Category: Archive
Fort Plain grad, published author and microbiologist shares with students
Fort Plain Class of 2011 graduate Chelsea Koch Ross is a microbiologist by day, but at night and in her free time, she writes – and gets published. The author of “Creatures Most Vile,” a novel for young adults, Chelsea recently shared her experiences with fifth and sixth grade students.
Chelsea writes under the pen name Chelsea Lauren. She met with the students at Harry Hoag School to talk about being a writer and having her novel published.
“The students were given the opportunity to ask questions. They were very excited to hear about her book and the experience she had writing it,” said Eileen Kretser, guided reading teaching assistant. “She writes as a hobby, and is a microbiologist with New York State.”
Chelsea has also shared her knowledge and experiences with high school students. Last school year, she visited with English classes at FPHS, including the English 11 Honors class where she once was a student.
After graduating from Fort Plain, Chelsea attended Hartwick College in Oneonta, where she double-majored in biology and chemistry. Chelsea developed her love for writing after taking a college creative writing course.
Free Summer Meals Program 2023 – Menus
Free breakfast and lunch will be available for students through age 18 Mondays through Thursdays this summer at Fort Plain schools. All students in the community are welcome; you do not need to attend Fort Plain schools to participate. Both sites are open to all students. Read more about this program, including schedules for each location.
Fat-Free and Low-Fat Milk Served Daily, Plain or Chocolate
Fruit may be: Fresh, canned, raisins or juice
Harry Hoag Breakfast
Wednesday, June 28
Breakfast Pizza
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Thursday, June 29
BEC Croissant
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Program is closed on Fridays
Monday, July 3
Waffles
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Tuesday, July 4
Holiday – Program Closed
Wednesday, July 5
French Toast
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Thursday, July 6
SEC Biscuit
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Program is closed on Fridays
Monday, July 10
Funnel Cake
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Tuesday, July 11
WG Donuts
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Wednesday, July 12
Bagels
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Thursday, July 13
BEC Croissant
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Program is closed on Fridays
Monday, July 17
Pancakes
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Tuesday, July 18
Mini Bagel Pack
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Wednesday, July 19
Breakfast Pizza
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Thursday, July 20
SEC Biscuit
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Program is closed on Fridays
Monday, July 24
Waffles
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Tuesday, July 25
Cinnamon Rolls
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Wednesday, July 26
French Toast
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Thursday, July 27
BEC Croissant
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Program is closed on Fridays
Monday, July 31
Funnel Cake
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Tuesday, August 1
Mini Bagel Pack
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Wednesday, August 2
Bagels
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Thursday, August 3
SEC Biscuit
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Program is closed on Fridays
Monday, August 7
Pancakes/Waffle
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Tuesday, August 8
Cinnamon Rolls
Raisins & Juice
Milk
Wednesday, August 9
Bagels
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Thursday, August 10
BEC Croissant
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Harry Hoag Lunch
Fat-Free and Low-Fat Milk Served Daily, Plain or Chocolate
Wednesday, June 28
Cheeseburger
Cheez-Its
Tossed Salad
Fruit
Thursday, June 29
Beef Ravioli
Peas
