Category: District News
Spanish 8 project explores the world
Learning another language opens a world of possibilities, and for Fort Plain High School Spanish 8 students, researching and marketing places where that language is spoken provided a unique opportunity to tap into history, culture and opportunities to explore.
Spanish teacher Melanie Pombrio and Library Media Specialist Tariyka Chaulk partnered to challenge the students to produce travel brochures for vacations in Spanish-speaking countries, territories and cities. Besides studying a destination’s past and present and identifying interesting activities, the students had to research the logistics and costs of travel to, from and within each destination, meals, and excursions, and then establish a trip budget. They also had to research requirements for entry, such as passports, visas and vaccinations.
Airports, transfers, hotels, day trips, festivals, local fare, street maps, rental cars, natural attractions, native animals, art, cultural and historic sites, special events – the students researched all of this and more. Once they gathered their information, they used Adobe Spark to create colorful and information-packed travel brochures.
The project tapped a wide range of skills for the students, integrating study of Spanish language and culture with English, social studies, technology, visual presentation, science, math, marketing and more, as a creative – and fun – way to learn.
Pombrio and Chaulk said the project was an eye-opening experience for many students as they discovered the many differences in daily life around the world. “Some of the students were surprised by things such as challenges getting from one place to another in their chosen countries compared to what they know from living here, or by costs and requirements of traveling and visiting other countries,” they said.
The project also piqued the students’ interest in places to visit in the future. “They had to sell their destination to their classmates with their brochures, and many of the students now want to travel to the places they researched,” Pombrio and Chaulk said. “They had a really good time with the project.”
Here are a few of the students’ brochures:
Elementary, Jr. HS students to take grades 3-8 state tests
Students in grades 3 through 8 will be taking New York State assessments in math, English/Language Arts and science. Fort Plain’s principals shared the following information with their families.
Grades 3-6: Harry Hoag Principal Lauren Crisman has shared the following information with elementary families.
Greetings Harry Hoag Parents and Caregivers,
In the approaching months, the New York State Grades 3-8 Assessments will be administered.
Your child’s participation in the New York State Testing Program ensures that the professional community of FPCSD is able to assess the effectiveness of our teaching methods. We use the assessment data to examine student progress towards meeting the state standards for academic achievement.
Test & Harry Hoag Administration Dates:
Grades 3-5 ELA: March 29 and March 30
Grade 6 ELA: March 31 and April 1
Grades 3-5 Math: April 26 and April 27
Grade 6 Math: April 28 and April 29
Grade 4 Science Written: June 6
Details:
- Both the ELA and Mathematics exams have two parts (Day 1 and Day 2).
- The testing sessions remain untimed.
- Exams will be administered in the morning whenever possible.
- Sixth Grade will take the exams using a computer-based format.
I have every confidence that our faculty members have successfully prepared our learners for the upcoming assessments.
Please feel free to call me at (518) 993-4000, ext. 3059, to discuss any questions that you may have related to our testing procedures.
Proud to be Your Principal,
Lauren Crisman
Grades 7 and 8: Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School Principal Dr. Deborah Larrabee has shared the following information with 7th and 8th grade families
March 2022
Dear Parents and Caregivers of 7th and 8th Grade Students,
I am writing to provide you with information regarding the New York State Assessments for students in grades 7 and 8. Assessments are key to helping us determine where our students are and how we should adjust learning as we move forward. Your child’s participation in New York State’s testing program is one way for us to assess the effectiveness of our teaching methods.
Our 7th and 8th grade students will take assessments in English and mathematics using a computer-based testing format. Students in grade 8 will also be taking a science assessment. This year we return to a two-day testing model for all subjects. All testing sessions will remain untimed.
Test and Date/Time:
- 7 and 8 ELA – Session I: Wednesday, March 30 at 8 a.m.
- 7 and 8 ELA – Session II: Thursday, March 31 at 8 a.m.
- 7 and 8 Math – Session I: Wednesday, April 27 at 8 a.m.
- 7 and 8 Math – Session II: Thursday, April 28 at 8 a.m.
