Author: monique.jacobs
Proud to be a Hilltopper
Hilltopper pride is strong in Fort Plain. Our Topper Pride video series explores the many reasons why members of the Fort Plain school community, including students, alumni, faculty, staff and administrators, are proud of their experiences, knowledge and friendships gained here.
If you would like to be featured in a Topper Pride video, please email communications@fortplain.org.
Topper Pride: 2022-23 School Year compilation video
2022-23 school year videos
Proud to be a Topper: Dakota Dodson, 10th grade student
Dakota Dodson is a 10th grade student at Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School who enjoys learning how to weld in Kreig Heroth’s Materials Processing class. View our video below to learn why Dakota is proud to be a Hilltopper. #TopperPride!
Proud to be a Topper: Brad Bowers, Class of 2008 & owner of Bowterra Farm
FPHS Class of 2008 graduate Brad Bowers earned degrees in environmental science, worked in the field, and now owns Bowterra Farm, which offers several varieties of mushrooms among other crops, to customers both local and afar. View our video below to learn why Brad is proud to be a Hilltopper. #TopperPride!
Proud to be a Topper: Harry Hoag Student Council Rep Anna-Belle
Anna-Belle is the 6th grade representative on the Harry Hoag Elementary School Student Council. Listen to why Anna-Belle is proud to be a Topper.
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!
Proud to be a Topper: David Bertram, Director of Student Engagement and Athletics
David Bertram joined the Fort Plain Central School District staff this past summer as Director of Student Engagement & Athletics. In his position, he focuses on student activities and athletics and mentors coaches. Here is why David is proud to be a Topper:
Proud to be a Topper: Matt Holden, English teacher
Matt Holden teaches 7th grade English at Fort Plain Jr./Sr High School. He speaks highly of his students, their families and his school. Here is why Matt is proud to be a Topper:
Proud to be a Topper: Dorian Tracki, 7th grade student
Dorian is a 7th grade student at Fort Plain Jr./Sr High School who joined with classmates in participating in our Topper Pride video series and finds school to be a very positive place. Here is why Dorian is proud to be a Topper:
Proud to be a Topper: Savannah Maddox, 7th grade student
Savannah is a 7th grade student at Fort Plain Jr./Sr High School who has only good things to say about her school after recently moving into the district. Here is why Savannah is proud to be a Topper:
Proud to be a Topper: Peyton Dillenbeck, 7th grade student
Peyton is a 7th grade student at Fort Plain Jr./Sr High School. He was the first student in his class to volunteer to participate in Topper Pride, and he also encouraged others to share their experiences. Here is why Peyton is proud to be a Topper:
Proud to be a Topper: Evan Weaver, 7th grade student
Evan is a 7th grade student at Fort Plain Jr./Sr High School. He enjoys many things about his school, and his favorite subject to study is history. Here is why he is proud to be a Topper:
Proud to be a Topper: Sonja Purinton, Special Education Teacher
Sonja joined the Harry Hoag faculty in fall 2022. An experienced educator who lives with her family at their working farm, she loves her new teaching position with Fort Plain. Here are Sonja’s reasons why she is proud to be a Topper:
Proud to be a Topper: Jayden Sackett, FPHS Class of 2022 & FPFD Volunteer Firefighter
Jayden graduated from Fort Plain High School in June 2022 and serves as a volunteer firefighter with the Fort Plain Fire Department. He visited Harry Hoag Elementary with the FPFD in October 2022 to help teach fire safety to young students. Jayden is training to become a professional firefighter at the Watervliet Arsenal. Here are Jayden’s reasons why he is proud to be a Topper:
Proud to be a Topper: Jonathan Williams, FPHS Class of 2022 & FPFD Volunteer Firefighter
Jonathan graduated from Fort Plain High School in June 2022 and serves as a volunteer firefighter with the Fort Plain Fire Department. He visited Harry Hoag Elementary with the FPFD in October 2022 to help teach fire safety to young students. As of that time, Jonathan was in the process of starting a new job in the area. Here are Jonathan’s reasons why he is proud to be a Topper:
Proud to be a Hilltopper: Jayden Sackett
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 their experiences, knowledge and friendships gained here.
Proud to be a Topper: Jayden Sackett, FPHS Class of 2022 & FPFD Volunteer Firefighter
Jayden graduated from Fort Plain High School in June 2022 and serves as a volunteer firefighter with the Fort Plain Fire Department. He visited Harry Hoag Elementary with the FPFD in October 2022 to help teach fire safety to young students. Jayden is training to become a professional firefighter at the Watervliet Arsenal. Here are Jayden’s reasons why he is proud to be a Topper.
Thank you to our Fort Plain Fire Department heroes
Harry Hoag students learned valuable lessons about fire safety when the Fort Plain Fire Department visited their school on Oct. 12, during Fire Prevention Week.
They learned that firefighters are helpers who keep them safe, what to do if a smoke detector sounds, and what to do in the event of a fire. The students also got to turn on and hold a working fire hose and ride in a fire truck, and at the end of the presentations, each received their own fire hat.
