Category: District News
Interim Superintendent’s message re COVID-19 test kits, isolation & quarantine guidelines
January 4, 2022
Dear Fort Plain Central School Families:
I hope you and your family enjoyed a safe, relaxing and well-deserved holiday break. Looking forward to 2022, we will undoubtedly face new challenges and uncertainties that will require us to remain flexible. At this time, we will continue full in-person learning and continue to follow our local health department’s guidance on school operations and update you of any changes.
Below are a few updates that we want to share:
- New York State has provided at-home COVID-19 test kits as a resource to schools statewide. Fort Plain Central School would like to use these kits to provide one rapid test kit for each child in your family who is a Fort Plain student. Test kits must be picked up and signed out by an adult. Test kits will NOT be sent home with students. If you would like a COVID-19 home test kit, we have set up the following pick-up dates and times at the District Office:
- Thursday, Jan. 6, and Friday, Jan. 7: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
- The Montgomery County Public Health Department will now accept the results from a home rapid COVID-19 test kit to confirm a positive result. If your child tests positive with a COVID-19 home kit, please go to https://www.co.montgomery.ny.us/systems/publicwebforms/covid-report.asp to register this result with Montgomery County Public Health Department. You should also contact Keri Constable, (COVID Nurse Coordinator), at (518) 993-4000 ext. #3625 or keri.constable@fortplain.org.
- The Montgomery County Public Health Department has also adopted the new CDC isolation and quarantine guidelines. These guidelines have shortened timelines and criteria for those in quarantine or in isolation. You can review the up-to-date guidelines on the Montgomery County Public Health Department website.
As a school district, our top priority remains keeping our schools open for in person instruction while ensuing the health and safety of all our students and staff. In addition, if your child is experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms please do not send them to school; and contact the appropriate nurse’s office.
Thank you for continuing to help us protect all members of our school community.
Sincerely yours,
Jeffery Ziegler
Interim Superintendent of Schools
HFM school superintendents support in-person learning
School superintendents in the Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES region are supportive of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s recent statements regarding the importance of in-person learning for students.
The governor said she was committed to keeping schools open as part of the state’s plan to deal with a winter surge of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.
“Schools in the HFM BOCES region remain committed to providing in-person learning to the greatest extent possible to meet the academic, social and emotional needs of our students,” HFM BOCES District Superintendent David Ziskin said. “With the safety protocols we have in place, we continue to believe that schools are among the safest places in our community.”
Rumors have been circulating on social media that school superintendents in the region have met to discuss a mass school closure due to COVID-19. No such meeting has taken place or is planned, Ziskin said.
“As the governor said, we’re in a different environment and a different circumstance. All across the state, school districts have temporarily shifted to remote instruction due to staff shortages, transportation issues and other circumstances, and our schools are prepared to pivot temporarily to remote instruction if circumstances merit. However, we do not believe a long-term shift to remote learning is warranted,” Ziskin said.
The governor also announced that the state has ordered 2 million at-home COVID test kits for schools and families. Local school districts will provide families with more information about these test kits once it is available.
School superintendents say the availability of these kits will be another resource for schools to help stop the spread of the virus.
Community survey launched for Fort Plain superintendent search
The Fort Plain Central School District Board of Education is seeking public input through an online survey to help inform the upcoming search for a new superintendent of schools.
The brief, anonymous survey seeks feedback regarding the characteristics and personal attributes desired of the next superintendent and what opportunities and challenges they will face. The survey, which will be open until Jan. 12, can be accessed by visiting this link.
Stakeholder focus groups are also being planned for the future to gather additional input.
The Fort Plain Board of Education has selected HFM BOCES District Superintendent Dr. David Ziskin to serve as a consultant during the search process.
As part of their statutory duties, BOCES district superintendents may be asked by component school boards to act as consultants during superintendent searches. Dr. Ziskin will work with the board to create recruitment material, assist with the development of selection criteria and a process for interviews. He will serve as the search consultant at no charge.
Following the community survey, BOCES will begin advertising the position in in mid-January with interviews expected to begin in March. The Board of Education’s goal is to have the next superintendent start work by the start of the 2022-23 school year.
The Fort Plain Board of Education is seeking a new district leader to replace Interim Superintendent Jeffery Ziegler
Information is also posted on this website’s Superintendent Search page.
Virtual Reality kits are real learning for Harry Hoag students
Harry Hoag students went around the world without leaving Matt Heiser’s technology classroom in early December, literally viewing the ends of the earth, the Amazon rainforest, lower Manhattan and beyond while learning about science, geography, ancient cultures and more.
“We borrowed Virtual Reality kits from the Northeastern Regional Information Center (NERIC) for two weeks that included software and VR goggles,” Heiser said. “In our Tech class, students in grades two through six viewed places that align with their curriculum.”
The VR goggles provide a 3-D view that changes as a student moves their head up, down and side to side. For example, a VR view of the rainforest through goggles shows flora and fauna on the forest floor to birds in the canopy and sky above, and everything in between.
The VR technology made the following come alive for students:
- Second graders explored the North and South Poles
- Third graders viewed various natural habitats
- Fourth graders visited New York City
- Fifth graders visited National Parks
- Sixth graders viewed ancient Egypt
The students reacted to their experiences with wonder and excitement, asking questions and showing a desire to learn more about what they were exploring. Virtual Reality truly made their subjects come alive.
“The VR kits were a hit. I wish we had them all year,” Heiser said.