Fruit
Ice Cream
Program is closed on Fridays
Monday, July 3
Chicken
Nuggets
Dinner Roll
Corn & Fruit
Tuesday, July 4
Holiday – Program Closed
Wednesday, July 5
Hot Dog
Pretzels
Tossed Salad
Fruit
Thursday, July 6
Chicken Parm Sandwich
Cooked Carrots
Fruit
Pudding
Program is closed on Fridays
Monday, July 10
Pizza
Cheese Stick
Green Beans
Fruit
Tuesday, July 11
Chicken Patty
Baked Chips
Baked Beans
Fruit
Wednesday, July 12
Turkey Club
Goldfish
Tossed Salad
Fruit
Thursday, July 13
Meatball Sub
Peas
Fruit
Ice Cream
Program is closed on Fridays
Monday, July 17
Chicken
Nuggets
Dinner Roll
Corn & Fruit
Tuesday, July 18
Ham Sandwich
SunChips
BBQ Beans
Fruit
Wednesday, July 19
Cheeseburger
Cheez-Its
Tossed Salad
Milk
Thursday, July 20
Beef Ravioli
Cooked Carrots
Fruit
Pudding
Program is closed on Fridays
Monday, July 24
Pizza
Cheese Stick
Green Beans
Fruit
Milk
Tuesday, July 25
Chicken Patty
Baked Chips
Baked Beans
Fruit
Wednesday, July 26
Hot Dog
Pretzels
Tossed Salad
Fruit
Thursday, July 27
Meatball Sub
Peas
Fruit
Ice Cream
Program is closed on Fridays
Monday, July 31
Chicken Nuggts
Dinner Roll
Corn
Fruit
Tuesday, August 1
Ham Sandwich
Pretzels
BBQ Beans
Fruit
Wednesday, August 2
Turkey Club
Goldfish
Tossed Salad
Fruit
Thursday, August 3
Chicken Parm Sandwich
Cooked Carrots
Fruit
Pudding
Program is closed on Fridays
Monday, August 7
Pizza
Cheese Stick
Green Beans
Fruit
Tuesday, August 8
Chicken Patty
Cheez-Its
Baked Beans
Fruit
Wednesday, August 9
Surprise Lunch
Pretzels
Veggies
Fruit
Thursday, August 10
Surprise Lunch
Baked Chips
Veggies
Fruit
FPHS Breakfast
Monday, July 10
Funnel Cake
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Tuesday, July 11
Cinnamon Roll
Raisins & Juice
Milk
Wednesday, July 12
Breakfast Pizza
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Thursday, July 13
French Toast
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Program is closed on Fridays
Monday, July 17
Pancakes
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Tuesday, July 18
WG Donut
Raisins & Juice
Juice
Milk
Wednesday, July 19
Bagels
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Thursday, July 20
Pizza Bagels
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Program is closed on Fridays
Monday, July 24
Waffles
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Tuesday, July 25
Cinnamon Rolls
Raisins & Juice
Milk
Wednesday, July 26
Breakfast Pizza
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Thursday, July 27
French Toast
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Program is closed on Fridays
Monday, July 31
Funnel Cake
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Tuesday, August 1
WG Donut
Raisins & Juice
Milk
Wednesday, August 2
Bagels
Fruit
Juice
Milk
Thursday, August 3
Pizza Bagels
Fruit
Juice
Milk
FPHS Lunch
PBJ available daily
Monday, July 10
Pizza
Cheese Stick
Green Beans
Fruit
Tuesday, July 11
Cheeseburger
Baked Chips
Baked Beans
Fruit
Wednesday, July 12
Chicken Patty
Cheese
Crackers
Peas
Thursday, July 13
Beef Ravioli
Cooked Carrots
Fruit
Ice Cream
Program is closed on Fridays
Monday, July 17
Chicken Nuggets
Dinner Roll
Corn
Fruit
Tuesday, July 18
Hot Dog
Sunchips
BBQ Beans
Fruit
Wednesday, July 19
Turkey Club
Pretzels
Baby Carrots
Fruit
Thursday, July 20
Meatball Sub
Mixed Veggies
Fruit
Pudding
Program is closed on Fridays
Monday, July 24
Pizza
Cheese Stick
Green Beans
Fruit
Milk
Tuesday, July 25
Cheeseburger
Baked Chips
Baked Beans
Fruit
Wednesday, July 26
Chicken Patty
Cheese
Crackers
Peas
Fruit
Thursday, July 27
Beef Ravioli
Cooked Carrots
Fruit
Ice Cream
Program is closed on Fridays
Monday, July 31
Chicken Nuggets
Dinner Roll
Corn
Fruit
Tuesday, August 1
Hot Dog
Sunchips
BBQ Beans
Fruit
Wednesday, August 2
Turkey Club
Pretzels
Baby Carrots
Fruit
Thursday, August 3
Potluck Lunch
Veggies
Fruit
Dessert
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Fort Plain partners with Montgomery County’s “Pastport” to History program
Fort Plain Central School District is proud to partner with Montgomery County Tourism for the “Pastport” to History program, a fun and engaging way for students and their families to learn and explore our extraordinary past.
