Category: Harry Hoag News
Elementary, Jr. HS students to take grades 3-8 state tests
Students in grades 3 through 8 will be taking New York State assessments in math, English/Language Arts and science. Fort Plain’s principals shared the following information with their families.
Grades 3-6: Harry Hoag Principal Lauren Crisman has shared the following information with elementary families.
Greetings Harry Hoag Parents and Caregivers,
In the approaching months, the New York State Grades 3-8 Assessments will be administered.
Your child’s participation in the New York State Testing Program ensures that the professional community of FPCSD is able to assess the effectiveness of our teaching methods. We use the assessment data to examine student progress towards meeting the state standards for academic achievement.
Test & Harry Hoag Administration Dates:
Grades 3-5 ELA: March 29 and March 30
Grade 6 ELA: March 31 and April 1
Grades 3-5 Math: April 26 and April 27
Grade 6 Math: April 28 and April 29
Grade 4 Science Written: June 6
Details:
- Both the ELA and Mathematics exams have two parts (Day 1 and Day 2).
- The testing sessions remain untimed.
- Exams will be administered in the morning whenever possible.
- Sixth Grade will take the exams using a computer-based format.
I have every confidence that our faculty members have successfully prepared our learners for the upcoming assessments.
Please feel free to call me at (518) 993-4000, ext. 3059, to discuss any questions that you may have related to our testing procedures.
Proud to be Your Principal,
Lauren Crisman
Grades 7 and 8: Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School Principal Dr. Deborah Larrabee has shared the following information with 7th and 8th grade families
March 2022
Dear Parents and Caregivers of 7th and 8th Grade Students,
I am writing to provide you with information regarding the New York State Assessments for students in grades 7 and 8. Assessments are key to helping us determine where our students are and how we should adjust learning as we move forward. Your child’s participation in New York State’s testing program is one way for us to assess the effectiveness of our teaching methods.
Our 7th and 8th grade students will take assessments in English and mathematics using a computer-based testing format. Students in grade 8 will also be taking a science assessment. This year we return to a two-day testing model for all subjects. All testing sessions will remain untimed.
Test and Date/Time:
- 7 and 8 ELA – Session I: Wednesday, March 30 at 8 a.m.
- 7 and 8 ELA – Session II: Thursday, March 31 at 8 a.m.
- 7 and 8 Math – Session I: Wednesday, April 27 at 8 a.m.
- 7 and 8 Math – Session II: Thursday, April 28 at 8 a.m.
- 8 Science Performance: Tuesday, May 24, beginning at 8:15 a.m.
- 8 Science Written: Monday, June 6 at 8 a.m.
I am confident that our teachers have prepared our students well for the upcoming assessments. Please have your child get plenty of sleep before test days and encourage them to do their very best. If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at (518) 993-4000 ext. 2124.
Best,
Deborah Larrabee, Ed.D.
Principal
Comic strip myths illustrate serious knowledge
As part of their social studies unit about ancient Greece, 6th grade students at Harry Hoag School illustrated classic Greek myths. More than a social studies lesson, the project tapped the students’ research, writing and creative skills while showing what they learned in their classes.
The projects are displayed throughout the school. In addition to the photos below, please visit our Facebook album.
Students teach students about proper dental care
From two college students to a roomful of younger learners, good dental care was the lesson of the day on March 2 at Harry Hoag School.
The children learned how to take care of their teeth from guest speaker Danielle Alkinburgh, who visited Michelle Searles’ class, where her son is a student.
Danielle, who is studying to be a dental hygienist, was accompanied by co-presenter and fellow HVCC student Katelyn Roser, and they provided an interactive oral hygiene presentation to the children as part of their dental hygiene coursework.
“Danielle and Katelyn planned some fun, hands-on experiences for the kids, including an activity for brushing (painting) the mouth on paper with a toothbrush for two minutes, and using mega blocks with playdough in between the spaces to simulate flossing for two minutes,” Michelle Searles said. “Danielle’s son is very proud of his mom, and the students enjoyed a great learning experience!”
Harry Hoag students enjoy learning a lifetime sport
Michael Meier’s and Mark Hitchcock’s physical education classes at Harry Hoag School had a great time learning how to snowshoe just before their winter break, a fun outdoor activity they can enjoy for years to come.
“Late this past fall, we were lucky to be able to place an order for snowshoes for Harry Hoag,” Meier said. “Just before February break, we received the order and quickly took advantage of the snow still left on the ground. Our second through sixth grade students took to the fields behind the school and learned a valuable lifetime skill that promotes outdoor health and fitness.
