Category: Archive
Feasibility Study update and Advisory Committee application
Greetings FPCSD School Community,
During this past spring, both the Canajoharie and Fort Plain Boards of Education voted to engage in a Feasibility Study to explore a potential merger. We thank Assemblyman Smullen for providing aid to cover part of the cost of the study. In addition, we have applied for a grant to cover the rest of the cost.
The study will begin in June of 2024 and culminate in January of 2025, ending with a presentation of the findings for the communities. The consultant firm conducting the study will be onsite to assess and analyze operations in both districts and to facilitate several stakeholder meetings during the upcoming months for the purpose of gathering information. In addition, community engagement opportunities will be offered through Thought Exchange, a web-based communication system where stakeholders can freely share comments.
A secondary website will be created soon to allow the public to access all of the study related materials. Please look for this link to appear on the top of both school districts’ homepages.
If you wish to be considered to serve on the Feasibility Advisory Committee, please complete the application at the link posted below. Applicants must commit to attend all of the meetings. Meetings will be held on August 21, September 12, October 17, November 14 and December 12 from 3:30-5:30 at either Canajoharie CSD or Fort Plain CSD.
Feasibility Advisory Committee application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIVgpL3R8asx-e-FzMK5G87xW7RUAozgfHnwmoOAb7qtM6Mg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Once the findings are published, the communities will have to vote on whether or not to move forward with the merger. The first vote will most likely occur near the end of January. If the vote in January shows support, then there will be a second, final referendum vote tentatively scheduled to be held in March of 2025.
During February and March, additional stakeholder meetings will be scheduled to foster more discussions about the advantages and concerns related to merging. If the final vote is approved in March of 2025, the merger action will occur in July of 2026.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions and feel free to share this information with all members of our community.
Community engagement will be highly valued throughout this process.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
Take good care,
Mrs. Crisman
Feasibility Study Timeline
Feasibility Study for the Purpose of Centralization.
Proposal for Canajoharie Central School District and Fort Plain Central School District.
Requested Revised Timeline for Standard Tier:
May 2024—Approval of Contract & Coordination of Logistics.
June 2024—Initial Document Review Request & In-take Process; Commence Advisory Committee Recruitment; Deploy Community Engagement Exchange 1.
July 2024—Continue Document Review & Logistical Planning
Advisory Committee Appointed.
August 2024—Initial Site Visit to both Districts – 2 days of tours, meetings, & interviews; Stakeholder Focus Groups; Kick-Off Presentation of Joint Meeting of the Boards of Education; Advisory Committee Meeting 1 – Overview & Kick-Off.
September 2024—Advisory Committee Meeting 2 – Educational Experiences (virtual).
October 2024—Deploy Community Engagement Exchange 2; Advisory Committee Meeting 3 – Organizational Capacity (virtual)
November 2024—Advisory Committee Meeting 4 – Financial Sustainability (virtual).
December 2024—Advisory Committee Meeting 5 – Draft Report; Submit Draft Report to NYSED for Review.
January 2025—Final Report Presentation to Joint Meeting of Boards of Education; Deploy Community Engagement Exchange 3; Advisory Referendum
March 2025—Final Referendum.
July 1, 2026—Anticipated New School District Begins Operation Pending NYSED Confirmation.
*Discussions to-date indicate that with a March 2025 Referendum, a case may be made by the District Superintendent to recommend that the new district begin operation on July 1, 2026.
Celebrating the Class of 2024
On June 22, the Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School Class of 2024 received their diplomas, turned their tassels and walked off the graduation stage and into the next exciting chapters of their lives.
Hundreds of friends, family and community members were on hand to cheer the seniors and their many accomplishments.
Throughout the ceremony, seniors were encouraged to bask in their success, to dream in big ways and to remember to find the joys—big and small—in each day.
Congratulations to our seniors. We’re proud of each of you, Hilltoppers!
