Author: monique.jacobs
Grade 4 Fables project teaches many skills, shares lessons
Every picture might tell a story, but a fable teaches a life lesson – and presenting it showcases many skills. Harry Hoag fourth graders capped off their study of traditional literature by developing a readers’ theatre production to demonstrate their comprehension of the fables genre.
Fables feature talking animals who tell a story that teaches a life lesson, and the fables project provides a great opportunity for students to work together.
After learning about different fables and their morals, the students worked as a group to write a screenplay, create and decorate a colorful set, and build puppets and props. They then performed their fables live, in front of their classmates and teachers.
Their presentations were very impressive. View their video and learn the moral of their stories!
Sectional and state qualifier tickets to be available online
NYSPHSAA Section 2 has moved to online ticket sales for sectional and qualifier competitions, including baseball and track and field.
Fort Plain is part of Section 2’s Western Athletic Conference (WAC) View sports schedules.
According to Section 2:
- To purchase tickets online, visit NYSPHSAA’s GoFan website
- Baseball Semis & Finals
GoFan ticket prices: $7.30 Semis, $9.40 Finals - Track & Field Sectional Championships & State Qualifiers
GoFan ticket price: $7.30 - Children 12 & Under are free for Sectional contests
- Host schools may also offer tickets for sale at the door for slightly higher prices.
For questions about Fort Plain sports, contact Athletic Director Charlie Karker
Go Toppers!
Book-inspired tree blooms in elementary office
There’s a tree in the main office at Harry Hoag School that is rooted in kindness and blooming with wishes.
Amanda Faitell’s and Eileen Kretser’s 5th grade guided reading students are enjoying the book “Wishtree” by Katherine Applegate. The story is narrated by Red, a large, ancient red oak tree who lives near an elementary school. Red, who observes all that goes on in the neighborhood, serves as a “wish tree,” where people can leave their wishes to be fulfilled. Red’s own wish is for kindness and understanding to prevail.
On the branches of Harry Hoag’s own tree, wishes of all kinds have been sprouting over the past few weeks, written on colorful paper tags. The wishes, which are all anonymous, are touching, telling, and, most importantly, full of kindness and compassion.
Some wishes are for pets or toys, others are for love, respect and acceptance, and yet others wish to see family members who have passed away. There are wishes to adopt all of the cats in town, play in the NFL and become rich, to have gas and food be less expensive, to get along with siblings, and even to have dinosaurs be alive again.
“The book ‘Wishtree’ inspired me to put up a wish tree for everyone – students and staff – to make wishes on,” said Kretser. “Wish trees are typically done in May. We provided wish tags in the main office and posted information about the wish tree on the office windows near the tree, and the wishes have been coming in.
“We hope all will be inspired to add wishes to our school tree.”
District residents approve proposed budget and propositions, elect 2 to Board of Education
Fort Plain Central School District residents approved a proposed $22,520,000 budget for the 2022-23 school year by a vote of 109 to 30 on May 17, 2022.
They also approved propositions to:
- Purchase four school vehicles at a maximum cost of $468,000, with the funds to be drawn from the Bus Purchase/Capital Reserve Fund. The purchase would allow the district to replace aging buses and minimize maintenance costs. – Approved by a vote of 111 to 28
- Increase the maximum funding level of the existing Transportation and Capital Reserve Fund from $5,000,000 to an amount not to exceed $10,000,000. – Approved by a vote of 93 to 46
- Establish a new Repair Reserve Fund in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000, with a probable term of ten (10) years, for the purpose of financing the repair of various school district buildings, facilities, sites and equipment, to be funded from the district’s unappropriated fund balance and future budget surpluses. – Approved by a vote of 114 to 23
- Undertake an energy performance/savings project to allow the district to maximize state building aid, at an estimated maximum cost of $5,000,000 that would be covered by long-term energy cost savings achieved by the implementation of energy conservation measures.- Approved by a vote of 118 to 21
Voters also elected Kaitlyn Webb (93 votes) and Benjamin Trumbull (30 write-in votes) to the Board of Education for three-year terms running from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2025.
The 2022-23 budget preserves the district’s academic programming and services to meet student needs. It includes a 2.95% spending increase and a 1.44% tax levy increase.
“The district’s goal was to propose a responsible budget that supports high quality educational programs and services for our students,” said Interim Superintendent Jeffery Ziegler.
Detailed information is posted on the budget webpage.
Mr. A’s 10 Book Pizza Challenge creates an appetite for reading
Many things compete for our time and attention in today’s fast-paced world, yet one of the oldest forms of expression – books – can ignite the imagination, provide a unique experience for each person and open doors to unexplored worlds.
Back in September, Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School teacher Ted Arndt challenged his students to read at least 10 books during the course of the school year and write a report about each one.
