Category: District News
2nd Annual Veterans Day Reception and Assembly – Nov. 7
Harry Hoag Elementary will host a reception and assembly on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 in honor of the veterans in our Fort Plain community.
Those who have served our country and are connected to our students, staff and community are invited to attend this reception beginning at 7:45 a.m. and to stay for an assembly in their honor. This event will take place at 8:10 a.m. in the Harry Hoag Elementary School Library and Gym.
Veterans: Please RSVP by Friday, Oct. 31 by calling 518-993-4000, emailing jennifer.ruszkowski@fortplain.org or to your child’s teacher.
Veterans who are unable to attend this celebration are invited to message us with their name and branch of service so we may include them in our Hall of Heroes display.
FPN News kicks off a new season
Fort Plain Network (FPN) is back and better than ever.
This bi-weekly news show, created by high school students in our Multimedia class led by teacher Rachel Heroth, provides information and announcements about upcoming events and highlights noteworthy celebrations. Each episode is written, filmed and edited by the students, giving them hands-on experience in media production while keeping the school community informed and entertained.
New this school year
This year, the Multimedia program has expanded into two sections, giving more students the opportunity to take the course. The FPN News team now includes both returning students who are building on their previous experience and new students eager to learn the ropes.
Another exciting change this year is a partnership with teacher Tracy Yurkewecz’s Sports Journalism class. Students in this class will be producing dedicated sports segments, highlighting and celebrating Fort Plain’s athletes and teams.
The FPN team will also be adding more educational and historical pieces to support students’ civic readiness.
Watch FPN News
The 2025-26 FPN News season is now live. Watch FPN News and follow along on our FPN YouTube channel to stay in the know and watch as our students grow their skills this school year.
Board of Education meeting – Oct. 15
The Fort Plain Board of Education will hold its regular meeting on Oct. 15, 2025 beginning at 6 p.m.
The meeting will take place in the Ronald H. Thibodeau Conference Room in the District Office, 25 High Street, Fort Plain, N.Y.
View the agenda for the Oct. 15 meeting of the FPCSD Board of Education.
Fort Plain mourns the passing of Jean Watkins
Fort Plain Central School District mourns the passing of Jean Watkins, a Fort Plain alumnus, beloved educator and dedicated Fort Plain elementary school teacher for nearly four decades.
Our thoughts are with her family and friends.
View the tribute to Jean Watkins and learn about her many interests and life experiences.
October 2025 Menus
Breakfast and lunch are available free of charge each school day for all Fort Plain students, pre-kindergarten through high school.
October 2025 Menus
School breakfast is: brain power for learning, nutrition for growth, fuel for sports and P.E.!
Menus are subject to change without notice.
The USDA and this institution are equal opportunity employers and providers.
Harry Hoag Elementary School Menus
Pre-K
Daily breakfast includes: fruit, juice and low fat and fat-free milk.
Daily lunch includes: fruit choice and low fat and fat-free milk.
Alternate lunches: PB&J sandwich or yogurt w/rolls.
Breakfast and Lunch
Wednesday, Oct. 1
- Breakfast: Omelet & Sausages
- Lunch: Hot Dog on a Bun, BBQ Beans, Fruit
Thursday, Oct. 2
- Breakfast: Banana Muffin
- Lunch: Chicken Patty on a Bun, Baby Carrots, Fruit
Friday, Oct. 3
- Breakfast: Cereal
- Lunch: Pizza, Broccoli, Fruit
Monday, Oct. 6
- Breakfast: Muffin Top
- Lunch: Chicken Nuggets, Dinner Roll, Green Beans, Fruit
Tuesday, Oct. 7
- Breakfast: Cereal
- Lunch: Cheeseburger, Baked Beans, Fruit
Wednesday, Oct. 8
- Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza
- Lunch: Turkey Club, Baby Carrots, Fruit
Thursday, Oct. 9
- Breakfast: Breakfast Bread
- Lunch: Warm Ham & Cheese Bagel, Peas, Fruit
Friday, Oct. 10
NO SCHOOL – Superintendent’s Conference Day
Monday, Oct. 13
NO SCHOOL – Columbus Day/Indigeonous Peoples’ Day
