: Schoolwide Comprehensive Needs Assessment
▶️ Recording: click here | 📄 Slides: click here
Questions? Contact Michelle Siegfried at (701) 328-3544.
Native American Essential Understandings Lesson Planning Tool
North Dakota educators are invited to participate in a free, in-person training on a new Generative Pre-Trained Lesson Planner designed to support instruction aligned with the North Dakota Native American Essential Understandings.
Led by Dr. Scott Simpson and Sharla Steever, this training will introduce a new tool that helps educators create customized lesson plans—or enhance existing ones—using the seven Essential Understandings. The tool draws directly from the North Dakota Tribal History & Culture books and Teachings of Our Elders interviews, allowing educators to incorporate place-based Native American content relevant to students’ communities and coursework.
The lesson planner supports educators across all grade levels and is available at no cost. It also supports compliance with SB 2304.
Training Details
📅 Feb. 3, 2026
⏰ 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. CST
📍 Brynhild Haugland Room, North Dakota State Capitol Building
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ND CLIMBS & Legendary Learners Grants Accepting Applications
School and district leaders can apply for the ND CLIMBS and Legendary Learners grants to support strong, school-level literacy systems. Applications for both grants are open through Jan. 21.
Eligible districts may apply on behalf of schools to access structured implementation support, evidence-based practices, and resources to strengthen literacy outcomes from birth through grade 12. A list of eligible districts is available to help determine eligibility.
An open Q&A session will be held on Friday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m. CST for anyone interested in learning more before applying.
Additional details, including eligibility and application requirements, are available on the ND CLIMBS webpage. Questions may be directed to Taylor Olsen.
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATORS |
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Help Celebrate Excellence: Nominate a Teacher for 2026 County Teacher of the Year
State School Superintendent Levi Bachmeier invites North Dakotans to help celebrate exceptional educators by nominating them for County Teacher of the Year. Anyone may submit a nomination during the public nomination period, including students, parents, educators, administrators, and community members.
PreK–12 educators are eligible if they hold a valid North Dakota teaching license, serve in a position that requires that license, and spend more than 50% of their time working directly with students. Public nominations close Feb. 8, 2026; beginning Feb. 9, nominations will be accepted from principals and administrators only.
The County Teacher of the Year program is part of North Dakota’s broader Teacher of the Year recognition, awarded each September. County honorees are eligible for selection as North Dakota Teacher of the Year. The 2026 North Dakota Teacher of the Year is Frannie Tunseth, a reading and math interventionist at Mayville-Portland-Clifford-Galesburg Public School in Mayville.
Call for Nominations: K–12 Social Studies Standards Writing Committee
NDDPI will begin drafting new K–12 social studies standards this spring. To ensure broad statewide representation, NDDPI is using a nomination-based process to select members of the standards writing committee.
Superintendents are invited to nominate outstanding K–12 educators with strong expertise in social studies who can provide leadership and insight throughout the standards revision process.
Nomination guidelines:
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Each public school district and private school may nominate one teacher per 1,000 enrolled students.
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Districts with 3,000 or more students who choose to nominate teachers must submit nominations for at least one teacher from each grade level:
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Elementary (K–5)
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Middle School (6–8)
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High School (9–12)
The writing committee will include representation from all grade levels, district sizes, and geographic regions across North Dakota.
Course representation requirements:
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Middle School: Courses such as Ancient Civilizations, World History, World Geography, U.S. History, North Dakota Studies
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High School: Courses such as U.S. History, World History, U.S. Civics and Government/Problems of Democracy, Economics, Geography, North Dakota Studies, Psychology, Sociology
Educators who are nominated will receive an application to be considered for appointment to the writing committee.
Nomination deadline: Feb. 6, 2026
If you have questions, contact Davonne Eldredge at (701) 328-4525.
Earn Continuing Education Credit with the National Guard’s Educator Flight
The North Dakota National Guard is exploring opportunities to offer continuing education credit for educators who participate in the annual Educator Flight experience. This unique, immersive event provides educators with firsthand exposure to aviation operations, leadership, teamwork, and real-world career pathways within the Guard.
This effort aligns closely with Choice Ready component of North Dakota’s accountability system, which emphasizes career awareness, leadership development, and the durable skills students need for success after graduation. By connecting educators with authentic, mission-based experiences, the Educator Flight can help strengthen classroom instruction and support Choice Ready outcomes across North Dakota.
Educator input is essential as this opportunity is explored. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey below by Jan. 31 to share your perspective on offering continuing education credit connected to the Educator Flight experience.
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS |
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Keep North Dakota Clean Artwork & Media Contest Now Open
Keep North Dakota Clean (KNDC) is celebrating the 58th year of the state’s largest and longest-running youth environmental contest, inviting students to use creativity to promote caring for North Dakota’s land, water, and wildlife.
Who Can Participate
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Grades PreK–8 and students with special abilities: Submit original artwork based on grade-level environmental themes.
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Grades 9–12: Create a 30-second original audio public service announcement as part of the media contest.
Important Dates
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Submission deadline: March 6, 2026
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State winners recognized: May 4, 2026, in Bismarck
Complete contest rules, grade-level themes, and submission requirements are available in the official contest materials.
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 Military Pathway Program Virtual Open House
School counselors are invited to attend a Military Pathway Program Virtual Open House to learn how this pathway can support students in becoming Choice Ready and scholarship ready.
This one-hour session will provide an overview of Military Pathway Program classes, connections to Choice Ready and scholarship opportunities, ROTC and military academy pathways, and how recruiters can serve as learning coaches for students.
📅 Wednesday, Jan. 14
⏰ 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. (CST)
📍 Virtual (registration required)
Speakers
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Levi Long – Military Pathway Coordinator, Office of the Adjutant General
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Andrew Gilbertson – Dean of Students, North Dakota Center for Distance Education
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Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber – Deputy Adjutant General, North Dakota National Guard
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Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jess Willard – Operations Officer, North Dakota National Guard Recruiting & Retention Battalion
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Staff Sgt. Joseph Kane – Recruiter, North Dakota National Guard
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The NDDPI Messenger is sent out on a weekly or as-needed basis. Visit our website to view previous NDDPI Messenger/Weekly Blast bulletins.
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