Author: monique.jacobs
Board of Education will meet Monday, March 28
The Fort Plain Board of Education will meet Monday, March 28, at 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room. It is anticipated that the Board will convene an executive session to discuss matters leading to the appointment of a particular person.
Spanish 8 project explores the world
Learning another language opens a world of possibilities, and for Fort Plain High School Spanish 8 students, researching and marketing places where that language is spoken provided a unique opportunity to tap into history, culture and opportunities to explore.
Spanish teacher Melanie Pombrio and Library Media Specialist Tariyka Chaulk partnered to challenge the students to produce travel brochures for vacations in Spanish-speaking countries, territories and cities. Besides studying a destination’s past and present and identifying interesting activities, the students had to research the logistics and costs of travel to, from and within each destination, meals, and excursions, and then establish a trip budget. They also had to research requirements for entry, such as passports, visas and vaccinations.
Airports, transfers, hotels, day trips, festivals, local fare, street maps, rental cars, natural attractions, native animals, art, cultural and historic sites, special events – the students researched all of this and more. Once they gathered their information, they used Adobe Spark to create colorful and information-packed travel brochures.
The project tapped a wide range of skills for the students, integrating study of Spanish language and culture with English, social studies, technology, visual presentation, science, math, marketing and more, as a creative – and fun – way to learn.
Pombrio and Chaulk said the project was an eye-opening experience for many students as they discovered the many differences in daily life around the world. “Some of the students were surprised by things such as challenges getting from one place to another in their chosen countries compared to what they know from living here, or by costs and requirements of traveling and visiting other countries,” they said.
The project also piqued the students’ interest in places to visit in the future. “They had to sell their destination to their classmates with their brochures, and many of the students now want to travel to the places they researched,” Pombrio and Chaulk said. “They had a really good time with the project.”
Here are a few of the students’ brochures:
Elementary, Jr. HS students to take grades 3-8 state tests
Students in grades 3 through 8 will be taking New York State assessments in math, English/Language Arts and science. Fort Plain’s principals shared the following information with their families.
Grades 3-6: Harry Hoag Principal Lauren Crisman has shared the following information with elementary families.
Greetings Harry Hoag Parents and Caregivers,
In the approaching months, the New York State Grades 3-8 Assessments will be administered.
Your child’s participation in the New York State Testing Program ensures that the professional community of FPCSD is able to assess the effectiveness of our teaching methods. We use the assessment data to examine student progress towards meeting the state standards for academic achievement.
Test & Harry Hoag Administration Dates:
Grades 3-5 ELA: March 29 and March 30
Grade 6 ELA: March 31 and April 1
Grades 3-5 Math: April 26 and April 27
Grade 6 Math: April 28 and April 29
Grade 4 Science Written: June 6
Details:
- Both the ELA and Mathematics exams have two parts (Day 1 and Day 2).
- The testing sessions remain untimed.
- Exams will be administered in the morning whenever possible.
- Sixth Grade will take the exams using a computer-based format.
I have every confidence that our faculty members have successfully prepared our learners for the upcoming assessments.
Please feel free to call me at (518) 993-4000, ext. 3059, to discuss any questions that you may have related to our testing procedures.
Proud to be Your Principal,
Lauren Crisman
Grades 7 and 8: Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School Principal Dr. Deborah Larrabee has shared the following information with 7th and 8th grade families
March 2022
Dear Parents and Caregivers of 7th and 8th Grade Students,
I am writing to provide you with information regarding the New York State Assessments for students in grades 7 and 8. Assessments are key to helping us determine where our students are and how we should adjust learning as we move forward. Your child’s participation in New York State’s testing program is one way for us to assess the effectiveness of our teaching methods.
Our 7th and 8th grade students will take assessments in English and mathematics using a computer-based testing format. Students in grade 8 will also be taking a science assessment. This year we return to a two-day testing model for all subjects. All testing sessions will remain untimed.
Test and Date/Time:
- 7 and 8 ELA – Session I: Wednesday, March 30 at 8 a.m.
- 7 and 8 ELA – Session II: Thursday, March 31 at 8 a.m.
- 7 and 8 Math – Session I: Wednesday, April 27 at 8 a.m.
- 7 and 8 Math – Session II: Thursday, April 28 at 8 a.m.
- 8 Science Performance: Tuesday, May 24, beginning at 8:15 a.m.
- 8 Science Written: Monday, June 6 at 8 a.m.