- 8 Science Performance: Tuesday, May 24, beginning at 8:15 a.m.
- 8 Science Written: Monday, June 6 at 8 a.m.
I am confident that our teachers have prepared our students well for the upcoming assessments. Please have your child get plenty of sleep before test days and encourage them to do their very best. If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at (518) 993-4000 ext. 2124.
Best,
Deborah Larrabee, Ed.D.
Principal
Comic strip myths illustrate serious knowledge
As part of their social studies unit about ancient Greece, 6th grade students at Harry Hoag School illustrated classic Greek myths. More than a social studies lesson, the project tapped the students’ research, writing and creative skills while showing what they learned in their classes.
The projects are displayed throughout the school. In addition to the photos below, please visit our Facebook album.
Students teach students about proper dental care
From two college students to a roomful of younger learners, good dental care was the lesson of the day on March 2 at Harry Hoag School.
The children learned how to take care of their teeth from guest speaker Danielle Alkinburgh, who visited Michelle Searles’ class, where her son is a student.
Danielle, who is studying to be a dental hygienist, was accompanied by co-presenter and fellow HVCC student Katelyn Roser, and they provided an interactive oral hygiene presentation to the children as part of their dental hygiene coursework.
“Danielle and Katelyn planned some fun, hands-on experiences for the kids, including an activity for brushing (painting) the mouth on paper with a toothbrush for two minutes, and using mega blocks with playdough in between the spaces to simulate flossing for two minutes,” Michelle Searles said. “Danielle’s son is very proud of his mom, and the students enjoyed a great learning experience!”
Mask mandate and COVID-19 protocols update
March 2, 2022
Dear Fort Plain Central School Community,
As you are aware, the statewide universal mask mandate for schools was lifted as of today, March 2, 2022. This means that the majority of students, staff and school visitors are no longer required to wear a mask in our school buildings or school buses. Mask wearing, however, continues to be optional for everyone.
As you also know, health and safety guidance from the state and local health departments related to COVID-19 continues to evolve. While the latest state guidance removes the mask requirement, the following health and safety protocols remain in place:
- Regardless of vaccination status, if a student tests positive for COVID-19 they must isolate for a full five days. Students may return to school after day five if they are asymptomatic or if symptoms are resolving. For days 6-10 following a positive test, students are required to wear a mask in school, including on the school bus.
- If a student has been exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, it is highly recommended they wear a mask for a full 10 days following that exposure.
- State and local health officials continue to recommend testing for COVID-19 following a possible exposure. COVID-19 tests are available at school to anyone who wants one. If you need a test, please contact Keri Constable, LPN, at 518-993-4000.
- Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home from school, regardless of vaccination status or recent infection, until tested and/or isolate for five days. If your student has symptoms and you aren’t sure what to do, or if you need a COVID-19 test kit, contact Keri Constable, LPN, at 518-993-4000.
We remain committed to keeping our students in school, while providing a safe learning environment for all. We will continue to follow a tiered mitigation strategy to prevent the spread of illness in our schools and on our buses. This includes enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures and improved ventilation, in addition to providing free at-home COVID-19 testing kits to our families and staff.
We will also continue our due diligence with regard to notifying impacted staff and families if we learn about a positive case. In some situations, this will involve a general notification alerting staff and families that there was a positive case in a particular class or school. In other cases, the identification of close contacts may be warranted. In these cases, we will provide the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19 testing, quarantine and isolation.
We will continue to work with our local health department as we move forward to follow the metrics as they relate to cases, infection rates and hospitalizations, and we will keep you updated as information is shared.
I thank you again for your patience, resolve and commitment to ensuring that we followed the plan and in turn, made sure people were safe.
Sincerely,
Jeffery Ziegler
Interim Superintendent
Boys basketball team wins varsity sectionals, to compete for Class C title
Our boys basketball team won last night’s varsity sectional competition vs. Berne-Knox-Westerlo by a score of 72-56 in the Section 2 Class C semifinals at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, with standout performances turned in by many a player.
The team moves on to play Maple Hill for the Class C championship on Friday, March 4 at 5 p.m. at the Cool Insuring Arena. Tickets are available at the arena. The game also will be livestreamed on the NFHS subscription service.
