Category: District News
Superintendent of Schools John Bishop reflects on the past year – video
As we approach the one-year anniversary of our buildings closure due to the pandemic, Fort Plain Superintendent John Bishop offers his reflections on the past year, the good things happening in our schools, and how parents and guardians may get involved in planning for the 2021-22 school year and beyond.
Watch our Cheerleaders online
Our high school cheerleaders have been working and practicing, and all are welcome to view their cheers online beginning Thursday, Feb. 25, at 3:30 p.m., and after that date by clicking on their link at that time on our View Sports Online webpage.
Go Hilltoppers!
FP senior leads Eyes For Hope donation drive
Sarah Paradiso enjoys helping others, so when she learned of an opportunity to partner with Eyes For Hope, she was right on board. The Fort Plain senior is leading a donation drive for eyeglasses for those in need.
Through March 3, donations of prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses in good condition can be left in a drop box at the Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School main entrance during school hours, and at Center Street Station in Fort Plain and Sportee Designs in St. Johnsville, businesses that Sarah approached for support. Sportee Designs will also donate a pair of reading glasses for each pair of donated eyeglasses they receive.
Sarah is partnering to help Eyes For Hope with fellow high school students who are active in the Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) organization.
“I went to a HOBY youth leadership weekend at SUNY Oneonta my sophomore year,” Sarah said. “I spent the weekend making new friends and learning how to be a leader, as well as doing a community service project making blankets for organ donors and their families. Even after that weekend, we, in our area groups, have looked for ways to help out in our local community. This year we are partnering with Eyes for Hope.”
At the close of the donation drive, Sarah will ship the boxes of eyeglasses to Eyes For Hope, which will in turn distribute them to individuals who need them.
“Good work Sarah!” said Fort Plain Superintendent John Bishop. “Sarah leads by example and continues to make positive contributions to the Fort Plain school community.”
“The goal of my Eyes For Hope donation drive is to help make people feel they are making a difference, especially during a time when it’s hard to have positive interactions,” Sarah said. “There are easy ways to do it, [and this is a way] to try to reach out and do what you can.”
Sign up for Fall 2 sports
Grades 9 through 12 students may sign up for the Fall 2 sports of girls and boys soccer, football, and girls volleyball. Complete the form posted on the Athletics webpage by Friday, Feb. 26, 2021.
Sports start March 7 and run through May 1, and students need a physical to participate.
Harry Hoag grades 1-6 to move to full-day, in-person instruction March 8; half-days on Feb. 23 & March 2 will allow school to prepare
At their meeting on February 10, the Fort Plain Board of Education approved plans to resume full-day, in-person instruction for grades 1-6 at Harry Hoag School, beginning on March 8. A remote-only option will remain available for families who need it.
“Our plan to resume full-day, in-person instruction at Harry Hoag aligns with our district’s Reopening Schools Guiding Principles,” said Superintendent of Schools John Bishop. “Those principles are to: Keep health & safety as a top priority. Maximize student – teacher contact time. Collect feedback from stakeholder groups. Use data to inform decisions.
“The revised reopening plan follows the guiding principles to: Engage through outreach to stakeholder groups, Inform by sharing current data and collected information, and Evolve by revising our instructional plan.”
The district has scheduled half-days of school at Harry Hoag for February 23, an A day, and March 2, a B day, to provide time for teacher and building preparation. The superintendent noted that the half-days were scheduled on an A and a B day to have the least impact on Harry Hoag families. Buses will depart at 12 p.m. on these days.
Fort Plain engaged Harry Hoag stakeholders by reaching out through a building survey, a hybrid learning feedback form, and faculty workshops and stakeholder meetings, all for the purpose of listening, learning, soliciting perspective and targeting areas for growth.
“We value and appreciate the partnership of our parents, families, faculty, staff and the community in our decision-making process, allowing us to provide this opportunity now that COVID-19 positivity rates are declining in our region,” said Bishop. “We look forward to bringing our Harry Hoag grades 1-6 students back together for the second half of the school year.”
The district informed stakeholders by sharing feedback about remote learning, both what has been working well for children, and challenges such as internet connectivity and parent schedules; data related to COVID-19 infection rates and concerns; and how to maintain a safe school environment that also maximizes the time students spend with teachers.
“When we examine our Reopening Plan and how we will educate our students for the balance of this school year and into the future, the decisions are guided by the Board-adopted improvement levers,” Bishop said. “They include safety and student social-emotional developmental health; family and community engagement; curriculum development and support; use of data to inform and improve instruction; and fiscal resources.
