Category: District News
Times change on 9/28 for doors open, Google Meet at Harry Hoag
September 24, 2020
Greetings Families of Harry Hoag,
I trust that my letter finds you and yours doing well this September! I want to thank each of you for your ongoing support of the reopening of Harry Hoag. Our team has truly enjoyed the reunion with our learners and I proudly report that our academic year is off to a great start!
As we continue to reflect on the many changes that we have made to our routines, I want to share with you some adjustments that we will make starting on Monday, 9/28.
Our students have adjusted well to the new ‘norms’, but we are seeing many tired faces each morning. I encourage you to remain committed to early bedtime routines to ensure that your child is well rested for the weekdays.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns, my door is always open!
Proud to be your Principal,
Mrs. Crisman
Surveying 7-12th grade students
Following recommendations by the New York State Education Department (SED), we are planning to administer a brief school-wide survey to identify the social-emotional needs of grades 7-12 students in the Fort Plain Junior-Senior High School.
The survey will be administered during an in-person school day the week of Sept. 28, and it will help us to better provide our students with the supports, services and resources they may need.
Parents or guardians who do not want their child to participate in the survey, or who have questions, should please contact the guidance office at 518-993-4000, ext. #2131, by Friday, Sept. 25.
Board of Education next meets Oct. 14
The Fort Plain Board of Education will next meet on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Board meetings are held at 6 p.m. in the Ronald H. Thibodeau Conference Room in the District Office, unless otherwise noted. Meeting agendas and minutes are available on BoardDocs.
We’re happy to be back!
Fort Plain Junior-Senior High School and Harry Hoag Elementary School faculty, administration and staff welcomed back students on Monday, Sept. 14, and our students were happy to be here, too. In fact, before the new school year even started, many students said they were looking forward to returning to campus: A short survey of 7th-12th grade students on the Friday before the new school year found nearly all replying they wanted to be back. Here are just a few photos from the start of school. View more in our Facebook album.
WAC moves forward with low-risk fall sports
The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) has decided to move forward with the low risk sports of cross country, golf and tennis at the varsity level for the fall season.
The moderate risk sport of soccer will be moved to the Fall Sports Season II, which will begin in March and run through April. The Fall Sport Season II also includes high risk sports such as football, cheerleading and volleyball.
The decision to focus on low-risk play was made with the health and safety of students, staff and our school communities as our primary concern. In addition, logistical issues dealing with transportation, field maintenance, supervision and cleaning and disinfecting were taken into consideration.
After reviewing various sets of guidance and weighing the risks and benefits each sport presents, it was determined by the WAC that this decision was the most reasonable way for our schools to provide athletic opportunities to our students without jeopardizing the safe return of students to their respective schools.
This decision still allows all students a possible opportunity to participate in athletics during the school year. Finally, it allows each district to allocate as many resources as possible to ensure the reopening plans are being implemented with regard to the academic needs of our students. In closing, we hope that all of the sports teams are able to play this school year, but it is a very fluid and ever changing situation.
Elementary resources to help explain changes at school to children
Harry Hoag Elementary School is providing resources to help children understand the changes that are expected at school for health and safety reasons.
Families are encouraged to read these age-appropriate stories together as parents help their children prepare for school in September.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher or Principal Lauren Crisman.
Jr./Sr. High School Back-To-School Information Guide
To our Families of Fort Plain Junior-Senior High School:
First, let me thank you for your support and understanding as we responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and its unexpected challenges in March. I am very proud of the way our Fort Plain students, parents, employees, and community handled the demands we were faced with to protect everyone as we continued to educate and feed our students during the most unusual of circumstances.
Now we are looking forward to reopening our schools, but I am sure you have concerns and questions about our September plans. While we are in the business of educating, our first priority is the safety of our students and our employees. Be assured, we have been working diligently over the last months, studying the guidance from national, state, and local officials, as well as seeking input from parents and stakeholders to develop our reopening plan.
This guide highlights some important aspects of our reopening. With this in mind, we know, this plan may change. This is a complicated issue, but we have done our best to use a common sense approach to the development of our plan. Keeping our students and staff as safe as possible is our top priority.
The first day of in-person learning for 7th, 8th and 9th grade will be Monday, Sept. 14. The first day of in-person learning for 10th, 11th and 12th grade will be Tuesday, Sept. 15.