Thank you to our local heroes – and school community members – who visited with our students and staff and shared their knowledge, including Fort Plain Fire Chief Bill Ehrenreich, Captain and Fort Plain Central School Transportation Supervisor Gary Ruszkowski, President Joe Hanifan, Vice President and Fort Plain Board of Education Member Jeff Jones, and Firefighters and Fort Plain High School Class of 2022 Alumni Jayden Sackett and Jonathan Williams.
Fire Prevention Week comes once a year, but the lessons learned last a lifetime.
Visit our photo gallery on Facebook.
Reminder: Please join us at our Oct. 12 Community Conversation
Reminder: All are welcome and encouraged to participate in the first in a series of Fort Plain Central School District Community Conversations on Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 5-6 p.m. in the Harry Hoag Library. Focus topics will be the FPCSD Vision and Communication Systems.
“Parents, guardians, families, students, community members and business owners are all welcome to participate in our Community Conversations,” said Fort Plain Superintendent Lauren Crisman. “The goal is to foster a dialogue between our district’s leadership and our community related to matters of public interest. Questions, concerns and celebrations are all welcome for discussion.”
Please note that the superintendent and district leaders will not be able to discuss matters related to contractual negotiations or specific personnel.
Community Conversations also will be held on Jan. 11, 2023, with a focus topic of The Student Experience: Engagement and Advancement, and on May 3, 2023, with a focus topic of Improvement Priorities; both conversations will be held from 5-6 p.m. in the Harry Hoag Library.
Sign up is not required.
Join us for FPHS Open House Oct. 4
Fort Plain Jr./Sr. School families are invited to join us for Fall Open House on Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
It’s a great time for students and parents/guardians to meet with our teachers and staff, tour the school and meet other FPHS families.
Save the date and join us.
All are welcome at Community Conversations with FPCSD leadership
Fort Plain Central School District will host a series of Community Conversations this school year to foster a dialogue between school community members and district leadership.
The first Community Conversation will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 5-6 p.m. in the Harry Hoag Library. Focus topics will be the FPCSD Vision and Communication Systems.
“Parents, guardians, families, students, community members and business owners are all welcome to participate in our Community Conversations,” said Fort Plain Superintendent Lauren Crisman. “The goal is to foster a dialogue between our district’s leadership and our community related to matters of public interest. Questions, concerns and celebrations are all welcome for discussion.”
Please note that the superintendent and district leaders will not be able to discuss matters related to contractual negotiations or specific personnel.
Community Conversations also will be held on Jan. 11, 2023, with a focus topic of The Student Experience: Engagement and Advancement, and on May 3, 2023, with a focus topic of Improvement Priorities; both conversations will be held from 5-6 p.m. in the Harry Hoag Library.
Sign up is not required.
Board of Education sets goals and objectives
The Fort Plain Central School District Board of Education has identified five enduring goals and written objectives for the 2022-23 school year. For full details, please visit the Board of Education Goals webpage.
Join us for Harry Hoag Open House on Oct. 6
Harry Hoag Elementary School families are invited to join us for Fall Open House on Thursday, Oct. 6, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
It’s a great time for students and parents/guardians to come meet the teachers, staff and explore the school! Learn about what your child has been doing in school, and meet other parents and families.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Title I Parent Information presentation is Oct. 6, before open house
Fort Plain Central School District is holding a Title I Parent Information presentation on Thursday, Oct. 6, at 4:45 p.m. in the Harry Hoag library. The presentation is being held prior to the elementary open house, which begins at 5:30 p.m.
Fort Plain Central School District follows New York State Education Department regulations to assure appropriate provision of academic interventions to all students who are not making sufficient academic progress.
If you wish to know more about our intervention services, please plan to join Mrs. Crisman for this information session.
Welcome new faculty and staff
Fort Plain Central School welcomes new faculty and staff to our campuses this school year. Some started in their new positions with the district during the summer, while others came aboard this month.
Welcome to:
- Amanda Battisti, food service
- David Bertram, director of student engagement and athletics
- Dalton Burrello, music
- Lisa Clement-Adams, speech language pathologist
- Elliott Cohen, school counselor
- Carol Connelly, special education
- Jodi Coppolo, Pre K-6 principal
- Lauren Crisman, superintendent of schools
- Madison Crouse, long term substitute
- Colleen Cushing, new position: K-12 mental health counselor
- Emma DiDonna, English
- Abigail Gorinshek, Grade 5
- Andrew Hanifin, long term substitute
- Jessica Hecht, aide
- Matthew Holden, English
- Heather Hubbard, special education
- Lisa Lamphere, bus driver
- Rusty Mento, bus driver
- Jamie MacDougall, RN, elementary nurse
- Courtney Momberger, special education
- McKay Nare, physical education
- Sonja Purinton, special education
- Charles Schermerhorn, cleaner
- Kelly Thomas, aide
- Adam Wilson, math
All were recognized at the Sept. 1 Superintendent’s Conference Day, along with current faculty and staff, including many who have served the district for decades and continue to do so this school year.
Thank you to all!