Category: District News
Share your thoughts: feasiblity study ThoughtExchange now open
Dear Fort Plain CSD Community,
We’re about midway through our feasibility study exploring the possibility of joining the Canajoharie and Fort Plain school districts into a new, unified district. At this point, we’re reaching out again to invite your thoughts, questions and ideas through a new ThoughtExchange process.
Your input is crucial as we consider the impact and potential of this initiative.
This study aims to understand the potential benefits, challenges and effects of centralizing our districts. It is focused on three main areas:
- Educational experiences: Will this benefit students and improve the quality of education?
- Organizational capacity: Can we improve resource sharing and overall efficiency?
- Financial sustainability: Would centralizing help with long-term financial stability and wise use of resources?
We’re looking at factors like the quality of education, efficient use of resources and fiscal responsibility to see if joining the two districts could lead to stronger, more sustainable schools.
The study will help us decide if this change can improve educational outcomes and support a vibrant, well-rounded school community.
View documents related to the study’s progress, to-date.
Share your thoughts on this process through ThoughtExchange
This next ThoughtExchange will allow you to:
- Share any questions or thoughts you have about the study’s progress so far.
- Review and rate the ideas of others to help us see what’s most important to everyone.
Follow this link to participate with this ThoughtExchange: https://tejoin.com/scroll/432834459
Thank you for helping us make informed decisions for our schools. Your voice is a valuable part of this conversation about our future.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Lauren Crisman, Superintendent
2024-25 student transportation news and updates
The following is a message from Fort Plain CSD Transportation Supervisor Gary Ruszkowski sent to families on Oct. 18, 2024
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We hope this message finds you well.
We want to inform you about an important update regarding our school bus transportation system.
Effective on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, buses will no longer pick up students who are not part of the regular bus route. This decision has been made to ensure the safety and well-being of all students while they travel to and from school.
We continue to provide a high-quality transportation service. Please be aware, however, that there may be occasional delays with pick up or drop off times due to bus driver shortages. If any delays are expected to be longer than 20 minutes, families/guardians will be notified via Parent Square.
As always, you can call the Transportation Supervisor at 518-993-4000 ext. 4001 or the Transportation Secretary at 518-993-4000 ext. 3059 to inquire about delays.
We kindly ask that you review and update your student’s pick-up and drop-off information if your child uses school provided transportation.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we prioritize the safety of our students.
Sincerely,
Gary Ruszkowski, Transportation Supervisor
Voters approve Capital Improvement Project
Fort Plain Central School District residents voted on Oct. 3, 2024 to approve a $10,140,000 capital improvement project by a vote of 101 to 83.
The project will fund needed repairs and improvements inside and out of both Harry Hoag Elementary School and the Jr./Sr. High School. It will also enhance some of our well-used gathering spaces, such as the Jr./Sr. High School auditorium, and provide safer access to our athletic facilities.
Thank you to all who voted on this project and for your support of our students and schools.
And now from our students: FPN News is live
Start your day with a cup of joe and the news of the week!
Now in its second year, students in the high school’s Multi-Media Production class will be delivering the news and happenings from around Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School in a bi-weekly broadcast on the in-house Fort Plain Network (FPN).
This interactive class project offers students the opportunity to hone their skills at reporting and broadcasting news as they plan, write and produce each episode.
Watch FPN News
Episode 1 of the 24-25 FPN News season is now live. Follow along on our YouTube channel to stay in the know and watch our our student as they grow their skills this school year.
NHS to host blood drive Nov. 1; sign up today
Save the date and help save lives: The Fort Plain chapter of the National Honor Society is hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 in the high school gym, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org (sponsor code: FortPlainHS), call 1-800-RED CROSS or email NHS & NJHS Advisor Kolbe Gray at kolbe.gray@fortplain.org.
Thank you!
Feasibility Study update: A message from Superintendent Crisman
A letter to the Fort Plain CSD community from Superintendent Lauren Crisman:
Dear Community Members,
It’s great to see so many students smiling and to have our learning spaces full of life again. My sincere gratitude to all of our school employees who helped to successfully launch us into the 2024-2025 school year!