Tuesday, Oct. 14
- Breakfast: Pancake on a Stick
- Lunch: Macaroni & Cheese, Cooked Carrots, Fruit
Wednesday, Oct. 15
- Breakfast: Croissant & Omelet
- Lunch: Chicken Patty on a Bun, Baked Beans, Fruit
Thursday, Oct. 16
- Breakfast: Mini Bagel Pack
- Lunch: Pizza, Tossed Salad, Fruit
Friday, Oct. 17
- Breakfast: Cereal
- Lunch: Popcorn Chicken, Corn, Fruit
Monday, Oct. 20
- Breakfast: Muffin Top
- Lunch: Boneless Chicken Wings, Celery Sticks, Fruit
Tuesday, Oct. 21
- Breakfast: Cereal
- Lunch: Taco Salad, Fiesta Rice, Veggie Beans, Fruit
Wednesday, Oct. 22
- Breakfast: Pizza Bagels
- Lunch: Turkey & Cheese Wrap, Baby Carrots, Fruit
Thursday, Oct. 23
- Breakfast: Egg & Sausage Patty
- Lunch: Pasta and Meatballs, Tossed Salad, Fruit
Friday, Oct. 24
- Breakfast: Bagel w/jelly & margarine
- Lunch: Hot Dog on a Bun, Tater Tots, Fruit
Monday, Oct. 27
- Breakfast: Cereal
- Lunch: Pizza Crunchers, Dinner Roll, Broccoli, Fruit
Tuesday, Oct. 28
- Breakfast: Mini Bagel Pack
- Lunch: BBQ McRibb on a Bun, Corn, Fruit
Wednesday, Oct. 29
- Breakfast: Omelet & Sausages
- Lunch: Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Baby Carrots, Fruit
Thursday, Oct. 30
- Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza
- Lunch: Meatball Sub, Italian Green Beans, Jello with Oranges
Friday, Oct. 31
- Breakfast: Muffin
- Lunch: Breakfast Sandwich, Breakfast Potatoes, Fruit and Juice
Elementary
Daily breakfast includes: fruit, juice and low fat and fat-free milk.
Alternate breakfast: yogurt or cereal with graham crackers.
Daily lunch includes: fruit choice and low fat and fat-free milk.
Alternate lunches: PB&J sandwich or yogurt w/rolls.
Breakfast and Lunch
Wednesday, Oct. 1
- Breakfast: Omelet & Sausages
- Lunch: Hot Dog on a Bun, French Fries, BBQ Beans, Fruit
Thursday, Oct. 2
- Breakfast: Muffins
- Lunch: Chicken Patty on a Bun, Chips, Baby Carrots, Fruit
Friday, Oct. 3
- Breakfast: Waffle Dippers
- Lunch: Pizza, Parmesan Pasta, Broccoli, Fruit
Monday, Oct. 6
- Breakfast: Breakfast Cereal and Muffin Top
- Lunch: Chicken Nuggets, Dinner Roll, Green Beans, Fruit
Tuesday, Oct. 7
- Breakfast: French Toast Sticks
- Lunch: Cheeseburger, Macaroni Salad, Baked Beans, Fruit
Wednesday, Oct. 8
- Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza
- Lunch: Turkey Club, Cheese Crackers, Baby Carrots, Fruit
Thursday, Oct. 9
- Breakfast: Breakfast Breads
- Lunch: Warm Ham & Cheese Bagel, Smile Fries, Peas, Fruit
Friday, Oct. 10
NO SCHOOL – Superintendent’s Conference Day
Monday, Oct. 13
NO SCHOOL – Columbus Day/Indigeonous Peoples’ Day
Tuesday, Oct. 14
- Breakfast: Pancake on a Stick
- Lunch: Macaroni & Cheese, Soft Pretzel, Cooked Carrots, Fruit
Wednesday, Oct. 15
- Breakfast: Croissant & Omelet
- Lunch: Chicken Patty on a Bun, Baked Beans, Fruit, Pudding
Thursday, Oct. 16
- Breakfast: Mini Bagel Pack
- Lunch: Pizza, Cheese Stick, Tossed Salad, Fruit, Cookie
Friday, Oct. 17
- Breakfast: Funnel Cake
- Lunch: Popcorn Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Fruit
Monday, Oct. 20
- Breakfast: Cereal & Muffin Top
- Lunch: Boneless Chicken Wings, Tostito Chips, Celery Sticks, Fruit
Tuesday, Oct. 21
- Breakfast: Pancakes and Sausage
- Lunch: Taco Salad, Fiesta Rice, Veggie Beans, Fruit
Wednesday, Oct. 22
- Breakfast: Pizza Bagels
- Lunch: Turkey & Cheese Wrap, Chicken Noodle Soup, Baby Carrots, Fruit
Thursday, Oct. 23
- Breakfast: Egg & Sausage Patty
- Lunch: Pasta and Meatballs, Tossed Salad, Fruit, Ice Cream Cup
Friday, Oct. 24
- Breakfast: Bagel Bar
- Lunch: Hot Dog on a Bun, Tater Tots, Peas, Fruit
Monday, Oct. 27
- Breakfast: Cereal & Granola Bar
- Lunch: Pizza Crunchers, Dinner Roll, Broccoli, Fruit
Tuesday, Oct. 28
- Breakfast: Waffle Dippers
- Lunch: BBQ McRibb on a Bun, Curly Fries, Corn, Fruit
Wednesday, Oct. 29
- Breakfast: Omelet & Sausages
- Lunch: Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Tomato Soup, Baby Carrots, Fruit
Thursday, Oct. 30
- Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza
- Lunch: Meatball Sub, Italian Green Beans, Jello with Oranges
Friday, Oct. 31
- Breakfast: Muffins
- Lunch: Breakfast Sandwich, Breakfast Potatoes, Fruit and Juice
Jr./Sr. High School
Daily breakfast includes: fruit, juice and low fat and fat-free milk.
