Holy Spirit Elementary
School District
St. John Paul II Catholic Schools Network
Grades
Pre-Kindergarten through 5
Average Enrollment:
120 students
Arrival is 8:00 AM
Dismissal M/T/TH/F is 3:15 PM
W is 2:30 PM
Existing Conditions
Holy Spirit Elementary is a Pre-K through 5th grade private Catholic school and part of St. John Paul II (JPII) Catholic Schools Network. The school is in the city’s Washington neighborhood located approximately one mile north of downtown Fargo and across the street from Ben Franklin Middle.
Parents were observed entering the Holy Spirit parking lot from 15th Avenue N, parking, and walking into the school to meet students. Very few students were observed exiting the building without an adult. The office assistant confirmed this is standard practice.
There is one bus that circulates from Holy Spirit Elementary to Shanley High to drop students off and pick students up to bring back to Holy Spirit Elementary. This is a route the district offers parents/caregivers. At Holy Spirit, the bus picks up and drops off students directly in front of the door along the drive aisle.
There is no school speed zone specific to Holy Spirit Elementary. The school speed zone for Ben Franklin Middle is along 8th Street N between the two schools.
Observed Circulation & Challenges
Many of the challenges and opportunities at Holy Spirit Elementary occur during drop-off and pick-up when drivers queue to wait for students.
The challenges are exacerbated by the proximity to Ben Franklin Middle. To minimize the number of Ben Franklin parents and caregivers using their parking lot, Holy Spirit Elementary has permanently blocked the western driveway with chains. Cones are placed in the Holy Spirit Elementary parking lot along the western edge to discourage Ben Franklin Middle parents/caregivers from using the Holy Spirit parking lot to drop off or pick up students.
There are bike racks at this school near the main entrance on the north side of the building and near the play area on the south side of the building. They are a comb style racks that are not as secure as other models and can lead to wheel damage.
Opportunities for Improvement
Pedestrian and bicycle opportunities for improvement at Holy Spirit include adjusting the barricade across the western driveway so pedestrians may access the sidewalk to the main entrance from 8th Street N, upgrading bicycle parking, and coordinating with Ben Franklin administration to develop a policy and communication materials regarding Ben Franklin parents’ use of the Holy Spirit parking lot.
See the Ben Franklin Middle section for additional opportunities for improvement in this area.
Suggested Safe Route To School
This map was designed to illustrate suggested routes to school for students based on existing infrastructure. Metro COG is not liable for anyone that uses this map.
Last Updated: February 2020
1441 8th Street N Fargo, ND 58102
For more detailed information regarding Holy Spirit Elementary School Challenges and Opportunities for Improvement see the full Holy Spirit Elementary School Chapter below:
How to Get Involved at Holy Spirit?
I'm a parent...
Parents can use this plan to understand the conditions at their children’s school and to become familiar with the ways a SRTS program can work to make walking and bicycling safer. Concerned parents or city residents have a very important role in the Safe Routes to School process. Parent groups, both formal and informal, have the ability and the responsibility to help implement many of the educational and encouragement programs suggested in this plan. Parent groups can also be key to ongoing success by helping with fundraising for smaller projects and programs.
I'm a student...
Students are perhaps the most influential when it comes to advocating for change at their schools and in their neighborhoods. Student leaders have the capacity to organize programs in their schools to continue momentum of this planning effort.
I am a School Administrator...
School administrators have an important role in implementing the recommendations contained within this SRTS plan. For a plan to succeed, the impetus for change and improvement must be supported by the leadership of the school.
School administrators can help with making policy and procedural changes to projects that are within school grounds and by distributing informational materials to parents within school publications.
I am a teacher or school staff member...
Other than parents, teachers might interact with students the most. Teachers can include bicycle and pedestrian safety in lesson plans. Sharing books in the classroom that promote walking and biking is a good way to get kids interested at an early age. Teachers can also arrange for field trips within walking distance of school and incorporate informal lessons about safety along the way. In general, being positive and encouraging about walking and biking is a great way to start.
2020 City of Fargo Safe Routes to School Plan Documents
Return to the 2020 City of Fargo SRTS Plan project page for more information regarding the plan process and further documentation.