Category: Archive
Celebrating Career and Technical Education Month
February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month—a time when school communities across the country celebrate the programs that prepare students for work and careers in the skilled trades.
Students who attend Career and Technical Education programs earn both career-specific technical skills and other valuable real-world practices, such as public speaking, time management and working collaboratively. These skills give our students a host of opportunities, whether they pursue college, continue their education at a technical school or head right into the workforce.
Additionally, they are on a path toward some of today’s high-skill, high-wage and in-demand careers.
Across the region, more than a quarter of high school juniors and seniors are enrolled in Career & Technical Education at HFM BOCES, our partner in this learning. In Fort Plain alone, nearly 30 of our students are learning this school year in one of more than a dozen diverse CTE pathways offered by the BOCES. Learn more about HFM BOCES and its Career & Technical Education offering for high school students.
In their voices
Career and Technical Education Month is a great time to hear from our students about why they have chosen CTE and what they hope it will mean for their futures.
Here’s what just a few of the juniors and seniors now attending Career & Technical Education at HFM BOCES this school year had to say about learning in these programs:
“My sister also did this program and I thought it would be something I would like, too. This has given me lots of experiences and space to think about what I might want to do after high school.” — Senior Courtney Euler, Veterinary and Animal Science
“I just fell in love with the program and would recommend it to anyone. I am really looking forward to learning more in my internship with Brown’s Collision and am planning to follow through with this as a career.” — Senior Ayden Hart, Auto Body Repair
“I want to go into a career in art and this has been a great way to get a jump start on it.” — Senior Matthew Paul, Digital Multimedia
“This is something I always said I was going to do. It’s something I have a passion for and am good at. This program is helping me get set up for the future.” — Junior Nevaeh Rivers, Cosmetology
“I knew this was something I could do well with. With these skills and the experiences I am having, I can see myself working in a salon after I graduate and maybe even owning my own salon in the future.” — Senior Delana Tracki, Cosmetology
“I have always been interested in helping people and finding ways to give back. In this program and as a patient care technician, I have had a chance to learn a lot of things and now have a much better idea about the options available to me.” — Senior Marissa Wilder, Medical Assisting
Pediculosis/Head Lice Policy
Head lice are tiny insects that can be found on the scalp and hair. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an estimated 6 million to 12 million infestations occur each year in the United States among children 3 to 11 years of age. The term for infestation of lice is pediculosis.
While head lice are not harmful and do not spread disease, they can cause discomfort and annoyance. It is essential that we work together as a community to prevent and manage any cases that may arise.
Pediculosis Policy
At its regular meeting on February 14, 2024, the Fort Plain CSD Board of Education voted to approve district policy 7515 related to pediculosis (head lice.)
This policy is designed to support students and families in their efforts to control and eliminate lice, maintain student privacy and decrease absenteeism.
Fort Plain Central School District Policy 7515 – Pediculosis
Pediculosis is infestation with the human head-and-body louse, Pediculus humanus. There are two subspecies, the head louse (P. h. capitis) and the body louse (P. h. humanus).
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) do not treat head lice as an illness that necessitates an absence from school and have shown that the contagion does not spread as easily as once thought.
The Board of Education does not condone the absence of students from school for unnecessary reasons. The District is invested in keeping infestations to a minimum.
In order to control infestations of pediculosis, the Board of Education has adopted the following protocols:
- Whenever there is a possibility of an infestation, the School Nurse will conduct a head check to assess the situation. If live lice are found, the School Nurse will contact the student’s parent/guardian. The parent/ guardian will be asked to pick up the student and apply a corrective treatment. The student will not be allowed to return to their classroom until a corrective treatment has been given. Corrective treatments will be made available as needed (provided by the School Nurse) and are to be administered at home. The School Nurse will reassess the student via a head check after treatment is applied. The student must be free from live lice in order to return to the classroom and/or be able to participate in school functions.
- Administrators and the School Nurses will work with both students and parents to minimize the number of absences caused by head lice.