Alternate breakfast: yogurt or cereal with graham crackers.
Alternate: build-your-own-lunch at the Fresh Bar. Includes entrée options, grain sides, fresh fruits & vegetables.
Breakfast and Lunch
Wednesday, Oct. 1
- Breakfast: Omelet & Sausages
- Lunch: Hot Dog on a Bun, French Fries, BBQ Beans, Fruit
Thursday, Oct. 2
- Breakfast: Muffins
- Lunch: Chicken Patty on a Bun, Chips, Baby Carrots, Fruit
Friday, Oct. 3
- Breakfast: Waffle Dippers
- Lunch: Pizza, Parmesan Pasta, Broccoli, Fruit
Monday, Oct. 6
- Breakfast: Cereal & Muffin Top
- Lunch: Chicken Nuggets, Dinner Roll, Green Beans, Fruit
Tuesday, Oct. 7
- Breakfast: French Toast Sticks
- Lunch: Cheeseburger, Macaroni Salad, Baked Beans, Fruit
Wednesday, Oct. 8
- Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza
- Lunch: Turkey Club & Soup, Cheese Crackers, Baby Carrots, Fruit
Thursday, Oct. 9
- Breakfast: Breakfast Sandwich
- Lunch: Warm Ham & Cheese Bagel, Smile Fries, Peas, Fruit
Friday, Oct. 10
NO SCHOOL – Superintendent’s Conference Day
Monday, Oct. 13
NO SCHOOL – Columbus Day/Indigeonous Peoples’ Day
Tuesday, Oct. 14
- Breakfast: Breakfast Breads
- Lunch: Macaroni & Cheese, Soft Pretzel, Cooked Carrots, Fruit
Wednesday, Oct. 15
- Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza
- Lunch: Chicken Patty on a Bun, Baked Beans, Fruit, Pudding
Thursday, Oct. 16
- Breakfast: Jiffy Stick/Tornado
- Lunch: Pizza, Cheese Stick, Tossed Salad, Fruit, Cookie
Friday, Oct. 17
- Breakfast: Funnel Cake
- Lunch: Popcorn Chicken Bowl, Mashed Potatoes w/gravy, Corn, Fruit
Monday, Oct. 20
- Breakfast: Cereal & Muffin Top
- Lunch: Buffalo Chicken Wings, Tostito Chips, Celery Sticks, Fruit
Tuesday, Oct. 21
- Breakfast: Pancakes & Sausage
- Lunch: Taco Salad, Fiesta Rice, Veggie Beans, Fruit
Wednesday, Oct. 22
- Breakfast: Pizza Bagels
- Lunch: Turkey & Cheese Wrap, Broccoli Cheese Soup, Baby Carrots, Fruit
Thursday, Oct. 23
- Breakfast: Breakfast Sandwich
- Lunch: Pasta and Meatballs, Tossed Salad, Fruit, Ice Cream Cup
Friday, Oct. 24
- Breakfast: Bagel Bar
- Lunch: Hot Dog on a Bun, Tater Tots, Peas, Fruit
Monday, Oct. 27
- Breakfast: Whole Grain Donut Holes
- Lunch: Pizza Crunchers, Pasta with Marinara, Broccoli, Fruit
Tuesday, Oct. 28
- Breakfast: Breakfast Sandwich
- Lunch: BBQ McRibb on a Bun, Curly Fries, Corn, Fruit
Wednesday, Oct. 29
- Breakfast: Omelet & Sausages
- Lunch: Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Vegetable Soup, Baby Carrots, Fruit
Thursday, Oct. 30
- Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza
- Lunch: Meatball Sub, Italian Green Beans,Chips, Jello with Oranges
Friday, Oct. 31
- Breakfast: Muffins
- Lunch: Breakfast Sandwich, Breakfast Potatoes, Fruit, Juice, Mini Danish
Staff Spotlight: Meet Mary Simons – teacher and science researcher
Join us in shining a spotlight on Fort Plain High School biology and chemistry teacher Mary Simons. Simons spent this past summer researching some very tiny beings that live in our rivers and now has some really big ideas to share with our students.
