Category: Harry Hoag News
Harry Hoag Student Council holds food & personal items drive for Senior Center
February is the month when we celebrate Valentine’s Day, and the Harry Hoag Student Council is showing their love for their community. Through Feb. 17th, the Council is collecting non-perishable food and personal care items for the Fort Plain Senior Center. Donations may be sent to an elementary student’s homeroom or dropped off during school hours at the Harry Hoag School entry kiosk.
Student Council members said they wanted to give back to their community. They decided to hold a drive to benefit the Senior Center after enjoying a visit there, they wanted to help seniors who access the center. To add some fun to the drive, the Council is holding a competition to see which grade donates the most items.
“The Student Council and all of Harry Hoag School appreciates any donations to the drive,” Elementary Principal Jodi Coppolo said. “February is a month when we emphasize the importance of kindness – although we talk about it all year long at Harry Hoag School – and a kind action or word can make someone’s day. We continue to encourage these random and intentional acts. Thank you to all in our school community for supporting our efforts.”
In the photos:
At top: Harry Hoag students start counting and collecting donations for the Senior Center drive.
At bottom: A collection bag outside a classroom
Hedgehogs help little learners build literacy skills and more
Joanne Kennedy’s Pre-Kindergarten students are exploring winter through literacy, and they’ve also learned some cosmic yoga skills, all thanks to hedgehogs.
“In Pre-K we read the story, ‘The Hat’ by Jan Brett,” said Kennedy. “My students fell in love with the character Hedgie. Of course, they also love Sonic the Hedgehog. So ‘A Cosmic Kids Yoga Adventure with Sonic the Hedgehog’ was a perfect match for our Fun Friday activity.”
On Jan. 13, Sonic and his friend Jamie led the students through a fun yoga practice via video. “Pre-K students have so much power and energy like Sonic, but they also learned the importance of rest to balance it all out to be the best they can be,” Kennedy said. “What a fun adventure with Sonic the Hedgehog!”
Helping students use digital tools safely and effectively
Harry Hoag students will learn how to use online resources safely and effectively through three special presentations in their school.
On Friday, Jan. 13, and on Feb. 17 and March 10, the Integrated Community Alternatives Network (ICAN), a nonprofit organization, will present to kindergarten through 6th grade classes about digital safety, the appropriate use of technology and how to navigate the internet responsibly.
School Counselor Stephanie Macherone organized the visits, with each presentation geared appropriately to meet each particular grade level’s developmental needs.
“The presentations are designed to increase our students’ understanding of digital safety, help them to become more mindful of their technology usage and increase their knowledge of how to navigate the internet safely,” said Elementary Principal Jodi Coppolo. “Our goal is to educate students and provide them with the tools, skills and strategies they need to become digitally literate.”
Vaping and e-cigarette use is a troubling trend
January 11, 2023
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The use of vaping paraphernalia and e-cigarettes has increased both nationwide and locally, becoming the most commonly used tobacco products among our youth. This is a troubling trend.
While these odorless tools are often marketed as safer and healthier alternatives to traditional cigarettes, to inhale nicotine, THC, flavored substances, and various synthetic chemicals, they are neither safe nor healthy.
Our school district is very concerned about the increase in vaping among students. Here is some important information for our Fort Plain families.
Teen vaping — 6 things every parent/guardian needs to know
- Slang terms: E-cigs, e-hookahs, hookah pens, vapes, vape pens, JUULs, “jeweling,” mods (customizable, more powerful vaporizers).
- Vaping devices can be used to inhale flavored substances – such as mint, crème brulée or mango. Many people are under the impression that it’s safe to inhale nicotine-free water vapors, but recent studies show otherwise. Flavoring agents can cause “popcorn lung” – a scarring of the tiny air sacs in the lungs that results in the thickening and narrowing of airways. Popcorn lung mirrors the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.
- Vaping devices can be used to inhale substances that contain nicotine, THC (the chemical compound in marijuana that produces the high), opiates and synthetic substances.
- Inhaling from a vaporizer enhances a drug user’s high and can amplify a drug’s side effects. That’s because it delivers a far more potent form of whatever drug is being used. The chemicals in synthetic drugs are dangerous and potentially fatal in cases of overdose.
- Vaping synthetic drugs is more discreet than other forms of drug abuse. Because e-cigarettes can resemble everyday ballpoint pens or USB memory sticks, they are easy to hide. E-cigarettes and vaping pens are odorless.
- E-cigarettes and pen vaporizers are easy to acquire for underage users.
Signs of vaping abuse and what parents/guardians can do
Parents/guardians can be on the alert for signs of vaping abuse. They can:
- Watch for physiological symptoms and side effects that may indicate their teen has a vaping abuse problem. These can include dry mouth syndrome, nosebleeds and strange, erratic behavior.
- Familiarize themselves with what e-cigarettes look like and how the devices work, so that they are able to identify them in the hands of their teens.
Student use of vaping paraphernalia on campus, school grounds and school buses is a violation of the Code of Conduct. Students who violate the Code of Conduct are subject to consequences outlined in the code.
Please review the fact sheet graphic below to learn more about vaping and its associated dangers. We encourage you to talk to your child about vaping, and remind them that state and federal laws prohibit them from purchasing tobacco products and e-cigarettes.
Thank you for your support and cooperation. If you have any questions related to our prevention and intervention efforts, please contact Jr./Sr. High School Principal Dr. Deborah Larrabee at deborah.larrabee@fortplain.org or the Elementary Principal Mrs. Jodi Coppolo at jodi.coppolo@fortplain.org.