Fort Plain last won the Class C championship in 2001. The Hilltoppers’ expert playing has attracted the attention of local media, including the Daily Gazette:
Go Hilltoppers!
Harry Hoag students enjoy learning a lifetime sport
Michael Meier’s and Mark Hitchcock’s physical education classes at Harry Hoag School had a great time learning how to snowshoe just before their winter break, a fun outdoor activity they can enjoy for years to come.
“Late this past fall, we were lucky to be able to place an order for snowshoes for Harry Hoag,” Meier said. “Just before February break, we received the order and quickly took advantage of the snow still left on the ground. Our second through sixth grade students took to the fields behind the school and learned a valuable lifetime skill that promotes outdoor health and fitness.
“The students gave the new snow shoes a try during our phys ed classes and overall, had a great time!”
View more photos in our Facebook album.
FPHS Department Spotlight: Math
Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School students have many opportunities to learn and grow through our many course offerings. Our Department Spotlight provides an insider’s view of these experiences.
This week, we are spotlighting the Math department at FPHS. Enjoy “The Maze of Mathematics” video below as you learn a bit about the coursework and opportunities provided to our students.
Masks are optional starting Wednesday
February 27, 2022
Dear Fort Plain Central School Community,
At 2 p.m. today, Governor Hochul held a press conference regarding the state mask mandate. She said that as of March 2, the mandate will be lifted. Masks will be optional starting Wednesday.
As we gather additional information from the state, we will send out a letter to everyone making sure we have all of the details. We will continue to work with the local health department as we move forward to follow the metrics as they relate to cases, infection rates and hospitalizations.
As we all know, this has been a long journey, and I would like to personally thank everyone for their patience, resolve and commitment to ensuring that we followed the plan and in turn, made sure people were safe.
Sincerely,
Jeffery Ziegler
Interim Superintendent
Superintendents call on governor, health commissioner to act on masks
The following letter has been sent to the Governor and Health Commissioner on behalf of school superintendents in the HFM BOCES region
February 26, 2022
Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, New York 12224
Commissioner Mary T. Bassett, MD, MPH
New York State Department of Health
Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza
Albany, New York 12203
Dear Governor Hochul and Commissioner Bassett,
As you are aware, on Friday, February 25, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidelines for masking, and in particular, updated guidelines for masking in schools.
As you may recall, on January 28, the school superintendents of the Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery area endorsed a letter written by our colleagues in the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex region entitled “Pathway to Normalcy.” That letter asked for information and metrics to allow our students and staff to have a roadmap to move away from the current masking requirements.
We write you today with a sense of urgency asking you to implement the following measures, before students return from vacation on Monday, February 28:
● In compliance with the new CDC recommendations, remove the mandate for masking for school facilities and on school busses in counties identified by the CDC at low or medium levels of risk.,
● Provide guidance to school districts, parents, and staff about the factors that would trigger the reintroduction of masks, and;
● Provide guidance to school districts on changes to other mitigation layers including social distancing.
Sincerely,
The Superintendents of Schools in the HFM BOCES region:
Richard Ruberti, Greater Amsterdam
Stephen Tomlinson, Broadalbin-Perth
Dr. Nick Fitzgerald, Canajoharie
Michelle Ellis, Edinburg Common
Thomas Ciaccio, Fonda-Fultonville
Jeffery Ziegler, Fort Plain
David Halloran, Gloversville Enlarged
Dr. William Crankshaw, Greater Johnstown
Heather Philo, Lake Pleasant
Christopher Harper, Mayfield
Dr. Leslie Ford, Northville
Richard Rose, Piseco
Adam Heroth, Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville
Thomas Sincavage, Wells
Nicole Dettenrieder, Wheelerville
CC:
New York State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara
New York State Assemblyman Robert Smullen
New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey
New York State Senator James Tedisco
Laurel Headwell, Fulton County Public Health
Erica Mahoney, Hamilton County Public Health
Sara Boerenko, Montgomery County Public Health
David Ziskin, District Superintendent, HFM BOCES