Category: District News
January 2024 Menus
Breakfast and lunch are available free of charge each school day for all Fort Plain students, pre-k through high school.
Plain or chocolate fat-free and low-fat milk served daily.
Fruit served daily. May include: fresh, canned, dried (raisins) or juice.
January 2024 Menus
School breakfast is: brain power for learning, nutrition for growth, fuel for sports and P.E.!
Harry Hoag Elementary—Breakfast | Lunch
Jr./Sr. High School—Breakfast | Lunch
Pre-K
BREAKFAST
Monday, Jan. 1 – No School – New Year’s Day
Tuesday, Jan. 2 – Cereal, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice, Low Fat Milk
Wednesday, Jan. 3 – Oat Wednesdays: Oatmeal Breakfast Bar, Cheese Cubes, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Thursday, Jan. 4 – Cereal, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice, Low Fat Milk
Friday, Jan. 5 – Breakfast Pizza, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Monday, Jan. 8 –Cereal, Cheese Stick, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Tuesday, Jan. 9 – Cereal, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice, Low Fat Milk
Wednesday, Jan. 10 – Oat Wednesdays: Oats & Honey Granola Bar, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Thursday, Jan. 11 – French Toast Sticks, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice, Low Fat Milk
Friday, Jan. 12 – Cereal, Cheese Cubes, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Monday, Jan. 15 – No School – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday, Jan. 16 – Bagels, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice, Low Fat Milk
Wednesday, Jan. 17 – Oat Wednesdays: Oat/Apple Cinnamon, Breakfast Round, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Thursday, Jan. 18 – Breakfast Pizza, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice, Low Fat Milk
Friday, Jan. 19 – Cereal, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Monday, Jan. 22 – Cereal, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Tuesday, Jan. 23 – Assorted Whole Grain Muffins, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice, Low Fat Milk
Wednesday, Jan. 24 – Cereal, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Thursday, Jan. 25 – Bagels, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice, Low Fat Milk
Friday, Jan. 26 – Cereal, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Monday, Jan. 29 – Pumpkin Bread, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Tuesday, Jan. 30 – Cereal, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice, Low Fat Milk
Wednesday, Jan. 31 – Oat Wednesdays: Banana & Oat Breakfast Bar, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
lunch
Monday, Jan. 1 – No School – New Year’s Day
Tuesday, Dec. 5 – Chicken Nuggets, Corn Muffin, Broccoli, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Wednesday, Dec. 6 – Hot Dog on a Bun, Green Beans, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Thursday, Dec. 7 – National Spaghetti Day! Spaghetti w/meatballs, Tossed Salad, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Friday, Dec. 8 – Whipped Cream Day: Ham & Cheese Croissant, Baby Carrots w/dip, Fruit Crisp w/cream, Low Fat Milk
Monday, Jan. 8 – Pizza, Cooked Carrots, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Tuesday, Jan. 9 – National Apricot Day: Taco Salad, Fiesta Rice, Refried Beans, Apricots, Low Fat Milk
Wednesday, Jan. 10 – Turkey Club, Tomato Soup, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Thursday, Jan. 11 – Chicken Parmesan, Parmesan Pasta, Italian Green Beans, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Friday, Jan. 12 – Cheeseburger, Corn, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Monday, Jan. 15 – No School – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday, Jan. 16 – Chicken Patty w/bun, Baked Beans, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Wednesday, Jan. 17 – Ham & Cheese Bagel, Tossed Salad, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Thursday, Jan. 18 – Pasta w/meat sauce, Peas, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Friday, Jan. 19 – Popcorn Chicken, Dinner Roll, Baby Carrots w/dip, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Monday, Jan. 