Category: Archive
Fort Plain schools on a 2-hour delay Thursday, Feb. 3
Fort Plain schools are on a two-hour delay on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022.
Superintendent Search Listening Session slated
Posted Jan. 24, 2022; reposted Feb. 2, 2022
Fort Plain families and community members are invited to participate in a Community Listening Session on Wednesday, Feb. 2, to share feedback concerning the search for a new Superintendent of Schools.
Participants will be asked to provide input regarding the characteristics and attributes desired of the next superintendent and what opportunities and challenges they will face. The meeting will be held in a small-group format with sessions scheduled every 20 minutes beginning at 4 p.m. Advance registration is required. Call Becky Smith at 518-993-4000, ext. #1000 for more information and to sign up for a time slot.
The Fort Plain Board of Education is seeking a new district leader to replace Interim Superintendent of Schools Jeffery Ziegler.
The position is now posted on several education job boards with professional organizations including the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS), the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS), the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) and OLAS, the On-line Application System for Educators. The posting can also be found at: http://www.hfmboces.org/FortPlainSearch.
The application deadline is Feb. 21. The Board of Education’s goal is to have the next superintendent in place by July 2022.
Congratulations to the latest 7th grade Most Valuable Students
Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School’s 7th Grade Team has announced the Most Valuable Students for November 2021, December, 2021, and January 2022. Congratulations to Gamliel Brackett, Brady Spaulding and Mason Gray, respectively.
Most Valuable Student is a monthly award that was developed for students who are caught “doing their job.” According to teacher Dale Smith, “Students who most demonstrate characteristics in one or more of the following categories will receive a Most Valuable Student award for the month:
- Responsibility/accountability
- Kindness
- Academics
- Good citizenship
- School pride
- Perseverance
- Self-control
- Helpful to peers/teachers, and
- Accepting of new challenges.”
Each monthly winner gets a Medal and Certificate congratulating them on their achievement.
Congratulations to the most recent Most Valuable Students:
November: Gamliel Brackett
December: Brady Spaulding
January: Mason Gray
Animals do the talking while students learn, create and teach
Dr. Dolittle may have talked to the animals, but at Harry Hoag Elementary on Jan. 26, 2022, the animals talked to the second graders, thanks to their older schoolmates.
Students in Jade VanGorder’s fourth grade class researched, wrote and illustrated books about the life cycle of animals as part of an integrated English/language arts and science project. Each story was told from the vantage point of the animal, be it a panther, fox, tiger or other creature great or small. The students then read their books to second grade classes.
“In addition to what they learned during our study of animals during science class, the students conducted their own research to gather information about the life cycle of their chosen animal from various sources,” VanGorder said.
“Then, they had to tell their life story from that animal’s point of view. I encouraged the children to use lots of details, giving their readers a vivid description of each stage. The students illustrated pictures along the way to enhance their stories even more.
“The fourth graders were so excited and so proud to complete their books and read them to the second grade classes.”
The project was a hit with all. VanGorder shared a few of her students’ comments after they read to the second graders:
“This was soooo much fun.”
“It was really cool, because I got to talk about black panthers and answer lots of questions.”
“The group of second graders LOVED it because they were asking lots of questions!”
“I really liked reading to them because they loved my fun facts section.”
Writing and sharing books isn’t limited to Harry Hoag’s fourth grade students. Kindergartners recently hosted sixth graders for an author celebration event, where the younger learners shared their written pieces with the older students, then toasted their work with fruit juice. Elementary Principal Lauren Crisman noted, “It is great to see more author celebrations at Harry Hoag!”
History of Sports class spotlights FPHS athletes
Kolbe Gray’s History of Sports class has created a cool Athlete Spotlight featuring FPHS students. View their project below to learn more about our talented Hilltoppers. The class has also created a website to provide some great info about Hilltopper sports.