“The ‘Pastport’ is a gateway to 17 historic sites, all located right here in our own community and perfect for a family-friendly, fun experience,” said Montgomery County Executive Mattew L. Ossenfort. “Through this special program, every child that brings their ‘Pastport’ to a Mongomery County historic site will receive FREE admission and a special ‘entry stamp.’ Students who collect at least 10 stamps will be entered in a special contest to receive a historic Montgomery County prize pack.”
The “Pastport” will be available in the elementary and high school entrance kiosks, or may be downloaded as a pdf here.
The county historian will be visiting schools next year to hear what students learned while exploring Montgomery County and to talk about the county’s rich history.
Gr. 9-12 exams and Chromebook collection schedule
The following grades 9-12 June 2023 exams and Chromebook collection schedule has been shared via ParentSquare with high school families. Best of luck to all of our students on your exams and thank you for returning your Chromebooks.
VFW honors winning student essay authors, teachers
VFW Post 3275 Commander Thomas Elwood recently visited FPHS to honor the winners of the VFW’s annual Patriot’s Pen and Voices of Democracy essay contests. Commander Elwood also presented two Teacher of the Year awards to Fort Plain educators.
Congratulations to our student essay winners:
Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest- Theme: My Pledge to Our Veterans
1st place – Lilly Lapi
2nd place – Levi Hext
3rd place – Silas Smith
(All are 8th grade students)
Voices of Democracy Essay Contest – Theme: Why is the Veteran Important?
1st place – Alex Smith (11th grade)
The winning essay writers read their essays in front of the entire 8th grade.
Kolbe Gray was honored as the 6th-8th grade VFW Teacher of the Year, and Casey Russom was honored as the 9th-12th grade VFW Teacher of the Year.
Congratulations to all!
5k fun for Girls on the Run
Our Girls on the Run team finished their 10-week program with a fun-filled 5K race in Oneonta on Sunday, June 4. It was a beautiful day, and the venue was filled with music, prizes, fun activities and lots of camaraderie.
“It was a day overflowing with girl empowerment!” said Girls on the Run volunteer Meagan Heiser. “We’re looking forward to another exciting season of learning and growing next spring with GOTR. Great job girls! We are so proud of you!”
See how our Girls on the Run program is about much more than miles.
Read about how our team helped others and supported each other.
Girls on the Run is a twice-weekly, afterschool program for 5th and 6th grade students where trained volunteers lead girls through interactive lessons and movement activities, that culminates in a celebratory 5K in June.
HS yearbooks available
There are still some high school yearbooks available for purchase, beginning the week of June 12.
The books are $40. To purchase, see Mrs. Summerfield or Mrs. Cole in the high school.
A positive learning paws when Cooper comes to campus
Harry Hoag students had a few very special guests at their recent Morning Program. Therapy dog Cooper and Detective PJ and Lieutenant Ryan from the Schenectady Police Department presented to students in the gym and also visited some of their classrooms.
Cooper is a two-year-old labradoodle who was donated to the Schenectady Police Department. He began training as a puppy to become a therapy dog. Cooper provides people with affection, comfort and support. On the job, he helps police officers, community members and children cope with stress, anxiety and other big emotions.
Cooper is nonjudgmental and assists people in recognizing their own fears and issues. He creates a more relaxed environment where both children and adults feel more comfortable sharing their feelings.