This letter is meant to provide you with a progress report regarding the Feasibility Study. The district has created a webpage that will contain all of the related information ranging from notices of meeting dates/times/locations to different reports that have been prepared by the consultant firm. I encourage you to visit the site to learn more about the study process and the related findings. Learn more and view the resources related to the Feasibility Study.
The Advisory Committee has already met twice. At its Sept. 12 meeting, the committee reviewed data and norms associated with the educational experiences that exist in both districts. The next phase of the study will focus on the organizational capacity of both districts.
Upcoming Feasibility Advisory Committee meetings
Oct. 17 and Nov. 14, 2024 – 3:30 – 5:30 pm (meetings will be held virtually – get the link at the Feasibility Study resources page)
Dec. 12, 2024- 3:30 – 5:30 pm (meeting will be held at the Canajoharie CSD)
All of these meetings are open to the public.
Feasibilty Study Focus Groups – Oct. 30
In addition, the focus group discussions related to the Feasibility Study have been rescheduled for Oct. 30. Register to participate with the Feasibility Study Focus Groups on Oct. 30.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Lauren Crisman, Superintendent of Schools
Opening: Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach
Fort Plain Central School District is seeking applicants for the position of Boys’ Head Coach for Basketball.
Applicants must hold all valid certifications.
Please contact David Bertram, Director of Student Engagement and Athletics, with questions at 518-993-4000, ext. 2134.
Learn more and apply for the position of Boys’ Head Coach for Basketball.
Scheduled safety drills: A message from Superintendent Crisman
Dear Fort Plain CSD families,
I hope this message finds each of you doing well and that your students have enjoyed their return to school!
The New York State Education Department requires that all schools routinely conduct safety drills to ensure students and staff are prepared to respond to different types of emergencies. We will rehearse the following drills throughout the year:
Shelter-In-Place—used to shelter students and staff inside the building (for example, in weather-related situations.)
Hold-In-Place—used to limit movement of students and staff while dealing with short term emergencies.
Evacuate—used to evacuate students and staff from the building (for fire and other internal emergencies.)
Lockout—used to secure school buildings and grounds during incidents that pose and imminent concern outside of the school (for example, danger outside or close to the school.)
Lockdown—used to secure the school buildings and grounds during incidents that pose an immediate threat of violence in or around the school (for example, an intruder in the school building.)
Learn more about safety drills in the District Safety Plan.
Upcoming safety drills
Several evacuation drills (commonly known as fire drills) will be conducted in both buildings, Harry Hoag Elementary School and the Jr./Sr. High School, beginning on Sept. 11, and a Lockdown Drill will be conducted in each building on Sept. 18.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Lauren Crisman, Superintendent of Schools
Fort Plain mourns the passing of Terry Collins
Fort Plain Central School District mourns the passing of Terry Collins, a beloved educator and dedicated Fort Plain social studies teacher for more than three decades. Mr. Collins was renowned for his expertise in New York State history.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
View the tribute to Terry Collins and learn about his many interests and life experiences.
Welcome new staff and faculty
Welcome to the newest members of the Fort Plain Central School District community!
All were recognized at the Sept. 3, 2024 Superintendent’s Conference Day, along with current faculty and staff, including many who have served the district for decades and will continue to do so this school year.
Thank you everyone!
New Harry Hoag Elementary and Jr./Sr. High School Teachers
- McKenna Callahan—Long Term Substitute in Grade 5 and Instructional Technology
- Kyler Ford—Physical Education Teacher
- Amber Genova—School Counselor
- Andrew Hanifin—Term Appointment in Special Education
- Lilah Lacetera—Grade 5 Teacher
- Jolene Parker—Grade 6 Teacher
- Benjamin Scharett—Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Samuel Solomon—Technology Teacher
- April Terwilliger—Grade 1 Teacher
- John Valovic—Special Education Teacher
New K-12 School Team Members
- Kristen Battisti—Teacher Aide (May 2024)
- Stephanie Brownell—Cleaner
- Tessa Clapper—Full Time Driver
- Susan Fanelli—Teacher Aide
- Chad Fitzpatrick—Bus Driver Repairperson
- Alecia Flynn—Teacher Aide
- Joseph Kukenberger—Regular Run Driver
- Penny Loring—Cleaner
- Aubrey VanValkenburgh—Teacher Aide