Category: Archive

February Newsletter

Volume 36 | Issue 6

Calendar Changes | Upcoming Events | Parent-Teacher Conferences | Health Fair 2019 | Drama Club: Sounds of Music | Fun with Math | Penny Wars | Students of the Month | Winter Sports All-Stars | Scholar-Athlete Teams Announced | Jaxson Yacowenia Achieves 1,000 Points | Elementary STEAM Project | Protect Your Family from the Flu

Calendar Changes:

Please take note of the following updates to the published district calendar:

• June 25 – Baccalaureate Rehearsal 4:00
• June 26 – Baccalaureate Service 7:00
• June 27 – Senior Breakfast 8:30 a.m.
• June 27 – Graduation Rehearsal 9:15
• June 29 – Graduation 10:00 a.m.

Upcoming Events

• March 6 – Public Hearing on Buildings & Grounds, Transportation with regular BOE meeting to follow, 6:00 p.m.
• March 7 – Elementary School Spring Picture Day
• March 8 – Elementary School Dismissed at Noon
• March 13 – School Closed
• March 29 – School Closed
• March 29-31 – Sound of Music Musical
• April 2 – April 4 – NYS Testing ELA 7th & 8th

Parent-Teacher Conferences

The elementary school will dismiss at 12 noon on Friday, March 8th, for parent-teacher conferences.

Health Fair 2019

The Fort Plain District will join with the Canajoharie District to present their annual “Community Health and Wellness Fair” on Saturday, April 13th from 9:00-noon at the East Hill Elementary School in Canajoharie.

This year’s theme is “Super Snacking: The Power of Healthy Eating While Living Life on the Go.” The health fair will feature many free, healthy snacks such as homemade guacamole, fruit kabobs, make-your-own trail mix and smoothies. Fitness activities will take place all morning long in the gym, and will include 9-minute home workouts, and free classes for both adults and children.

There will be a golf clinic and indoor family fun walk, along with many other children’s games and activities. As always, the health fair will feature many information booths about the wealth of health and wellness services available in our surrounding area.

Fair visitors can enjoy a massage, get a free health screening, participate in a cooking class, and take home many terrific giveaways. The health fair is completely free and open to the public of all ages.

Drama Club Presents: The Sound of Music

The Fort Plain-Canajoharie Drama Club will present this year’s spring musical, “The Sound of Music” from March 29th-31st at the Canajoharie High School.

Taking place in Austria in 1938, the story follows Maria as she leaves the abbey, where she is studying to become a nun, and begins to serve as a governess to the seven children of military hero Captain vonTrapp. Maria soon discovers the hidden musical talents in the children, while also discovering that love comes in many different forms.

“The Sound of Music” stars Sophia Rogers (FP) as Maria, Connor Bowden (C) as Captain vonTrapp, Quinn Jones (FP) as Mother Abbess and Vicente Nunez (C) as Max. Also starring as the seven vonTrapp children are: Tori Rocas (C) as Liesl, Keagen Ford (FP) as Friedrich, Zianna Ellithorpe (C) as Louisa, Nura Handy (FP) as Brigitta, Vinnie DeCrescenzo (C) as Kurt, Caileigh Bartholomew (FP) as Marta and Faith Clark (FP) as Gretl. They are joined by Sarah Bowden as Elsa, Michael Barlow as Rolf, Rianna VanRenselaar at Frau Schmidt and Christian Jones as Franz. Completing the cast are Halle Nelson, Carlene Montanye, Sarah Paradiso, Anthony Paradiso, Steven Oeser, Joey Soto, Ashlin Tubbs, Chiarra Morris, Mathea Leonard, Max Richtmyer, Cassie Simpson, Amelia Gallagher, Jayden Bentz, Imani Haynes, Morgan Havilland, Richard Catarino, Dawson Sweet, and Emily Palmeri.

