Category: Jr./Sr. High News
FPHS is well represented at leadership conference
Fort Plain High School juniors Brady Keane, Jasmine Fonda, Courtney Euler, Marissa Wilder, Kaeden David, Monika Kulczynski, Coach John Fureno and Director of Student Engagement & Athletics David Bertram were among 300 student-athletes and coaches who participated in “Positive Leadership is Powerful Leadership: Diversity & Inclusion,” the 2023 Student-Athlete Leadership Conference, at the Clark Sports Center and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum on March 3 in Cooperstown.
They and their peers, representing nearly 50 school districts from throughout central New York, spent the day learning, exploring and building leadership skills.
According to Monica Wolfe, Cooperstown CSD leadership training for athletes advisor, “The leadership conference exists to foster a positive atmosphere and serve as a platform for student-athletes to recognize how leadership application in athletics affects their daily lives. In turn, that creates a ripple effect to be applied through the student-athlete’s life and shared with their teams/teammates, their schools and their community.”
The conference featured several workshops and speakers including SUNY Polytechnic Chief Diversity Officer and Title IX Coordinator Dr. Mark Montgomery, Hall of Fame President Josh Rawitch and Hall of Fame Director of Education Stephanie Hazzard.
Conference sponsors include the Center State Conference, Section III Athletics, NYSPHSAA, NYS AHPERD, Nimey’s New Generation, Advantage Sport and Fitness, Community Bank, American Dairy Association, Gates Cole Insurance, USA Racing, NYPC/Upstate/Bocca, NYCM, Leatherstocking Region FCU, Chobani, Stewart’s Shops, the Clark Sports Center and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
Students talk to lawmaker’s staff about taking a Reality Check
Reality Check representatives from Montgomery County Grace Dawson (above, far left) and LuAnn Santabarbara (far right), and FPHS students Trinity Belliveau and Zander Nemeth traveled to Albany to meet with Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara’s staff about funding and actions to cut tobacco use in NYS.
Trinity and Zander participated because they have seen the toll tobacco can take on families and communities and wanted to share their experiences with legislators.
Winter teams achieve Scholar-Athlete status
Congratulations to Fort Plain’s boys and girls basketball, girls bowling, and cheerleading teams for being honored as NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Teams. Each team needs to have 75% of its team’s roster receive a total GPA of 90 or above. A total of 32 FPHS students achieved a 90 or better GPA during winter sports. #TopperPride!
Honoring a teacher superhero
“As I walk into school, I can see it through the doors, and it’s a great way to remember Kevin.” What Fort Plain High School Principal Dr. Deborah Larrabee sees is a large banner hanging in the school lobby memorializing beloved teacher Kevin Bogus, who passed away in May 2022.
Designed by high school teacher Linda Cole, the banner features an image of an original painting created in Kevin’s memory by fellow teacher, ninja athlete, and trainer, and close friend Geoff Snyder, who unveiled the banner at a Feb. 2 ceremony. The painting depicts Kevin during ninja training, gripping strongly with both hands while the rest of his body is airborne, wearing a shirt that says, “Get A Grip.”
“I’m an artist and an art teacher and wanted to remember Kevin through the painting,” Snyder said. “It’s hanging in our Albany Ninja Lab, where Kevin was beloved by everybody.” Snyder, who is a co-owner of the gym, competed on season 9 of American Ninja Warrior in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2017, and became discouraged after applying repeatedly to compete again.
“I was bummed and was going to give up,” he said. “Kevin talked me into applying again last year. ‘You can’t quit,’ he told me. ‘You gotta keep trying; you’re not a quitter’. So, I tried again, making Kevin’s story part of my application video. I was accepted to compete this spring in Los Angeles. I had a less than one percent chance of being picked, so being picked twice is like a dream come true.”
The Kevin Bogus memorial banner also features a quote by Thor, “A victory has more meaning when it is not won by the force of your own arms, yet the ingenuity of your own brain!”
“The quote was part of Kevin’s email signature at school,” said Dr. Larrabee. “He loved Marvel Entertainment. The painting, quote and the banner are a great way to honor him. We think Kevin was watching the unveiling from above and approved.”
