Category: Archive
2020-21 Fort Plain winter sports start dates
Fort Plain Schools would like to inform families that low/moderate risk winter sports, including bowling and swimming, will begin December 14. Students may sign up for these sports and are reminded that they must have a sports physical prior to the season if they have not had one in the past 12 months.
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) made the announcement about low/moderate risk sports on November 17, noting the decision is in line with guidance from Gov. Cuomo and the New York State Department of Health (DOH). High risk sports, including girls and boys basketball and wrestling, are tentatively scheduled to start January 4, but still require approval from the state DOH.
The winter sports season will run through February 28 and focus on regular season play, primarily with league competition. Reduced and condensed sectional competition will only take place if the NYSPHSAA State Championships are offered. If there are no State Championships, leagues and schools may schedule culminating events, which must conclude by February 28.
Virtual HS Open House/Meet the Teachers – Part II
What do you do when you can’t bring families into school for fall open house and meet the teachers night? You bring the event to them!
Presenting Part II of Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School’s Fall 2020 Virtual Open House/Meet the Teachers. Our faculty and staff welcome you to virtually visit their classrooms and work spaces and share in their students’ experiences through videos they created just for this event.
We are highlighting a few departments each week. View our videos below from our Science and Practical Arts departments.
Science Department Video (Dale Smith, Patrick Petty, Lance Elliott, Jay Jarabek)
Business with Wendy Stokna
Technology with Kreig Heroth
Family & Consumer Sciences with Cory Cooley
Student physicals are still required
This is a friendly reminder for all Fort Plain parents and guardians that physical health exams are mandated by New York State for all students who are newly enrolled in a school district or who are in grades pre-k or kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. This includes students who are enrolled as in person, hybrid or remote learners.
Please return completed physicals to the school nurse’s office as soon as possible. More information on physicals is posted on our health services webpage, under Health Screenings.
FPHS Fall Open House/Meet the Teachers event goes virtual
What do you do when you can’t bring families into school for fall open house and meet the teachers night? You bring the event to them!
Presenting Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School’s Fall 2020 Virtual Open House/Meet the Teachers event. Our faculty and staff welcome you to virtually visit their classrooms and work spaces and share in their students’ experiences through videos they created just for this event.
We are highlighting a few departments each week. View our videos below from our English and Special Education departments.
English/Language Arts Department (Louise Clute, Tracy Yurkewecz, Kevin Bogus, Lisa Trembley, Mary McCall)
Special Education Co-Teacher Videos
Andrea Bleichner
Butler, Crouse and Karker are named WAC All-Stars
Congratulations to Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School’s 2020 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Fall Sports All-Stars: Emma Karker – Cross Country, Evan Crouse – Northern/Mohawk Division Most Valuable Golfer, and Troy Butler – 1st Team, Northern/Mohawk Division, Golf.
Remote instruction through Nov. 24; in person learning resumes Nov. 30
Dear Members of the Fort Plain School Community,
On Thursday, November 12, 2020, the district was informed that a member of the school community had tested positive for COVID-19. Fort Plain Schools were closed on November 13 for deep cleaning and disinfection of any potentially impacted areas. Instruction was provided remotely for all students.
In working with Public Health we are implementing our Short-term remote learning plans through November 24. The health and safety of the students and employees of the Fort Plain School District are our highest priorities. In person classes will resume on November 30, 2020.
During the remote learning period, transportation will continue to be provided for all out-of-district programs, including special education, career and technical education, PTech, AgTech, and Adirondack Academy. Meals will be provided for students of both schools and may be picked up at either Harry Hoag or in the Village Office parking lot in downtown, between 10:30 a.m. and 12 noon. The main offices will remain open.
Fort Plain School District has been working in conjunction with Montgomery County Public Health to review policy and procedure for COVID-19 exposure, and is following their guidance. Montgomery County has provided the district with additional PPE and cleaning supplies. Students and staff who have been identified as close contacts will be contacted by the local health department in the county where they reside.
We ask that our community remain diligent with wearing masks and washing hands frequently. Please note that if you do not receive a call from the health department, you have not been identified as a close contact. Also keep in mind, this is one positive confirmed case at this time and does not rise to the level of an outbreak or cluster.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we move forward.
