Tag: back to school
School supply lists for 2025-26
Important Updates: Internet-Enabled Devices Policy and Immunization Requirements
The following updates regarding recent changes in laws and regulations affecting public schools were shared with the Fort Plain school community by Superintendent Lauren Crisman on July 16, 2025.
Distraction-Free School Environments
New York State Governor Hochul has signed legislation into law aimed at establishing a statewide standard for distraction-free school environments. In response, our district is taking steps to align with these new standards.
At the Regular Board of Education Meeting held on July 9, 2025, the Board of Education approved a new policy on the use of Internet-enabled devices during the school day.
“Internet-enabled devices” means and includes any smartphone, tablet, smartwatch or other device capable of connecting to the Internet.
Students are generally prohibited from using Internet-enabled devices during the school day anywhere on school grounds, though a limited number of education- and health and safety-related exceptions may be allowed.
View the full Policy 7316 – Use of Internet-Enabled Devices During the School Day.
Student Immunization Requirements
New York State Public Health Law §2164 and NYCRR Title 10, Subpart 66-1 require all students attending preK-12 schools to be fully vaccinated. These immunization requirements must be met within 14 days of the first day of school attendance.
Please note: In the past, a confirmed appointment with a healthcare provider was sufficient to meet the requirement temporarily. However, updated guidance from public health authorities no longer allows this practice. Students must now be fully vaccinated before attending school. The only exception is for students transferring from out of state or another country, in which case the window may be extended to no more than 30 days.
Families are encouraged to schedule necessary medical appointments as soon as possible to ensure compliance and avoid disruptions to the start of the student’s school year.
2024-25 sixth grade welcome letter
A welcome-back message for Harry Hoag Elementary School sixth graders and their families from Acting Principal Amy Bartholomew:
Summer 2024
Dear Families of Sixth Graders,
We look forward to the return of our students on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024!
Sixth grade uses a departmentalized model to provide instruction. Like they did last year in fifth grade, homeroom groups will travel to different classrooms to receive instruction in the core subjects as assigned below:
- Mrs. Parker will teach English Language Arts.
- Mrs. Bargstedt will teach Mathematics.
- Mrs. Toomey will teach Social Studies/Science.
- Mrs. Mellis-Passero will teach Special Education and Interventions
Grade 6 Schedule
7:50 – 8:05 a.m. – All students in their homeroom (Mrs. Parker, Mrs. Bargstedt, Mrs.Toomey)
8:05 – 9:18 a.m. – Math (Bargstedt HR), ELA (Parker HR), Soc Studies/Science (Toomey HR)
9:20 – 10:33 a.m. – Soc Studies/Science (Bargstedt HR), Math (Parker HR), ELA (Toomey’s HR)
10:36 – 11:47 a.m. – ELA (Bargstedt HR), Soc Studies/ Science (Parker HR), Math (Toomey’s HR)
11:50 – 12:20 LUNCH
12:23 – 1:03 p.m.:
- Toomey HR: Music (M), Technology (T,Th), Art (W), Library (F)
- Bargstedt HR: PE (M), Library (T), Music (W), Art (Th), Technology (F)
- Parker HR: Technology (M, W), Art (T), Library (Th), Music (F)
1:06 – 1:46 p.m.:
- Toomey HR: PE (M, T, W), Character Ed (Th), Technology (F)
- Bargstedt HR: Technology (M, T), Character Ed (W), PE (Th, F)
- Parker HR: PE (M, T, W), Technology (Th), Character Ed (F)
1:49 – 2:29 p.m. – Tiered Intervention Time (small group work)
Please reach out if you have any questions.
Mrs. Bartholomew, Acting Principal
Harry Hoag Elementary School
2024-25 Fifth Grade Welcome Letter
A welcome-back message for Harry Hoag Elementary School fifth graders and their families from Acting Principal Amy Bartholomew:
Summer 2024
Dear Families of Fifth Graders,
We look forward to the return of our students on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024!
