Category: Archive
Sun, fun… and learning!
From virtual camp-outs and volleyball to running and robotics, there was so much fun and enrichment happening this summer in our schools and on our track and fields.
Too, we were once again a site for summer meals for youth—ensuring our students and other area children and teens had the fuel they need for all their summer learning, play and exploration.
It’s great to be a part of year-round learning for our students!
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:
2024 – 25 Jr./Sr. High School welcome letter
A welcome-back message for Jr./Sr. High School families from Principal Nicholas Comproski:
Dear Jr./Sr. High School Families,
I hope this letter finds you well, and that your summer has been filled with time well spent. I look forward to beginning the new school year and supporting everyone to develop and grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
The mission at Fort Plain Central School District is to provide each student with the opportunity to develop intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically in a safe, orderly and positive environment. Our goal is to prepare every student for success beyond graduation.
Success looks different for every student and we are here to ensure every individual has our maximum level of support to attain that goal. To improve student learning outcomes, we have added new elective courses based on student interest and embedded additional forms of interventions in the master schedule.
2024-25 schedules
The first day of school for students is Sept. 4. The doors will open at 7:30 a.m. and we offer free breakfast from 7:30 until 8 a.m. The instructional day begins at 7:55 a.m. and the school day ends at 2:38 p.m. with dismissal directly after the last bell.
Students should have received their schedule in the mail by now. If they have not received it, please contact the Guidance Office at 518-993-4000, ext. 2128. On the first day of school, students will also receive a finalized paper copy of their schedule.
Transportation
If you have questions, or are experiencing an issue with school transportation, please contact the Transportation Department at 518-993-4000, ext. 4000.
Clubs, extracurriculars and athletics
This fall, we plan to host an extracurricular activities fair during school hours to introduce students to the many ways they can engage with the school community beyond the instructional day. Students will have opportunities to explore many different college and career pathways in the 21st century and they will have numerous opportunities to become involved in community service.
Please check out the expansive list of club and extracurricular options and athletics on the school website.
Cell phones in school
To connect with current research and with guidelines from the New York State Education Department (NYSED), we revised the Code of Conduct to include new terms for the acceptable use of cell phones and updated the disciplinary outcomes associated with violations.
View the new Fort Plain CSD New Cell Phone Policy
Class ranking policy
The Fort Plain CSD Board of Education has adopted a newly revised Class Rankings Policy.
View the new Class Rank Policy
Attendance Matters!
Please remember that regular school attendance matters. Students who are absent should provide a written excuse such as a doctor’s note upon their return to school. Students who miss more than 10% of school days (18 or more days missed) are considered chronically absent. There is statistical, national research that shows that those who are chronically absent have lower grades and a lower chance of graduating on time.
I am very honored and excited to be your new Jr./Sr. High School Principal. I look forward to getting to know and work with everyone. Please reach out at any time with questions you may have.
I wish you a happy end to the summer months. See you soon!
Nicholas P. Comproski
Principal, Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School
2024 – 25 Harry Hoag Elementary School welcome letter
A welcome-back message for Harry Hoag Elementary School families from Acting Principal Amy Bartholomew:
Dear Hilltopper Families,
It is my pleasure and honor to welcome you back to the 2024 – 25 school year here at Harry Hoag Elementary! I hope you have had a fun and relaxing summer and are looking forward to coming back to school.
I would like to take this time to introduce myself as Harry Hoag’s new Acting Principal for this coming school year. Many of you already know me, as I have been a teacher in our district for 18 years, as well as being born and raised in Fort Plain as a Hilltopper myself! This is my 23rd year in education and I am unbelievably excited to step into this new role and get to know all of our new and returning students. Fort Plain is a community unlike any other, filled with caring families and an exceptionally talented faculty and staff that provide incredible experiences for students each day.
Below you will find a summary of information that will be helpful when planning ahead for the coming school year. Please note: the first day of school for students will be Wednesday, September 4th.
