Category: Archive
Share your thoughts: feasiblity study ThoughtExchange now open
Dear Fort Plain CSD Community,
We’re about midway through our feasibility study exploring the possibility of joining the Canajoharie and Fort Plain school districts into a new, unified district. At this point, we’re reaching out again to invite your thoughts, questions and ideas through a new ThoughtExchange process.
Your input is crucial as we consider the impact and potential of this initiative.
This study aims to understand the potential benefits, challenges and effects of centralizing our districts. It is focused on three main areas:
- Educational experiences: Will this benefit students and improve the quality of education?
- Organizational capacity: Can we improve resource sharing and overall efficiency?
- Financial sustainability: Would centralizing help with long-term financial stability and wise use of resources?
We’re looking at factors like the quality of education, efficient use of resources and fiscal responsibility to see if joining the two districts could lead to stronger, more sustainable schools.
The study will help us decide if this change can improve educational outcomes and support a vibrant, well-rounded school community.
View documents related to the study’s progress, to-date.
Share your thoughts on this process through ThoughtExchange
This next ThoughtExchange will allow you to:
- Share any questions or thoughts you have about the study’s progress so far.
- Review and rate the ideas of others to help us see what’s most important to everyone.
Follow this link to participate with this ThoughtExchange: https://tejoin.com/scroll/432834459
Thank you for helping us make informed decisions for our schools. Your voice is a valuable part of this conversation about our future.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Lauren Crisman, Superintendent
Board of Education Meeting – Oct. 30
The Fort Plain Board of Education will meet on Oct. 30, 2024 at 3:45 p.m.
The meeting will take place in the Ronald H. Thibodeau Conference Room in the District Office, 25 High Street, Fort Plain, N.Y.
View the FPCSD Board of Education – Oct. 30, 2024 meeting agenda.
2024-25 student transportation news and updates
The following is a message from Fort Plain CSD Transportation Supervisor Gary Ruszkowski sent to families on Oct. 18, 2024
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We hope this message finds you well.
We want to inform you about an important update regarding our school bus transportation system.
Effective on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, buses will no longer pick up students who are not part of the regular bus route. This decision has been made to ensure the safety and well-being of all students while they travel to and from school.
We continue to provide a high-quality transportation service. Please be aware, however, that there may be occasional delays with pick up or drop off times due to bus driver shortages. If any delays are expected to be longer than 20 minutes, families/guardians will be notified via Parent Square.
As always, you can call the Transportation Supervisor at 518-993-4000 ext. 4001 or the Transportation Secretary at 518-993-4000 ext. 3059 to inquire about delays.
We kindly ask that you review and update your student’s pick-up and drop-off information if your child uses school provided transportation.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we prioritize the safety of our students.
Sincerely,
Gary Ruszkowski, Transportation Supervisor
Board of Education Meeting – Oct. 17
The Fort Plain Board of Education will hold its regular meeting on Oct. 17, 2024 beginning at 6 p.m.
The meeting will take place in the Ronald H. Thibodeau Conference Room in the District Office, 25 High Street, Fort Plain, N.Y.
View the FPCSD Board of Education – Oct. 17, 2024 meeting agenda.
Voters approve Capital Improvement Project
Fort Plain Central School District residents voted on Oct. 3, 2024 to approve a $10,140,000 capital improvement project by a vote of 101 to 83.
The project will fund needed repairs and improvements inside and out of both Harry Hoag Elementary School and the Jr./Sr. High School. It will also enhance some of our well-used gathering spaces, such as the Jr./Sr. High School auditorium, and provide safer access to our athletic facilities.
Thank you to all who voted on this project and for your support of our students and schools.
Mark your calendar: Oct. 3 game, open house, Capital Project vote
Fort Plain Central School District will be the center of activity on Thursday, Oct. 3.
Families and community members are encouraged to mark their calendars and join us for the following:
- Canajoharie-Fort Plain Modified Girls Soccer game vs. Mayfield Central, 4:15 p.m., Fort Plain Sports Complex at Harry Hoag Elementary School.
- Harry Hoag Elementary School Open House, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Harry Hoag Elementary
Capital Improvement Project vote
The vote on a proposed $10,140,000 capital improvement project will also take place on Oct. 3, with polls open from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. at the Harry Hoag Elementary School Library.
If approved, the project will fund needed repairs and improvements inside and out of both Harry Hoag Elementary School and the Jr./Sr. High School. It will also enhance some of our well-used gathering spaces, such as the Jr./Sr. High School auditorium, and provide safer access to our athletic facilities.
And now from our students: FPN News is live
Start your day with a cup of joe and the news of the week!
Now in its second year, students in the high school’s Multi-Media Production class will be delivering the news and happenings from around Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School in a bi-weekly broadcast on the in-house Fort Plain Network (FPN).
This interactive class project offers students the opportunity to hone their skills at reporting and broadcasting news as they plan, write and produce each episode.
Watch FPN News
Episode 1 of the 24-25 FPN News season is now live. Follow along on our YouTube channel to stay in the know and watch our our student as they grow their skills this school year.
NHS to host blood drive Nov. 1; sign up today
Save the date and help save lives: The Fort Plain chapter of the National Honor Society is hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 in the high school gym, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org (sponsor code: FortPlainHS), call 1-800-RED CROSS or email NHS & NJHS Advisor Kolbe Gray at kolbe.gray@fortplain.org.
Thank you!
Capital Improvement Project Walk-Through – Sept. 24
On Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, the Fort Plain community will vote on a $10,140,000 capital improvement project. If approved, the project will fund needed repairs and improvements inside and out of both Harry Hoag Elementary School and the Jr./Sr. High School. It will also enhance some of our well-used gathering spaces, such as the Jr./Sr. High School auditorium, and provide safer access to our athletic facilities.
Capital Improvement Project Walk-Through
On Tuesday, Sept. 24, King + King Architects will lead a guided tour for the public through the various spaces slated for repair and improvement in the proposed capital improvement project.
The tour will take place from 3-4 p.m. and begin at Harry Hoag Elementary School.
Childcare for school-age children will be available for those participating with the tour.
All interest members of the our community are welcome to attend this walk-though.
Feasibility Study update: A message from Superintendent Crisman
A letter to the Fort Plain CSD community from Superintendent Lauren Crisman:
Dear Community Members,
It’s great to see so many students smiling and to have our learning spaces full of life again. My sincere gratitude to all of our school employees who helped to successfully launch us into the 2024-2025 school year!
This letter is meant to provide you with a progress report regarding the Feasibility Study. The district has created a webpage that will contain all of the related information ranging from notices of meeting dates/times/locations to different reports that have been prepared by the consultant firm. I encourage you to visit the site to learn more about the study process and the related findings. Learn more and view the resources related to the Feasibility Study.
The Advisory Committee has already met twice. At its Sept. 12 meeting, the committee reviewed data and norms associated with the educational experiences that exist in both districts. The next phase of the study will focus on the organizational capacity of both districts.
Upcoming Feasibility Advisory Committee meetings
Oct. 17 and Nov. 14, 2024 – 3:30 – 5:30 pm (meetings will be held virtually – get the link at the Feasibility Study resources page)
Dec. 12, 2024- 3:30 – 5:30 pm (meeting will be held at the Canajoharie CSD)
All of these meetings are open to the public.
Feasibilty Study Focus Groups – Oct. 30
In addition, the focus group discussions related to the Feasibility Study have been rescheduled for Oct. 30. Register to participate with the Feasibility Study Focus Groups on Oct. 30.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Lauren Crisman, Superintendent of Schools