22 – Hot Dog on a Bun, Chili, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Tuesday, Jan. 23 – Pizza Crunchers, Broccoli, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Wednesday, Jan. 24 – Assorted Sandwiches, Vegetable Soup, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Thursday, Jan. 25 – Chicken Rings, Dinner Roll, Cherry Tomatoes, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Friday, Jan. 26 – Macaroni & Cheese, Corn, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Monday, Jan. 29 – Pizza, Broccoli, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Tuesday, Jan. 30 – Bacon Cheeseburger, Peas, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Wednesday, Jan. 31 – Assorted Subs, Baby Carrots w/dip, Assorted Fruit Choice, Low Fat Milk
Harry Hoag Elementary
BREAKFAST
Monday, Jan. 1 – No School – New Year’s Day
Tuesday, Jan. 2 – Cereal & Grahams, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Wednesday, Jan. 3 – Oat Wednesdays: Oatmeal Breakfast Bar, Cheese Cubes, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Thursday, Jan. 4 – Sausage Patty Biscuit, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Friday, Jan. 5 – Breakfast Pizza, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Monday, Jan. 8 – Whole Grain Funnel Cake, Cheese Stick, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Tuesday, Jan. 9 – Pancakes, Bacon, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Wednesday, Jan. 10 – Oat Wednesdays: Oats & Honey, Granola Bar, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Thursday, Jan. 11 – French Toast Sticks, Sausage Links, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Friday, Jan. 12 – National Donut Day! Whole Grain Donut Holes, Cheese Cubes, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Monday, Jan. 15 – No School – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday, Jan. 16 – Bagels, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Wednesday, Jan. 17 – Oat Wednesdays: Oat/Apple Cinnamon, Breakfast Round, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Thursday, Jan. 18 – Breakfast Pizza, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Friday, Jan. 19 – Bacon & Egg Biscuit Sandwich, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Monday, Jan. 22 – National Granola Bar Day: Yogurt, Chocolate Chip Granola Bar, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Tuesday, Jan. 23 – Assorted Whole Grain Muffins, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Wednesday, Jan. 24 – Oat Wednesdays: Toasted Oat Cereal, Graham Crackers, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Thursday, Jan. 25 – Bagels, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Friday, Jan. 26 – Sausage Patty, Egg Patty, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Monday, Jan. 29 – Pumpkin Bread, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Tuesday, Jan. 30 – National Croissant Day: Sausage, Egg & Cheese Croissant, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Wednesday, Jan. 31 – Oat Wednesdays: Banana & Oat Breakfast Bar, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
lunch
Monday, Jan. 1 – No School – New Year’s Day
Tuesday, Jan. 2 – Chicken Nuggets, Corn Muffin, Broccoli, Assorted Fruit Choice
Wednesday, Jan. 3 – Soup Wednesdays: Hot Dog on a Bun, Chicken Noodle Soup, Green Beans, Assorted Fruit Choice
Thursday, Jan. 4 – National Spaghetti Day! Spaghetti w/meatballs, Breadstick, Tossed Salad, Assorted Fruit Choice
Friday, Jan. 5 – Whipped Cream Day: Ham & Cheese Croissant, Baked Chips, Baby Carrots w/dip, Fruit Crisp w/cream
Monday, Jan. 8 – Pizza, Cooked Carrots, Assorted Fruit Choice, Pudding
Tuesday, Jan. 9 – National Apricot Day: Taco Salad, Fiesta Rice, Refried Beans, Apricots
Wednesday, Jan. 10 – Soup Wednesdays: Turkey Club, Tomato Soup, MultiGrain SunChips, Assorted Fruit Choice
Thursday, Jan. 11 – Chicken Parmesan, Parmesan Pasta, Italian Green Beans, Assorted Fruit Choice
Friday, Jan. 12 – Oat Month: Cheeseburger, Curly Fries, Corn, Assorted Fruit Choice, Oats & Cream Cookie
Monday, Jan. 15 – No School – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday, Jan. 16 – Fig Newton Day: Chicken Patty w/bun, Baked Beans, Assorted Fruit Choice, Fig Newton Cookies