“The Sound of Music” is directed by Will Ryan and Lauri Broady. Musical direction is provided by Norma Bowley, and Lisa Hill serves as the costumer. Sets are being provided by set builders Mike Broady and Bruce Dingman, along with students artists Greg Post and Cassandra Harwood. Technical and stage crew includes Garrett Oeser, Willow MaGinnis, Phillip Wein, Mike Broady, Joey Soto, Ron Hill, Autumn Dodson, Catherine Twitchell, Jalen Hall, Vivian Hopkins, Aliza Hopkins, John Hopkins, and Tucker Jones.

“The Sound of Music” will be presented on Friday, March 29th at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, March 30th at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 31st at 2:00 p.m. All performances are held in the Arkell Performing Arts Theatre at Canajoharie High School. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors/students. There will be an intermission with concessions.

Fun with Math

Members of the Elementary Talented & Gifted Group, “Fun With Math” recently met for an afternoon of math activities. They took mental math challenges, played a game of Mathelogical Liar, and participated in a Math Bee. Following the activities, students completed drills by solving 100 math facts in as short of time as possible. The following students successfully completed their facts in 6 minutes or less:

• Jed Douglas 2 min 32 sec
• Dawson Tracki 2 min 40 sec
• Kimberly Kirby 3 min 34 sec
  Sebastian Wood 4 min 24 sec
• Hailey Davis 4 min 35 sec
• Isis Hammond 4 min 55 sec
• Ian Burns 5 min 24 sec
• Allyson Rathbun 5 min 34 sec

Honorable Mention

• Grace McFee
• Devon Lambert
• Natashia Hammond

The students enjoyed coming together with other kids who like math, with one student noting “math gets a bad rap! It really is fun!” Great job, everyone!

Penny Wars

Members of the Library Club have hosted “Penny Wars” throughout the month of February. Students were encouraged to donate their spare change, to benefit students and their families who are recovering from devastating forest fires in Paradise, California. Points were given and the winning class will be treated to a pizza party!

Students of the Month

Congratulations to the Students of the Month for January:

• Zachary Alkenburgh Grade K
• Christian Jones Grade K
• Fiona Brown Grade 1
• Kassidee Dodson Grade 4
• Country Hammond Grade 6
• Payton Landry Grade 6
• Jordan Hillsgrove Grade 7
• Rylee Herron Grade 8
• Emma Oldick Grade 9
• Antonio Jefferson Grade 10
• Juan Hernandez Grade 11
• Bryce Thibodeau Grade 12

Winter Sports All-Stars

The Section 2 Western Athletic Conference recently honored two members of the C-FP wrestling team. Congratulations to Cody Haig and Jared Bentz, who received 2nd Team All-Star Honors.

The Section 2 Western Athletic Conference held it’s annual Bowling Tournament in mid-February, with the Fort Plain boys team finishing in 1st place in the boys’ tournament, and the Fort Plain girls team finishing 2nd place in the girl’s tournament. Great job to all!

Boys 2nd Team All-Stars: Brady Fureno and Anthony Paradiso Girls 2nd Team All-Star: Rachel Zuppardi Congratulations!

Scholar-Athlete Teams Announced

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association has announced the winter scholar athlete teams. Fort Plain teams earning this honor included: Girls Bowling, Boys Bowling, Boys Basketball, and Swimming.

Jaxson Yacowenia Achieves 1,000 points

In a February 11th game against Duanesburg, Fort Plain High School Senior, Jaxson Yacowenia, became the districts’ latest 1,000 point scorer in varsity basketball. Jaxson joins just six previous 1,000 point scorers, who include:

• Dennis Smith (1978) 1,319 points
• Roxanne Logan-Holtz (1979) 1,022 points
• Kim Strait (1997) 1,222 points
• Brad Strait (2000) 1,104 points
• Erica Cutspec (2004) 1,243 points
• Kelsey Logan (2011) 1,064 points

Congratulations to Jaxson on this impressive achievement!

Elementary STEAM Project

District Technology Coordinator, Mr. Matthew Heiser, recently worked with elementary students on their latest STEAM project.

STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses science, technology, engineering, arts, and math as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. Students engage in experiential learning (hands-on), collaborating in pairs and teams to solve problems and walk through the creative process.

The student learners tackled a robotic snowplow project during the month of February. They participated in a week-long design process, creating their snowplow and determining the best ways in which to get it to work. Their goal was to successful move paper “snow” from one end of the table to the other.

All of the teams came up with creative designs, innovative solutions, and working models that performed their “snow removal” task admirably. Great job, students!

Protect Your Family From the Flu

Getting the flu vaccine can keep you and your child from getting sick. If you or your child are sick, avoid others as much as possible. Remember to regularly cover your coughs and sneezes, wash your hands often, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Contaminated surfaces that may have the flu viruses should be cleaned frequently. These everyday actions can help reduce your chances of getting sick and prevent the spread of germs to others if you are sick.

Jacques “Jack” Calbet, a devoted FPCSD staff member for thirty-eight years, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, February 18, 2019. Jack loved Fort Plain and cared deeply about the FPCSD and our students. He was quick with a smile and a greeting for anyone he met throughout the day. Jack was a good man who will be remembered fondly by the faculty, staff, and students of Fort Plain.

Jack drove a school bus regularly for over eight years. During his early years of driving, someone presented him with the following poem that meant a lot to him.

The Treasure Carrier
by Riney Jordan

“What is it that you do?” I asked the man,
As we sat together that day.
You could tell from the way that his face lit up,
That he was going to enjoy what he had to say.

“I transport treasures,” he said with a smile.
“Their value you cannot measure.
Once in the morning, once in the eve,
I transport this priceless treasure.”

“My goodness, how important,”
I said as I turned to him.
“You must be quite a person,
To be entrusted with such a gem.”

“From one safe spot to another I carry
My cargo day after day,
And you should see what joy it brings,
As I carry them on their way.”

“Each treasure’s unique, no two alike,
Each radiant in some special way.
Some stand out, some more subdued,
But each needing some care today.”

“My treasures are different colors,
No two are alike you see.
Some are large, some are small,
Each one a mystery.”

“How many guards do you carry along,
As you go from place to place?
Do you carry a gun to protect these jewels?”
I asked as I studied his face.

“His eyes narrowed, a serious look
I noticed as he replied.
“I don’t carry a gun, there’s not a guard.
Thank God, no one has tried.”

“I can’t imagine the pressure.”
I responded with a voice of surprise.
“You must be quite a person
To be entrusted with such a prize.”

I take it very seriously,
It’s too important you see.
There are so many people out there
Who are really depending on me.”

By now I couldn’t imagine
A more important task
“Is it gold? Is it silver?”
I just had to ask.

“None of those,” he said with a smile.
“It’s boys and girls for me.
They are the treasures I transport.
America’s future, you see.”

“I have a most important job,
Important to each of us,
For I’m proud to say, with a world of pride,
I drive a yellow school bus.”

The Canajoharie and Fort Plain Central School Districts will present their joint annual “Community Health and Wellness Fair” on Saturday, April 13th from 9:00-noon at the East Hill Elementary School, 25 School District Road, Canajoharie, NY 13317

The annual fair features a variety of health, fitness and lifestyle services that are available throughout Fulton and Montgomery counties, as well as surrounding areas. The fair will present health screenings, a variety of free fitness classes, cooking class, free snacks and many activities for children and teens of all ages.

The health fair planning committee is currently accepting vendors and organizations who would like to participate in this year’s event. There is no cost, and tables and chairs are provided. To register to be a vendor at this event, or for further information, contact School Nutrition Director Lauri Broady at lauri.broady@fortplain.org or lauri.broady@canjo.org.

January Newsletter

Volume 35 | Issue 5

Calendar Changes | Upcoming Events | Winter Break | The Sound of Music | Health Fair 2019 | Substitutes Needed | Students of the Month | A Newspaper for Kids, By Kids | Every Person is Connected | Morning Program Tradition Continues | Harry Hoag School’s Talented & Gifted Program

Calendar Changes:

Please take note of the following updates to the published district calendar:

• February 18 – No School, Winter Break
• June 25 – Baccalaureate Rehearsal 4:00
• June 26 – Baccalaureate Service 7:00
• June 27 – Senior Breakfast 8:30 a.m.
• June 27 – Graduation Rehearsal 9:15
• June 29 – Graduation 10:00 a.m.

