Author: monique.jacobs
Congratulations to the D.A.R.E. Class of 2022
Congratulations to our 6th Grade D.A.R.E. graduates. They were recognized and presented with diplomas at a Dec. 19 ceremony in the Harry Hoag gym by D.A.R.E. instructor and master of ceremonies Deputy Nick Manginelli, Sheriff Jeffery T. Smith, Elementary Principal Jodi Coppolo and Superintendent Lauren Crisman.
“The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is proud to partner with our local school districts in providing D.A.R.E. instruction to our youth,” said Sheriff Smith. “Making good decisions is the foundation of becoming a responsible adult.
“We thank the students, parents, staff and community for being part of this very important process. Congratulations to the graduates; take these lessons learned forward and continue to make us proud! Thank you.”
D.A.R.E. teaches students to resist drugs and violence and empowers them to lead lives free from violence, substance abuse and other dangerous behaviors.
In the photos:
At top: Deputy Nick Manginelli addresses the students and audience. Middle photo: The graduates look at their diplomas. Bottom photo: These students greeted and handed out programs to those attending the ceremony.
Proud to be Hilltoppers: The officers of the Harry Hoag Student Council
Hilltopper pride is strong in Fort Plain. Our Topper Pride video series explores the many reasons members of the Fort Plain school community, including students, alumni, faculty, staff and administrators, are proud of the experiences, knowledge and friendships they gained here.
Proud to be Toppers: The officers of the Harry Hoag Student Council
The Harry Hoag School Student Council is led by 6th grade students Molly, Lainie, Coco and Gavin, who serve as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer, respectively. Listen to why our Student Council officers are proud to be Toppers!
FPCSD is closed Friday, Dec. 16
FPCSD is closed Friday, Dec. 16, due to inclement weather. All athletic events are canceled. Be safe everyone.
Welcome to the Fort Plain Free Library!
Harry Hoag first graders and their teachers toured the Fort Plain Free Library Monday morning, Dec. 12, before participating in a library scavenger hunt, snacking on popcorn and creating spiral snow people and paper tree ornaments. The collaborative program was the first in a series that will take place over the next few months.
Special Projects Library Assistant at the Fort Plain Free Library Linda Kellett said, “We are grateful to Fort Plain District Superintendent Lauren Crisman, the first-grade teachers and aides, and the staff at the bus garage who helped to make this inaugural program a reality!”
About the tour and program at the Fort Plain Free Library, Superintendent Crisman said, “Today was a dream come true! We thank the library for their efforts to provide our students with this enrichment. I hope this collaboration fosters new interest to engage with the library’s programming beyond the school day. I deeply appreciate their willingness to host us.”
All fall teams named NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athletes
All of Fort Plain’s fall teams have been named New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Scholar–Athlete teams, in honor of their achievements in both academics and athletics.
To qualify as a Scholar-Athlete team, a team’s grade point average (GPA) for 75 percent of the roster must be greater than or equal to 90. Congratulations to the following teams:
Boys Cross Country
Girls Cross Country
Boys Soccer
Girls Soccer
Volleyball
Football
Golf
According to NYSPHSAA, “At the end of each sports season, the NYSPHSAA honors those teams and individuals that excel in the classroom. Those student-athletes, teams, and schools work very hard throughout the year and deserve to be recognized for their academic success.”
Great work FPHS Student Council!
The FPHS Student Council finished Spirit Week with their annual food drive for the local church pantry. They delivered the food on Friday, Dec. 9.
Great work and great spirit!
A message from the superintendent
December 9, 2022
Dear Students, Parents, Colleagues and Community Members,
From my family to yours, wishing everyone joy and happiness during the holiday season! May you take time this month to enjoy those you cherish most while making wonderful memories. We certainly have a lot to be grateful for as a community!
The early 2020s brought extraordinary challenges to all families, staff, teachers, school leaders and communities as a whole. With the pandemic complications behind us, it feels good to have a renewed focus on the District vision, to prepare all students for success beyond graduation.
The first half of the 2022-2023 school year was a productive time and as we approach the December vacation, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported FPCSD to make our many successes possible.
Throughout the fall, school teams regularly met to discuss teaching, learning and best practices to support student achievement. The administrators had thoughtful planning sessions dedicated to improving academic and social-emotional learning. The students had full access to learning and participation in co-curricular activities and athletic competitions.
Our long-standing FPCSD traditions resumed. Fifth graders hiked Kane Mountain and the National Honor Society was able to run a Blood Drive for community service. Student athletes felt support from live spectators. School visitors returned to enjoy activities like the Kindergarten Finger Food Feast, Morning Program and the Pacers Program. It was a rejuvenating feeling to see the campus buzzing once more with traffic from school-related and community-affiliated events.
As we continue to make plans for the future, we will keep our focus on what is most essential, the wellbeing of our school community members and our commitment to deliver robust instruction that prepares all students for success in whatever path their future holds.
If you wish to be part of conversations about FPCSD’s mission and vision and related action plans, I invite you to join me on January 11th at 5:00 p.m. in the Harry Hoag Library for another Community Conversation. The focus topic will be The Student Experience: Engagement and Advancement.
Again, I am truly honored to serve as your superintendent. I remain committed to shaping a future where our students prosper.
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Crisman
Olivia Sweet honored with NASA’s “You’ve Got Perseverance!” award
Fort Plain 8th grade student Olivia Sweet has been honored by NASA with a 2022 “You’ve Got Perseverance!” award.
On Dec. 6, she spoke with NASA engineers and scientists in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. She also received a personalized message from the Perseverance Rover that is currently on Mars.
Olivia was nominated for the award based on how she has demonstrated determination, grit and perseverance in her academics and personal life. She is listed on NASA’s award webpage.
Congratulations Olivia!
Guided reading students find sinking a foul shot is no easy task
A boy named Eddie Ball has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to win a million dollars. All he has to do is sink one foul shot during half time at the NBA finals. Eileen Kretser’s 5th grade guided reading class recently discovered that this is no easy task.
The students are currently reading the book, “The Million Dollar Shot,” written by Dan Gutman. This week, they tried their hand at sinking a shot in a basketball hoop in the Harry Hoag gym.
“The students had fun taking foul shots to understand and connect with Eddie Ball,” Kretser said. “They quickly learned it wasn’t easy. They find out this week whether he sinks the shot and wins the million dollars.
“It’s a great book. Check it out for yourself!”
Is it bullying or is it conflict?
Is it bullying or is it conflict? How do you tell the difference and what do you do? Harry Hoag students recently learned about this important topic from their 6th grade peers at the Dec. 2 Morning Program.
The 6th grade students wrote, produced and presented an original, role-play skit that involved their audience in determining, “Is it bullying or is it conflict?” They were introduced by School Counselor Stephanie Macherone, who also participated in the role play and moderated the discussion.
View a video of the presentation below.