“We do this all to fulfill our mission: To prepare every student for success beyond graduation.”
Fort Plain basketball season starts Feb. 10, watch games online
The Hilltoppers will take to the basketball court on Wednesday, Feb. 10, starting their season at home and in Amsterdam. Spectators will not be allowed, but the games will be streamed and recorded for viewing online.
On Feb. 10, Fort Plain will host Amsterdam for girls varsity basketball at 5:00 p.m., and Amsterdam will host Fort Plain for boys JV basketball at 5 p.m. and boys varsity basketball at 6:30 p.m.
Links for viewing games will be posted on our View Sports Online webpage , which is linked to the Athletics page. The View Sports Online page will also provide a recordings archive of past games.
At a Feb. 1 special meeting, the Fort Plain Board of Education approved the offering of higher risk winter sports in accordance with state and local Department of Health and athletic league requirements and as long as certain health and safety conditions are met. The meeting followed a Jan. 29 announcement by the Montgomery County Executive and Public Health Director that they’d approved schools within the county to offer higher risk winter sports, subject to certain requirements.
Superintendent’s message about COVID-19 case
February 8, 2021
Dear Members of the Fort Plain Schools Community:
Over the weekend, we learned that an individual in the high school community tested positive for COVID-19. The individual was last in school on Monday, February 1. Anyone identified as a close contact was contacted directly by the county health department.
The district is working closely with the Montgomery County Public Health Department, and they are advising on any necessary quarantine. Please note that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other privacy laws restrict us from disclosing or confirming any personally identifiable information. We cannot identify anyone who has tested positive.
We will continue to work closely with the health department and keep you advised of any further information. Our goal remains to keep our schools open and safe for students and staff alike. Please contact my office with any questions. Thank you.
Sincerely,
John Bishop
Superintendent of Schools
Board of Education approves winter sports
At a Feb. 1 special meeting, the Fort Plain Central School District Board of Education approved the offering of higher risk winter sports in accordance with state and local Department of Health and athletic league requirements and as long as certain health and safety conditions are met.
On Jan. 22, 2021, the Governor and New York State Department of Health (DOH) authorized schools to offer certain higher-risk winter sports effective Feb. 1, as permitted and authorized by local county health departments. DOH subsequently issued updated guidelines for such sports, and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and Section 2 issued revised “Return to Interscholastic Athletics [Guidelines] for the 2020-21 Season.”
[Note 3/9/2021: NYSPHSAA has updated their document.]
On Jan. 29, 2021, the Montgomery County Executive and Public Health Director announced that they had approved schools within the county to provide higher risk winter sports, subject to certain requirements.
Fort Plain Central School staff and leadership developed a plan to offer winter sports, including varsity girls and varsity boys basketball, junior varsity boys basketball and varsity cheerleading, in accordance with all applicable state DOH, county DOH, and league health and safety requirements, which will be implemented during all practices and games, and under the following conditions:
- Each parent/guardian must sign the district’s COVID-19 informed consent for athletic participation form;
- The County DOH approves the district’s plan containing the health and safety protocols in place to allow sports to safely occur;
- If, at any time, the high school hybrid learning model moves to remote-only learning, athletics, scrimmages, and practices will be temporarily suspended in their entirety and coaches shall not be required to engage in coaching responsibilities;
- No spectators will be allowed at any athletic contest – as stated by the Western Athletic Conference and Montgomery County; and,
- All practices and contests will occur in accordance with all guidelines issued by New York State, the County and NYSPHSAA/Section/League as such guidelines may be amended at any time.
District participation in the winter sports can be suspended if the Superintendent deems such action necessary. Contact the Superintendent’s office with any questions.
Resources & downloads:
NYSPHSAA: COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (8/22 note: documents no longer online)
NYSPHSAA Return to Interscholastic Athletics, January 2021
[Note 3/9/2021: NYSPHSAA has updated the above document.]
WAC Winter High Risk Sports Statement
Fort Plain bids farewell to retirees
Fort Plain Central School bid farewell to three long-time employees who are retiring this week from decades of serving the district. Staff and students alike extended their congratulations and best wishes to John Fureno, Dawn Surnear and Philip Thibodeau.
John Fureno is retiring from teaching fifth grade math at Harry Hoag School. He has served Fort Plain for several decades as a general education teacher for multiple grades and as an athletic coach.