Wednesday, Jan. 17 – Soup Wednesdays: Ham & Cheese Bagel, Chicken & Rice Soup, Tossed Salad, Assorted Fruit Choice
Thursday, Jan. 18 – Pasta w/meat sauce, French Roll, Peas, Assorted Fruit Choice
Friday, Jan. 19 – National Popcorn Day: Popcorn Chicken, Cheese Popcorn, Baby Carrots w/dip, Assorted Fruit Choice
Monday, Jan. 22 – Blonde Brownie Day: Hot Dog on a Bun, Chili, Assorted Fruit Choice, Blonde Brownie
Tuesday, Jan. 23 – Pizza Crunchers, Dinner Roll, Broccoli, Assorted Fruit Choice
Wednesday, Jan. 24 – Soup Wednesdays: Assorted Sandwiches, Vegetable Soup, Cheese Crackers, Assorted Fruit Choice
Thursday, Jan. 25 – Chicken Rings, Dinner Roll, Cherry Tomatoes, Assorted Fruit Choice
Friday, Jan. 26 – Macaroni & Cheese, Corn, Assorted Fruit Choice, Ice Cream Cup
Monday, Jan. 29 – Corn Chip Day, Pizza, Corn Chips, Broccoli, Assorted Fruit Choice
Tuesday, Jan. 30 – Bacon Cheeseburger, Tater Tots, Peas, Assorted Fruit Choice
Wednesday, Jan. 31 – Soup Wednesdays: Assorted Subs, Chicken Noodle Soup, Baby Carrots w/dip, Assorted Fruit Choice
Jr./Sr. High School
BREAKFAST
Monday, Jan. 1 – No School – New Year’s Day
Tuesday, Jan. 2 – Cereal, 1/2 Bagel, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Wednesday, Jan. 3 – Oat Wednesdays: Oatmeal Breakfast Bar, Cheese Cubes, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Thursday, Jan. 4 – Sausage, Egg & Cheese Biscuit, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Friday, Jan. 5 – Breakfast Pizza, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Monday, Jan. 8 – Whole Grain Funnel Cake, Cheese Stick, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Tuesday, Jan. 9 – Pancakes, Bacon, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Wednesday, Jan. 10 – Oat Wednesdays: Oats & Honey, Granola Bar, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Thursday, Jan. 11 – French Toast Sticks, Sausage Links, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Friday, Jan. 12 – National Donut Day! Whole Grain Donut Holes, Cheese Cubes, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Monday, Jan. 15 – No School – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday, Jan. 16 – Bagels, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Wednesday, Jan. 17 – Oat Wednesdays: Oat/Apple Cinnamon, Breakfast Round, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Thursday, Jan. 18 – Breakfast Pizza, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Friday, Jan. 19 – Bacon & Egg Biscuit Sandwich, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Monday, Jan. 22 – National Granola Bar Day: Yogurt, Chocolate Chip Granola Bar, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Tuesday, Jan. 23 – Regents Week: Assorted Whole Grain Muffins, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Wednesday, Jan. 24 – Regents Week: Toasted Oat Cereal, Mini Muffin, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Thursday, Jan. 25 – Regents Week: Bagels, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Friday, Jan. 26 – Regents Week: Potluck Breakfast, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Monday, Jan. 29 – Pumpkin Bread, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Tuesday, Jan. 30 – National Croissant Day: Sausage, Egg & Cheese Croissant, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
Wednesday, Jan. 31 – Oat Wednesdays: Banana & Oat Breakfast Bar, Assorted Fruit Choice, 100% Fruit Juice
lunch
Monday, Jan. 1 – No School – New Year’s Day
Tuesday, Jan. 2 – Chicken Nuggets, Corn Muffin, Broccoli, Assorted Fruit Choice
Wednesday, Jan. 3 – Soup Wednesdays: Hot Dog on a Bun, Minestrone Soup, Soft Pretzel, Assorted Fruit Choice
Thursday, Jan. 4 – National Spaghetti Day! Spaghetti w/meatballs, Breadstick, Tossed Salad, Assorted Fruit Choice
Friday, Jan. 5 – Whipped Cream Day: Ham & Cheese Croissant, Baked Chips, Baby Carrots w/dip, Fruit Crisp w/cream
Monday, Jan. 8 – Pizza, Parmesan Pasta, Cooked Carrots, Assorted Fruit Choice
Tuesday, Jan. 9 – National Apricot Day: Taco Salad, Fiesta Rice, Refried Beans, Apricots
Wednesday, Jan. 10 – Soup Wednesdays: Turkey Club, Tomato Soup, MultiGrain SunChips, Assorted Fruit Choice
