Author: christine.carpenter
Seasonal events and feasibility study update: a message from Superintendent Lauren Crisman
Dear Fort Plain Community,
As the holiday season approaches, we are filled with excitement and gratitude for the joy this time of year brings!
Seasonal activities and events
- Winter athletic competitions are well underway. View the schedule of events at the Athletics page of our website)
- The PTA will host a Donuts & Drawing event on Friday, Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. at Harry Hoag Elementary School.
- The annual Grade 5-12 Winter Concert is scheduled for Dec. 11 at 6 pm in the Jr./Sr. High School Auditorium.
Rumor has it, a special guest from the North Pole will visit the Morning Program to say hello to our littlest learners sometime this month, too.
We hope you can join us for these wonderful seasonal events!
Feasibility Study update
As many of you already know, the district chose to engage in a Feasibility Study to explore a potential merger with Canajoharie CSD. Over the course of the next two months, the study will conclude and the Boards of Education will make a determination regarding next steps.
Upcoming opportunities to learn more about the Feasibility Study
- Dec. 12, 2024 – Final Advisory Committee meeting, 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Canajoharie CSD. Committee members will be touring the facilities prior to the meeting.
- Jan. 16, 2025 – Joint Board of Education meeting, 6 p.m. at Canajoharie CSD. The Feasibility Study consultants are scheduled to present a final report to both boards at this meeting and discuss their findings.
- Jan. 22, 2025 – Joint Board of Education meeting, 6 p.m. at Fort Plain CSD. At this meeting, the Boards will take part in an open discussion of the study recommendations and determine the next steps.
Community members, students, staff and parents are encouraged to attend these meetings.
View resources related to the Canajoharie and Fort Plain CSD Merger Feasibility Study.
In closing, should you have any comments or questions about the Feasibility Study, the future actions of the Board or school organization, please feel free to contact me directly at lauren.crisman@fortplain.org or 518-993-4000, ext. 1000
Wishing each of you a wonderful season of merriment!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Crisman
Superintendent of Schools
Board of Education Meeting – Dec. 12
The Fort Plain Board of Education will hold its regular meeting on Dec. 12, 2024 beginning at 6 p.m.
The meeting will take place in the Ronald H. Thibodeau Conference Room in the District Office, 25 High Street, Fort Plain, N.Y.
View the FPCSD Board of Education – Dec. 12, 2024 meeting agenda.
Giving thanks for our Harry Hoag teachers and staff
Is there a Harry Hoag teacher or staff member that has just gone above and beyond for you or your child?
Let’s tell them why you appreciate them!
Throughout the month of November, our teachers and staff will receive Gratitude Certificates including the kind thoughts you have shared.
Thank you for helping us give thanks to these special members of our Harry Hoag team!
Class of 2026 Holiday Wreath Sale – now through Nov. 15
The Fort Plain Class of 2026 has partnered with Family Traditions Tree Farm for a holiday wreath sale, which will run from Monday, Nov. 4 – Friday, Nov. 15.
Four different styles of wreath are available for $35 each. Please contact class advisors Kristy McFee and Paula Colvin for the wreath selection, or to place an order.
All are fresh and locally made.
Wreaths will be ready for pick up at the Jr./Sr. High School lobby on Tuesday, Dec. 3 after 4 p.m.
Proceeds will help fund the class prom and their senior trip.
Board of Education Meeting – Nov. 14
The Fort Plain Board of Education will hold its regular meeting on Nov. 14, 2024 beginning at 6 p.m.
The meeting will take place in the Ronald H. Thibodeau Conference Room in the District Office, 25 High Street, Fort Plain, N.Y.
View the FPCSD Board of Education – Nov. 14, 2024 meeting agenda.
Share your thoughts: feasiblity study ThoughtExchange now open
Dear Fort Plain CSD Community,
We’re about midway through our feasibility study exploring the possibility of joining the Canajoharie and Fort Plain school districts into a new, unified district. At this point, we’re reaching out again to invite your thoughts, questions and ideas through a new ThoughtExchange process.
Your input is crucial as we consider the impact and potential of this initiative.
This study aims to understand the potential benefits, challenges and effects of centralizing our districts. It is focused on three main areas:
- Educational experiences: Will this benefit students and improve the quality of education?
- Organizational capacity: Can we improve resource sharing and overall efficiency?
- Financial sustainability: Would centralizing help with long-term financial stability and wise use of resources?
We’re looking at factors like the quality of education, efficient use of resources and fiscal responsibility to see if joining the two districts could lead to stronger, more sustainable schools.
The study will help us decide if this change can improve educational outcomes and support a vibrant, well-rounded school community.
View documents related to the study’s progress, to-date.
Share your thoughts on this process through ThoughtExchange
This next ThoughtExchange will allow you to:
- Share any questions or thoughts you have about the study’s progress so far.
- Review and rate the ideas of others to help us see what’s most important to everyone.
Follow this link to participate with this ThoughtExchange: https://tejoin.com/scroll/432834459
Thank you for helping us make informed decisions for our schools. Your voice is a valuable part of this conversation about our future.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Lauren Crisman, Superintendent
Board of Education Meeting – Oct. 30
The Fort Plain Board of Education will meet on Oct. 30, 2024 at 3:45 p.m.
The meeting will take place in the Ronald H. Thibodeau Conference Room in the District Office, 25 High Street, Fort Plain, N.Y.
View the FPCSD Board of Education – Oct. 30, 2024 meeting agenda.
2024-25 student transportation news and updates
The following is a message from Fort Plain CSD Transportation Supervisor Gary Ruszkowski sent to families on Oct. 18, 2024
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We hope this message finds you well.
We want to inform you about an important update regarding our school bus transportation system.
Effective on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, buses will no longer pick up students who are not part of the regular bus route. This decision has been made to ensure the safety and well-being of all students while they travel to and from school.
We continue to provide a high-quality transportation service. Please be aware, however, that there may be occasional delays with pick up or drop off times due to bus driver shortages. If any delays are expected to be longer than 20 minutes, families/guardians will be notified via Parent Square.
As always, you can call the Transportation Supervisor at 518-993-4000 ext. 4001 or the Transportation Secretary at 518-993-4000 ext. 3059 to inquire about delays.
We kindly ask that you review and update your student’s pick-up and drop-off information if your child uses school provided transportation.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we prioritize the safety of our students.
Sincerely,
Gary Ruszkowski, Transportation Supervisor
Board of Education Meeting – Oct. 17
The Fort Plain Board of Education will hold its regular meeting on Oct. 17, 2024 beginning at 6 p.m.
The meeting will take place in the Ronald H. Thibodeau Conference Room in the District Office, 25 High Street, Fort Plain, N.Y.
View the FPCSD Board of Education – Oct. 17, 2024 meeting agenda.
Voters approve Capital Improvement Project
Fort Plain Central School District residents voted on Oct. 3, 2024 to approve a $10,140,000 capital improvement project by a vote of 101 to 83.
The project will fund needed repairs and improvements inside and out of both Harry Hoag Elementary School and the Jr./Sr. High School. It will also enhance some of our well-used gathering spaces, such as the Jr./Sr. High School auditorium, and provide safer access to our athletic facilities.
Thank you to all who voted on this project and for your support of our students and schools.