Category: District News
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.
Help Fort Plain NHS build a Field of Flags
Fly a flag, honor a veteran
The Fort Plain chapter of the National Honor Society is hosting a fundraiser in honor of our veterans.
For a $10 donation, your flag will be added to the Fort Plain Field of Flags, on display at the Jr./Sr. High School from Nov. 10 – 17, 2023.
Each flag dispalyed will represent one veteran—and our school community’s unwavering commitment to honoring those who have served our country.
Visit this site to donate a flag.
Questions about this fundraiser? Please email NHS & NJHS Advisor Kolbe Gray at kolbe.gray@fortplain.org.
Thank you!
Fifth grade team climbs to new heights on annual ADK trek
This September, Harry Hoag fifth graders took their turn with an annual outing to Kane Mountain/Kane Mountain Fire Observation Station in Caroga N.Y. This nearly 50 year old district tradition was, by all accounts, a fan-favorite for the fifth graders new to the trek and for our teaching team who lead this hike each year.
“This is such a great way for the students to get to know each other outside of the classroom early in the school year,” said fifth grade teacher Patrick Hanifin, who has been leading the outing for the past 25 years. “The experience is all about sharing the joys of hiking with the kids and being able to mix in history, geography and physical education.”
Making memories for generations of Fort Plain students
While Hanifin said he just missed the opportunity to take the hike while a student at Fort Plain (the tradition didn’t begin until he was in seventh grade), it is often mentioned fondly in graduation speeches and many of the parents and family members of current fifth graders also had their turn with the trip when they were Fort Plain students.
“It meant a lot to me to get to take this hike,” said fifth grader Colton White. “My dad went when he was in fifth grade, but he said he was too scared to go up into the fire tower. He was impressed when he found out I had climbed up into the tower!”
Along with the fire tower, students mentioned the many different types of rocks they saw along the trail (“Some were shiny, some were smooth, some were rough but they all were so pretty,” said Isabella Shibley), the great view (“It was awesome. I never saw a better view than when we went up the fire tower,” said Preston Spraker) and the icing (or ice cream!) on the cake: a stop on the way back to school for ice cream at Grannies.
“A former fifth grade colleague, Barry Kahn, who was actually my fifth grade teacher, used to say that it’s not just a great way to show the kids the many joys of hiking but to also show them how fortunate we are to live so close to the Adirondack Mountains,” said Hanifin. “His hope, and mine, too, was that after we hiked some of the families would make a return trip to Kane Mountain or explore other hiking trails. It’s certainly been my favorite field trip every year!”
A welcome message from Superintendent Lauren Crisman
Dear Fort Plain Central School District Community Members,
I wish to take this opportunity to warmly welcome everyone back to school for the 2023-2024 school year!
The first day of school for students kindergarten through grade 12 is Wednesday, September 6, 2023.
While you were away, the summer teams remained busy preparing for your return. I extend a deep notion of gratitude to all summer employees.
In addition, many stakeholder groups including administrators, teachers, parents and community leaders spent time identifying the types of skills and knowledge that we believe will best prepare our students for success beyond graduation. The summer conversations helped begin our process of long term planning. As adults, we passionately agreed that school should be a safe place where students can explore their interests and aspirations, thoroughly enjoy their school day experience, and be held accountable to display self worth and good character. During the fall, student stakeholder groups will be consulted to learn more about their very important perspectives on these topics and more.
Last year, the Board of Education identified five enduring goals:
- Improve safety in our schools.
- Improve student learning outcomes.
- Build and maintain trusting relationships with students and their families.
- Support social and emotional wellness for all school community members.
- Ensure responsible and strategic use of fiscal and human resources to best support the needs of our students.
In alignment with our enduring goals, the leadership team has prioritized the development of a comprehensive, Multi Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Plan as a necessary project for the upcoming year. When completed, the plan will be a resource for both professionals and parents that can be used to address questions related to academic and social-emotional intervention services.