Thursday, Jan. 11 – Chicken Parmesan Sandwich, Italian Green Beans, Assorted Fruit Choice, Pudding
Friday, Jan. 12 – Oat Month: Cheeseburger, Curly Fries, Corn, Assorted Fruit Choice, Oats & Cream Cookie
Monday, Jan. 15 – No School – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday, Jan. 16 – Fig Newton Day: Boneless Chicken Wings, Dinner Roll, Mixed Vegetables, Fruit & Fig Newtons
Wednesday, Jan. 17 – Soup Wednesdays: Ham & Cheese Bagel, Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Tossed Salad, Assorted Fruit Choice
Thursday, Jan. 18 – Pasta w/meat sauce, French Roll, Peas, Assorted Fruit Choice
Friday, Jan. 19 – National Popcorn Day: Chicken Patty w/bun, Cheese Popcorn, Baby Carrots w/dip, Assorted Fruit Choice
Monday, Jan. 22 – Blonde Brownie Day: Hot Dog on a Bun, Chili, Assorted Fruit Choice, Blonde Brownie
Tuesday, Jan. 23 – Regents Week: Chicken Tenders, Dinner Roll, Cherry Tomatoes, Assorted Fruit Choice
Wednesday, Jan. 24 – Regents Week: Tuna or PBJ, Vegetable Soup, Cheese Crackers, Assorted Fruit Choice
Thursday, Jan. 25 – Regents Week: Buffalo Crunchers, Dinner Roll, Broccoli, Assorted Fruit Choice
Friday, Jan. 26 – Regents Week, Potluck Lunch, Assorted Chips, Corn, Assorted Fruit Choice
Monday, Jan. 29 – Corn Chip Day: Pizza, Corn Chips, Broccoli, Assorted Fruit Choice
Tuesday, Jan. 30 – Bacon Cheeseburger, Tater Tots, Peas, Assorted Fruit Choice
Wednesday, Jan. 31 – Soup Wednesdays: Assorted Subs, Chicken Noodle Soup, Baby Carrots w/dip, Assorted Fruit Choice
Dr. Deborah Larrabee, Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School Principal, to retire
Please join us in wishing Dr. Deborah Larrabee well in her retirement.
Dr. Larrabee’s retirement, which will take effect on Jan. 3, was approved by our Board of Education at its Dec. 21, 2023 meeting.
Dr. Larrabee has served as an educator and leader in our Fort Plain schools for the past 22 years, as both a high school social studies teacher and class advisor and, since 2004, as the principal of the Jr./Sr. High School. Dr. Larrabee has had a significant and lasting impact on so many of our students and her colleagues across the district.
We are grateful for her service.
Next steps
The district is considering two options to best support the immediate needs of the Jr./Sr. High School students and staff, and allow us time to do a thorough search for the next principal.
A vacancy for an interim principal has been posted. View the posting and description of the Interim Jr./Sr. High School Principal position.
If there are not any interim candidates, the district will develop an internal coverage plan to delegate the building level leadership duties to our existing administrative team.
More information about our move to fill the Jr./Sr. High School Principal position will be forthcoming early in the new year.
For questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Crisman at 518-993-4000 ext.1000.
Capital improvement project voted down
By a vote of 145 to 70, Fort Plain residents have voted down a proposed $18,655,000 capital improvement project.
The project was designed to fund needed repairs and improvements at Harry Hoag Elementary School and the Jr./Sr. High School and enhance some of the district’s well-used gathering spaces such as the outdoor playground and athletic facilities.
Thank you to everyone who engaged in this process and took the time to vote on this proposed project.
Season’s greetings and bright futures: a message from Superintendent Lauren Crisman
Season’s greetings families, faculty and friends of Fort Plain CSD!
Where does the time go! As we rapidly approach the end of 2023, it is important that we take a moment to appreciate the things we hold most dear.
For me, working as part of the FPCSD team will always be one of the things that I am most grateful for. This community continues to show unwavering support for its youth and the school system. Throughout the fall, it was wonderful to see our campus buzzing with community and parent engagement at so many school events, from fall sporting competitions and Open Houses to the annual Halloween Parade. These events were so much fun and your presence and partnership are appreciated!
