Category: Harry Hoag News
Sixth graders present anti-bullying play for their younger peers
In honor of October as Anti-Bullying Month, sixth grade students at Harry Hoag School performed the play “Cars in Conflict or Is It Bullying” for the Oct. 22, 2021, Morning Program.
“Under the direction of School Counselor Mrs. Macherone, the older students did a beautiful job of teaching their younger peers about bullying behaviors and what to do when faced with those situations,” said Principal Lauren Crisman. “We are very proud of our sixth graders for promoting a positive school culture.”
View more photos on the Fort Plain Facebook page.
Celebrating National Heroes Week with Sergeant Smith and K9 Bud
Harry Hoag Elementary students enjoyed an extra-special morning program on October 8, when they celebrated National Heroes Week. Teacher Ashley Bargstedt introduced Sergeant Smith with K9 Bud to the students. Sergeant Smith then showed them what Bud can do and talked about Bud’s role in police work. Thank you to our local heroes!
Fire Prevention Day teaches important lessons to Harry Hoag students
You are never too young to learn about fire prevention. Thank you to our local Fort Plain firefighters for teaching important lessons to Harry Hoag students on Tuesday, Oct. 5. It was a great day for all, including these Pre-K students.
Rabbits, turtles and paper plates help little Hilltoppers learn music
Mrs. Kennedy’s Pre-K class at Harry Hoag School recently skated to Johann Strauss’s classical music during their lesson in Mrs. Sincavage’s music class. The students are learning about different tempos in music and comparing fast-like-a-rabbit and slow-like-a-turtle beats. “Skating” slowly on paper plates worked just great!
Sept. 10 visit with “Ground Zero” author inspires and informs students
A virtual visit with an award-winning author has inspired Harry Hoag students to delve into a history-based novel. They also gained an insider’s view of how a book is researched, organized and written.
On Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, Mrs. Colvin’s fifth grade Guided Reading class participated in a virtual visit with Alan Gratz, the author of “Ground Zero.”
“We learned how long it took Mr. Gratz to research information to write this book,” Colvin said. “He also showed us how he separates all the information he collects and sorts it into the chapters of the book.
“He also talked about the storyline of the book. After Mr. Gratz’s presentation, my students are ready and very excited to start reading ‘Ground Zero’.”
Information about “Ground Zero” is posted on Alan Gratz’s webpage.
Meet Harry Hoag’s new teachers
New elementary school teachers are among the new staff at Fort Plain Central School District this fall. Harry Hoag School Principal Lauren Crisman and all at FPCSD extend a warm welcome to:
Stephanie Boyer
Harry Hoag welcomes Stephanie Boyer as a new first grade teacher. Mrs. Boyer earned her master’s degree in education from Utica College. Before joining FPCSD, Mrs. Boyer taught second grade in West Canada Valley CSD. When she’s not working, she enjoys going for a run, lifting weights or spending time with her husband and son.
Ashley Searles
Harry Hoag welcomes Ashley Searles as a new first grade teacher. Mrs. Searles earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from The College of St. Rose. Before joining FPCSD, Mrs. Searles taught kindergarten in Richfield Springs CSD and first grade at Cherry Valley- Springfield CSD. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Searles loves spending time with her three kids and husband while sipping on her favorite drink, iced coffee.
Miranda Dornburgh
Harry Hoag welcomes Miranda Dornburgh as a new music teacher. Ms. Dornburgh earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from the College of St. Rose.
Ms. Dornburgh shared with us, “Last year, I filled a long-term music position at my alum where I taught general music. As a college student, you always hope to experience the light behind the student’s eyes when what you were teaching them finally clicks. I experienced that during a 6th grade general music lesson when a student finally got the concept I was teaching. He yelled ‘I love music!’ and jumped out of his seat and did a happy dance. This is why I teach. I want to share my love music and inspire others to love it too.”
Her passion for, and support of, music education made her the ideal candidate to join our FPCSD team.
Shannon Cechnicki
Harry Hoag welcomes Shannon Cechnicki to the team. Ms. Cechnicki has dual certifications in the area of Childhood Education 1-6 and Special Education 1-6. She became a teacher because she loves watching students learn and grow. Prior to joining FPCSD, she taught special education in Johnstown CSD. When she is at home, Ms. Cechnicki enjoys going on hiking trips and attending youth sports with her sons.
Welcome new staff!
Fort Plain Central School welcomes the following new staff to our campuses this school year.