Celebrating the Class of 2024
Join us in celebrating our Class of 2024 with our graduation photo album, Top 10 Seniors video, which premiered at graduation, and Senior Spotlight, which was displayed in the high school lobby, shared with our families, highlighted on morning announcements and shared on social media.
Class of 2024 Senior Spotlights
Photo gallery of highlights from the 2024 Fort Plain High School Graduation.
Fort Plain Class of 2024 – Top 10 Seniors
Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School has named the Top 10 students of the Class of 2024. Congratulations to each of these students on their many accomplishments:
- Matthew Paul—Valedictorian
- Brady Keane—Salutatorian
- Kelsey Buley
- Delana Tracki
- Alex Smith
- Devan Sanders
- Mason Cook
- Michael Palmeri
- Ethan Hubbard
- Monika Kulczynski
2024 Top Ten Video
Watch the video celebrating the Top 10 students of the Class of 2024:
Class of 2024 Graduation and Livestream
The Class of 2024 Graduation will be held in the Harry Hoag Elementary School Gymnasium at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 22.
We welcome families and community members to join us as we celebrate our graduates. Graduation is open to the public.
Doors will open at 9:30 a.m.
Graduation Livestream
For those who cannot make it in person, the district will livestream the ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. View the livestream of our 2024 Graduation at https://youtube.com/live/K08s34UZpOQ?feature=share
NYS 2024 Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Funds
The USDA and New York state provide families with an extra food benefit for the summer months, when some children do not have access to school meals.
Each eligible child will receive $120 in Summer EBT food benefits in 2024.
This year, the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program will work a little differently.
While Fort Plain CSD is a CEP district, meaning all students eat at school for free, this does not automatically qualify all of our students for EBT benefits. Only students from households with qualifying incomes are eligible.
Many children are automatically eligible for Summer EBT. These include:
- Families that have received SNAP or Medicaid benefits during the 2023-2024 school year, your children are already eligible. You do not need to take any action—your benefits will be automatically sent, beginning in July.
- Families that qualified for “free or reduced” status during this school year, for example those who applied for reasons of AP fees or driver’s education class. Students in these families have already been reported by the district and will also automatically receive their benefits. Families cannot apply for this “free or reduced” status with the district now—the deadline for that has passed.
If your family does not receive SNAP or Medicaid, but you believe your household income falls below the threshold, you can apply for the Summer EBT benefits. Only one application per household is required.
To apply, visit: otda.ny.gov/programs/summer-ebt/
Applicants will need:
- children’s names
- dates of birth
- address
- phone & email address
Applicants also need a NY.GOV ID, used for electronically signing documents online. Those who do not have a NY.GOV ID may apply for one at: my.ny.gov/Login\4/login.xhtml (click on “create an account.”) This step should be completed before beginning the EBT application.
Applicants will be notified by email when their application is received. They will then be notified in late August or early September about whether the application has been approved.
More Details
Summer EBT benefits will no longer be put onto SNAP cards. For those who received Pandemic EBT funds last year, the Summer EBT benefits will be deposited onto that same P-EBT card. A new Summer EBT card will be sent to those who did not receive benefits last year, but qualify for them this year.
All families who automatically qualify for EBT this year will be notified by letter. The letter will tell these families when and how to expect their benefits.
Please make sure that the address on file with your county SNAP department or with the state EBT office is up to date. To request an address change, call 1-833-452-0096 or visit otda.ny.gov/programs/summer-ebt/#overview
If you cannot find your old P-EBT card, but you still remember your four digit PIN, you can request a new card by calling 1-888-328-6399. If you cannot find your old P-EBT card and you don’t know what the four
digit PIN associated with the old card is, then request a new card by calling 1-833-452-0096.
Class of 2024 Senior Parade, Friday, June 21
Don’t miss our Fort Plain Class of 2024 Senior Parade this Friday, June 21.
The parade will kick off at the Save-A-Lot parking lot in downtown Fort Plain at 5:30 p.m. and wind it’s way through the village, ending at the Jr./Sr. High School.
Join us in celebrating our seniors!