School schedule
Arrival:
7:30 a.m. – Bus drop-off
7:30 – 7:50 a.m. – Parent drop-off and walkers
Instructional day for students:
7:50 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – students are marked tardy after 8:05 a.m.
Dismissal:
2:30 p.m. – Bus dismissal
2:35 p.m. – Parent pick-up begins
Bus riders
Please be sure to review the Ride with Pride and Code of Conduct documents with your children before the first day of school. An electronic copy is at the end of this letter.
Student drop-off and pick-up
After the buses depart, Parent Pick Up will begin. If you are early for Drop Off or Parent Pick Up, please park along the road to Wiles Park. For Parent Drop Off and Pick Up, please remain in your car and a staff member will guide traffic through the bus loop to the main entry. A staff member will greet you at both times. If you pick up your child on foot, please report to the Main Entry.
Technology
Pre-K and K students – will receive iPads that will remain in the classroom
Students in Grades 1-6 – will receive a Chromebook that can go to and from school
Caregivers and students (Gr 1 and above) will be asked to sign a Technology User Agreement.
Parent Communications
Please be sure to have an updated cell phone number and email address to receive information via our ParentSquare messaging system. Also, remember to visit our website and social media platforms regularly for current news and upcoming events.
Student information forms
Please update and return any student information forms that have been sent home.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel to reach me in the Main Office at 518-993-4000 or via email at amy.bartholomew@fortplain.org.
We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and look forward to seeing you on September 4th!
Mrs. Bartholomew, Acting Principal
Harry Hoag Elementary School
2024 – 25 pre-K welcome letter
A welcome-back message for Harry Hoag Elementary School pre-kindergarten families from Acting Principal Amy Bartholomew:
Welcome Families!
Harry Hoag is very excited to welcome your children as members of our pre-kindergarten program!
I would like to take this time to introduce myself as Harry Hoag’s new Acting Principal for this coming school year. Some of you already know me, as I have been a teacher in our district for 18 years, as well as being born and raised in Fort Plain as a Hilltopper myself!
This is my 23rd year in education and I am unbelievably excited to step into this new role and get to know all of our new and returning students. Fort Plain is a community unlike any other, filled with caring families and an exceptionally talented faculty and staff that provide incredible experiences for students each day.
Our Pre-kindergarten program is truly special, and aims to support the students to develop school readiness skills. Your child will be in an environment that is supportive, nurturing and rich in hands-on learning experiences.
The first day of school for the Pre-kindergarten program is Thursday, September 5. We will host a Pre-kindergarten Visitation Day on Wednesday, September 4. The visitation is meant to be a casual experience and typically lasts about 15 minutes. During the visitation, students can drop off their school supplies, view the classroom and meet the teacher.
Students with last names beginning with the letters A-K are invited to visit anytime between 9-9:30 a.m. Students with last names beginning with the letters L-Z are invited to visit anytime from 9:30-10 a.m.
View and download a copy of the 2024-25 Pre-Kindergarten Handbook.
Preparing your child for a successful start to school
- Please be sure to establish a reasonable bedtime routine the last week of August.
- Talk to your child about what to expect in order to support them with the separation.
- Develop a routine to check for notes, papers and communications daily.
School schedule
7:30-7:40 a.m — Bus rider drop-off .
7:30-7:50 a.m. — Parent drop-off and walkers are welcome.
7:50 a.m. -2:30 p.m. — Instructional day.
2:30 p.m. — Bus rider dismissal.
2:35 p.m. — Dismissal for student with parent pick-up.
For morning arrival, you are welcome to park in the parking lot to walk your child into the building. You are also able to drive through the parent drop-off line to drop your child off. To drop off and pick up, please remain in your car. A staff member will be out in the parking lot to guide traffic and to let your child know when it is safe to cross. If you are early for drop-off or pick-up, please park along the road to Wiles Park. If you pick up your child on foot, please also report to the Main Entry.