Coding, Cubelets and Ozobots, oh my
Throughout the week of Dec. 6-11, Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School celebrated Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) by participating in the international Hour of Code.
CSEdWeek was founded as an international call to action to raise awareness of the need to elevate computer science education at all levels and to underscore the critical role of computing in all careers.
Fort Plain High School’s Toppers participated in Hour of Code activities with teachers Kevin Bogus, Laurie Capece, Louise Clute, Kreig Heroth, Kajee Quick, Lucas Santiago, Wendy Stokna, Susan Summerfield and Lisa Trembley. Teachers worked with Educational Technology Specialist Rachel Heroth and Library Media Specialist Tariyka Chaulk to integrate coding into their curriculum, and students enjoyed accessing content through a computer science lens.
Hour of Code activities included various hands-on coding, robotics, and computational thinking lessons. Students in Materials Processing, Keyboarding, and Math used Ozobot and Cubelet robots to understand how mechatronics is utilized in manufacturing, how to write and transfer code to robots through multiple sensors and channels, and how robots can be used to solve and illustrate mathematical equations.
In English, students learned how to code a program using block and JavaScript languages to animate poems to convey mood, and how to code a storyboard. In Science, students wrote programs to create a solar system, illustrate the importance of recycling, and create a tether game to simulate the principles of physics.
Students also had some fun writing code to create their own video games and complete challenges based on popular video games and pop culture characters.
CSEdWeek is just the beginning of what the future holds for FPHS students as the district implements new Computer Science and Digital Fluency standards adopted by the state last December. The district will work toward full implementation of the new standards, with three years to build awareness and capacity.
Events like the Hour of Code are great opportunities for introducing computer science skills into our classrooms and getting students excited about learning how to code. Computer science and digital fluency are being further integrated into existing courses and curriculum, and computer science is being developed into future course offerings.
More information about the New York State Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards can be found at http://www.nysed.gov/curriculum-instruction/computer-science-and-digital-fluency.
Article submitted by Rachel Heroth, educational technology specialist
In the photos:
At top: Student working with Cubelet robots
Middle photo: Students coding Ozobots
Bottom photo: Rachel Heroth teaches about Cubelet robots with Kreig Heroth
Taylor Potter wins Patriot’s Pen essay contest, goes on to regionals
Congratulations to Taylor Potter on winning the Patriot’s Pen essay contest through VFW Post 3275. Forty-two 8th grade students submitted an essay on the topic, “How to be A Good American” to our local VFW Post for review.
Taylor’s essay will advance to the VFW District 3 regional competition. Best of luck, Taylor!
In the photo at top: Fort Plain VFW Jr. Vice Commander Laurence Maynard, Taylor, and Fort Plain VFW Commander Tom Ellwood.
Mask wearing is now required at all times inside school facilities
In accordance with new regulations recently released by the state, masks are required to be worn at ALL times when inside the school facilities.
Fort Plain Board of Education meetings will be streamed to allow participation virtually by those who are unable to wear a mask. If you have any questions, you may contact Becky in the District Office at 518-993-4000 ext. #1000.
High School picture retake day is Monday, Dec. 20
Attention Fort Plain High School families: Lifetouch school picture retake day for the high school is Monday, Dec. 20.
Picture envelopes are available in the main office. Parents can also visit mylifetouch.com and enter picture day ID: EVT3CN8WG
Please contact Mrs. Linda Cole with any questions at linda.cole@fortplain.org.
Student-athletes will receive spectator passes for home games; fans may also view sports online
Attention Hilltopper fans: Fort Plain student-athletes are being provided with passes for spectators at this season’s home games per guidelines issued by the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).
Each Fort Plain athlete will receive four (4) spectator passes for home games, and two (2) spectator passes for away games. Home passes are white, and away passes are purple. Please present passes and check in at the table in the lobby by the Harry Hoag gym.
Limited seating will be available on the bleachers behind the players’ benches. Home fans may also sit in the bleachers by the cheerleaders. Guests will be seated on the bleachers opposite the home team. Chaperones will be available to guide spectators to proper seats.
As a reminder, masks must be worn properly at all on-campus activities. Masks will be available at the front table. Anyone refusing to wear a mask will be asked to leave. Please practice social distancing (3 feet) when around non-family members.
Fort Plain cheerleaders will be performing at home games only.
There will be no admission charge and no concession stand. Food or drink is not allowed in the gym except for players and coaches.
For Hilltopper fans who would like to view virtually, links to live streams and recordings of home games are posted on this website’s View Sports Online page. Check the WAC website for other schools’ streaming links.
For WAC events held at other schools, please check with the host’s school’s website or athletic office regarding their spectator policy. Passes must be presented for entry to sporting events at any school.
Thank you for your cooperation and support as we work to provide opportunities for students and their families to continue to safely enjoy athletics and other activities at our schools.
Please direct any questions to Athletic Director Charlie Karker at charlie.karker@fortplain.org, (518) 993-4000, ext. #2134.
Constitutional learning is in the cards
Students in Mr. Hanifin’s 5th grade social studies class at Harry Hoag School have been learning about the U.S. government and the Constitution. An early December afternoon found them testing their knowledge by playing Constitution Cards, a term/definition matching game.
The students assembled into small teams and had a certain amount of time to turn over slips of paper and match terms from the Constitution with definitions. They used study guides they had earlier completed during the game, which also built on previous lessons about the structure and function of the U.S. government.
“Making an exercise into a game works well, because the students are competitive,” Mr. Hanifin noted.
