Author: heather.nellis

The Athletics Department is accepting sign-ups for fall sports. Please sign-up using the following Google Form:

Fall Sports Sign-up Form

Sign-ups are for students who are currently in grades 6-11 for the 2019-20 school year. The deadline will be Friday, July 3. After that date, students can still sign-up with the coach. 

Fort Plain Central School District residents approved a $21,375,000 budget by a vote of 241-46. The vote was conducted by absentee ballot only because of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Votes were tallied on June 16.

“We appreciate the support from our community to achieve a successful budget,” Superintendent John Bishop said. “Our students will benefit from this budget that preserves existing programs and student supports and is aligned to our district goal of preparing students for success beyond graduation.”

The budget reflects a 2.03% spending increase and a 1.81% tax levy increase. The calculated “tax levy cap” for FPCS is 3.4%. The tax levy cap law only applies to the tax levy (the amount of taxes collected by the district), not to tax rates or individual tax bills.

Voters also re-elected three incumbent board candidates and approved a bus proposition.

Jeffrey Jones received 260 votes, David Przestrzelski received 253 votes and Todd McFee received 250 votes. Their three-year terms begin July 1.

The district also received write-ins for Craig Phillips (6), Val Waner (1), David Briggs (1), Alfonso Pinyero (1) and Stephen Heiser (1).

Voters approved the school bus referendum by a vote of 235-52. The approved referendum allows the district to purchase buses at a cost not to exceed $338,000 total. The referendum does not have an impact on the tax levy. It allows the district to replace aging buses and minimize maintenance costs.

The Harry Hoag Elementary School is proud to present a virtual tribute to our sixth graders. The Google Slides presentation includes messages from staff, memories from the students and lots of photographs to remember them by. Staff members were expected to deliver gift bags to each sixth grader on June 10.

The Fort Plain Central School District would like to take a moment to reflect on the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the subsequent protests that have happened across the country and in our own region. 

As a school district, we do not tolerate or condone racism. As a school community we are committed to equity — which means making sure every student has the support they need to be successful. Our district will continue to uphold our mission of providing each student with the opportunity to develop in a safe, orderly and positive school environment.

We would like to remind all of our students and families affected by these events that we are here for support. Please know that even though our school buildings are closed, resources are available. We encourage our families to reach out to a school counselor, a teacher, a school administrator or another trusted adult if they need support. 

As a learning community, we would like to take this opportunity to provide some resources to help families talk with children about issues of race in society.

• USA Today: Kids need to talk about George Floyd, protests and racism
• Penn Graduate School of Education: Talking to children after racial incidents
• American Psychological Association: Resources for Parents — Uplifting Youth Through Healthy Communication About Race

Even during this time of isolation, we are all in this together. Thank you for your commitment to helping us make the Fort Plain Central School District a place where all students can learn and succeed.

As new Superintendent of Schools John Bishop finishes his first week on the job, he has a message to share with our school community.

In accordance with state guidance, Fort Plain Central School District is making plans with community partners to provide childcare for essential healthcare workers and first responders identified by the state. These workers have been identified by the state as physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, LPNs, nurse assistants, laboratory personnel, paramedics, EMTs, police officers and employed firefighters.

If you hold one of these occupations and you need childcare services, please complete the following survey.

• Childcare for Essential Workers Survey

If you have questions, please contact Katrina Canallatos at 518-993-4000 #3074 or katrina.canallatos@fortplain.org.

Scholarships for eligible families to help pay for childcare

New York State is using a portion of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funds to provide child care to income eligible essential workers at no cost. Essential workers who must work outside of the home and who are using a regulated child care provider will receive a scholarship for the cost of care as long as the funds to support it are available. All licensed and regulated providers who are caring for essential workers are able to participate in this new program.

In order to qualify for the scholarship, families must have an adjusted gross income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four that equals an annual income of $78,600. 

Parents are asked to complete the following application for the CARES Child Care Scholarship via the link below. It informs parents that the application will be considered complete once the online application is finished AND the required supplemental documentation is submitted to Brightside Up, the Childcare Resource and Referral Agency (CCRA) for Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady counties. For parents that currently receive a subsidy from their local DSS to pay for child care, this scholarship can cover the parent co-pay. Parents should apply for the CARES Act Scholarship, and then contact their local Department of Social Services to get a letter stating their current co-pay. Please address any questions to Tricia Howland at thowland@brightsideup.org.

• COVID-19 CARES Child Care Scholarship Application