A springtime message and updates from Superintendent Lauren Crisman
Greetings Fort Plain community members and Happy Spring! It’s hard to believe that we are nearing the end of the third marking period already.
Learning in our school community
I am continually impressed by the positive attitude and diligent work ethic our students display during each and every school day.
Learning is a lifelong process that requires curiosity, dedication and often hard work. Our classroom lessons are rich with meaningful and enjoyable learning experiences. It is encouraging to see our students using our many school resources to achieve their learning and personal goals.
Our teaching and school teams are committed to promoting student and family engagement in our curriculum and school community. We hope our actions inspire students to attend school daily and aim toward academic achievement and growth. To this end, we have in place a series of prevention strategies and intervention resources to support students, particularly those at risk because of chronic absenteeism.
As professionals, we also take the concept of lifelong learning to heart and continue to study and grow ourselves.
At Harry Hoag Elementary School, our teachers are learning about the Science of Reading and employ proven literacy learning strategies daily to teach our students.
At the Jr./Sr. High School, teachers continue to expand their knowledge about what best motivates teen learners and regularly promote student advocacy and peer leadership opportunities. Examples include the newly reinstated Jr./Sr. High School peer tutoring program and events, such as the 8th Grade Family Night and the Pops Concert, designed to bring our school community together.
School Resource Officer Program update
At the start of this school year, Fort Plain schools implemented the School Resource Officer Program in partnership with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Nick Manginelli has been a welcome addition to our school community. Again this year, Deputy Manginelli led sixth grade students through the D.A.R.E. curriculum, helping them learn to make health decisions and life choices.
Deputy Manginelli also coordinated ALICE training for our faculty and staff to improve our school safety response systems. Additionally, he meets monthly with our District Safety Team, which works to ensure a secure and safe campus. New this year, and as a result of our collaboration, several upgrades have been made to the building level safety plans and crisis response protocols. Too, a portion of equipment funding has been allocated for upgrades to our surveillance equipment.
2024-25 school year budget development
Spring is also the season when our community comes together to vote on our district’s budget for the next school year. One important aspect of school budgeting is ensuring that the budget aligns with the school district’s goals and priorities.
The Board of Education has 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.
The school budget is the biggest investment the community collectively makes with its tax dollars. The leadership team works to make sure the budget reflects support for our enduring goals. The proposed budget will allocate funding for resources that will be used to promote learning, improve emotional well-being, and promote the enhancement of all school programs. It is our goal to develop the proposed budget in a responsible and transparent manner to the taxpayers.
May 21, 2024 is the date for this year’s school district budget vote and Board of Education election.
Please visit the 2024-25 Budget resource page to learn more about this year’s budget development process and news. Updates will be added to this page and to the Budget section of the website as they become available.
Thank you for your support!
I hope you each find time to visit our schools this spring. We have so many wonderful activities planned such as an Art Show, A Minute to Win It night hosted by the PTA and the traditional spring concerts and school musical. Please look for details about these and much more in your Parent Square feed, on our district website and social media channels.
Thank you for all you do to support our efforts and those of your children. Your ongoing support of Fort Plain Central School District plays a crucial role in our ability to ensure all students are prepared for success beyond graduation.
Fondly,
Mrs. Crisman
Superintendent of Schools