I am confident that our teachers have prepared our students well for the upcoming assessments. Please have your child get plenty of sleep before test days and encourage them to do their very best. If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at (518) 993-4000 ext. 2124.
Best,
Deborah Larrabee, Ed.D.
Principal
Comic strip myths illustrate serious knowledge
As part of their social studies unit about ancient Greece, 6th grade students at Harry Hoag School illustrated classic Greek myths. More than a social studies lesson, the project tapped the students’ research, writing and creative skills while showing what they learned in their classes.
The projects are displayed throughout the school. In addition to the photos below, please visit our Facebook album.
Fort Plain-Canajoharie Drama Club presents spring production of “13: The Musical” March 25-27
Save the dates and come see our talented students perform. The Fort Plain-Canajoharie Drama Club will present their spring production of “13: The Musical” at Canajoharie High School on Friday, March 25, at 7 p.m., Saturday March 26, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 27 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for seniors/students and will be available at the door.
“13: The Musical” tells the story of a boy named Evan from New York City who moves to the middle of Indiana on the cusp of his Bar Mitzvah. Faced with having to be in a new school, and make all new friends, Evan tries to get in with the popular crowd. Despite the warnings from his true friends, Patrice and Archie, Evan gets himself into more and more trouble as he struggles to find an identity in this new town.
Filled with upbeat song and dance numbers, “13: The Musical” will provide a fun experience for the audience! The show is presented in one act, and will run for about 90 minutes.
The production starts Richard Catarino as Evan, with Chiarra Morris playing Patrice, and Dawson Sweet as Archie. They are joined by the “jocks” played by Mackenzie Richtmyer, Lawrence Daley, Isaac Clark and Landon VanGorder.
The show also stars Avery Merchant as Lucy and Alexandria Gyurik as Kendra. Their cheerleader friends are portrayed by Caleigh Bartholomew, Jasmine Lapi and Faith Clark. Rounding out the cast are Jayden Bentz, Lavy Hodge, Brooke Jones, Joey Barr, Ahna Brackett, AshLyn Lewis, Zachary Walsh, and Milo Clark.
“13: The Musical” is directed by Mr. Will Ryan and Mrs. Lauri Broady. They are joined by Mrs. Norma Bowley as the musical director. Mr. Michael Broady serves technical production and Miss Autumn Dodson is the wardrobe manager.
Student production staff includes: Anthony Paradiso, Tucker Jones, Kristin Sanders, Noah Ehle, Josie Carcasole, Ethan Hubbard, Scerenity LaValley and Meadow Burke.
Posted 3/8/22; reposted with photo 3/22/22
Board of Education to hold public budget hearing, regular meeting March 16
The Fort Plain Board of Education will hold a Public Hearing on the Maintenance and Transportation Budgets, followed by a regular meeting, beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in the district office conference room.
The hearing and meeting are being held in-person, and the agenda is available on BoardDocs.
Friday, March 11, is a regular school day
(Posted March 4; Reminder post March 10)
Attention Fort Plain Central School families: Friday, March 11, 2022, will be a regular school day for students, faculty and staff.
This is a change from the printed wall calendar that was mailed at the end of last summer. Earlier this school year, the conference day previously scheduled for March was moved to and held on January 14.
Students, faculty and staff should all report to school as usual on Friday, March 11. Thank you.
Investigation of threat
Last night, March 9, we were made aware of a threat a student made towards the school and another student. We have been coordinating with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the Fort Plain Police Department to address the situation since we were first made aware of it. At this time, there it has been determined there is no immediate threat to the school or the safety of the students.
After school activities cancelled Wednesday, March 9
All after school activities are cancelled today, Wednesday, March 9. Thank you.
Students teach students about proper dental care
From two college students to a roomful of younger learners, good dental care was the lesson of the day on March 2 at Harry Hoag School.
The children learned how to take care of their teeth from guest speaker Danielle Alkinburgh, who visited Michelle Searles’ class, where her son is a student.
Danielle, who is studying to be a dental hygienist, was accompanied by co-presenter and fellow HVCC student Katelyn Roser, and they provided an interactive oral hygiene presentation to the children as part of their dental hygiene coursework.
“Danielle and Katelyn planned some fun, hands-on experiences for the kids, including an activity for brushing (painting) the mouth on paper with a toothbrush for two minutes, and using mega blocks with playdough in between the spaces to simulate flossing for two minutes,” Michelle Searles said. “Danielle’s son is very proud of his mom, and the students enjoyed a great learning experience!”
