Category: District News
FPHS names students of the month
Six Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School students have been named Student of the Month in honor of their accomplishments. They received certificates on March 31.
Congratulations to:
- 7th Grade- McKenna Karker
- 8th Grade- Hannah French
- 9th Grade- Matthew Paul
- 10th Grade- Ethan Kilmartin
- 11th Grade- Talia Narzymski
- 12th Grade- Sarah Paradiso
The students were nominated by their teachers for the award in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in academics, athletics, character, community service, hard work, kindness, leadership, positive attitude, and responsibility.
Above from left: McKenna Karker, Hannah French, Matthew Paul
Above from left, Talia Narzymski and Sarah Paradiso
Not pictured: Ethan Kilmartin
Spring sports sign-up
The spring sports season is scheduled for April 25, 2021 to June 15, 2021, as of now.
Students: Please fill out the following form to indicate your interest: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfU2-8EyGyr8tBNQ3oCLItuTD4saqYdUqMge11KYo1EkkAKdw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&gxids=7628
Sports physicals are required prior to first practice. Check with the nurse to see if you are approved to play.
Petitions to seek Board of Education seats are due by April 19, 5 p.m.
A nominating petition to seek one of the two available seats on the Fort Plain Central School Board of Education can be picked up from District Clerk Rebecca J. Smith in the District Office at 25 High Street during school hours.
The seats that are currently held by Mary Beth Hudyncia and Kimberly Keane are expiring June 30, 2021.
The petitions, with at least 25 signatures, are due back to the District Clerk on April 19 by 5 p.m.
The district election is scheduled for May 18.
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