Category: Archive
Thank you Fort Plain True Value!
Fort Plain True Value has honored their community’s educators, staff and students by donating to Fort Plain Central School several boxes and bottles of health and safety supplies, including hand sanitizer, germicidal cleaner, masks, a spray bottle, pumps and blue painter’s tape for marking social distancing.
Fort Plain True Value owners Tanya and Shawn Kilmartin presented the donation to Matt Hearn of Fort Plain Central School at their store on Wednesday morning, April 21. The donated items took up a good portion of the district’s pickup truck bed and will be used to help keep students, staff and visitors safe and healthy.
The Kilmartins made the donation as part of the True Value Educational Heroes Safety Campaign. Last fall, they donated items including soap and masks to Fort Plain Central School.
Board adopts proposed $21.8 million budget with no tax levy increase
The Fort Plain Board of Education adopted a proposed $21,875,000 budget for the 2021-22 school year at their April 14 meeting. The proposed budget would maintain all academic programming with no increase in the tax levy.
The proposed budget is an increase of $500,000, or 2.34%, over the current-year budget, but does not raise the tax levy, as funds would be allocated from increased state aid to cover school faculty and staffing costs, as well as adding offerings such as summer and after-school enrichment.
When district residents vote on the proposed budget on May 18, they will also consider a referendum authorizing the district to acquire school vehicles at a maximum cost of $275,000, with the funds to be drawn from the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund. The purchase would not have an impact on the tax levy, and would allow the district to replace aging buses and minimize maintenance costs.
Voters will also elect two members of the Board of Education for three-year terms running from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024, to succeed Mary Beth Hudyncia and Kimberly Keane, whose terms expire on June 30, 2021. Petitions to run for the Board can be picked up at the District Office and must be returned by April 19.
“Our goal is to always put forward a responsible budget that maintains high quality programming. This year, we can achieve this with zero impact on the tax levy,” Superintendent John Bishop said.
Student-crafted Kachina Masks display learning, creativity
While some masks obscure things, those crafted by students in Patrick Hanifin’s 5th grade social studies class at Harry Hoag School provide a big, bright display – of learning, knowledge and creativity.
The students recently studied the Pueblo people. Then, each of the students created a Kachina Mask.
“The Hopi tribe used Kachina Masks in dance ceremonies to become the spirit their mask represents,” Mr. Hanifin said. “The students were very creative with their mask designs.”
He added, “The Hopi, native to Arizona, look to the Kachina spirits to renew the land each year and guarantee water for another season. Ceremonies honoring the Kachina take place from the winter solstice until July.”
COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine clinic set for April in Canajoharie
UPDATE APRIL 21: The clinic will be April 29 with the second dose on May 20 by appointment only from 3:30-6:30 p.m. To sign up for the clinic, visit this link from Montgomery County Public Health:
https://apps2.health.ny.gov/doh2/applinks/cdmspr/2/counties?DateID=C07F05CD48F10634E0530A6C7C16E92F (Note: link is no longer live)
Originally posted April 12, 2021:
Fort Plain Central School District and Canajoharie Central School District are planning free COVID-19 vaccine clinics for students ages 16-18 and their parents/guardians, to be held at Canajoharie High School on April 20 and May 11, from 4-7 p.m. Students would need to have a parent/guardian present to receive the vaccine, which would be the Pfizer vaccine.
Appointments will be scheduled by Montgomery County Public Health. However, to hold the clinics, we must first determine how many in our school community would participate so the appropriate number of vaccine doses can be ordered.
ParentSquare messages were sent to our school district families to gather this information on April 8 and April 12 (a reminder message). Parents/guardians who haven’t responded but would like to participate in either clinic should take a moment to complete and submit the brief form in the ParentSquare message that indicates the number of doses their family will need.
This will help Montgomery County Public Health schedule appointments for the clinics accordingly.
We thank all in our community for their support and cooperation in keeping our schools safe.
Now live online: Fort Plain-Canajoharie Drama Club presents “On Broadway: Directors’ Choice!”
UPDATES April 6: Act 2 link updated, 2:21 p.m.
April 5: Links to view online – Act 1 link updated 4:50 p.m.:
- Act 1:
https://youtu.be/HKjVtsIiLb8 - Act 2:
https://youtu.be/o0ca9kEWNNA
The Fort Plain-Canajoharie Drama Club is proud to announce an online performance of “On Broadway: Directors’ Choice!” This musical review will include 21 songs from famous Broadway shows. The production includes full costumes, lights, sound and sets. Meet the cast.