Upcoming Events

• Feb. 13 – Board of Education Mtg, 6:00 PM
• Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day
• Feb. 15 – School Closed, Winter Break
• Feb. 18-22 – School Closed: Winter Break
• March 6 – Public Hearing on Buildings & Grounds, Transportation with regular BOE meeting to follow, 6:00 p.m.

Winter Break

The school will be CLOSED for winter break on Friday, February 15th.

School is also closed from Monday, February 18th through Friday, February 22nd.

Classes resume on Monday, February 25th.

The Sound of Music

The Fort Plain-Canajoharie Drama Club will present their annual spring musical, “The Sound of Music” on Friday, March 29th at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, March 30th at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 31st at 2:00 p.m.

All performances are held at Canajoharie High School.

Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors & students.

Health Fair 2019

The district is accepting businesses, organizations or school groups who would like to exhibit at this year’s Community Health & Wellness Fair in April.

Contact Lauri Broady at lauri.broady@fortplain.org to sign up, or for more information.

Substitutes Needed

The district is actively seeking substitutes in the areas of school bus drivers, cleaners, and food service workers. To apply, submit an application, letter of interest and three letters of recommendation. Applications are available online at www.fortplain.org.

Students of the Month

Congratulations to the Students of the Month for December:

• Daniel Jones Grade 2
• Aiden Leonard Grade 3
• McKenna Karker Grade 5
• Breidyn Wall Grade 6
• Conner Dillenbeck Grade 6
• Dustin Welch Grade 6
• Payton Skiffington Grade 7
• Nora Handy Grade 8
• Talia Narzymski Grade 9
• Molli Bates Grade 10
• Crystal Smith Grade 11
• Michelle Reese Grade 12

A Newspaper For Kids, By Kids

Under the direction of district Technology Instructor, Mr. Matt Heiser, a group of 6th-grade students are volunteering their time to put out the “Harry Hoag New Newspaper.”

Published once per month, the newspaper is entirely planned and written by a large team of Technology Club students. The newspaper staff uses Google Docs to work on and submit their contributions. Each student is assigned an article or section, which they work on in the computer lab, adding to the newspaper layout as they work. By utilizing Google Docs, up to 15 students can work on the same edition, at the same time. The students are learning skills which include: writing, editing, graphics, and design. Each issue features items such as movie reviews, comics, puzzles & coloring pages, debates, science articles, editorials, jokes, Dear Jessica advice letters, Animal of the Month, Student Council news and interviews with administrators, teachers or staff.

Recent issues featured topics such as Real Christmas Tree vs. Artificial, Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, interviews with Principal Lauren Crisman and Teacher/Ninja Warrior Geoff Snyder, sports and club updates, and student opinion about Common Core and state testing.

The Technology club students working on the newspaper include: Jasmine Lapi, Brandon Schuyler, Maiya Sousa, Alex Ellis, Jordan Brown, Kaedence David, Jed Douglas, Payton Landry, Vienna Jackson, Chloee St. Louis, Julie Kirby, Country Hammond, Chase Tyler, Serenity Johnson, Damien Massie, Chad Rogers, Bionika Hernandez, and Morgan Stone.

The Tech Team has had an amazing time putting together the content, working collaboratively, and using technology to create the best presentation for the readers.

Every Person is Connected

“Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story,” said Jr/Sr High School Counselor, Colleen Cushing, quoting the best-selling author, Josh Shipp. The quote was the mentality and motivation that brought the Every Person is Connected (EPIC) program to the Jr./Sr. High School this year.

EPIC is a program that seeks to ensure that every student in the school has at least one trusted adult that they can make a connection with. The EPIC committee met several times over the summer to lay out a framework for the program with a goal of improving student attendance and encouraging greater interest and participation in the school community as a whole.