The changing of the year invites us to think deeply about goals for the future. Goal setting is fundamental in achieving success.
Capital Improvement Project aimed at addressing essential needs
On Wednesday, Dec.13, residents will have the opportunity to vote on a Capital Improvement Project. This project was designed with two important district goals in mind; to address maintenance issues in all of the facilities and to enhance student learning spaces. An enduring Board of Education goal is to ensure the responsible use of fiscal resources. The proposed project takes advantage of the district’s current high building aid ratio to address the necessary repairs. If approved, the project will have no impact on the school tax levy, nor be an additional cost to taxpayers.
Conversation on possible consolidation study
Additionally, as we think of the future and our core fundamental purpose of preparing students for success beyond graduation, our Board of Education has agreed to meet with the Canajoharie Central School District’s board to consider engaging in a comprehensive consolidation (merger) study. Typically, consolidation (merger) studies take nine to twelve months to complete.
FPCSD continues to face many of the same challenges impacting other rural communities such as recruiting and retaining certified educators, finding coaches and advisors to maintain student enrichment options and acquiring skilled labor employees. Community-based organizations that provide such needed services as childcare and mental health supports continue to be sparse, as well. A consolidation study would allow both school communities to comprehensively assess the advantages and disadvantages associated with combining school services.
Some may ask why we would plan a Capital Improvement Project if we are considering a consolidation. While our board has agreed to have a conversation soon about the potential of consolidation, any action that may be taken to combine the two districts’ programs would be years away. In the meantime, our facilities will require maintenance in order to best serve our students and the many other youth and community groups such as Boy Scouts, Summer Rec and Biddy Basketball that utilize our campus for their activities. The Capital Improvement Project that will be voted on Dec. 13, 2023 was prepared with the entire community’s needs in mind so, whether a consolidation is agreed to or not, the campus structures will remain a great value and service to all.
With gratitude
Heading into the winter, be sure to stay informed of school happenings by visiting our website and joining our social media groups. We remain dedicated to sharing stories of our students’ achievement, growth and advancement.
As the time to say goodbye to another year nears, I encourage you to reach out to those who’ve made a difference in your life and express your gratitude for them. “Alone, we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller
From my family to yours, wishing you each a Merry Christmas, happy holidays and a prosperous new year!
Fondly,
Mrs. Crisman
Superintendent of Schools
American Rescue Plan funds benefit every learner
The American Rescue Plan, signed into law in March 2021, provided $350 billion in funding for state and local governments to build an equitable economic recovery from the devastating economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of the nearly $9 billion allocated for New York state, Fort Plain CSD has received $4,235,088 in American Rescue Plan relief funding over the past three years. The district has used the funding strategically and in alignment with the guidance issued from the New York Education Department to coordinate COVID-19 mitigation efforts and to address learning loss and the inequities experienced by low income families. View Fort Plain CSD’s American Rescue Fund Plan.
Along with safely returning students to in-person instruction as of Fall 2021, the American Rescue Plan funding has provided us with the financial means to:
- Recruit and hire a second School Counselor and a Mental Health Counselor. Supporting the social and emotional wellness for all school community members was a stated goal of our plan and aligns with one of the district’s enduring goals. The district has developed long range plans to be able to financially sustain the new positions, ensuring this continued social and emotional learning and support in our schools.
- Expand programming that benefits all. While the district has traditionally offered summer learning programs, the American Rescue Plan funding allowed us to expand programming this summer to offer a math and literacy camp, Hilltopper Athletic Camp, technology camps at both the elementary and the secondary levels, a Middle School Intervention Program and a Credit Recovery Program.
- Mitigate the damages incurred by the national shutdown. Many grades were unable to fund raise during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving them with the thought that long time traditions, such as year-end trips and celebrations, would have to be canceled. In the past two years, the district has paid for the transportation for the Senior Trip, thus significantly decreasing the personal cost of the trip for all seniors who wanted to participate. Recognizing the negative impact social distancing and living in isolation had for so many of our learners, the district also added funding to each grade level to bolster options for field trips options for all.
