Category: Archive
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!”
Board of Education will meet March 8 and 9 at HFM BOCES
The Fort Plain Board of Education will meet Tuesday, March 8, at 6 p.m. in the Board Room at HFM BOCES. It is anticipated that the Board will convene an executive session to discuss matters leading to the appointment of a particular person. No other business will be conducted.
The Fort Plain Board of Education will meet Wednesday, March 9, at 6 p.m. in the Board Room at HFM BOCES. It is anticipated that the Board will convene an executive session to discuss matters leading to the appointment of a particular person. No other business will be conducted.
Mask mandate and COVID-19 protocols update
March 2, 2022
Dear Fort Plain Central School Community,
As you are aware, the statewide universal mask mandate for schools was lifted as of today, March 2, 2022. This means that the majority of students, staff and school visitors are no longer required to wear a mask in our school buildings or school buses. Mask wearing, however, continues to be optional for everyone.
As you also know, health and safety guidance from the state and local health departments related to COVID-19 continues to evolve. While the latest state guidance removes the mask requirement, the following health and safety protocols remain in place:
- Regardless of vaccination status, if a student tests positive for COVID-19 they must isolate for a full five days. Students may return to school after day five if they are asymptomatic or if symptoms are resolving. For days 6-10 following a positive test, students are required to wear a mask in school, including on the school bus.
- If a student has been exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, it is highly recommended they wear a mask for a full 10 days following that exposure.
- State and local health officials continue to recommend testing for COVID-19 following a possible exposure. COVID-19 tests are available at school to anyone who wants one. If you need a test, please contact Keri Constable, LPN, at 518-993-4000.
- Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home from school, regardless of vaccination status or recent infection, until tested and/or isolate for five days. If your student has symptoms and you aren’t sure what to do, or if you need a COVID-19 test kit, contact Keri Constable, LPN, at 518-993-4000.
We remain committed to keeping our students in school, while providing a safe learning environment for all. We will continue to follow a tiered mitigation strategy to prevent the spread of illness in our schools and on our buses. This includes enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures and improved ventilation, in addition to providing free at-home COVID-19 testing kits to our families and staff.
We will also continue our due diligence with regard to notifying impacted staff and families if we learn about a positive case. In some situations, this will involve a general notification alerting staff and families that there was a positive case in a particular class or school. In other cases, the identification of close contacts may be warranted. In these cases, we will provide the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19 testing, quarantine and isolation.
We will continue to work with our local health department as we move forward to follow the metrics as they relate to cases, infection rates and hospitalizations, and we will keep you updated as information is shared.
I thank you again for your patience, resolve and commitment to ensuring that we followed the plan and in turn, made sure people were safe.
Sincerely,
Jeffery Ziegler
Interim Superintendent
Boys basketball team wins varsity sectionals, to compete for Class C title
Our boys basketball team won last night’s varsity sectional competition vs. Berne-Knox-Westerlo by a score of 72-56 in the Section 2 Class C semifinals at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, with standout performances turned in by many a player.
The team moves on to play Maple Hill for the Class C championship on Friday, March 4 at 5 p.m. at the Cool Insuring Arena. Tickets are available at the arena. The game also will be livestreamed on the NFHS subscription service.
Fort Plain last won the Class C championship in 2001. The Hilltoppers’ expert playing has attracted the attention of local media, including the Daily Gazette:
Go Hilltoppers!
Harry Hoag students enjoy learning a lifetime sport
Michael Meier’s and Mark Hitchcock’s physical education classes at Harry Hoag School had a great time learning how to snowshoe just before their winter break, a fun outdoor activity they can enjoy for years to come.
“Late this past fall, we were lucky to be able to place an order for snowshoes for Harry Hoag,” Meier said. “Just before February break, we received the order and quickly took advantage of the snow still left on the ground. Our second through sixth grade students took to the fields behind the school and learned a valuable lifetime skill that promotes outdoor health and fitness.
“The students gave the new snow shoes a try during our phys ed classes and overall, had a great time!”
View more photos in our Facebook album.
Tickets for semis and finals for sale at arena; paid live stream available
Attention Hilltoppers fans: Tickets for semis and finals to be held at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls must be purchased at the arena; they are not for sale online due to the arena’s contract.
A paid subscription service is also live streaming games. Visit their website at https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/associations/nysphsaas2/Basketball?drilldown=upcomin&fbclid=IwAR1fqjU8VbZwpQHFCRfK6ylax_tr91kBY7v79U1-jkUABq6KT3rYLRjBhdg