*If a student has live lice, they may not attend any after school events on the day of the assessment, unless a treatment has been applied and there has been a consultation with the School Nurse or an administrator clearing them to participate. Ex. Student is sent home at 2pm. Treatment is applied. Parent contacts the administrator to receive permission for the student to attend the concert. Administrator grants permission.
- All School Staff will protect student privacy and maintain the confidentiality of medical information related to infestations of head lice.
Mitigation
- Whenever a student is identified with live lice, a parent notification will be sent to the entire class to raise awareness regarding exposure.
- Ongoing monitoring by School Nurses via random classroom and household head check.
- Treatment kits provided to families as needed.
- Timebound interventions for classrooms where a case of live lice was identified.
- Spacing between personal items
- Classroom screenings
- No head-to-head contacts or sharing of headgear allowed
Board of Education meeting – Feb. 14
The Fort Plain Board of Education will hold its regular meeting on Feb. 14, 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 – Feb. 14, 2024 meeting agenda.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ny/fpcsd/Board.nsf/Public
New high school offering inspires “out of this world” learning
New this spring, the History of NASA elective at Fort Plain High School is offering students a chance to explore space right in the classroom.
Both students with a strong interest in space and space exploration as well as those who just want to learn more about a unique aspect of U.S. history have “gravitated” to this new class.
“This is something the kids had expressed a particular interest in learning more about,” explained High School History Teacher Bradley Niles, who designed and leads the class.“It is great to have the flexibility to create a course that taps into something they are so interested in.”
From the origins of the U.S. space program and the first manned landing on the Moon in 1969 to the creation and evolution of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), this course introduces students to the history, politics, science and innovation that have gone into and continue to influence space exploration.
Speakers inspire students to reach for the stars
Along with classroom lessons and projects that emphasize hands-on learning, problem solving, teamwork and reflection, students will benefit from learning and conversation with guest speakers with expertise on the topic of space and space exploration.
First up was a virtual visit from former Fort Plain High School Science Teacher Patrick Petty, who beamed in from Houston, TX on Feb. 5 to talk with the students about the work he now does with NASA as a Mission Support Specialist for its Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) division.
Petty’s stories about his work at HERA ran the gamut from how to purchase supplies for multiple people for forty-five day missions to what it is like to simulate space exploration for test subjects.
“I think that Mr.Petty has a lot of passion for space and his career that he has pursued. I also think that what he is doing is really fascinating,” said senior Ian Zuppardi. “If I had the opportunity to do what he is doing I would take it.”
“It was phenomenal to have Mr. Petty volunteer his time to help bring space exploration to our classroom,” added Niles. “It is clear Mr. Petty both loves his job and has a ton of knowledge to share on the topic. Our conversation with him has given us more topics to explore this semester and avenues for future projects.”
Fort Plain spirit wear on sale – now through Feb. 19
Athletic apparel and other Fort Plain-branded spirit wear is now on sale through Feb. 19.*
Show your Topper Pride and support the Varsity Baseball Team and Fort Plain Baseball Booster Club, the hosts of this fundraiser.
Check out the great selection of fun Fort Plain apparel options available.
*All orders are produced and shipped directly to customers. Production starts after the shop closes on Feb. 19 and items should be received by the customer four weeks from close of the team shop.
Jr./Sr. High School second quarter honor roll, principal’s list
Our Jr./Sr. High School is proud to announce the 2023-24 second quarter Honor Roll and Principal’s List. The Honor Roll and Principal’s List recognize outstanding achievement and effort.