Fort Plain Athlete Spotlight
Mask ruling update – January 25, 2022
January 25, 2022
Dear Fort Plain Central School Families,
As you may have seen or heard through various media outlets this afternoon, the Governor and the State Department of Health filed an appeal from the recent Demetriou decision. This afternoon arguments were heard before the Appellate Division, Second Department, on the issue of the status of the masking regulation. At this time, the Appellate Court has temporarily stayed the Order and Decision set forth in Demetriou through at least January 28, 2022, to permit the parties an opportunity for additional arguments on that date, and should this result in a change in our current plan, we will update you as soon as possible.
In light of this ruling, public school districts in New York State remain subject to the Department of Health masking regulation at least through January 28, 2022. We will continue to monitor these proceedings and inform you of additional developments as they arise.
This has been a rather challenging 24 hours for students, parents/guardians, and our staff alike, and we are grateful for everyone’s patience. While there are certainly disagreements with this mandate and the various restrictions currently in place, we are hopeful that with the declining number of positive cases, across the county, and in New York State in general, we will begin to see the state project when such restrictions can be lifted.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jeffery Ziegler
Interim Superintendent of Schools
Mask mandate ruling
January 24, 2022
Dear FPCS Families,
The Fort Plain Central School District is aware of today’s ruling by the Nassau County Supreme Court regarding mask mandates.
The following communication was received this evening from the New York State Education Department:
“The State Education Department understands that Nassau County Supreme Court has ruled that the Department of Health exceeded its authority in enacting the mask regulation, 10 NYCRR 2.60, in Demetriou et al. v. New York State Dep’t of Health et al. This regulation is the subject of conflicting decisions, insofar as Albany County Supreme Court recently upheld the regulation in Massapequa UFSD et al. v. Hochul, et al.
It is SED’s understanding that the Department of Health will appeal the Nassau County Supreme Court decision, which will result in an automatic stay that will unambiguously restore the mask rule until such time as an appellate court issues a further ruling. Therefore, schools must continue to follow the mask rule.”
We understand that this Nassau County ruling has caused confusion. We ask parents, students, and staff to be patient and comply with our mitigation strategies accordingly, including the wearing of masks. We appreciate the support and patience we have received from our families, staff and students and acknowledge that these times are challenging for all of us. Additional information will be shared with families as we learn more.
Thank you.
Superintendent search launched
The Fort Plain Central School District Board of Education has officially launched the search for a new superintendent of schools.
The position is now posted on several education job boards with professional organizations including the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS), the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS), the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) and OLAS, the On-line Application System for Educators. The posting can also be found at: http://www.hfmboces.org/FortPlainSearch.
HFM BOCES District Superintendent Dr. David Ziskin is working with the Fort Plain Board of Education as a consultant during the search process. As part of their statutory duties, BOCES district superintendents may be asked by component school boards to act as consultants during superintendent searches. Dr. Ziskin will work with the board to create recruitment material and assist with the development of selection criteria and a process for interviews.
The deadline to apply for the position is Feb. 21, 2022. The Board of Education’s goal is to have the next superintendent in place by July 2022.
The Fort Plain Board of Education is seeking a new district leader to replace Interim Superintendent of Schools Jeffery Ziegler.
Board of Education meeting set for Jan. 19
The Fort Plain Board of Education will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 19 from 6-7 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room. Masks are required to attend.
The meeting will also be virtual via Google Meet, if anyone wishes to join remotely:
- Video call link: https://meet.google.com/add-neyc-xyt
- Or dial: (US) +1 484-367-5482 PIN: 892 342 121#
Friday, Jan. 14, will be a Superintendent’s Conference Day – students stay home
January 12, 2022
Dear Fort Plain Schools Community,
Due to the increasing number of faculty and staff that are absent (for a variety of reasons) and the shortage of substitutes, the district will shift the previously scheduled March 11 Superintendent’s Conference Day to this Friday, January 14.
Faculty and staff will report as usual, but students are to stay home. It is our hope that the extra day and the long weekend will allow everyone to feel better and allow us to continue our goal of full-in-person instruction for our students.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and flexibility as we move through these difficult times.
Sincerely,
Jeffery Ziegler
Interim Superintendent of Schools