A second priority for both buildings will be to ensure that every student attends school regularly. We will do a comprehensive review of our local attendance policy and delve deeply into attendance data to analyze the excuses associated with high rates of absenteeism specific to Fort Plain CSD. Students who miss more than 10 days of school are at risk for failure related to learning milestones and often become disengaged with the school process in general. Our teachers and leaders believe in the promise of education and we feel strongly that being in school daily guarantees each student the opportunity to get what they need from us in order to pursue a life filled with success and enduring happiness.
I’m excited for what’s to come and, again, thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your children’s education and well being.
Take good care and see you soon,
Lauren Crisman
Superintendent of Schools
Program helps families pay for internet service
The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helps New York State families pay for internet service.
Under this program, households are eligible to receive $30 per month assistance toward internet/broadband service if they are enrolled in the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program and/or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision.
Visit the Affordable Connectivity Program website for more information.
View a flyer with more information about this program.
If you are not able to access the information in this flyer and need it in another format, please contact the Fort Plain CSD district office at 518-993-4000 ext. 1000.
Questions about the Affordable Connectivity Program?
If you have questions or need to know if you are eligible for this program, please contact the Fort Plain CSD district office at 518-993-4000, ext. 1000.
Fort Plain mourns the passing of Cheryl Ann Phillips
Fort Plain Central School District mourns the passing of Cheryl Ann Phillips, a longtime supporter of the Fort Plain community and member of our teaching staff.
Most recently, Mrs. Phillips had worked as a Speech Therapist, a position she held for over 25 years.
“Mrs. Phillips had a true love for the Fort Plain community and an unwavering sense of Topper Pride. She worked tirelessly behind the scenes supporting and loving not only her own children but many other student athletes who became family. She supported her husband while he more publicly helped an endless number of student athletes obtain otherwise unobtainable goals,” reads a tribute, in part, to Cheryl Ann Phillips.
View the tribute to Mrs. Phillips and learn about her many interests and life experiences.
Our thoughts are with her family and friends.
Fort Plain mourns the passing of Vera Phillips Croote
Fort Plain Central School District mourns the passing of Vera Phillips Croote, a longtime member of our teaching staff, who taught in our elementary school program from 1950-1983.
Our thoughts are with her family and friends.
View the tribute to Mrs. Phillips Croote and learn about her many interests and life experiences.
Fort Plain mourns the passing of Robert Jenks
Fort Plain Central School District mourns the passing of Robert Jenks, a cleaner in our schools from 2007-2012. He retired after five years in service of the district.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
View the full tribute to Mr. Jenks, including details about his life experiences and interests.
Principal Jodi Coppolo’s 2023 – 24 Pre-K Welcome Letter
August 2023
Welcome Families!
Harry Hoag is very excited to welcome your children as members of our Prekindergarten Program! Our program aims to support the students to develop school readiness skills. Your child will be in an environment that is supportive, nurturing and rich in hands-on learning opportunities.
Preparing your child for a successful start to school:
1. Please be sure to establish a reasonable bedtime routine the last week of August.
2. Establish a place where he/she can be responsible to store a backpack daily.
3. Develop a routine to check for notes, papers, and communications daily.
The first day of school for the Prekindergarten Program is Thursday, September 7, 2023.
We will host a Prekindergarten Visitation Day on September 6, 2023. The visitation is meant to be a casual experience and typically lasts about 15 minutes. During the visitation, students can drop off their school supplies, view the classroom and meet the teacher.
Students with last names beginning with the letters A-K are invited to visit anytime between 9-9:30 a.m. Students with last names beginning with the letters L-Z are invited to visit anytime from 9:30-10 a.m.
Harry Hoag School Day
7:30 -7:40 a.m. — Bus drop off
7:30 -7:40 a.m. — Parent drop off and walkers are welcome
7:50 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. — Instructional day
2:30 p.m. — Bus dismissal only
2:35 p.m. — Parent pick up begins
Again this year, parents will be asked to stay in their vehicles. A traffic enforcer will manage traffic flow through the bus loop to the main entry. If you are early for Drop Off or Parent Pick Up, please park in Wiles Park.