Congratulations All County performers!
Congratulations to our talented elementary chorus members Claudia, Piper and Isabella, pictured above, and high school chorus members Ian Burns and Bailie Richardson, pictured below, for their recent performances at the All County Music Festival, and to music teacher Julieanne Sincavage.
All County Band
Congratulations to our talented band members Jasmine Lapi (10th grade flute) and Natalie Thibodeau (12th grade percussionist), who performed three pieces with the Senior All County Band, and to music teacher Dalton Burrello.
The songs were: “Shenandoah” by Claude T. Smith, “Spitfire!” by Gary P. Gilmore, and “Fate of the Gods” by Steven Reineke.
“The students rehearsed from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the day of the festival, and then put on a wonderful concert in the evening,” Burrello said. “They had the opportunity to rehearse, practice, eat lunch, and perform extremely challenging music with talented students from schools across the county (Fonda, Canajoharie, Amsterdam, etc.)
“They also worked with guest conductors from different areas of New York State, which created a very professional atmosphere and required a very high level of musicianship from each student. It was a great experience to be able to come all together and perform such high quality, challenging pieces of music, and I am grateful that they had the opportunity to be a part of that.”
Vaping and e-cigarette use is a troubling trend
January 11, 2023
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The use of vaping paraphernalia and e-cigarettes has increased both nationwide and locally, becoming the most commonly used tobacco products among our youth. This is a troubling trend.
While these odorless tools are often marketed as safer and healthier alternatives to traditional cigarettes, to inhale nicotine, THC, flavored substances, and various synthetic chemicals, they are neither safe nor healthy.
Our school district is very concerned about the increase in vaping among students. Here is some important information for our Fort Plain families.
Teen vaping — 6 things every parent/guardian needs to know
- Slang terms: E-cigs, e-hookahs, hookah pens, vapes, vape pens, JUULs, “jeweling,” mods (customizable, more powerful vaporizers).
- Vaping devices can be used to inhale flavored substances – such as mint, crème brulée or mango. Many people are under the impression that it’s safe to inhale nicotine-free water vapors, but recent studies show otherwise. Flavoring agents can cause “popcorn lung” – a scarring of the tiny air sacs in the lungs that results in the thickening and narrowing of airways. Popcorn lung mirrors the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.
- Vaping devices can be used to inhale substances that contain nicotine, THC (the chemical compound in marijuana that produces the high), opiates and synthetic substances.
- Inhaling from a vaporizer enhances a drug user’s high and can amplify a drug’s side effects. That’s because it delivers a far more potent form of whatever drug is being used. The chemicals in synthetic drugs are dangerous and potentially fatal in cases of overdose.
- Vaping synthetic drugs is more discreet than other forms of drug abuse. Because e-cigarettes can resemble everyday ballpoint pens or USB memory sticks, they are easy to hide. E-cigarettes and vaping pens are odorless.
- E-cigarettes and pen vaporizers are easy to acquire for underage users.
Signs of vaping abuse and what parents/guardians can do
Parents/guardians can be on the alert for signs of vaping abuse. They can:
- Watch for physiological symptoms and side effects that may indicate their teen has a vaping abuse problem. These can include dry mouth syndrome, nosebleeds and strange, erratic behavior.
- Familiarize themselves with what e-cigarettes look like and how the devices work, so that they are able to identify them in the hands of their teens.
Student use of vaping paraphernalia on campus, school grounds and school buses is a violation of the Code of Conduct. Students who violate the Code of Conduct are subject to consequences outlined in the code.
Please review the fact sheet graphic below to learn more about vaping and its associated dangers. We encourage you to talk to your child about vaping, and remind them that state and federal laws prohibit them from purchasing tobacco products and e-cigarettes.
Thank you for your support and cooperation. If you have any questions related to our prevention and intervention efforts, please contact Jr./Sr. High School Principal Dr. Deborah Larrabee at deborah.larrabee@fortplain.org or the Elementary Principal Mrs. Jodi Coppolo at jodi.coppolo@fortplain.org.