“I promised they would be rewarded with a pizza party if they accomplished this difficult task,” Arndt said. “Well, last week, they completed their tenth book, ‘Freak the Mighty,’ by Rodman Philbrick. Examples of other titles include John Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’ and ‘Snitch,’ by Norah McClintock.
“The students’ collective work ethic during this year has been outstanding, and they are very proud of their reading accomplishments. I couldn’t be happier with them or their effort.”
The students will enjoy their Pizza Challenge party on May 13. But that’s not all that they and their teacher have to celebrate. “They are so excited that they are committed to reading an eleventh book before the year ends!” Arndt said. “They’re already deeply into it.”
Congratulations to our latest 7th grade Most Valuable Students
Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School’s 7th Grade Team has announced the Most Valuable Students for February, March and April 2022. Congratulations to Alexis Palmeri, Kala Clapper and Trinity Belliveau, respectively.
Most Valuable Student is a monthly award that was developed for students who are caught “doing their job.” According to teacher Dale Smith, “Students who most demonstrate characteristics in one or more of the following categories will receive a Most Valuable Student award for the month:
- Responsibility/accountability
- Kindness
- Academics
- Good citizenship
- School pride
- Perseverance
- Self-control
- Helpful to peers/teachers, and
- Accepting of new challenges.”
Each monthly winner gets a Medal and Certificate congratulating them on their achievement.
Congratulations to the most recent Most Valuable Students:
February: Alexis Palmeri
March: Kala Clapper
April: Trinity Belliveau
Talia Narzymski pens winning essay
Senior Talia Narzymski won first place in the Frank S. Rice Memorial Family Life Contest sponsored by the Yahnundasis Bodies Valley Of Utica with her essay entitled, “The Positive Place the Pandemic Put Me In.” She was recognized at a dinner on Friday, May 6, 2022, at the Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro, where she read her essay and received a $250award. Congratulations Talia!
FPHS names Class of 2022 top 10 students
Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School has named the top 10 students of the Class of 2022.
Congratulations to the following seniors:
1. Robert Jordan, Valedictorian
2. Erin Crouse, Salutatorian
3. Sarah Florian
4. Talia Narzymski
5. Emma Oldick
6. Levi Thomas
7. Seth Rivkowich
8. Hailey Hogan
9. Keagen Ford
10. Estee Smith
A proactive approach to Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School is taking a proactive approach to wellness, offering students in grades 7 through 12 a variety of engaging activities and workshops during their lunch periods.
Offerings throughout the month will include self-care tips, a hydration station with fruit-infused water and create your own healthy snacks, as well as sessions on yoga, mindfulness, aromatherapy, coping skills, personal safety plans, and a rock painting session and walk to place the rocks outside near the school.
School counselors Colleen Cushing and Kayla Mahoney, Psychologist Dr. Lara Gordon and Principal Dr. Deborah Larrabee have teamed up to coordinate the month’s activities, with input and ideas from students.
Just like physical health, good mental health requires awareness, positive behaviors and learning new skills, particularly during busy times of the year and when confronted with challenges. FPHS’s Mental Health Awareness Month activities are designed to offer students enjoyable opportunities to learn and grow, both in school and beyond.
Parents/guardians may sign up their students for activities and workshops by contacting their school counselor. Lunch periods are scheduled between 11:05 and 1:05 p.m.
Outstanding student-athletes Sarah Florian, Robert Jordan, Levi Thomas sign with colleges
Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School celebrated college signings by three talented student-athletes the afternoon of May 4, 2022, in the high school lobby.
The students-athletes and their coaches were introduced by Fort Plain Athletic Director Charlie Karker, who congratulated them on their dedication, effort and success.
Sarah Florian signed today with Utica University for indoor and outdoor track and field. She closes out an impressive high school career competing in shot put and discus and other events. Sarah was praised for her work in the athletic and academic arenas by Track & Field Coach and Social Studies Teacher Brad Niles.
Robert Jordan signed today with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) for basketball.
Levi Thomas signed today with Albany College of Pharmacy for basketball.
Robert and Levi helped Fort Plain clinch the 2022 varsity sectionals at the Cool Insuring Arena in March and were spotlighted in an article in the Daily Gazette. Basketball Coach and P.E. Teacher Casey Russom spoke about Robert’s and Levi’s achievements and praised all three students for their hard work behind the scenes leading to their success being celebrated today.
Students must meet college standards to sign with NCAA Division III schools, and signing is evidence of an outstanding high school career and commitment to a college’s program.
Congratulations to all!
Robert Jordan, Sarah Florian, Levi Thomas
Robert, Sarah and Levi with Coach Russom, Coach Niles
and Athletic Director Karker
Levi and his family
Sarah and her family
Robert and his family