Related: Jr./Sr. High School Supply Lists | Video of Aug. 18 parent forum | Google Slides presentation for Aug. 18 parent forum
Blended Model
The Junior Senior High School has developed a Blended Learning Model in which, on defined days, some students learn remotely and others learn at school. In-person instruction will be at Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School. On days students are not in school they will remain home for remote instruction. Students will rotate on a four-day schedule:
Grades 7-8-9
- Day 1 – In-person instruction (A Day Classes)
- Day 2 – At-home virtual instruction (A Day Classes)
- Day 3 – In-person instruction (B Day Classes)
- Day 4 – At-home virtual instruction (B Day Classes)
- Day 5 – Repeat Cycle
Grades 10-11-12
- Day 1 – At-home virtual instruction (A Day Classes)
- Day 2 – In-person instruction (A Day Classes)
- Day 3 – At-home virtual instruction (B Day Classes)
- Day 4 – In-person instruction (B Day Classes)
- Day 5 – Repeat Cycle
For consistency, students will follow the same schedule during the same times whether instruction is in person or remote. The average class size for in-person instruction is 15 students. All classrooms are physically set up to promote social distancing. Desks will be facing forward and six feet apart, thus eliminating the need to always wear face coverings.
Remote Instruction & Technology
We will use Google Classroom as our online learning platform. When at home, students may engage in a variety of learning including: live virtual instruction, pre-recorded instruction, home assignments, independent work, activities, and assessments. Some work may take the whole period, while others may be a shorter task. Regardless of the type of instruction, students will have mandatory live check-ins for attendance and must log into their Google classrooms to complete whatever tasks are assigned. During remote instruction days, your child’s teacher will be available during that period to assist their students.
Chromebook distribution
Each student will receive a student email account and will be issued a Chromebook. If connectivity is a problem, please reach out to us so we can help problem solve. Chromebooks will be distributed on Thursday, Sept. 10. One parent must accompany their child when picking up devices. Social distancing and mask protocols will be in effect. Families with students in multiple grades can choose one time to pick up all items.
- 7th Grade: will receive Chromebooks at 7th grade orientation
- 8th Grade: 9-10 a.m.
- 9th Grade: 10-11 a.m.
- 10th Grade: 11 a.m.-noon
- 11th Grade: Noon-1 p.m.
- 12th Grade: 1-2 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon will be the alternate pick up date.
Attendance
Our attendance policy will be in effect during the 2020-21 school year. Students are expected to attend school daily, whether in-person or remote, and teachers will take attendance. Mrs. Hecht will contact you when your child is absent from class. We know the value of good attendance, but understand during this time attendance may be compromised. Please reach out to Mrs. Hecht or your child’s counselor for attendance issues. Excessive absences will affect learning and grades.
Face Masks and Social Distancing
Masks will be required when social distancing is not possible. Masks will be required on school buses, in hallways and public spaces and in classrooms when social distancing is not possible. Teachers will guide students as to the practice in each class. If students do not have a mask, the school will provide one.
To help with social distancing, and transitions between classes, we have changed walk patterns throughout the buildings, marking stairwells and hallways as one way. Signage will assist students as they become familiar with the new walkways. To further limit hallway congestion, we have staggered dismissal times between classes.
Student Arrival and Exit
Arrival
Arrival times have been staggered to ensure social distancing. Students will not be allowed in the building until 7:40, which is the time the first bus is scheduled to arrive. Bus students will enter the building using the entrance by the gym.
For student drop-off the Main Street entrance will be used. Traffic will be marked as one-way during drop-off and pick-up times. Parents can begin to drop off students at 7:45. Non-bus students will enter using the front door.
Health screenings will be conducted each morning before coming to school for all members of the school community. Students riding the bus will be screened prior to boarding. All other students will be screened upon entry to the building. Anyone with a temperature of 100.00 or more will not be allowed to attend.
Upon arrival to school, students will report to their first period classrooms. They grab breakfast in the cafeteria to take with them. Face coverings may be removed once a person arrives in his/her classroom.
Exit
Dismissal will be staggered, with bus students being dismissed first at 2:38. An announcement will release all other students. Once the busses have cleared student pick-up may begin at approximately 2:45. Remote day meals will be provided at the end of the day. Bagged breakfast and lunches will be available for students to “grab and go” before exiting the building.
There will not be a late bus at this time. Students are expected to exit the building to allow for our custodial staff to do a deep end of the day cleaning.
School Activities
Extracurricular activities have been canceled for the start of the school year. This includes field trips and assemblies. We will explore bringing back activities that can be conducted remotely, or in a safe environment. I know our student athletes are anxious to begin their sport seasons, but we must following state protocols regarding athletics.