“John is a role model for us all, always smiling, always embracing the day with a positive, can-do attitude,” said Lauren Crisman, Harry Hoag principal. “In addition to teaching, John has been a valuable member of the FPCSD athletics department. He has served as a multi-season coach, investing in our young athletes by coaching the sports of golf, bowling and baseball.
“Colleagues and students alike regard John as one of the most kind, endearing and caring faculty members to ever walk the hallways of Harry Hoag Elementary School. He will be deeply missed by all.”
In bidding goodbye to a dedicated teacher, coach and colleague, Fort Plain wishes John all the best in his retirement.
Proud dad: John is at left in the photo below, taken at his son’s graduation from Fort Plain.
Dawn Surnear is retiring from her position as head cook in the Harry Hoag School kitchen. She began working for the district in 1999, and has served more than 21 dedicated years in the food service department. Dawn joined the Fort Plain staff because the school hours worked well with her own children’s schedules, and because she enjoys cooking and working with children. She worked her way up from a part-time position to full time and then to head cook.
“Throughout her career, Dawn has enjoyed trying new recipes and helping kids to try new things,” said Lauri Broady, school nutrition director. “She is known for her creativity and the kitchen decorations that have brought joy to students for many years. Dawn has always been a person to step up in a time of crisis, helping in the district in times of everything from floods to COVID. Her dedication to our school community has been admirable, and she will be missed by all.
“Please join us in wishing Dawn well in her well-deserved retirement and her plans to do more traveling, enjoy projects around the house, and continue her love of creating painting, crafts and gifts of all kinds,” Broady added. “Congratulations, Dawn!”
In the photo below, Dawn on the job and at a retirement celebration. Note her shirt: Lunch Ladies Rock!
Philip Thibodeau is retiring from teaching health and physical education (PE) at the junior/senior high school. He has taught in the district for 24 years. In addition to teaching, Phil has coached the Hilltoppers in a variety of sports including varsity and modified girls basketball, junior varsity softball, modified soccer and modified, junior varsity and varsity baseball. In 2016, his coaching abilities helped the varsity baseball team become the Class D NYSPHSAA state champions.
“Phil is a quiet force, for good, as a teacher, a coach and a colleague,” said Dr. Deborah Larrabee, Jr./Sr. High School principal. “His uncommon empathy for his students makes him an educator who will long be remembered by those whose lives he has touched.
“He is witty, quick to laugh, and just as quick to say the thing that will get others laughing – often at their own behaviors,” Dr. Larrabee continued. “Phil graduated from Fort Plain in 1983, and returned to his alma mater to help the young people of the community he loves and dedicated himself to. He will be missed, but forever remembered. Thank you, Phil Thibodeau.”
Charlie Karker, athletic director, has known Phil as a Fort Plain student and a colleague. He said, “Phil was known to be very diligent and determined to accomplish what needed to be done in order to become what he wanted to be as an adult and a human being. The same can be said of Phil, the athlete. He was very coachable, did what was asked, and led by example – qualities every coach wants from their athletes.”
Karker quoted football coach, Lou Houltz, to summarize Phil’s philosophy of teaching and coaching. “Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”
Phil helped foster students’ abilities, attitudes and motivation to help them succeed in school, in sports and in life. Fort Plain will not be the same without him. Fort Plain wishes him a retirement filled with health, fun and happiness.
Farewell to Phil: Philip Thibodeau on the job at Fort Plain, photoed shortly before his retirement.
Online Parent Forum addresses future of hybrid learning at Harry Hoag
Thank you to all who participated in the January 27 online Parent Forum to share the results of the recent Hybrid Learning Feedback Form and discuss the evolving instructional program at Harry Hoag School.
At the forum, Superintendent of Schools John Bishop and Harry Hoag Principal Lauren Crisman discussed the feedback received, addressed concerns and questions from parents and guardians, and noted that any changes from the current hybrid learning program would not take effect until March at the earliest. Maintaining a safe and healthy environment for students and staff remains the district’s top goal.
The online Parent Forum was similar to those conducted in late August, and was broadcast and recorded on YouTube at https://youtu.be/xaJmskxbDA4.
“The purposes of the forum were to engage, inform and involve our stakeholders in the district’s goal of providing a safe and healthy learning environment for students and staff,” said Superintendent Bishop. “We appreciate all who participated and will keep our school community apprised as we continue to develop our instructional plan for Harry Hoag.”
The instructional plan and schedules at the junior/senior high school will remain unchanged this school year.
Anyone who was unable to participate in the forum and has questions, may call or email the Superintendent’s office.