Congratulations to the following students:
Honor Roll
Grade 12
- Karissa Battisti
- Ezekiel Brown
- Courtney Euler
- Paul Grassel
- Vandwane Hisert
- Kierstan Horender
- Ethan Hubbard
- Alexis Maaser
- Anand Ragoo
- Sarinda Sardina
- Marissa Wilder
- Ian Zuppardi
Grade 11
- Jordan Brown
- Dakota Cooper
- Mariah Deese
- Cris-John Fuhs
- Shawn Gutermuth
- Damien Massie
- Nevaeh Rivers
- Maiya Sousa
Grade 10
- Owen Castellano
- Madison Clayburn
- Traeh Compton
- Daniel Euler
- Macey LeRoy
- Grace McFee
- Constance Narzymski
- Bradley Rumrill
- Summer Trumbull
Grade 9
- Faith Clark
- Bryellah D’Arcangelis
- Jeremy Gebhardt
- Levi Hext
- Madison Lewis
- Gavin Massie
- Elle Nare
- Ariana Nemeth
- Brodie Poultney
- Trent Reynolds
- Aidyn Rooney
- Kendra Sackett
- Larry Sanders III
- Landon VanGorder
Grade 8
- Logan Carey
- Sophia Mabb
- Jasmine Rumrill
Grade 7
- Jessie Fink
- Alexandra Hinkle
- Justin Hisert
- Khloe Hisert
- Madden Lathers
- Kenyan Leverock
- Gabriella Peters
- Carl Reese III
- Trent Richards
- Jaymes Smith
- Issac Tompkins
- Kiana Tyler
- Jordan Williams II
Principal’s List
Grade 12
- Carter Baldwin
- Kelsey Buley
- Lyrique Busch
- Mason Cook
- David Doxtader
- Victoria DuMond-Hall
- Jasmine Fonda
- Aidan Guile
- Jordan Hillsgrove
- Brady Keane
- Monika Kulczynski
- Sadie Mollel
- Michael Palmeri
- Matthew Paul
- Gracelynn Rice
- Devan Sanders
- Alex Smith
- Breanna Steinhauer
- Delana Tracki
Grade 11
- Nathan Benson
- Yunus Demir
- James Douglas
- Ashlynn Hart
- Vienna Jackson
- Christian Krulczyk
- Payton Landry
- Jasmine Lapi
- Katie LeRoy
- Adriyanna Rouse
- Brandon Schuyler
- Chase Tyler
Grade 10
- Haeun Bae
- Ian Burns
- Josephia Carcasole
- Emma Cook
- Koby Herron
- McKenna Karker
- Dylan Keane
- Kyera Murray
- Taylor Potter
- Bailie Richardson
- Dawson Tracki
Grade 9
- Trinity Belliveau
- Jordyn Best
- Gamliel Brackett
- Kala Clapper
- Isabella Fountain
- Mason Gray
- Jansheen Haider
- Lyllie Handy
- Hailey Hayes
- Brooke Jones
- Lilly Lapi
- Faith Narzymski
- Alexis Palmeri
- Silas Smith
- Brady Spaulding
- Olivia Sweet
- Cheyanne Wall
Grade 8
- Joseph Barr
- Caleigh Bartholomew
- Eliyahna Brackett
- Dio Callan
- Jordan Gallt
- Brianne Gallt
- Aileen Germond
- Violet Handy
- Lincoln Kretser
- Blake Lapi
- George Mang
- Cristopher Quiroz-Romero
- Charlotte Sherwood
- Gabreilla Steinhauer
- Daija Suits
- Dorian Tracki
- Evan Weaver
Grade 7
- Halleli Brackett
- Lexis Downes
- Joshua LaQuee
- Jazmain Leonard
- Connor Lochner
- Lainie McDuffee
- Isabella McGuire
- Jack Parkinson
- Zoe Paul
- Mary Pomatto
- Braddock Putnam
- Dylan Salerno
- Molly Shults
- Anna-Belle Snyder
- Gavin Souza
- Rylee Stone
- Kinley Trumbull
Harry Hoag second quarter honor roll and principal’s list
Harry Hoag Elementary School is proud to announce the 2023-24 second quarter Honor Roll and Principal’s List. The Honor Roll and Principal’s List recognize outstanding achievement and effort.