Sincerely,
Lauren Crisman
Superintendent
All fall teams named NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athletes
All of Fort Plain’s fall teams have been named New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Scholar–Athlete teams, in honor of their achievements in both academics and athletics.
To qualify as a Scholar-Athlete team, a team’s grade point average (GPA) for 75 percent of the roster must be greater than or equal to 90. Congratulations to the following teams:
Boys Cross Country
Girls Cross Country
Boys Soccer
Girls Soccer
Volleyball
Football
Golf
According to NYSPHSAA, “At the end of each sports season, the NYSPHSAA honors those teams and individuals that excel in the classroom. Those student-athletes, teams, and schools work very hard throughout the year and deserve to be recognized for their academic success.”
Great work FPHS Student Council!
The FPHS Student Council finished Spirit Week with their annual food drive for the local church pantry. They delivered the food on Friday, Dec. 9.
Great work and great spirit!
Olivia Sweet honored with NASA’s “You’ve Got Perseverance!” award
Fort Plain 8th grade student Olivia Sweet has been honored by NASA with a 2022 “You’ve Got Perseverance!” award.
On Dec. 6, she spoke with NASA engineers and scientists in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. She also received a personalized message from the Perseverance Rover that is currently on Mars.
Olivia was nominated for the award based on how she has demonstrated determination, grit and perseverance in her academics and personal life. She is listed on NASA’s award webpage.
Congratulations Olivia!
Refreshed HS library enhances student learning, collaboration
Visitors to Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School’s library media center will find a brighter, more welcoming and functional space for student learning, collaboration and meetings.
Tapping into American Rescue Plan funding, the district was able to purchase additional furniture for the library media center that is colorful, comfortable, lighter in weight and easily moved and combined to create a variety of learning, meeting and working spaces.
Existing furniture and shelving in the were rearranged to improve students’ access to library resources, provide space for both individual study and group learning, and – combined with the new furnishings – create an environment that is more attuned to how students learn today.
“We wanted to restructure the library media center to be a space designed to embrace 21st century learning,” said Fort Plain Superintendent Lauren Crisman. “Education should be collaborative. We want our students to learn vital communication skills and use multiple forms of literacy (media, technology, information) to think constructively about the learning tasks that they are asked to complete.”
“Our library media center provides an inviting place for students to study, learn, read and explore,” said High School Librarian Tariyka Chaulk. “Last school year, we rearranged the library space to make it more student-centered. By putting the desk off to the side, students are the first thing you see when you walk into the library.
“Although the room is just a giant square, we tried to create little pockets for different student gatherings. Large groups and classes can gather in the back. Pairs or individual students can sit at the high-top tables near the windows.
“We even have small conversation areas where student groups have gathered to plan or brainstorm school events. And just like every library, we have open tables for students to work on assignments. I hope the new layout will help students we don’t see frequently feel more comfortable in the space.”
The updates and changes to the library media center are a hit with students, who find it to be a more engaging space that is better suited to their needs and learning styles. “I like the layout and color scheme,” said Kristin Sanders, a 12th grade student. “The chairs are a lot comfier, and the furniture looks more modern. I really like the tall tables by the window.”
“I really enjoy the new furniture in the library,” said fellow senior Madison Delgado. “Everything is comfy, yet still allows students to be productive. The tall table and chairs are my favorite so far.”
Tenth grade student Gracelynn Rice said, “The tables are smooth for writing and the chairs are colorful and comfy. There’s more space to work. The tall tables and chairs are cool, too.”
Cameron Mussey, a 10th grade student, added, “I like how you can move all the furniture easily, and the tables are nice. I like how they’re square, too, so you can fit more people. The new chairs are comfy, too.”
“It’s so fun! The chairs are very comfy and the desks are great for writing,” said Lyrique Busch, an 11th grade student.
The library media center is located just past the high school’s main entrance, with large windows that let in the sunlight, ample space and an extensive collection of books, reference materials and online resources for students and staff. For more information, visit the library and media center webpage.
Update Jan. 11, 2023
In the photos below: More furniture, including moveable tables with storage and cabinets have been added to the library.