A therapy dog has positive effects on a person’s mental and physical health by:
- Lowering heart rate
- Reducing anxiety
- Increasing self-esteem
- Helping regulate emotions and behavior
- Helping form healthy relationships
- Decreasing distractibility
- Improving appropriate tone of voice
- Lowing behavioral, emotional and verbal distress
After working with Detective PJ during the day, Cooper is part of his family at home.
Race horses provide lessons, opportunity to help
Students in Kolbe Gray’s and Lucas Santiago’s History of Sports/Sports Statistics class culminated their study of horse racing with a field trip in May to Saratoga Springs to learn more about the horse racing industry, horse breeding and thoroughbred retirement.
At the Oklahoma Training Track in Saratoga Springs, the students watched practice sessions, learning about the different exercises and workouts performed by horses based on their racing schedule.
During a barn visit, the students got a behind-the-scenes look at where workers and horses stay and live when they are not working. They met a pony rider, Mary Keiser, who has worked for many years at the Oklahoma Track, and learned about ponies and their role at the track. Santiago noted, “The students were able to get up close with some of the horses and even got to feed them!”
At Sugar Plum Farm, the students saw where the process all begins. They learned about the breeding industry and a typical day in the life of a breeding farm worker.
At the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, the students were given a guided tour of the history of horse racing as it pertains to American history. They also had a special guest appearance by famed jockey Ramon Dominguez, who has ridden more than 21,000 horses, won close to 5,000 races and made almost $200,000,000 in his career.
At 18 Karat Farm, as a culminating activity, the students learned about the start of the charity, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, or TRF. TRF helps owners of thoroughbred horses, providing a farm where retired racehorses can live out their rest of their lives.
The students had the following thoughts about their field trip:
Stephen Gray said, “The Oklahoma Track was my favorite place because we got to actually see them run. It was cool to see the future of the sport at the beginning of their racing careers and we also got to see some pretty good trainers. I didn’t know that they had a logo type on their silks to identify the trainer of the horse.”
Ezekiel Brown added, “It was awesome to see the horses and the jockeys warm up. I have never seen an animal run that fast in my life. It was awesome. There’s a lot of rich history behind the Oklahoma Track and the history we learned that was behind Saratoga was also awesome.”
Vivian Nunez said, “I enjoyed hearing the story of how the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm came to be. The walk throughout the horse paddocks and getting to pet the horses was really fun. They were so sweet.”
Anthony Paradiso added, “I really enjoyed the breeding farm to see how the racing bloodline is done. I think it is always nice to see the origin of where everyone’s stories begin. Personally, that is why it was my favorite because it’s the start of something amazing. Some of those horses can be future winners.”
Alex Smith said, “I enjoyed the museum tour and the video that was played in the theater box. It was a very cool video with very fun presentation. It was very informative and interesting.”
“On the behalf of our class and Fort Plain School District, we want to thank our hosts at TRF and NYRA – Kim Weir, Sharon Dominguez, Maude Walsh, Keith McCalmont, Stephanie Cowser and Stephen Geissler – for making this field trip possible and giving our students a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Santiago and Gray. “Our class was able to donate $500 to the TRF as a thank you for hosting us!”
At the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame with jockey Ramon Dominguez
Learning about horses, barns and the racing industry
Group photo!
For more photos, visit our Facebook album.
Girls on the Run support others – and each other
Fort Plain’s Girls on the Run team’s theme on Friday, May 19, was supporting others in the community. In view of this theme, they created cheerful and colorful placemats for an area nursing home.
Girls on the Run members also participated in a team-building activity (pictured below) that showed how they support one another.
How did it go? Watch this video:
Participants and volunteers agree: Girls on the Run is so much fun!
Girls on the Run is a twice-weekly, afterschool program for 5th and 6th grade students where trained volunteers lead girls through interactive lessons and movement activities, culminating in a celebratory 5K in June.