Transportation to and from school will be provided by the school bus for any students who are 4 years of age. If your child begins the school year as a 3-year-old, he/she must be transported by an adult until he/she comes of age to be eligible to ride the bus per NYS Law.
Supply List
Please label clothes, blanket and backpack with your child’s name.
- Backpack large enough to hold a folder
- Blanket for naptime
- Labeled baggie with 2 sets of clothes (it can be helpful to have one set for warm weather and one set for colder weather)
- Optional items to donate to the classroom: tissues, paper towels, glue sticks, dry-erase markers
I look forward to meeting our youngest learners soon. They will have the best time with the most loving teachers!
Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Mrs. Bartholomew, Acting Principal
Harry Hoag Elementary
Feasibility Study advisory committee appointed, focus group signup
Dear Community Members,
On July 30, 2024, both the Canajoharie and Fort Plain Boards of Education appointed select applicants to the Advisory Committee for the Feasibility Study.
The following people were appointed:
- Donald Bramer
- Lauri Broady
- Jed Brown
- Jamie Bunker
- Tracey Conover
- Jessica Hecht
- Lindsey Hodge
- Todd Jones
- Sara McDuffee
- Michele Nare
- Laura Pamkowski
- Nadine Paul
- Karlene Peck
- Kyra Powylan
- Patricia Prime
- Samantha Sherwood
- Lori Shults
- Dale Smith
- Neal VanSlyke
- Edward Watt
The charge for all committee members is to:
- fully commit to, and actively support, the study process.
- remain open to learning throughout the process.
- share relevant perspectives and experiences.
- clarify and probe data, information and insights shared by consultants.
- communicate openly, factually, and continuously with the public.
The committee will meet on the following dates (meetings are open to the public):
Aug. 21, 2024 – 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Meeting at Fort Plain CSD, Harry Hoag Elementary School Library Media Center.
Sept. 12, 2024 – 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. – Virtual (onsite connection for participants at both the Canajoharie and Fort Plain districts.)
Oct. 17, 2024 – 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. – Virtual (onsite connection for participants at both the Canajoharie and Fort Plain districts.)
Nov. 14, 2024 – 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. – Virtual (onsite connection for participants at both the Canajoharie and Fort Plain districts.)
Dec. 12, 2024 – 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Meeting at Canajoharie CSD.
Focus group discussions to be held this October
In addition, the focus group discussions related to the Feasibility Study have been rescheduled for October 30, 2024. Focus groups scheduled for this summer were not held due to a low applicant response.
Please apply with the following link if you would like to be considered for participation with a focus group. If you applied previously, please apply again and select a new time and location.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJSh2M2lPK-R3jJiPhlrsh3dUU5N5p2HhzX0w-VEemo64UZw/viewform
Thank you in advance to the volunteers listed above for their willingness to represent the community’s perspectives, ideas and questions.
As always, please reach out with any questions.
Sincerely,
Lauren H. Crisman, Superintendent
Board of Education Meeting – August 21
The Fort Plain Board of Education will hold its regular meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024 beginning at 6 p.m.
A joint meeting of the Canajoharie CSD and Fort Plain CSD boards of education with a presentation about the Merger Feasibility Study will be held prior to the Fort Plain CSD board meeting.
The meeting will take place in the Harry Hoag Elementary School Gymnasium, 25 High Street, Fort Plain, N.Y.
View the FPCSD Board of Education – Aug. 21, 2024 meeting agenda.
Award honors our talented and hard-working student-athletes
Our high school student-athletes are all-around strong and talented: in the classroom and on the field, track and court.
We are honored to have our students’ accomplishments recognized with a “School of Excellence” distinction for the 2023-24 school year by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Inc. (NYSPHSAA).
The NYSPHSAA School of Distinction and School of Excellence Awards are designed to unite athletic departments in challenging their student-athletes to achieve a statewide academic honor. Learn more about this year’s award and recipients.
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