- Jenna Barhydt, Teacher Aide, High School
- Stephanie Boyer, Elementary Teacher, 1st Grade, Harry Hoag School
- Shannon Cechnicki, Special Education Teacher, Harry Hoag School
- Tariyka Chaulk, Library Media Specialist, District-wide
- Samuel Cruger, Cleaner, Buildings & Grounds
- Miranda Dornburgh, Music Teacher, District-wide
- Kevin Florian, Bus Driver
- Kayleigh Grimm, Jr./Sr. High School ELA Teacher, High School
- Rachel Heroth, Educational Technology Specialist, High School
- Mark Hitchcock, Physical Education Teacher
- Tim Liebing, Cleaner, Buildings & Grounds
- Brittney McIntosh, Teacher Aide, High School
- Bradley Nichols, Bus Driver
- Eliza Putman, Bus Driver
- Allison Ramsey, Teacher Aide, High School
- Ashley Searles, Elementary Teacher, 1st Grade, Harry Hoag School
- Kimberly Skramko, Teacher Aide, Harry Hoag School
- Morgan VanAvery, Cleaner, Buildings & Grounds
Some of the staff joined our district during June and July. Additional staff members will be on the agenda for approval at the September Board of Education meeting. Welcome to all!
Welcome to Fort Plain and ParentSquare
A warm welcome to families who are new to our school district this fall. Fort Plain Central School uses a program called ParentSquare to communicate with our students’ parents and guardians. It’s easy to use and keeps our families posted about district and school news, classroom updates and happenings. ParentSquare uses contact information provided by parents and guardians, gives them a choice of when and how to receive messages, and can be easily downloaded as an app. Read more about ParentSquare.
Harry Hoag 4th Q Principal’s List & Honor Roll announced
Congratulations to the following Harry Hoag students for achieving Principal’s List and Honor Roll for the 4th quarter of the 2020-21 school year. Great work!
Principal’s List
5th grade
Alexis Bowley
Sean McGuire
Joseph Barr
Caleigh Bartholomew
Blake Lapi
George Mang
Cristopher Quiroz-Romero
Elijah Smith
Daija Suits
Evan Weaver
E’nyjah Oldick
Jordan Gallt
Brianne Gallt
Dorian Tracki
Dio Callan
Eliyahna Brackett
Violet Handy
Elijah Muha
6th grade
Kala Clapper
Mason Gray
Brayden Hakes
Hailey Hayes
Brooke Jones
Lilly Lapi
Madison Lewis
Trent Marriott
Elle Nare
Alexis Palmeri
Zionna Robarge
Kendra Sackett
Larry Sanders III
Silas Smith
Brady Spaulding
Riley Spraker
Kiera St.Louis
Caitlyn Stephens
Jordan Thackrah
Landon VanGorder
Cheyanne Wall
Aaliyah Delgado
Jordyn Best
Jay Kwasny
Kaylee Minckler
Jansheen Haider
Kayden Battisti
Levi Hext
Brodie Poultney
Sage Smith
Gamliel Brackett
Faith Narzymski
Lyllie Handy
Nathalieann Hisert
Dameon Trant
Trinity Belliveau
Josiah Darrow
Jeremy Gebhardt
Harry Hoag 4th Q Honor Roll
5th grade
Sophia Brownell
Mason Dunbar-Eller
Sedona Horning
Lincoln Kretser
Gabreilla Steinhauer
Peter Stone IV
Sawyer Raymond
Paige Lochner
Camden Smith
Xavier Rodriguez
6th grade
Gavin Massie
Ziva Barber
Keagan Dodson
Olivia Bailey
Jonathan Palmeri
Faith Clark
Morgan Prime
Honoring our retirees
As the school year comes to a close, Fort Plain bids farewell to 10 dedicated employees who are retiring from the district. Collectively, their time here adds up to more than 230 years of service to the school community. Staff and students alike will miss them. Congratulations and best wishes to Mike Cardamone, Nancy Cole, Jean Davis, Bonnie Hanifin, Carol Hecht, Cheryl Lamb, Mary McCall, Loren Miller, Lisa Petty, and Mary VanPatten.
Mike Cardamone joined the Fort Plain school community as a school bus driver in 2006. He has always demonstrated the highest degree of professionalism, and he takes great pride in his work. Mike has always been able to connect with students of all ages. Most particularly, he has been a positive role model for those high school students who attended HFM BOCES. Mike has delayed his plan to retire for the past several years now, mostly because he didn’t want to leave the students. However, the time has now come. In his retirement he will focus on his personal business and his family.