“The students gave the new snow shoes a try during our phys ed classes and overall, had a great time!”
View more photos in our Facebook album.
Harry Hoag students achieve 2nd Q Honor Roll and Principal’s List
Harry Hoag School is proud to announce the 2021-22 second quarter Honor Roll and Principal’s List. The Honor Roll and Principal’s List recognize outstanding achievement and effort. Congratulations to the following students:
Honor Roll
Grade 5
Daniel Bowley
Aiden Cruger
Jessie Fink
Conner Hearn
Hattie Hogan
David Jones
Isaac Passero
Anthony Polidori
Sophia Shutter
Issac Tompkins
Grade 6
Alexis Bowley
Adrian Brown
Alexa Conley
Gabriella Kellogg
Andrew MacNeill
Xavier Rodriguez
Cody Rulison
Principal’s List
Grade 5
Asher Barber
Halleli Brackett
Alyvia Castellano
Xzavier Cool
Lexis Downes
Alexandra Hinkle
Justin Hisert
Khloe Hisert
McKenna Hisert
Joshua LaQuee
Madden Lathers
Jazmain Leonard
Kenyan Leverock
Connor Lochner
Lainie McDuffee
Hailee Moore
Jack Parkinson
Zoe Paul
Mary Pomatto
Braddock Putnam
Carl Reese III
Karson Rhodes
Trent Richards
Sequoia Robarge
Dylan Salerno
Molly Shults
Jaymes Smith
Anna-Belle Snyder
Gavin Souza
Lilly St. Pierre
Giavanna Suiter
Makenna Sweet
Kinley Trumbull
Kiana Tyler
Jordan Williams II
Grade 6
Evalyn Ballmes
Joseph Barr
Caleigh Bartholomew
Blake Battisti
Eliyahna Brackett
Ava Brown
Sophia Brownell
Dio Callan
Emma Dillenbeck
Mason Dunbar-Eller
Jordan Gallt
Brianne Gallt
Violet Handy
David Hillsgrove Jr.
Brianna Hisert
Lincoln Kretser
Blake Lapi
AshLyn Lewis
Paige Lochner
George Mang
Sean McGuire
Elijah Muha
E’nyjah Oldick
Cristopher Quiroz-Romero
Sawyer Raymond
Jasmine Rumrill
Charlotte Sherwood
Camden Smith
Gabreilla Steinhauer
Daija Suits
Dorian Tracki
Zachary Walsh
Evan Weaver
Animals do the talking while students learn, create and teach
Dr. Dolittle may have talked to the animals, but at Harry Hoag Elementary on Jan. 26, 2022, the animals talked to the second graders, thanks to their older schoolmates.
Students in Jade VanGorder’s fourth grade class researched, wrote and illustrated books about the life cycle of animals as part of an integrated English/language arts and science project. Each story was told from the vantage point of the animal, be it a panther, fox, tiger or other creature great or small. The students then read their books to second grade classes.
“In addition to what they learned during our study of animals during science class, the students conducted their own research to gather information about the life cycle of their chosen animal from various sources,” VanGorder said.
“Then, they had to tell their life story from that animal’s point of view. I encouraged the children to use lots of details, giving their readers a vivid description of each stage. The students illustrated pictures along the way to enhance their stories even more.
“The fourth graders were so excited and so proud to complete their books and read them to the second grade classes.”
The project was a hit with all. VanGorder shared a few of her students’ comments after they read to the second graders:
“This was soooo much fun.”
“It was really cool, because I got to talk about black panthers and answer lots of questions.”
“The group of second graders LOVED it because they were asking lots of questions!”
“I really liked reading to them because they loved my fun facts section.”
Writing and sharing books isn’t limited to Harry Hoag’s fourth grade students. Kindergartners recently hosted sixth graders for an author celebration event, where the younger learners shared their written pieces with the older students, then toasted their work with fruit juice. Elementary Principal Lauren Crisman noted, “It is great to see more author celebrations at Harry Hoag!”
Virtual Reality kits are real learning for Harry Hoag students
Harry Hoag students went around the world without leaving Matt Heiser’s technology classroom in early December, literally viewing the ends of the earth, the Amazon rainforest, lower Manhattan and beyond while learning about science, geography, ancient cultures and more.
“We borrowed Virtual Reality kits from the Northeastern Regional Information Center (NERIC) for two weeks that included software and VR goggles,” Heiser said. “In our Tech class, students in grades two through six viewed places that align with their curriculum.”