Sincerely,
John Bishop
Superintendent of Schools
All students to learn remotely Nov. 13; campuses are closed
The district has been informed that a member of the school community has tested positive for COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution, Fort Plain Schools will be closed on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, for deep cleaning and disinfection of any potentially impacted areas.
Please note that instruction will continue to be provided, remotely, for all students at both schools, according to schedules posted on our website’s Important Updates webpage (direct link to schedules.)
The district is working closely with the County Department of Health and is following their guidance. They are taking the lead role in any further steps that may be necessary, such as additional testing of individuals, contact tracing and quarantine.
Under federal and state laws and regulations, we cannot identify the individual who tested positive. We will continue to monitor this situation and keep you informed. Thank you for your understanding.
Harry Hoag students honor veterans with letters, artwork
While Harry Hoag School can’t welcome veterans to campus for a recognition assembly this year, due to limits on gatherings because of the pandemic, the students are still making sure that they are honored. Harry Hoag students are celebrating veterans and the sacrifices they’ve made to honor our freedom and serve our country with artwork and letters of appreciation they’ve created for display at local Fort Plain businesses.
Miles, smiles and talent: new runner raises spirits and awareness
Fort Plain eighth grader Dustin Welch trained as a new runner with the high school cross country team this fall, and he quickly became known for his infectious enthusiasm, love of life and always having a “big smile on his face that brightens everyone’s day.”
According to Patrick Petty, cross country assistant coach, “Dustin was one of the hardest workers on the team and eagerly took on any challenge. He improved greatly over the season and brought many laughs to all of us.”
The conclusion of Dustin’s first season proved to be as energizing and uplifting as the hours he spent training with his teammates. In early November, Dustin joined with Coach Petty in running the 5K for Autism Awareness, a charity event presented through the Moon Joggers Virtual Running Events series.
While the event was virtual – meaning it didn’t involve crowds of runners, large support crews or formal staging – the run itself was very much real for Dustin and his coach, and exciting and inspiring for his cross country teammates, family, Life Skills Teacher Lisa Petty, and High School Principal Dr. Deborah Larrabee, who presented Dustin with his finisher’s medal.
“We had Dustin ‘race’ the Fort Plain athletic complex course as ‘Dustin’s Dash’,” said Coach Petty, “and he did an OUTSTANDING job, completing the 3.1-mile course in 22:40 AND with a big grin on his face!”
Justin’s mom, Jenn Welch, said, “Dustin has a lot of energy, and so we asked Dustin if he would like to run cross country with his brother Clayton, and he said yes and was all excited. We asked Mr. Petty if he could just run with the team,” she continued, “and Mr. Petty was like, absolutely, we would love to have him run.
“The whole team was really great with him. We really appreciate what everyone has done for Dustin,” she said.
Dustin, who is on the autism spectrum, said he loves to run and train with the team. And he is justly proud of earning his Autism Awareness 5K finisher’s medal.
“Dustin looked great after the race; he wasn’t at all tired,” said Dr. Larrabee. “He’s a great student and a talented runner.”
“In addition to bringing out the best in everyone, Dustin serves as a role model and is a true inspiration as well,” Coach Petty said. “Dustin is a remarkable young man; working with him this fall was the most fun and rewarding experience in my coaching career!”
Fort Plain eighth grader Dustin Welch, pictured here receiving his medal from Fort Plain High School Principal Dr. Deborah Larrabee, is an enthusiastic, inspiring and talented runner who completed his first official 5K event in just 22:40 while raising awareness for autism. He loves to run and is coached by Fort Plain science teacher Patrick Petty. Local cross country runners beware: formal competition may be in Dustin’s future.
COVID-19 information
References & Resources
- Montgomery County Public Health COVID-19 Isolation, Quarantine, Testing info
- New York State Department of Health Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- New York State Education Department Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- New York State Dashboard for COVID-19 Data in Schools/COVID-19 Report Card
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Centers for Disease Control: How to Select, Wear, and Clean Your Mask
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration COVID-19 Website
A note about privacy protections
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.