Nancy Cole has over 30 years of experience working in the cleaning industry. She has served Fort Plain Central School District since 2017. Nancy is known for her high cleaning standards and team leadership and for her outgoing personality. She has been a wonderful co-worker and friend to many members of the school community. Retirement will not slow her down. She plans to continue working for the town office, engaging in outdoor adventures and spending time with her family. Her positive attitude and high energy will be greatly missed here at Fort Plain.
Jean Davis is a Fort Plain graduate who has worked in the school for 30 years. Friendly, kind and always willing to help, Jean is the one who will try new recipes with the students in Mrs. Petty’s Life Skills class. She is best known for her creativity, whether it is making treats in the classroom or decorating the hallway with festive colorful displays. While Jean is a self-proclaimed homebody who enjoys gardening, she and her husband, Bob, recently bought a trailer. Their travel plans include some trips to Maine to visit their son and his family.
Bonnie Hanifin is retiring after serving Harry Hoag Elementary School for over two decades. Bonnie is an outstanding educator whose contributions to the school community will never be forgotten. Most recently, she served as an interventionist in the area of mathematics. She worked with students of all ages to develop deeper understanding of math concepts and collaborated with her peers to integrate hands-on learning experiences into every classroom. Harry Hoag will miss Bonnie deeply, and we wish her health and happiness in retirement!
Carol Hecht has been with her Fort Plain family for 12 years. She started in food service, then became the friendly face that greeted everyone when they entered the building at the junior-senior high school. Her kind words, shy smile, patience and willingness to help everyone will be missed. Carol does not have a concrete retirement plan. Long term, she will probably sell her house. She has six children and figures she can stay with each of them for a while. Short term, she wants to visit her son, Joe, who is stationed in Maryland. Carol knew she had to make a change, and she says this is her start.
Cheryl Lamb is a Fort Plain graduate who has served the Fort Plan Central School District for more than 23 years. She has been a jack-of-all-trades working in the library, classroom, study hall, cafeteria and distance learning lab. Two years ago, Cheryl moved to Caroga Lake where she enjoys the beach life. She says she is still young enough to enjoy herself, and that is exactly what she plans to do. On her first day of retirement, Cheryl plans to take her coffee and chair by the water, dig her toes in the sand and simply enjoy the peace and quiet.
Mary McCall has been a teacher for 33 years. Besides teaching English, Mary is fluent and certified to teach Russian. We are glad she stuck with English because she has fostered a love of reading in her students, but the biggest lessons the students learn do not come from the books they read, but from the life lessons she instills in all of them. Mary teaches with kindness, wisdom and positivity. While Mary says she loves, loves, loves the kids, the COVID-19 pandemic did her in. She is ready for her next journey . . . which includes getting back to writing. Mary is a novelist, publishing her first book, “Secret Vows,” in 2001. She has written eight novels and already has ideas for her next book. Besides writing, Mary and her husband plan to move closer to Delmar to be near her precious granddaughters.
As a 28-year veteran, Loren Miller has served Fort Plain with great pride and honor. He has received several letters over the years commending him for his excellent work, safe driving skills and his ability to respond quickly and professionally in any situation. Not only has Loren built many relationships with Fort Plain students, after spending several years driving a school bus that traveled among various Amish school buildings, he is highly respected by the Amish community. In addition to being a school bus driver, Loren spent 15 years working as a member of the building and grounds team. Loren is known for his high cleaning standards and painting skills. In retirement he will enjoy spending time with his partner Sharon and their family.
Lisa Petty has been a special education teacher in our school for 25 years. Educators run in her family. In fact, this will be the first time in 54 years that there will not be a Petty (Stortecky) working in our district. Lisa’s influence on our school community has been profound. She and the students in her Life Skills classroom have taught us all valuable lessons of acceptance, kindness and giving. Upon retirement, Lisa wants to try to find a hobby, but if she doesn’t that is okay. She will be busy travelling, visiting her boys (especially her grandson) in Houston, Phoenix and Buffalo . . . and hopefully still baking us cookies! Lisa will enjoy her summer with family in South Carolina. She is a season ticketholder for St. Bonaventure athletics and, post pandemic, she is looking forward to going to some games.
Mary VanPatten has been our librarian for the past 21 years. Books have been her passion. Whenever anyone needed a book recommendation, Mary was always ready. Through Battle of the Books, she encouraged kids to not only read good books, but win a trophy or two along the way. Mary has created a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere for students, making the library feel like home. She also worked with teachers to create some amazing projects. While Mary does not have grand retirement plans, she is looking forward to quilting, gardening, sleeping late and spoiling her seven grandchildren. She also has 25 years of clutter to get rid of, so keep an eye on eBay for some bargains.