Fifth Grade uses a departmentalized model to provide instruction. Homeroom groups will travel to different classrooms to receive instruction in the core subjects as assigned below:
- Ms. Gorinshek will teach English Language Arts.
- Mr. DeRider will teach Mathematics.
- Ms. Lacetera will teach Social Studies/Science.
- Mr. A. Hanifin will work with students with interventions
Grade 5 Schedule
7:50 – 8:10 a.m. – All students in their homeroom (Mr. DeRider, Ms. Gorinshek, Ms. Lacetera)
8:10 – 9:15 a.m. – Math (DeRider’s HR), ELA (Ms. Gorinshek’s HR), Soc Studies/Science (Ms. Lacetera’s HR)
9:18 – 10:23 a.m. – Soc Studies/Science (Mr. DeRider’s HR), Math (Ms. Gorinshek’s HR), ELA (Ms. Lacetera’s HR)
10:26 – 11:32 a.m. – ELA (DeRider’s HR), Soc Studies/ Science (Ms. Gorinshek’s HR), Math (Ms. Lacetera’s HR)
11:35 – 12:05 LUNCH
12:05 – 12:20 RECESS
12:23 – 1:03 p.m.:
- DeRider’s HR: Character Ed (M), Choir (T,Th), Library (W), PE (F)
- Gorinshek’s HR: Library (M), Choir (T,Th), Character Ed (W), Art (F)
- Lacetera’s HR: Art (M), Choir (T,Th), PE (W), Character Ed (F)
1:06 – 1:46 p.m. – Tiered Intervention Time
1:49 – 2:29 p.m.:
- DeRider’s HR: Technology (M,Th), PE (T, W), Art (F)
- Gorinshek’s HR: PE (M, T, W), Library (Th), Technology (F)
- Lacetera’s HR: Library (M), Technology (T, W), PE (Th, F)
Please reach out if you have any questions!
Mrs. Bartholomew, Acting Principal
Harry Hoag Elementary School
2024-25 fifth and sixth grade welcome letters
We look forward to the return of our students and start of school for the 2024-25 year on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024.
Fifth and sixth grades at Harry Hoag Elementary School use a departmentalized model to provide instruction. Homeroom groups travel to different classrooms to receive instruction in the core subjects each school day.
The following welcome letters from Harry Hoag Elementary School Acting Principal Amy Bartholomew include grade-level information for fifth and sixth grade:
Free school backpacks available at Harry Hoag
Again this school year, free backpacks filled with school supplies are available for Fort Plain students.
The packs are available at the main office of Harry Hoag Elementary School on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Thank you to area business Hill & Markes for their generous donation of these colorful packs and supplies.
2024-25 welcome letters from our principals
We are looking forward to welcoming our learners back for the start of the 2024-25 school year.
Students kindergarten through Grade 12 will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 4; pre-K students will begin on Thursday, Sept. 5.
Read the 2024-25 welcome letters from Harry Hoag Elementary School’s Acting Principal Amy Bartholomew and Jr/Sr. High School Principal Nicholas Comproski:
Looking toward the 2024-25 school year: a message from Superintendent Lauren Crisman
Dear Fort Plain School Community,
I hope this letter finds you refreshed from summer vacation and ready to enjoy an exciting year of learning. We are eagerly awaiting the return of our students!
2024-25 back-to-school information
The first day of school for students kindergarten through Grade 12 is on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. Pre-kindergarten begins on Thursday, Sept. 5.
The doors will open in both school buildings at 7:30 a.m. The instructional day begins at 7:50 a.m. for Harry Hoag Elementary School and at 7:55 a.m. for the Jr./Sr. High School.
FPCSD proudly welcomes several new faculty and staff members to our school team; be sure to watch the district website for introductions.
Fostering success for all students
Our goal is to prepare every student for success beyond graduation. Our graduates should be able to define what success means to them and feel confident when they leave that they are ready to navigate the dynamic and ever-changing world.
We believe that every child has their own distinct strengths, interests and learning styles. We are dedicated to creating a school experience that honors their individuality.