Congratulations to the following students:
Honor Roll
Grade 5
- Zachary Alkinburgh
- Kaylee Becker
- Tori Compton
- Nauni Fink
- Christian Jones
- Andres Medina
- Caine Suiter
- Hunter Wallett
- Kiernan Welch
Grade 6
- Riley Cionek
- Christopher Cook
- Ziva Dimon
- Bently Dodson
- Olivia Jones
- Carl Morrell
- Julian President
- Amaya Rivera
- Elijah Shostek
- Kendrik Thackrah
- Kaden Welch
Principal’s List
Grade 5
- Isabelle Allen
- Aiden Bunker
- Kyle Christman
- KataLenah Clapper
- Lleyton Emrick
- Audrina Gomez
- Rystara Handy
- Quinn Hisert
- Roy Johnson IV
- Serenity Leverock
- Lilly Mang
- IvyKate McGuire
- Elaena Minarich
- Wesley Moshier
- Oliver Parkinson
- Danyel Rankin
- Willow Richards
- Isley Ruszkowski
- Beverly Sherwood
- Isabella Shibley
- Prestyn Spraker
- Kayden Trumbull
- Addison Weaver
Grade 6
- Angela Abe-Callan
- Fiona Brown
- Brantlee Brownell
- Alana Candido
- Owen Charboneau
- Aubree Childs
- Milo Clark
- Christopher Compton Jr.
- Sienna Dean
- Arianna Eells
- Laura Flynn
- Raelynn Fournier
- Laylah Hardnett
- Isabella Hearn
- Amarha Herring
- Jake Fountain
- McKenzie Jones
- Timothy Keane
- Piper Kretser
- Jacob LaQuee
- Russhell Leverock
- MaeLyn Meddaugh
- Isabella Palmeri
- Mara Poultney
- Claudia Maring
- Aishwarya Murray
- Kaydence Robellard
- Ethan Shostek
- Gavin Smith
- Noah Smith
- Rosabella Smith
- Booker Tarica
- Maicee Thomas
- Adalay Webb
February 2024 Harry Hoag Roundup
Each month during the school year, Principal Coppolo shares news and information about what’s happening and upcoming at Harry Hoag Elementary School in Harry Hoag’s Monthly Roundup.
The February edition of the Roundup is now live. Read the February 2024 Harry Hoag Monthly Roundup.
New! Read-alouds from the Harry Hoag students and teaching team
New this month, the Roundup features a video read-aloud of I Like Myself by author Karen Beaumont, as led by Harry Hoag’s School Counselor, Mrs. Macherone (with some special helpers!) Students in our Harry Hoag Technology Club provided the support with filming, editing and producing this video.
We hope you enjoy this read-aloud as much as we have.
We are excited to launch these video read-alouds this February and plan to feature other books read by Harry Hoag’s guest readers in future editions of the Roundup.
Congratulations to our 6th Grade D.A.R.E. graduates
On Feb. 1, our sixth grade students were recognized for successfully completing the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) curriculum at Harry Hoag Elementary School.
Led by Fort Plain School Resource Officer and Montgomery County Deputy Sheriff Nicholas Manginelli, D.A.R.E. is designed to help support youth in leading safe and healthy lives free from violence, substance abuse and other dangerous behaviors.
“Making good decisions is the foundation of becoming a responsible adult,” said Montgomery County Sheriff Jeffrey T. Smith, who along with Deputy Manginelli, District Superintendent Lauren Crisman and Harry Hoag Principal Jodi Coppolo spoke at the event. “The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is proud to partner with our local school districts in providing D.A.R.E. instruction to our youth.”
“We thank the students, parents, staff and community for being part of this very important process,” Sheriff Smith continued. “Congratulations to the graduates. Take these lessons learned forward and continue to make us proud!”
Welcome Interim Jr./Sr. High School Principal Mark Fish
Join us in welcoming Interim Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School Principal Mark Fish. Fish began his time with the district on Monday, Jan. 29 and will serve in this role through the end of the 2023-24 school year or until a new principal for the school is hired. Learn more about Interim Jr./Sr. High School Principal Mark Fish.
“Already, I have been so impressed by the students,” said Fish of his first days in district. “I have had so many pleasant conversations with the students. They have been so welcoming, have been kind in introducing themselves and letting me know what they like about learning in Fort Plain, and have taken the time to ask me about myself, too.”
“Fort Plain is such a well-respected school district, and I am looking forward to spending time here, keeping things running smoothly at the Jr./Sr. High School as the search for the new principal of the school is underway.”