Each EPIC team consists of one or two adults and no more than ten students from different grade levels. The teams will stay together year after year. They meet about once a month on a rotating basis that does not compromise the academic schedule. Each month features a program theme, such as connections, unity, gratitude, goal setting, good vibes, grit and learning to give yourself a hand. Each team leader is provided with a menu of suggested activities which they can feel free to expand upon – or even come up with their own. A typical session might include a team-building exercise to build trust, an artistic activity to spur creativity or a share-discussion aimed at exposing the students to new ideas, new activities, and new people.

The EPIC committee continues to meet and to gather both staff and student input as to what activities are working best and where they want to go in the future. They are finding that kids who didn’t know each other before being placed into an EPIC team together, are now greatly enjoying each other’s company and finding out about their shared interests and passions. The team leaders are making solid connections with their students which will help the students feel more secure and valued on a daily basis.

“So far it has been an EPIC year!” Said Mrs. Cushing.

History Students Give Back

The spirit of giving that surrounds the holiday season was the focus of Mr. William Ryan’s recent challenge to his period 5 Global History 10 class. He asked his students to consider how they might support the local first responders who do so much for our families and community. The class decided to collect their “spare change” to benefit the Fort Plain Fire Department, with Mr. Ryan offering to personally match whatever funds they could raise.

Pictured is the 10th-grade students proudly presenting a check for $100 to Fort Plain Fire Department President, Mr. Joseph Hanifin. Mr. Ryan commended his class for their sense of civic responsibility and appreciation. Great job!

Morning Program Tradition Continues

Each Friday morning, the Kindergarten through Second Grade students at the Harry Hoag School can be found gathered in the gym, to share the tradition of weekly Morning Program.

Starting the school day together on a positive note instills in each student positive feelings about their school, themselves, and each other. Each month features a theme with activities centered around holidays, seasons and the important school events.

A typical Morning Program includes students performing most of the jobs, including pledge leader, flag carrier, song leaders, calendar, Tidbit of the Day reader, riddle host, and birthday helpers. Each Friday features songs, often with the students performing them in American Sign Language. Weekly songs include patriotic anthems and the school’s Alma Mater.

Each Friday, one grade level gets the chance to introduce their friends and family members in the audience who have come to support the school and cheer on the student program leaders.

Morning Program activities are currently building towards the all-important “100th Day of School” celebration.

“Morning Program offers our early learners a chance to celebrate our school and community pride,” said Principal Lauren Crisman.

This important tradition sends students and adults alike off to tackle their day with a smile on their face!

Harry Hoag School’s Talented & Gifted Program

The fifth and sixth-grade students in the Talented & Gifted Program (TaG) recently met to conduct a science experiment to see if they could make crystals form.

The students prepared all of the ingredients mixed them in beakers and placed them into special holding containers. The crystals grew quickly over one weekend and the students enjoyed seeing them continue to get bigger with each passing day.

“This was so much fun,” one student announced during the activity. “I love feeling like a real scientist!”

At other recent sessions, the students had a chance to conduct several science experiments, which explored the topics of air displacement, water phases, and balance. Each group rotated through five different experiments, comparing their efforts and recording their results.

Upcoming activities for the fifth and sixth-graders will include a day of “Fun With Math” featuring math games, puzzles, and activities. “Young Architects” will spend several sessions designing a house floor plan and assembling a 3D model of that home.

The TaG Junior group consists of third and fourth-grade students. They will soon meet for “Recycling as Art,” where they will collect discarded paper and turn it into jewelry and keychains. They will celebrate spring by making and decorating a flower box and then designing a layout and planting the seeds. The flower boxes will be on display for them to water and keep an eye on the progress of the spring plants.

The TaG Junior Drama Club will also meet for a couple of sessions, learning about playing roles, participating in acting activities, and performing small skits for their club members. Their learning will prepare them to be the future stars of upcoming Elementary Drama Club performances.