“The Fort Plain Central School District is proud to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of our high school science teacher, Mary Simons. Participation with the Cary Institute’s BioRETS program has not only strengthened her expertise, but also enriches the opportunities available to our students,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Karen Geelan.
This summer while school was out, Fort Plain High School biology and chemistry teacher Mary Simons was still in the classroom—and in love with what she was learning as part of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies’ BioRETS program (Biology Research Experience for Teachers.)
Through six weeks of intensive ecology instruction and field work, Simons and teachers from around the state developed their research skills by investigating a parasite’s effects on zooplankton that play an important role in Hudson River fisheries. The teachers were guided in this research by Cary Institute’s aquatic disease ecologist Dr. Tara Stewart Merrill.
The program also offered the teachers tools for turning complex scientific and research skills and processes into unique learning experiences for their students.
Simons and her research teammates presented their scientific findings and curriculum innovations at the Cary Institute in early August. Over the coming school year, Simons will work with BioRETS program managers to fine-tune her new lesson plans.
The [BioRETS program] was so incredibly satisfying and made me want to go back to school again,” said Simons. “I was treated like a scientist and given an enormous amount of scientific support that I am excited to share in the classroom with our students.”
Science in and outside our schools
Building a scientific research program for the students at Fort Plain has been a goal for Simons since she joined the district three years ago.
With the learning, support and connections to the scientific community she received this summer, Simons plans to create more ways for students to develop their own questions and dig for answers.
As a start, Simon’s biology students will be nature journaling around campus this fall – spending time each week in the same location and taking note of what they see, hear, smell and feel, and how things change over time.
“They will be asking lots and lots of questions,” said Simons, “which will generate ideas for science projects in the future.”
Simons is also launching a science club this year for students who are curious about their world and have questions the scientific process can help them answer.
Ultimately, Simons would like to launch a course in scientific research with experiences that allow students to contribute to the Cary Institute’s RAD lab (research of aquatic diseases) project by surveying the health of the Mohawk River and its tiny inhabitants.
“I want to give our students some unique and meaningful experiences in learning that they love and want to do more of once they leave school, in college and for their careers,” Simons said.
Fort Plain and Canajoharie boards agree to continue to pursue potential merger
Dear Families,
We would like to share an important update regarding the future of our school community. After careful discussion and collaboration, both the Fort Plain and the Canajoharie Central School District Boards of Education have agreed to continue their pursuit of a potential district merger. After receiving further clarification from NYSED, we learned our recent merger study is still in effect. Looming fiscal constraints from the state and federal governments, continued loss of programming and challenges in attracting qualified applicants for employment, coupled with the close vote in both districts last spring, guided the decision of the CFP Development Panel and Boards of Education.
As part of this process, both Boards will move forward with holding a straw poll vote in each community. This non-binding vote will give residents the opportunity to express their opinion on whether the merger should proceed to a binding public referendum.
We understand that this is a significant decision for our districts, and we are committed to ensuring that families, staff, and community members are well-informed every step of the way. Your voice and involvement are essential as we explore what is best for the future of our students and communities. We encourage you to stay engaged, ask questions, and participate in upcoming conversations.
Thank you for your continued support of the Fort Plain and Canajoharie Central School Districts. You will be hearing from us soon regarding the next steps in the process.
Sincerely,
Dr. Karen Geelan
Interim Superintendent of Schools, Fort Plain Central School District
Dr. Nick Fitzgerald
Superintendent of Schools, Canajoharie Central School District
Mark your calendars: Harry Hoag Open House – Oct. 2
Harry Hoag Elementary School will host an open house for families on Thursday, Oct. 2 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
A fall book sale will also be held in the Harry Hoag School library during the open house.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Jr/Sr High School Open House – Sept. 30
Families of students in our Jr./Sr. High School are invited to attend our fall Open House on Tuesday, Sept. 30 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
We look forward to seeing you then!
Joint Board of Education meeting, regular meeting to follow – Sept. 17
The Fort Plain and Canajoharie CSD Boards of Education will hold a joint meeting on Sept. 17, 2025 beginning at 6 p.m. The regular meeting of the Fort Plain Board of Education will immediately follow.
The joint board meeting will take place in the Jr./Sr. High School School Auditorium, 1 West Street, Fort Plain, NY.
View the FPCSD Board of Education – Sept. 17, 2025 meeting agenda.