Sincerely,
Lauren Crisman
Superintendent
Proud to be a Hilltopper: Anna-Belle, Harry Hoag Student Council Rep
Hilltopper pride is strong in Fort Plain. Our Topper Pride video series explores the many reasons members of the Fort Plain school community, including students, alumni, faculty, staff and administrators, are proud of the experiences, knowledge and friendships they gained here.
Proud to be a Hilltopper: Harry Hoag Student Council Rep Anna-Belle
Anna-Belle is the 6th grade representative on the Harry Hoag Elementary School Student Council. Listen to why Anna-Belle is proud to be a Topper.
Congratulations to the D.A.R.E. Class of 2022
Congratulations to our 6th Grade D.A.R.E. graduates. They were recognized and presented with diplomas at a Dec. 19 ceremony in the Harry Hoag gym by D.A.R.E. instructor and master of ceremonies Deputy Nick Manginelli, Sheriff Jeffery T. Smith, Elementary Principal Jodi Coppolo and Superintendent Lauren Crisman.
“The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is proud to partner with our local school districts in providing D.A.R.E. instruction to our youth,” said Sheriff Smith. “Making good decisions is the foundation of becoming a responsible adult.
“We thank the students, parents, staff and community for being part of this very important process. Congratulations to the graduates; take these lessons learned forward and continue to make us proud! Thank you.”
D.A.R.E. teaches students to resist drugs and violence and empowers them to lead lives free from violence, substance abuse and other dangerous behaviors.
In the photos:
At top: Deputy Nick Manginelli addresses the students and audience. Middle photo: The graduates look at their diplomas. Bottom photo: These students greeted and handed out programs to those attending the ceremony.
Proud to be Hilltoppers: The officers of the Harry Hoag Student Council
Hilltopper pride is strong in Fort Plain. Our Topper Pride video series explores the many reasons members of the Fort Plain school community, including students, alumni, faculty, staff and administrators, are proud of the experiences, knowledge and friendships they gained here.
Proud to be Toppers: The officers of the Harry Hoag Student Council
The Harry Hoag School Student Council is led by 6th grade students Molly, Lainie, Coco and Gavin, who serve as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer, respectively. Listen to why our Student Council officers are proud to be Toppers!
Welcome to the Fort Plain Free Library!
Harry Hoag first graders and their teachers toured the Fort Plain Free Library Monday morning, Dec. 12, before participating in a library scavenger hunt, snacking on popcorn and creating spiral snow people and paper tree ornaments. The collaborative program was the first in a series that will take place over the next few months.
Special Projects Library Assistant at the Fort Plain Free Library Linda Kellett said, “We are grateful to Fort Plain District Superintendent Lauren Crisman, the first-grade teachers and aides, and the staff at the bus garage who helped to make this inaugural program a reality!”
About the tour and program at the Fort Plain Free Library, Superintendent Crisman said, “Today was a dream come true! We thank the library for their efforts to provide our students with this enrichment. I hope this collaboration fosters new interest to engage with the library’s programming beyond the school day. I deeply appreciate their willingness to host us.”
A message from the superintendent
December 9, 2022
Dear Students, Parents, Colleagues and Community Members,
From my family to yours, wishing everyone joy and happiness during the holiday season! May you take time this month to enjoy those you cherish most while making wonderful memories. We certainly have a lot to be grateful for as a community!
The early 2020s brought extraordinary challenges to all families, staff, teachers, school leaders and communities as a whole. With the pandemic complications behind us, it feels good to have a renewed focus on the District vision, to prepare all students for success beyond graduation.
The first half of the 2022-2023 school year was a productive time and as we approach the December vacation, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported FPCSD to make our many successes possible.
Throughout the fall, school teams regularly met to discuss teaching, learning and best practices to support student achievement. The administrators had thoughtful planning sessions dedicated to improving academic and social-emotional learning. The students had full access to learning and participation in co-curricular activities and athletic competitions.
Our long-standing FPCSD traditions resumed. Fifth graders hiked Kane Mountain and the National Honor Society was able to run a Blood Drive for community service. Student athletes felt support from live spectators. School visitors returned to enjoy activities like the Kindergarten Finger Food Feast, Morning Program and the Pacers Program. It was a rejuvenating feeling to see the campus buzzing once more with traffic from school-related and community-affiliated events.
As we continue to make plans for the future, we will keep our focus on what is most essential, the wellbeing of our school community members and our commitment to deliver robust instruction that prepares all students for success in whatever path their future holds.
If you wish to be part of conversations about FPCSD’s mission and vision and related action plans, I invite you to join me on January 11th at 5:00 p.m. in the Harry Hoag Library for another Community Conversation. The focus topic will be The Student Experience: Engagement and Advancement.
Again, I am truly honored to serve as your superintendent. I remain committed to shaping a future where our students prosper.
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Crisman
Guided reading students find sinking a foul shot is no easy task
A boy named Eddie Ball has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to win a million dollars. All he has to do is sink one foul shot during half time at the NBA finals. Eileen Kretser’s 5th grade guided reading class recently discovered that this is no easy task.
The students are currently reading the book, “The Million Dollar Shot,” written by Dan Gutman. This week, they tried their hand at sinking a shot in a basketball hoop in the Harry Hoag gym.
“The students had fun taking foul shots to understand and connect with Eddie Ball,” Kretser said. “They quickly learned it wasn’t easy. They find out this week whether he sinks the shot and wins the million dollars.
“It’s a great book. Check it out for yourself!”
