Category: District News
Harnessing solar and wind energy to cook and race
Meagan Heiser’s fourth grade students at Harry Hoag School recently learned about using the sun’s energy by creating a solar oven and using it to roast s’mores.
“We also learned about energy in motion by creating balloon-powered cars and raced them down the hallway,” Heiser said.
Students have been involved in lots of innovative learning projects this year in our schools.
Free summer meals for all students in our community
Free breakfast and lunch will be available for students through age 18 Mondays through Thursdays this summer at Fort Plain schools.
Meals will be available from June 28 through Aug. 10 at Harry Hoag Elementary School, and from July 10 through Aug. 3 at Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School.
Both sites are open to all area children and teens.
Breakfast will be available at Harry Hoag from 7:45-9:15 a.m., and at FPHS from 7:30-9 a.m.
Lunch will be available at Harry Hoag and FPHS from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Join us for nutritious and free meals. Just stop in!
To view more USDA free summer meal sites, visit
https://www.fns.usda.gov/meals4kids
[posted 6/12/23; reposted 6/23/23]
Digital Fluency students celebrate great gains
Students in Wendy Stokna’s Digital Fluency class at Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School are celebrating great gains.
Student progress in keyboarding was tracked by looking at the Net Words Per Minute (NWPM) that adjusts speed for accuracy. Collectively the classes started the school year averaging 17 NWPM with a range of 1 to 53 NWPM, and they finished the year averaging 40 NWPM with a range of 21 to 83 NWPM!
“That is an average growth of 23 Net Words Per Minute in one year!” Stokna said. “In each class, students start with a small amount of time using best practices in keyboarding, most importantly trying not to look at their hands and developing muscle memory.
“Just the practice of 10 minutes per class every other day created this amazing result. I want to express to my students how proud I am of their growth of this necessary 21st Century skill!”
6th grade students scope out FPHS
Fort Plain’s 6th grade students enjoyed a preview of their upcoming junior/senior high school days when they toured and explored FPHS on June 14. Their insider’s view came with lunch and a Q&A session with upperclassmen.
Grades 7-9 school counselor Mrs. Kayla Mahoney coordinated the event to support the students’ transition to junior high school in the fall. Grades 10-12 school counselor Elliott Cohen also guided students at the event.
Eleventh grade students volunteered as tour guides and panel participants. Tour stops included each 7th grade core classroom as well as the cafeteria, auditorium, library, gym and various offices in the high school.
“The students also practiced what their lunchtime routine would be like and enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by the high school cafeteria staff,” Mahoney said.
“In the auditorium, students heard from Mr. Bertram, athletic director, about opportunities in athletics at the 7th grade level. Then, they had the opportunity to ask questions about 7th grade and the junior/senior high school to the panel of juniors.”
Welcome to FPHS, rising seventh graders!
Fort Plain grad, published author and microbiologist shares with students
Fort Plain Class of 2011 graduate Chelsea Koch Ross is a microbiologist by day, but at night and in her free time, she writes – and gets published. The author of “Creatures Most Vile,” a novel for young adults, Chelsea recently shared her experiences with fifth and sixth grade students.
Chelsea writes under the pen name Chelsea Lauren. She met with the students at Harry Hoag School to talk about being a writer and having her novel published.
“The students were given the opportunity to ask questions. They were very excited to hear about her book and the experience she had writing it,” said Eileen Kretser, guided reading teaching assistant. “She writes as a hobby, and is a microbiologist with New York State.”
Chelsea has also shared her knowledge and experiences with high school students. Last school year, she visited with English classes at FPHS, including the English 11 Honors class where she once was a student.
After graduating from Fort Plain, Chelsea attended Hartwick College in Oneonta, where she double-majored in biology and chemistry. Chelsea developed her love for writing after taking a college creative writing course.
Fort Plain partners with Montgomery County’s “Pastport” to History program
Fort Plain Central School District is proud to partner with Montgomery County Tourism for the “Pastport” to History program, a fun and engaging way for students and their families to learn and explore our extraordinary past.
“The ‘Pastport’ is a gateway to 17 historic sites, all located right here in our own community and perfect for a family-friendly, fun experience,” said Montgomery County Executive Mattew L. Ossenfort. “Through this special program, every child that brings their ‘Pastport’ to a Mongomery County historic site will receive FREE admission and a special ‘entry stamp.’ Students who collect at least 10 stamps will be entered in a special contest to receive a historic Montgomery County prize pack.”
The “Pastport” will be available in the elementary and high school entrance kiosks, or may be downloaded as a pdf here.
The county historian will be visiting schools next year to hear what students learned while exploring Montgomery County and to talk about the county’s rich history.
Gr. 9-12 exams and Chromebook collection schedule
The following grades 9-12 June 2023 exams and Chromebook collection schedule has been shared via ParentSquare with high school families. Best of luck to all of our students on your exams and thank you for returning your Chromebooks.
VFW honors winning student essay authors, teachers
VFW Post 3275 Commander Thomas Elwood recently visited FPHS to honor the winners of the VFW’s annual Patriot’s Pen and Voices of Democracy essay contests. Commander Elwood also presented two Teacher of the Year awards to Fort Plain educators.
Congratulations to our student essay winners:
Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest- Theme: My Pledge to Our Veterans
1st place – Lilly Lapi
2nd place – Levi Hext
3rd place – Silas Smith
(All are 8th grade students)
Voices of Democracy Essay Contest – Theme: Why is the Veteran Important?
1st place – Alex Smith (11th grade)
The winning essay writers read their essays in front of the entire 8th grade.
Kolbe Gray was honored as the 6th-8th grade VFW Teacher of the Year, and Casey Russom was honored as the 9th-12th grade VFW Teacher of the Year.
Congratulations to all!
5k fun for Girls on the Run
Our Girls on the Run team finished their 10-week program with a fun-filled 5K race in Oneonta on Sunday, June 4. It was a beautiful day, and the venue was filled with music, prizes, fun activities and lots of camaraderie.
“It was a day overflowing with girl empowerment!” said Girls on the Run volunteer Meagan Heiser. “We’re looking forward to another exciting season of learning and growing next spring with GOTR. Great job girls! We are so proud of you!”
See how our Girls on the Run program is about much more than miles.
Read about how our team helped others and supported each other.
Girls on the Run is a twice-weekly, afterschool program for 5th and 6th grade students where trained volunteers lead girls through interactive lessons and movement activities, that culminates in a celebratory 5K in June.
HS yearbooks available
There are still some high school yearbooks available for purchase, beginning the week of June 12.
The books are $40. To purchase, see Mrs. Summerfield or Mrs. Cole in the high school.