This letter highlights our reopening plan. I encourage you to frequently visit the school’s webpage and follow our social media for up-to-date and accurate information. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at (518) 993-4000 ext. 2124 or email at deborah.larrabee@fortplain.org.
Thank you for your continued support and positivity as we strive to do what is best for ALL of our students and employees during these challenging times.
Best,
Deborah Larrabee, Ed.D.
Principal
Survey about remote-only learning option
Note, this survey is now closed. Thank you to all who participated.
Fort Plain Central School District is exploring the opportunity to provide parents a choice for remote only learning. We are conducting a survey to determine interest and viability based on community feedback. Please list your child(ren)’s name(s) and grade level(s) if you are interested in a remote only learning option.
Please know that if the district offers a remote only learning option, families will need to commit to “opting in” for the first semester (September through Jan. 25).
Please complete the survey no later than 8 a.m. on Aug. 26.
First day of the school year is Monday, Sept. 14
It will be an “A” day for Harry Hoag Elementary School, and grades 7-9 are scheduled to attend for the Jr./Sr. High School.
The Board of Education at its Aug. 19 meeting adopted a revised 2020-21 school year calendar. The calendar outlines the rotating schedule between in-person and remote learning. Students will attend school one day in person, then remain home for remote instruction on the next day. This alternating pattern will continue so that students rotate between in-person and remote learning every other day.
Under the revised school calendar, the first day of the school year will be Sept. 14. This change will allow the district to hold additional Superintendent’s Conference Days to give our staff more time to prepare for the reopening of our schools.
Monday, Sept. 14 will be an in-person “A” day for Harry Hoag Elementary School, and grades 7-9 are scheduled to attend for the Jr./Sr. High School. Tuesday, Sept. 15 will be an in-person “B”day for Harry Hoag Elementary School, and grades 10-12 are scheduled to attend for the Jr./Sr. High School.
Please note this is a change from a previous announcement for Harry Hoag Elementary School, as it swaps the “A/B” schedule originally detailed in letters mailed home.
On days when students are not scheduled to attend school in-person, they should participate in remote learning at home.
Families should follow the rotating schedule listed on the calendar. The in-person schedule for the first two weeks of school is listed below. These schedules will also be detailed on the calendar of the district’s homepage so families can easily check who is expected to report for in-person learning on any given day. The schedule is also available on our print-friendly one-sheet calendar adopted by the Board of Education.
Sept. 14-18
Monday, Sept. 14
- In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / In-Person Gr. 7, 8, 9
- Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / Remote Gr. 10, 11, 12
Tuesday, Sept. 15
- In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / In-Person Gr. 10, 11, 12
- Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / Remote Gr. 7, 8, 9
Wednesday, Sept. 16
- In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / In-Person Gr. 7, 8, 9
- Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / Remote Gr. 10, 11, 12
Thursday, Sept. 17
- In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / In-Person Gr. 10, 11, 12
- Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / Remote Gr. 7, 8, 9
Friday, Sept. 18
- In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / In-Person Gr. 7, 8, 9
- Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / Remote Gr. 10, 11, 12
Sept. 21-25
Monday, Sept. 21
- In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / In-Person Gr. 10, 11, 12
- Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / Remote Gr. 7, 8, 9
Tuesday, Sept. 22
- In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / In-Person Gr. 7, 8, 9
- Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / Remote Gr. 10, 11, 12
Wednesday, Sept. 23
- In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / In-Person Gr. 10, 11, 12
- Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / Remote Gr. 7, 8, 9
Thursday, Sept. 24
- In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / In-Person Gr. 7, 8, 9
- Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / Remote Gr. 10, 11, 12
Friday, Sept. 25
- In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / In-Person Gr. 10, 11, 12
- Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / Remote Gr. 7, 8, 9
Emergency days
If an emergency day is taken, the calendar will remain the same and the rotation will not be changed.
Watch virtual forums about school reopening
The Fort Plain Central School District hosted a series of virtual community forums about school reopening. We also gathered input and answered questions from families.
- Watch the Aug. 13 parent forum about the districtwide plan.
- Watch the Aug. 17 parent forum for Harry Hoag Elementary School. View more information in the Back-to-School Parent Guide for Harry Hoag Elementary School.
- Watch the Aug. 18 forum for the Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School.
- Watch the Aug. 20 districtwide virtual forum as it relates to the special education program and remote-only learning options.