Harry Hoag Elementary School – end of year dates and early dismissal
The end of the school year is quickly approaching. Following are some important dates and times in the coming week for Harry Hoag Elememtary School students and families to remember:
Friday, June 21 – Early dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
Monday, June 24 – Early dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, June 25 – Pre-Kindergarten Ceremony at 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday, June 25 – Early dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, June 26 – 6th Grade Ceremony at 8:30 a.m.
Wednesday, June 26 – Early dismissal at 10 a.m.
July and August 2024 Menus
Again this summer, Fort Plain CSD will be a site for free and nutritious meals for all area children and teens, ages 18 and under.
This program is open to all children and families, regardless of where they live or where the children go to school.
Breakfast and lunch will be served in the cafeteria at Harry Hoag Elementary School, Monday – Thursdays, beginning Monday, July 8 through Thursday, August 8 during these hours:
Breakfast: 7:30 – 9:15 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
August 2024: Breakfast | Lunch
Breakfast
July 2024
Monday, July 8 – Cinnamon Roll, Peaches, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
Tuesday, July 9 – Egg & Sausage Patties, Apple or Banana, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
Wednesday, July 10 – Pumpkin or Blueberry Bread, Raisins or Craisins, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
Thursday, July 11 – Yogurt & Granola Bar, Applesauce, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
Monday, July 15 – Whole Grain Donut Holes, Applesauce, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
Tuesday, July 16 – Breakfast Pizza, Apple or Banana, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
Wednesday, July 17 – Assorted Muffins, Raisins or Craisins, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
Thursday, July 18 – Cereal & Chex Mix, Peaches, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
Monday, July 22 – Cinnamon Roll, Peaches, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
Tuesday, July 23 – Egg & Sausage Patties, Apple or Banana, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
Wednesday, July 24 – Pumpkin or Blueberry Bread, Raisins or Craisins, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
Thursday, July 25 – Yogurt & Granola Bar, Applesauce, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
Monday, July 29 – Whole Grain Donut Holes, Applesauce, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
Tuesday, July 30 – Breakfast Pizza, Apple or Banana, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
Wednesday, July 31 – Assorted Muffins, Raisins or Craisins, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
Thursday, August 1 – Cereal & Chex Mix, Peaches, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
August 2024
Monday, August 5 – Cinnamon Roll, Peaches, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
Tuesday, August 6 – Egg & Sausage Patties, Apple or Banana, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
Wednesday, August 7 – Pumpkin or Blueberry Bread, Raisins or Craisins, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
Thursday, August 8 – Yogurt & Granola Bar, Applesauce, 100% Fruit Juice, Fat Free or Low Fat Milk
Daily alternate breakfast options may include: cereal w/graham crackers, yogurt w/graham crackers, muffin
Lunch
July 2024
Monday, July 8 – Chicken Patty on a Bun, SunChips, Green Beans, Assorted Fruit Choice
Tuesday, July 9 –Hot Dog, Cheddar Goldfish, Corn, Assorted Fruit Choice
Wednesday, July 10 – Ham & Cheese Bagel, Baked Potato Chips, Baby Carrots, Apple & Crème Cookie
Thursday, July 11 – Pizza, String Cheese, Broccoli, Slushie
Monday, July 15 – Chicken Nuggets, Dinner Roll, Peas, Assorted Fruit Choice
Tuesday, July 16 – Cheeseburger, Cheese-It Crackers, Cooked Carrots, Assorted Fruit Choice
