Category: Archive
Western Athletic Conference statement on spectators at Fall 2 soccer games
The following is a statement from the Western Athletic Conference:
“The Western Athletic Conference has developed a boys and girls varsity soccer schedule that utilizes neutral site turf fields that will allow league games to be played until weather improves and our school fields become playable. To make this work, we have created a schedule in which multiple games are played at a single location and with little time between games. With the number of people that would be coming from various counties to attend these games, the WAC, in consultation with our local county health departments and host sites, has made the difficult decision to not allow spectators at any of these neutral site soccer games. While we know this decision will be upsetting to many, it is being made with the health and safety of all spectators, families, players, coaches, officials and school communities in mind.
“Failure to follow the no spectator rule will result in games being stopped until the premises is cleared. Further violations of the spectator rule could result in forfeiture of games and/or the elimination of neutral site games for the league. We are excited our teams have the opportunity to compete during this difficult year. While we understand families want to support their athlete in person, we appreciate your support and understanding of the circumstances.
“On April 12th, games will move to our school fields (conditions permitting) in a traditional “home and away” format, at which time two spectators per athlete will be allowed. At that time, each athlete will be given two spectator passes. The individuals using those passes must enter through the designated area, display the pass and complete a COVID questionnaire prior to entering the field. Spectators must be masked and practice proper social distancing at all times. Failure to follow protocols will result in removal from the contest.
“Thank you for your continued support during this most challenging time.”
Superintendent’s message about COVID-19 case
March 8, 2021
Dear Members of the Fort Plain Schools Community:
We learned today, Monday, March 8, that an individual in the high school community has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual was last in school on March 7. Anyone identified as a close contact has been called, and the Montgomery County Public Health Department is advising on any necessary quarantine.
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 closely 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 case
March 4, 2021
Dear Members of the Fort Plain Schools Community:
We learned today, Thursday, March 4, that an individual in the high school community has tested positive for COVID. They were last in the building on March 2. The district is working closely with the Montgomery County Public Health Department, and they are advising on any necessary quarantine. 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 closely 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 case
February 24, 2021
Dear Members of the Fort Plain Schools Community:
We learned today that an individual in the high school community has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual was last in school on February 21. Anyone identified as a close contact will be contacted directly by their county health department.
The district is working closely with the Montgomery County Public Health Department, and they are advising 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
Board of Education special meeting March 1 at 6 p.m.
The Fort Plain Central School Board of Education will meet in special session on Monday, March 1, 2021, in the Ronald H. Thibodeau Conference Room at the Harry Hoag School.
The agenda is as follows:
1. Call to Order at 6 p.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Comment
4. Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment of a particular employee
5. Return to Open Session
6. Adjournment
Note: Time updated Feb. 26
Watch our Cheerleaders online
Our high school cheerleaders have been working and practicing, and all are welcome to view their cheers online beginning Thursday, Feb. 25, at 3:30 p.m., and after that date by clicking on their link at that time on our View Sports Online webpage.
Go Hilltoppers!
FP senior leads Eyes For Hope donation drive
Sarah Paradiso enjoys helping others, so when she learned of an opportunity to partner with Eyes For Hope, she was right on board. The Fort Plain senior is leading a donation drive for eyeglasses for those in need.
Through March 3, donations of prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses in good condition can be left in a drop box at the Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School main entrance during school hours, and at Center Street Station in Fort Plain and Sportee Designs in St. Johnsville, businesses that Sarah approached for support. Sportee Designs will also donate a pair of reading glasses for each pair of donated eyeglasses they receive.
Sarah is partnering to help Eyes For Hope with fellow high school students who are active in the Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) organization.
“I went to a HOBY youth leadership weekend at SUNY Oneonta my sophomore year,” Sarah said. “I spent the weekend making new friends and learning how to be a leader, as well as doing a community service project making blankets for organ donors and their families. Even after that weekend, we, in our area groups, have looked for ways to help out in our local community. This year we are partnering with Eyes for Hope.”
At the close of the donation drive, Sarah will ship the boxes of eyeglasses to Eyes For Hope, which will in turn distribute them to individuals who need them.
“Good work Sarah!” said Fort Plain Superintendent John Bishop. “Sarah leads by example and continues to make positive contributions to the Fort Plain school community.”
“The goal of my Eyes For Hope donation drive is to help make people feel they are making a difference, especially during a time when it’s hard to have positive interactions,” Sarah said. “There are easy ways to do it, [and this is a way] to try to reach out and do what you can.”
Board of Education special meeting Feb. 22
The Fort Plain Central School Board of Education will meet in special session on Monday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. in the Ronald H. Thibodeau Conference Room at the Harry Hoag School.
The agenda is as follows:
1. Call to Order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Comment
4. Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment of a particular employee
5. Return to Open Session
6. Adjournment
Sign up for Fall 2 sports
Grades 9 through 12 students may sign up for the Fall 2 sports of girls and boys soccer, football, and girls volleyball. Complete the form posted on the Athletics webpage by Friday, Feb. 26, 2021.
Sports start March 7 and run through May 1, and students need a physical to participate.
Harry Hoag grades 1-6 to move to full-day, in-person instruction March 8; half-days on Feb. 23 & March 2 will allow school to prepare
At their meeting on February 10, the Fort Plain Board of Education approved plans to resume full-day, in-person instruction for grades 1-6 at Harry Hoag School, beginning on March 8. A remote-only option will remain available for families who need it.
“Our plan to resume full-day, in-person instruction at Harry Hoag aligns with our district’s Reopening Schools Guiding Principles,” said Superintendent of Schools John Bishop. “Those principles are to: Keep health & safety as a top priority. Maximize student – teacher contact time. Collect feedback from stakeholder groups. Use data to inform decisions.
“The revised reopening plan follows the guiding principles to: Engage through outreach to stakeholder groups, Inform by sharing current data and collected information, and Evolve by revising our instructional plan.”
The district has scheduled half-days of school at Harry Hoag for February 23, an A day, and March 2, a B day, to provide time for teacher and building preparation. The superintendent noted that the half-days were scheduled on an A and a B day to have the least impact on Harry Hoag families. Buses will depart at 12 p.m. on these days.
Fort Plain engaged Harry Hoag stakeholders by reaching out through a building survey, a hybrid learning feedback form, and faculty workshops and stakeholder meetings, all for the purpose of listening, learning, soliciting perspective and targeting areas for growth.
“We value and appreciate the partnership of our parents, families, faculty, staff and the community in our decision-making process, allowing us to provide this opportunity now that COVID-19 positivity rates are declining in our region,” said Bishop. “We look forward to bringing our Harry Hoag grades 1-6 students back together for the second half of the school year.”
The district informed stakeholders by sharing feedback about remote learning, both what has been working well for children, and challenges such as internet connectivity and parent schedules; data related to COVID-19 infection rates and concerns; and how to maintain a safe school environment that also maximizes the time students spend with teachers.
“When we examine our Reopening Plan and how we will educate our students for the balance of this school year and into the future, the decisions are guided by the Board-adopted improvement levers,” Bishop said. “They include safety and student social-emotional developmental health; family and community engagement; curriculum development and support; use of data to inform and improve instruction; and fiscal resources.
“We do this all to fulfill our mission: To prepare every student for success beyond graduation.”