- Make improvements to our facilities to improve the school experience for our students, including renovations to the Technology Lab in the Jr./Sr. High School and to the Fitness Center and Athletic Complex.
As the district plans for the future, we continue to think about the best ways we can promote the development of the skills and knowledge that will best prepare our students for success… now and beyond graduation. While classroom learning is one important route toward this goal, we place equal value on offering enriching experiences that will help our students explore and grow their personal interests and aspirations, and foster pride in being a Topper.
The feedback gathered from formal and, more casually, in one-on-one conversations with our students, staff and others in our Fort Plain community have helped and continue to inform the set of enduring goals we use each day to guide us. View the full list of district goals for 2023-24.
We thank you for your continued support, suggestions and the trust you place in us as educators!
Lights, camera, action!
Students share the news of the week on the new Fort Plain Network
New this school year, students in the high school’s Multi-Media Production class have been honing their skills while reporting and sharing school news and happenings in a weekly broadcast on the in-house Fort Plain Network (FPN).
“The idea for these broadcasts has been a couple of years in the works,” said teacher and Educational Technology Specialist Rachel Heroth. “Last year we offered a Video Production class that the students really enjoyed. The Multi-Media class, which is new this school year, and the FPN project have expanded on that. They include so many hands-on and authentic ways for the students to learn new skills, to try new things and be creative. It is also a good way to serve our school community.”
Gimme a beat!
Many of this year’s FPN news team caught the news “bug” early on while producing the sixth grade Hilltopper Herald school newspaper with Harry Hoag teacher Matt Heiser. Trying their hand at broadcast news was a logical next step.
Though members of the school news team say it can be a challenge to be “camera ready” so early in the morning (class is the first period of each school day) and meeting weekly deadlines takes dedicated effort and organization (often free periods and evenings, too!), all say they are enjoying the FPN experience and positive feedback their efforts have received.
Broadcasts are planned, written and produced each week by the students in the Multi-Media Production class. And while students are gravitating to roles they most enjoy, they are also given regular opportunities to try new parts of the production and develop skills with these, too.
“This is about student learning, so I really try to keep the entire production in their hands,” said Heroth.
Junior Jordan Brown, who along with sophomore Emma Cook research and write each week’s script, chose this class to fill an elective requirement but is finding the experience fun and satisfying.
“I like writing and English is one of my favorite classes. I took a turn as anchor one week, but like writing the script most,” Brown said. “I like the creative aspect of putting together the news because every video is different, but there is still a sameness to what we do each week.”
On-camera personalities Sean Gutermuth, Jacob Herringshaw and Madison Stuart say they weren’t comfortable immediately with being in front of the camera, but are settling into and enjoying the role of being the ones who deliver the week’s news
Great things from humble beginnings
Like many great productions, the Fort Plain Network (FPN) has had humble and homespun beginnings. The studio is in a high school classroom. The “green screen” that students deliver the broadcast in front of was hand painted this past summer by Heroth and her family. Even the episode “clapper” and teleprompter were produced in-house by students in the school’s Technology and Design class.
That said, production values are high and the news is of-the-moment. The team takes care to include content that will matter to their peers and the larger school community. Along with the week’s regular news, recent special segments have focused on such topics as mental health and wellness, clubs, activities and volunteer opportunities.
“Part of the process involves planning a week ahead or sometimes more for the content we want each episode to include. But, just like network news, we are sometimes tweaking our script the day of filming depending on when we get submissions or if there is something ‘late breaking’ that we need to be sure to add,” Heroth said. “We are always learning how we can do more and do better.”
Behind the scenes: Meet the FPN Team
Jordan Brown – screenwriter, anchor, editor
Madison Clayburn – stage manager, cinematographer, graphic designer, editor
Emma Cook – screenwriter, anchor, graphic designer, teleprompter operator, editor
Shawn Gutermuth – anchor, animator, graphic designer
Jacob Herringshaw – anchor, editor
Vandwane Hisert – graphic designer
Hunter Palmeri – graphic designer
Kendra Sackett – teleprompter operator, graphic designer
Peyton Spicci – graphic designer, special reporter anchor, graphic designer
Madison Stuart – anchor, editor, graphic designer
Watch the Fort Plain Network (FPN)
View current episodes of the Fort Plain Network broadcasts on our school channel.