Wednesday, July 17 – Turkey & Cheese Pretzel, Baked Potato Chips, Cucumber & Tomatoes, Apple & Fudge Cookie
Thursday, July 18 – Corn Dog, Cheese Cubes, Celery Sticks, Slushie
Monday, July 22 – Chicken Patty on a Bun, SunChips, Green Beans, Assorted Fruit Choice
Tuesday, July 23 – Hot Dog, Cheddar Goldfish, Corn, Assorted Fruit Choice
Wednesday, July 24 – Ham & Cheese Bagel, Baked Potato Chips, Baby Carrots, Apple & Crème Cookie
Thursday, July 25 – Pizza, String Cheese, Broccoli, Slushie
Monday, July 29 – Chicken Nuggets, Dinner Roll, Peas, Assorted Fruit Choice
Tuesday, July 30 – Cheeseburger, Cheese-It Crackers, Cooked Carrots, Assorted Fruit Choice
Wednesday, July 31 – Turkey & Cheese Pretzel, Baked Potato Chips, Cucumber & Tomatoes, Apple & Fudge Cookie
Thursday, August 1 – Corn Dog, Cheese Cubes, Celery Sticks, Slushie
August 2024
Monday, August 5 – Chicken Patty on a Bun, SunChips, Green Beans, Assorted Fruit Choice
Tuesday, August 6 – Hot Dog, Cheddar Goldfish, Corn, Assorted Fruit Choice
Wednesday, August 7 – Ham & Cheese Bagel, Baked Potato Chips, Baby Carrots, Apple & Crème Cookie
Thursday, August 8 – Pizza, String Cheese, Broccoli, Slushie
Daily Alternate Lunch: PB&J Sandwich
Weather-related schedule/event changes – Week of June 17-21
Greetings Fort Plain CSD families,
I trust this letter finds everyone well and eagerly anticipating the fun that summer vacation can bring.
New York State has issued a heat advisory as temperatures may exceed 90 degrees in the coming days. Due to this, we are making several adjustments to ensure students remain safe and comfortable.
Harry Hoag Elementary School Updates
Unfortunately, we have canceled two elementary field trips that were scheduled for this week due to the extreme heat advisory. We were unable to ensure that adequate amounts of water and shade would be available at the off-site locations.
In addition, on Tuesday, June 18, and Thursday, June 20, we will serve student lunches earlier. This will allow us to have the air conditioned cafeteria accessible to all grade levels. We are making plans to show a movie and offer quiet activities such as computer-based games, board games and art projects in the cafeteria during the afternoon hours on both days. Teachers and students will also have access to the air conditioned computer lab and Library Media Center on those days.
Jr./Sr. High School Updates
For the remainder of this week, any local final exams that were scheduled to be given in the afternoon will be canceled and rescheduled. We have made arrangements for any scheduled Regents exams to be administered in the afternoon in Room 112, the library or the auditorium, as each space has air conditioning. Students and their families will receive a revised schedule for testing.
Other Reminders
Wednesday, June 19/Juneteenth—No school.
Friday, June 21—Early dismissal at 11:30 a.m. for Harry Hoag Elementary School students.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Crisman
Class of 2024 Senior Spotlights
Join us in celebrating the Class of 2024 with our Senior Spotlight!
Our senior class will be showcased here, on social media and on the digital display and morning announcements at the high school.
Thank you to the students in our high school Multimedia Class for their work preparing this year’s spotlights of our seniors.
Ethan Albright
Carter Baldwin
Sofia Bates
Karissa Battisti
Ezekiel Brown
Kelsey Buley
Lyrique Busch
Sarena Conley
Mason Cook
Amelia Cruger
Kaeden David
Kaitlyn Dodson
David Doxtader
Zen Dumond
Courtney Euler
Jasmine Fonda
Paul Grassel
Aidan Guile
Ayden Hart
Ryan Hazlett
Jordan Hillsgrove
Dwane Hisert
Shaun Hotaling
Kierstan Horender
Ethan Hubbard
Brady Keane
Payton Kretser
Monika Kulczynski
Alexis Maaser
McKanzie Marriott
Rafael Medina, Jr.
Steven Medina
Sadie Mollel
Michael Palmeri
Preston Paratore
Matthew Paul
Anand Ragoo
Gracelynn Rice
Devan Sanders
Zachary Sanders
Sarinda Sardina
Christina Schmidt
Chloe Sickler
Alex Smith
Andrew Spicci
Breanna Steinhauer
Destiny Torres
Delana Tracki
Austin VanGorder
Marissa Wilder
Ian Zuppardi