The VR goggles provide a 3-D view that changes as a student moves their head up, down and side to side. For example, a VR view of the rainforest through goggles shows flora and fauna on the forest floor to birds in the canopy and sky above, and everything in between.
The VR technology made the following come alive for students:
- Second graders explored the North and South Poles
- Third graders viewed various natural habitats
- Fourth graders visited New York City
- Fifth graders visited National Parks
- Sixth graders viewed ancient Egypt
The students reacted to their experiences with wonder and excitement, asking questions and showing a desire to learn more about what they were exploring. Virtual Reality truly made their subjects come alive.
“The VR kits were a hit. I wish we had them all year,” Heiser said.
Constitutional learning is in the cards
Students in Mr. Hanifin’s 5th grade social studies class at Harry Hoag School have been learning about the U.S. government and the Constitution. An early December afternoon found them testing their knowledge by playing Constitution Cards, a term/definition matching game.
The students assembled into small teams and had a certain amount of time to turn over slips of paper and match terms from the Constitution with definitions. They used study guides they had earlier completed during the game, which also built on previous lessons about the structure and function of the U.S. government.
“Making an exercise into a game works well, because the students are competitive,” Mr. Hanifin noted.
Harry Hoag students achieve Honor Roll and Principal’s List
Harry Hoag School is proud to announce the 2021-22 first quarter Honor Roll and Principal’s List. The Honor Roll and Principal’s List recognize outstanding achievement and effort.
Congratulations to the following students:
Honor Roll:
Grade 5:
Alyvia Castellano
Xzavier Cool
Aiden Cruger
Anthony Polidori
Dylan Salerno
Grade 6:
Alexis Bowley
Gabriella Kellogg
E’nyjah Oldick
Cody Rulison
Principal’s List:
Grade 5:
Asher Barber
Halleli Brackett
Lexis Downes
Jessie Fink
Conner Hearn
Alexandra Hinkle
Justin Hisert
Khloe Hisert
McKenna Hisert
Hattie Hogan
David Jones
Joshua LaQuee
Madden Lathers
Jazmain Leonard
Kenyan Leverock
Connor Lochner
Lainie McDuffee
Hailee Moore
Jack Parkinson
Isaac Passero
Zoe Paul
Mary Pomatto
Braddock Putnam
Carl Reese III
Karson Rhodes
Trent Richards
Sequoia Robarge
Molly Shults
Jaymes Smith
Anna-Belle Snyder
Gavin Souza
Giavanna Suiter
Makenna Sweet
Issac Tompkins
Kinley Trumbull
Kiana Tyler
Jordan Williams II
Grade 6:
Evalyn Ballmes
Joseph Barr
Caleigh Bartholomew
Blake Battisti
Eliyahna Brackett
Ava Brown
Sophia Brownell
Dio Callan
Emma Dillenbeck
Mason Dunbar-Eller
Jordan Gallt
Brianne Gallt
Violet Handy
David Hillsgrove Jr.
Brianna Hisert
Sedona Horning
Lincoln Kretser
Blake Lapi
AshLyn Lewis
Paige Lochner
Andrew MacNeill
George Mang
Sean McGuire
Elijah Muha
Cristopher Quiroz-Romero
Sawyer Raymond
Xavier Rodriguez
Jasmine Rumrill
Charlotte Sherwood
Camden Smith
Gabreilla Steinhauer
Daija Suits
Dorian Tracki
Zachary Walsh
Evan Weaver
STEM isn’t scary, but it can trap a monster
They read, they planned, they designed and they crafted: Fort Plain first graders used lots of their STEM skills to create monster traps just in time for Halloween.
Led by teachers Caitlin Baker, Ashley Bargstedt, Stephanie Boyer and Ashley Searles, the classes first read the stories “Monster Trouble” and “How to Catch a Monster.”
“Then, on Tuesday, Oct. 26, the students devised a plan for their project,” Baker said. “We talked about how engineers make up a plan before they invent something, and then follow through with testing out lots of different materials. There were no rules except to share and try to trap the monsters. We talked about things that would not work to trap the monsters.”
On Wednesday and Thursday, the first grade classrooms were a whirlwind of creative activity as the students worked on their projects. Scissors snipped and glue flowed as they transformed boxes and paper, pipe cleaners and cotton, tape and tongue depressors into detailed monster traps bedecked with glitter, decals, ribbons, googly eyes and original artwork.
On Friday, Oct. 29, the traps will go home for a real Halloween road test.
Building a monster trap taps into STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) skills, plus reading and communicating, sharing and problem-solving, creating and presenting, and working as a team.