With gratitude: a message from District Superintendent Lauren Crisman
Dear Fort Plain CSD Families and School Team Members,
It’s that time of year again when we reflect on the blessings that have been bestowed upon us and show gratitude for them.
As I have traveled throughout our buildings during the fall, I’ve been amazed by the work that we do to support the development of our youth and to promote positivity in the community. FPCSD is a place where we help each other in big and little ways and care for each other daily. I am grateful to serve this community.
For our students and families, may this Thanksgiving recess be a well-deserved break where you can be joyful and laugh in good company.
For the school team, I hope that you are able to rest, rejuvenate and enjoy time with your loved ones.
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!
Best,
Mrs. Crisman
Service and work-based learning—a win for students and the school community
Kevin Bogus Memorial Garden beautified – check. Weekend snack bags prepped for peers – check. Coffee served and Kristy’s Closet stocked – check and check.
Thanks for these and many other activities that support and enhance our school community go out to the learners in the Jr./Sr. High School Life Skills classroom of Dorene Goodwin.
“Our curriculum is designed to support the students in gaining essential academics and life skills. With all the activities we do throughout the school and to support the community, the students are learning by doing,” explained Goodwin.
Consider an activity such as preparing weekend snack bags for peers. Steps such as taking inventory, grocery shopping for essentials, preparing and then delivering the completed bags to each school site further the weekly project. They also offer students hands-on practice with subjects such as math and English Language Arts (ELA) and with practical life and workplace skills such as problem solving, teamwork, collaboration, customer service, perseverance and much more.
“What I like about the students participating in all of these projects around the school, is that it gives them a chance to build their own skills. It also allows them to give back to our community in ways that really matter,” Goodwin said.
November menus, new Fresh Bar option
This week, Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School debuted its new Fresh Bar. Now, along with our daily lunch offerings, Jr./Sr. High School students can build-their-own-lunch from the Fresh Bar items.
With lighter options such as sandwiches and salad, yogurt, hummus, veggies, fruit and more, this addition to our jr/sr. high school lunch offering is already a big hit with students!
View the November breakfast and lunch menus for all students, k-12.
Enriching student learning—in and outside our classrooms
Throughout the school year, a host of fun field trips and enrichment activities help deepen our students’ learning. These hands-on and multi-sensory (learning with all the senses) experiences help bring classroom lessons to life… and may even inspire a passion or future career path!
Here are just a few fun examples of the enriched learning happening for students this fall:
- Kindergarteners recently donned their own helmets and climbed aboard a big red Fort Plain fire truck to learn about fire safety and the important job firefighters play in our community. This annual visit from the fire company helped mark Fire Safety Awareness Month and is just one of many ways our first responders and community helpers expand students’ learning throughout the year.
- Fall wouldn’t be the same without a trip to the orchard for apples and a wagon ride. After learning about the season and how apples grow, first graders visited Bellinger’s Apple Orchard for some apple picking, tasting and lots of other seasonal fun.
- The sweet smell of pumpkin spice filled the air as learners in our third-grade classrooms made (and got to sample!) fresh butter, pumpkin pie and homemade whipped cream. Thank you educator Wendy Richardson and the Cornell Cooperative Extension/Herkimer County for leading us in this fun and delicious culinary exploration.
- Meanwhile at the high school, youth participating in the OK2XL gifted and talented program shared lots of laughs and took in the beauty of the historic Proctors Theatre in Schenectady while watching the stage production of Mrs. Doubtfire. “This was a cool opportunity for students who would not otherwise get to see these shows,” said High School Junior Jasmine Lapi. “It is important for students to be exposed to these cultural events.” District and grant funding makes these and other types of dance, music, drama, media and visual arts experiences a possibility for students across the grades, in and outside of our classrooms.
We are so grateful for our many community partners, educators and area venues that help expand our students’ learning and help them grow in new and creative ways by sharing their knowledge and expertise.