Improving learning outcomes for all students is one of our district’s enduring goals. Strong school-based intervention systems play a key role in achieving this. Intervention is not a one-time fix but an ongoing process and should be accessible for all.
Throughout the year, the administrative team will regularly assess our current intervention systems to analyze when and what screening tools are used to monitor achievement, what evidence-based practices are used to respond to needs, and how academic progress is reviewed and communicated.
Feasibility Study update
Additionally, the district remains committed to ensuring the responsible use of its fiscal and human resources. The Feasibility Study we are now engaged in with the Canajoharie CSD will include a comprehensive review of how fiscal and human resources are allocated. The results of this analysis will help us chart the best path forward to ensure our students
receive a high quality education and a diverse continuum of other student experiences into the future.
Learn more about the Canajoharie and Fort Plain CSD Feasibility Study to explore a potential merger.
Capital Improvement Project addresses needed work and upgrades
On Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024 community members will be asked to vote on a Capital Improvement Project. Regardless of the outcome of the Feasibility Study, the district must move forward with efforts to keep our facilities safe and modern. These buildings serve not only school-based programs, but are utilized year-round by many community-based organizations for the enrichment activities they offer youth.
The proposed scope of work includes upgrading electronic systems to promote efficiency and decrease annual costs associated with energy use. It also addresses areas in need of repair or replacement in all of the facilities and on the exterior sites of the campus.
This revised project was prepared in an effort to maximize state aid reimbursement and will not have any impact on the local tax levy.
A public hearing for the proposed project will be held on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024 in the District Office Conference Room.
There will also be a community walk-through on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. This will be open to the public and offered by representatives from King + King Architects.
All who are interested in learning more about the proposed project are encouraged to join us at these events. Information regarding both will be posted on the district website in September.
I am excited about the many possibilities that the new school year holds and eager to see our hallways filled with students once again.
Thank you to all for your ongoing support and partnership!
Wishing you well,
Lauren H. Crisman, Superintendent
A welcome message from Superintendent Lauren Crisman
Dear Fort Plain Central School District Community Members,
I wish to take this opportunity to warmly welcome everyone back to school for the 2023-2024 school year!
The first day of school for students kindergarten through grade 12 is Wednesday, September 6, 2023.
While you were away, the summer teams remained busy preparing for your return. I extend a deep notion of gratitude to all summer employees.
In addition, many stakeholder groups including administrators, teachers, parents and community leaders spent time identifying the types of skills and knowledge that we believe will best prepare our students for success beyond graduation. The summer conversations helped begin our process of long term planning. As adults, we passionately agreed that school should be a safe place where students can explore their interests and aspirations, thoroughly enjoy their school day experience, and be held accountable to display self worth and good character. During the fall, student stakeholder groups will be consulted to learn more about their very important perspectives on these topics and more.
Last year, the Board of Education identified five enduring goals:
- Improve safety in our schools.
- Improve student learning outcomes.
- Build and maintain trusting relationships with students and their families.
- Support social and emotional wellness for all school community members.
- Ensure responsible and strategic use of fiscal and human resources to best support the needs of our students.
In alignment with our enduring goals, the leadership team has prioritized the development of a comprehensive, Multi Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Plan as a necessary project for the upcoming year. When completed, the plan will be a resource for both professionals and parents that can be used to address questions related to academic and social-emotional intervention services.
A second priority for both buildings will be to ensure that every student attends school regularly. We will do a comprehensive review of our local attendance policy and delve deeply into attendance data to analyze the excuses associated with high rates of absenteeism specific to Fort Plain CSD. Students who miss more than 10 days of school are at risk for failure related to learning milestones and often become disengaged with the school process in general. Our teachers and leaders believe in the promise of education and we feel strongly that being in school daily guarantees each student the opportunity to get what they need from us in order to pursue a life filled with success and enduring happiness.
I’m excited for what’s to come and, again, thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your children’s education and well being.
Take good care and see you soon,
Lauren Crisman
Superintendent of Schools