Performances will include numbers from Broadway favorites such as “RENT,” “Chicago,” “Spring Awakening,” “A Chorus Line,” “Mary Poppins,” “The Sound of Music,” “Lion King,” “Wicked,” “West Side Story,” “Into the Woods,” and more. The production will also include four songs from “Les Miserables,” which the drama club was scheduled to perform during the spring of 2020 and had to cancel due to COVID-19 restrictions.
This year’s show features eight solo songs, performed by Sarah Paradiso, Faith Clark, Tori Rocas, Howie Kelley, Macenzie (Max) Richtmyer, Chiarra Morris, Michael Palmeri and Caleigh Bartholomew. Other featured soloists include Dawson Sweet, Avery Merchant, Alex Gyurik and Chad Rogers. Completing the ensemble are Anthony Paradiso, Hannah Briggs, Matthew Travis, Emery Frew, Grace McFee, Lily Lapi, Jayden Bentz, and Jasmine Lapi. There will be special cameos by Mr. Will Ryan, Mrs. Lauri Broady and recent Canajoharie graduate Vicente Nunez.
The production is directed by Mr. Will Ryan and Mrs. Lauri Broady, with musical direction by Mrs. Norma Bowley. Technical direction is provided by Mr. Mike Broady and costuming is by Mrs. Lisa Hill and Miss Autumn Dodson. Student crew includes Noah Ehle on sound, Matthew Ehle and Clayton Welch on lights, and Tucker Jones and Anthony Paradiso on stage crew.
“On Broadway: Director’s Choice” will be taped for home viewing and posted on the YouTube channels of both school districts. The performance will be available beginning on April 5.
For more show details, please visit the Drama Club website.
More photos are posted in our Facebook album.
FPHS names students of the month
Six Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School students have been named Student of the Month in honor of their accomplishments. They received certificates on March 31.
Congratulations to:
- 7th Grade- McKenna Karker
- 8th Grade- Hannah French
- 9th Grade- Matthew Paul
- 10th Grade- Ethan Kilmartin
- 11th Grade- Talia Narzymski
- 12th Grade- Sarah Paradiso
The students were nominated by their teachers for the award in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in academics, athletics, character, community service, hard work, kindness, leadership, positive attitude, and responsibility.
Above from left: McKenna Karker, Hannah French, Matthew Paul
Above from left, Talia Narzymski and Sarah Paradiso
Not pictured: Ethan Kilmartin
Spring sports sign-up
The spring sports season is scheduled for April 25, 2021 to June 15, 2021, as of now.
Students: Please fill out the following form to indicate your interest: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfU2-8EyGyr8tBNQ3oCLItuTD4saqYdUqMge11KYo1EkkAKdw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&gxids=7628
Sports physicals are required prior to first practice. Check with the nurse to see if you are approved to play.
Superintendent’s message about COVID-19 case
March 29, 2021
Dear Members of the Fort Plain Schools Community:
We have been notified that an individual in the high school community has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual was last in school on Thursday, March 25, 2021. We are working closely with the Montgomery County Public Health Department to identify close contacts, and the department will advise on any necessary quarantine or testing.
Please note that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other privacy laws restrict us from disclosing or confirming any personally identifiable information. We cannot identify anyone who has tested positive.
We will continue to work with the health department and keep you advised of any further information. Our goal remains to keep our schools open and safe for students and staff alike. Please contact my office with any questions. Thank you.
Sincerely,
John Bishop
Superintendent of Schools
Superintendent’s message about COVID-19 cases
March 26, 2021
Dear Members of the Fort Plain Schools Community:
We have been notified that an individual in the elementary school community and an individual in the high school community have tested positive for COVID-19. There were no exposures to the elementary school individual, who has not been in school. We are working closely with the Montgomery County Public Health Department to identify close contacts with the other individual, and the department will advise on any necessary quarantine or testing.
Please note that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other privacy laws restrict us from disclosing or confirming any personally identifiable information. We cannot identify anyone who has tested positive.
We will continue to work with the health department and keep you advised of any further information. Our goal remains to keep our schools open and safe for students and staff alike. Please contact my office with any questions. Thank you.
Sincerely,
John Bishop
Superintendent of Schools
Superintendent’s message about COVID-19 cases
March 24, 2021
Dear Members of the Fort Plain Schools Community:
We have been notified that two individuals in the high school community have tested positive for COVID-19. We are working closely with the Montgomery County Public Health Department to identify close contacts, and they will advise on any necessary quarantine or testing.
Please note that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other privacy laws restrict us from disclosing or confirming any personally identifiable information. We cannot identify anyone who has tested positive.
We will continue to work with the health department and keep you advised of any further information. Our goal remains to keep our schools open and safe for students and staff alike. Please contact my office with any questions. Thank you.
Sincerely,
John Bishop
Superintendent of Schools