For Parent Drop Off and Pick Up, please remain in your car. A staff member will greet you at both times. If you pick up your child on foot, please also report to the Main Entry.
Transportation to and from school will be provided by the school bus for any students who are 4 years of age. If your child begins the school year as a 3 year old, he/she must be transported by an adult until he/she comes of age to be eligible to ride the bus per New York State Law.
Please be sure to watch the website (fortplain.org) for information related to safety and wellness procedures for the upcoming school year.
Supply List
Please label personal items with your child’s name such as the clothes, blanket and backpack.
- Backpack
- Blanket
- Change of clothes
- Optional items to donate to the classroom: Kleenex, gallon Ziploc bags and paper towels, glue sticks, folder.
I look forward to meeting our youngest learners soon! Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Proud to be your principal,
Jodi Coppolo
Harry Hoag Principal Jodi Coppolo’s 2023 – 24 Welcome Letter
Greetings Families of Harry Hoag Elementary,
It is that time of year, where we begin to think about the start of a new school year! I would like to welcome new and returning families back to Harry Hoag. Let’s gear up to have a blast this school year. We look forward to providing our students with an enriching experience learning new things.
Students will be provided with the support they need to help them reach their fullest potential.
A ParentSquare was sent out a few weeks ago regarding the review of our policies. Attached was an electronic signature link, this would allow you to sign necessary forms online. Please read these over and complete the signature portion as soon as possible. Below is information regarding procedure here at Harry Hoag.
Harry Hoag School Day
- 7:30-7:40 a.m. — Bus drop off only
- 7:30-7:40 a.m. — Parent drop off and walkers are welcome
- 7:50 a.m.-2:30 p.m. — Instructional day
- 2:30 p.m. — Bus dismissal only
- 2:35 p.m. — Parent pick up begins
Fifth and Sixth Grade
Fifth and sixth grades at Harry Hoag Elementary use a departmentalized model to provide instruction. Homeroom groups travel to different classrooms to receive instruction in the core subjects each school day.
The following welcome letters from Harry Hoag Elementary School Principal Jodi Coppolo include grade-level information for fifth and sixth grade:
View the Fifth Grade Welcome Letter from Principal Coppolo
View the Sixth Grade Welcome Letter from Principal Coppolo
Use of School Transportation
Please be sure to review the Ride with Pride and Code of Conduct documents with your children before the first day of school.
Self -Transportation
A traffic enforcer will manage traffic flow through the bus loop to the main entry. If you are early for Drop Off or Parent Pick Up, please park in Wiles Park. For Parent Drop Off and Pick Up, please remain in your car. A staff member will greet you at both times. If you pick up your child on foot, please report to the Main Entry.
Technology
Students in PK – Kindergarten will be offered an iPad to use for the school year. Students in Grades 1-6 will be offered a Chromebook to use for the school year. Older students will be able to bring their devices to and from school per their teacher’s directions. Caregivers and students (Gr 1 and above) will be asked to sign a Technology User Agreement.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Teachers will escort Parent Pick Up students to the library. All others will be escorted to the buses. After the buses depart, Parent Pick Up will begin.
We kindly request that you update any forms related to your child’s residency and/or health needs. A demographics form has been mailed out. We appreciate any effort to return updated forms to the Main Office as soon as possible, upon students returning in September.
To stay abreast of all that is taking place at Harry Hoag, please be sure to have an updated cell phone number and email address to receive information via our ParentSquare messaging system. Also, remember to visit our website and social media platforms regularly for current news and
upcoming events.
I am honored to continue to serve as the building principal. It is wonderful to be a part of a community where students, teachers, and families care for each other and strive to build meaningful relationships that support academic and social-emotional growth.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel to reach me in the Main Office at (518) 993-4000 ext. 3059 or via email at jodi.coppolo@fortplain.org.
Hilltoppers—let’s make it a fantastic year!
Jodi Coppolo