Category: Jr./Sr. High News

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.

What is colorful, creative, has a bunch of wheels and rolls to student-performed marching music? Why, the Fort Plain 8th Grade Float Parade, of course!

Before leaving for the Thanksgiving break this year, 8th grade students took part in a grade-wide project where they were asked to design and build parade floats.

The students were placed in groups based on what they considered to be their strengths in school, as well as their interests. Once their groups were formed, they began to plan and build their design. Each group was randomly assigned rolling bases that they had to use for the base of their float. These items were things that you could find in school that rolled, such as laptop carts, rolling chairs, wheelbarrow, and other items.

Students were shown a video of Macy’s Day Parade floats to gain inspiration. Once their design was drawn up and a plan was put into place, students used materials from different classrooms to construct their floats. Their finished product needed to consist of a float that rolled and also represented the category they were given.

“The day before vacation, each group lined up in the gym and paraded their float around while Mr. Burrello and members of the high school band played ‘Mickey Mouse March’,” said teacher Adam Cutspec. “Several faculty and students took the time to come down and take a look at what the 8th graders had created.

“To celebrate all that they accomplished, the entire 8th grade class had a ‘Friendsgiving’ during their lunch period. They feasted on traditional Thanksgiving food that was provided by Mrs. Cooley and her 8th grade Home and Careers classes, as well as by the cafeteria staff.

“This was a new project put together by the 8th grade team that was meant to focus on creativity, teamwork, and problem solving, and the whole team was extremely proud of what the 8th graders created.”

The High School National Honor Society requires each member to complete a community service project sometime during the school year. November was senior Stephen Gray’s month and for his project, he wanted to provide families in need with Thanksgiving dinner.

Stephen worked with fellow NHS students, faculty and staff members, and the Loaves & Fishes Pantry at the Reformed Church of Fort Plain. Stephen and the team gathered enough donations to put together Thanksgiving dinner supplies for 25 families!

Stephen thanks all of those who generously supported his project.

In the photo: Andra Fuhs, Stephen Gray and Mason Gray deliver the donations to the Loaves & Fishes Pantry in Fort Plain.

– Article and photo submitted by Will Ryan

Fort Plain student-athletes are being recognized for their performance and sportsmanship.

Several Hilltoppers have been named Western Athletic Conference (WAC) All Stars, including Landon VanGorder, Austin VanGorder, Jordan Brown and Alexis Palmeri (Golf); Natalie Thibodeau, Grace McFee and Bailie Richardson (Cross Country); Stephen Gray, Rylee Herron, Ryleigh Hart and Cameron David (Soccer); and Vivian Nunez (Volleyball).

Fort Plain football team member Anthony Paradiso was voted to play in the Section 2 Senior Game on Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. at Hudson Valley Community College.

Congratulations to all!

Family Math Night is a long-standing program at Fort Plain Central School District that encourages parents and guardians to get involved in their students’ math education.

This year, eight 8th grade students and their families participated in an evening of fun activities and competition centered around math. The goal of the evening was to have fun with math and encourage parents/guardians to relay the importance of learning math.

Math-related activities included checkers, Battleship, Connect Four, and various logic games and problem-solving activities. The families were also provided with folders and bags to take home and use for additional math practice.

Family Math Night was organized by math teachers Sue Summerfield and Adam Wilson.

Fort Plain Central School mourns the passing of Paul Christman, who was retired from the district after teaching math for many years. Our thoughts are with his wife Sandi, also a retired Fort Plain teacher, and his family and friends.

Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School’s 8th grade Home and Careers class recently competed in a tasty event that tapped their culinary and creative skills: the 2nd Annual Grilled Cheese Challenge.

“The competition and the judging were tough, but when it came to the final Meltdown, two teams produced the winning ‘wiches,” said teacher Cory Cooley.

“Brady Spaulding and Brodie Poultney spiced up the competition with a chicken, tomato and chipotle grilled cheese that melted the judges’ hearts and warmed their tastes buds.

“Mason Gray and Levi Hext incorporated breakfast into their grilled masterpiece with scrambled eggs, a seasoned hashbrown and bacon, but the clincher that really sweetened the pot and the judges’ palates was their secret ingredient…maple syrup!

“We all had a great time making an ole standby into a new masterpiece!” Cooley said.

Sing a song, read a scene, be in the cast! The Fort Plain-Canajoharie Drama Club is holding auditions for their spring production of “Mamma Mia.” Auditions are open to Canajoharie and Fort Plain students in grades 7-12 and will be held on Nov. 14 and 15 at 6:30 p.m.  at Canajoharie High School.

To sign up for one of the days to audition, contact Mrs. Lauri Broady at lauri.broady@fortplain.org or by phone at 315-867-5234. Students may also contact Mrs. Broady to sign up to be in the crew or tech team.

“Mamma Mia” will be presented at Canajoharie High School on March 24 and 25 at 7 p.m. and March 26 at 2 p.m. It is directed by Mrs. Broady and Will Ryan.

“This is considered a ‘high school’ show – we tell students it’s Modified, JV and Varsity all on one team!” said Mrs. Broady. “All are encouraged to participate.”

Brad Bowers, a Fort Plain alumnus (Class of 2008) and proprietor of Bowterra Farm on Calbet Road in Fort Plain, recently took time out to present to students in Cory Cooley’s Food Science class, Dorene Goodwin’s Life Skills class and others in the high school.

“Mr. Bower cultivates an amazing variety of mushrooms, among other products, and he shared the complex process with us,” said Cooley. “In addition, we were informed about the versatility and benefits of mushrooms and permaculture farming.

“Mr. Bower donated several beautiful mushrooms, which we cooked into an herbed chicken pasta for the students to try. It was a great success and wonderful learning experience.”

For more information about Bowterra Farms, visit their Facebook page.