Category: District News
Seniors inducted into National Honor Society
Personal induction ceremonies into the National Honor Society (NHS) were held at the end of May and beginning of June for 11 Fort Plain High School seniors and their families.
During each ceremony, readings focused on the Candle of Knowledge, which signifies a tradition of honor that passes along the pillars of leadership, character, scholarship and service. The students lit candles to signify their commitment to knowledge and learning.
To finalize membership in the NHS, students then recited the National Honor Society pledge, securing their membership. Congratulations to the following NHS inductees:
Zavia Allen
Molli Bates
Troy Butler
Evan Crouse
Grace Hoffman
Olivia Kennedy
Sarah Paradiso
Megan Telfer
Matthew Travis
Seth Wintermute
Rachel Zuppardi
Senior Spotlight
Fort Plain salutes the Class of 2021. Visit our Senior Spotlight webpage!
Don’t miss our Senior Parade this Friday, June 18th!
Don’t miss our Fort Plain Senior Parade this Friday, June 18th!
Forum focuses on American Rescue Plan funding
District parents and guardians participated in a June 15 evening forum at Fort Plain High School and also offered their input online regarding how federal stimulus money provided by the American Rescue Plan will be budgeted over the next four fiscal years.
Fort Plain Superintendent John Bishop presented information about the plan at the forum, and how funds may be used for Fort Plain Schools in the future.
The superintendent thanks all who participated and appreciates the input received from the school community.
The American Rescue Plan, through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER), provides funds to public schools to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon in-person instruction and learning; students’ social, emotional and mental health needs; school safety; educational technology, academics and enrichment; and early childhood education. School districts across the state are developing plans on how to use these funds to best serve their students.
Pride is more than a month & GSA is more than its name
June may be Pride Month, but kindness, understanding and inclusion are year-round goals of the GSA student organization at Fort Plain High School.
Likewise, the focus of the organization is much broader than its full name – the Gender & Sexuality Alliance – would indicate. GSA groups can be found in schools and communities across the country.
A group of students formed the GSA at Fort Plain High School during spring 2019 and began holding meetings bi-weekly the following fall. “We first wanted to get together to talk about problems in general, not only in school, but in our community and the world,” said Liz, a GSA member. “That morphed into regular meetings, and we talked about what the group wanted to be.”
“We show people they have support, not just related to sexuality or gender, but for life problems. We show them that there are more people out there that they can trust,” said Bree, a fellow member.
Maiya, another member of the GSA, added, “We are not here for ourselves, but to help other people. Our group is not just made up of LGBTQ students, but also of people who are allies and who support inclusion.”
With this in mind, GSA members brainstormed and developed activities for Pride Month, which is observed nationally each June. They created a banner that their fellow high school students, faculty and staff signed, committing to following the Ally Pledge: “I believe all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression, deserve to feel safe and supported. That means I pledge to:
• Not use anti-LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) language or slurs.
• Intervene, if I safely can, in situations where students are being harassed or inform school personnel.
• Support efforts to end bullying and harassment.
• Encourage others to be allies.”
During lunch recently, the group offered pride swag which included bracelets, temporary tattoos, and stickers, and led an LGBTQ pride trivia game to help others learn more about pride history, events and efforts toward inclusion.
“It’s going pretty good,” Bree said. “Lots of people played the game and signed the banner, showing they believe in equal rights for everybody and not discriminating, and that no matter who you are, that you are important.”
About the establishment of the GSA at FPHS, Liz said, “It’s important because a lot of kids don’t belong to other organized groups and this gives them an opportunity to come together.”
Going to a small school in a small community can be challenging, the students noted. Maiya said, “We are here to support and so people feel like they are not alone. Our club offers friendship and being there for others.”
When asked to describe in one word what GSA has done for them, the students came up with two: safety and support.
“The GSA offers kindness, understanding and acceptance,” said club advisor and school counselor Kayla Mahoney. “They aren’t promoting anything – rather, they stand for diversity, equity and inclusion for all.”
Students interested in joining the GSA can talk to any of the club’s members or contact Mrs. Mahoney in the high school counseling office.
Senior Spotlight
Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School salutes the Class of 2021 with our Senior Spotlight. The following spotlights are also proudly displayed on our high school lobby video screen. Congrats seniors!
Undergraduate and sports awards ceremonies information
Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School will be holding an Undergraduate Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the Harry Hoag gymnasium. Letters will be mailed to students receiving an award. Students may bring two guests. We will be following state and local mandates relating to social distancing and assembling of large groups.
View the ceremony online at: https://youtu.be/c7oRQlc43Ks
The Spring Sports Awards Ceremony will be held Monday, June 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the High School auditorium. (New location as of 6/18)
The district will also be livestreaming the Class of 2021 Graduation on June 26 at 10 a.m. at:
https://youtu.be/ChjBNGL_bfM
Fall sports sign-up is open
Attention Fort Plain students: Sign up now for fall 2021 sports.
Just visit this link and complete a short form.
High school sports start on August 23, 2021 and modified sports start on August 30. Go Hilltoppers!
Important dates for Harry Hoag families
Dear Harry Hoag families,
Below is a list of dates for important events to be held in June and a schedule for the final week of school.
Save the Dates:
- Field Day will be held on June 11 (Rain date on June 15).
- Prek Playground Promotion Parties will be held on June 21 and June 22. (More information to come.)
- Grade 6 Moving Up Ceremony will be held on June 25 at 8:30 am. (More information to come.)
- Moving Up Day for all students will be held on June 25. (Students will have the chance to meet their teachers for the next year.)
Final Week Schedule:
- Monday, 6/21, Full Day
- Tuesday- Thursday, 6/22-6/24, 11:30 Dismissal
- Friday, 6/25, 10:00 am Dismissal LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
I hope you each enjoy a restful Memorial Day weekend!
Best,
Mrs. Crisman
Principal
Creativity, comedy and cool new skills – welcome to Team Tech
Creativity, comedy and cool new skills: sixth graders in Matt Heiser’s Team Tech group present all of this in their Tech Team video production.
The video is part newscast, complete with a wild weather forecast; interview show, featuring Mr. Heiser and fellow Harry Hoag Elementary teacher Rob Jenks; and variety show with skits, jokes and how-to segments.
The students wrote, designed, directed, performed, filmed and produced the Hidden Talents video as a project for Team Tech, an activity where the requirements to participate include being creative, learning and using technology, applying themselves, being open to ideas, and getting their other school work done.
In past years, students may have produced a printed newspaper instead of a Team Tech video production. Today’s digital tools, however, provide them with even greater opportunity for expression, skill-building and fun.