Category: Jr./Sr. High News
Virtual HS Open House/Meet the Teachers – Part II
What do you do when you can’t bring families into school for fall open house and meet the teachers night? You bring the event to them!
Presenting Part II of Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School’s Fall 2020 Virtual Open House/Meet the Teachers. Our faculty and staff welcome you to virtually visit their classrooms and work spaces and share in their students’ experiences through videos they created just for this event.
We are highlighting a few departments each week. View our videos below from our Science and Practical Arts departments.
Science Department Video (Dale Smith, Patrick Petty, Lance Elliott, Jay Jarabek)
Business with Wendy Stokna
Technology with Kreig Heroth
Family & Consumer Sciences with Cory Cooley
Student physicals are still required
This is a friendly reminder for all Fort Plain parents and guardians that physical health exams are mandated by New York State for all students who are newly enrolled in a school district or who are in grades pre-k or kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. This includes students who are enrolled as in person, hybrid or remote learners.
Please return completed physicals to the school nurse’s office as soon as possible. More information on physicals is posted on our health services webpage, under Health Screenings.
FPHS Fall Open House/Meet the Teachers event goes virtual
What do you do when you can’t bring families into school for fall open house and meet the teachers night? You bring the event to them!
Presenting Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School’s Fall 2020 Virtual Open House/Meet the Teachers event. Our faculty and staff welcome you to virtually visit their classrooms and work spaces and share in their students’ experiences through videos they created just for this event.
We are highlighting a few departments each week. View our videos below from our English and Special Education departments.
English/Language Arts Department (Louise Clute, Tracy Yurkewecz, Kevin Bogus, Lisa Trembley, Mary McCall)
Special Education Co-Teacher Videos
Andrea Bleichner
Butler, Crouse and Karker are named WAC All-Stars
Congratulations to Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School’s 2020 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Fall Sports All-Stars: Emma Karker – Cross Country, Evan Crouse – Northern/Mohawk Division Most Valuable Golfer, and Troy Butler – 1st Team, Northern/Mohawk Division, Golf.
Remote instruction through Nov. 24; in person learning resumes Nov. 30
Dear Members of the Fort Plain School Community,
On Thursday, November 12, 2020, the district was informed that a member of the school community had tested positive for COVID-19. Fort Plain Schools were closed on November 13 for deep cleaning and disinfection of any potentially impacted areas. Instruction was provided remotely for all students.
In working with Public Health we are implementing our Short-term remote learning plans through November 24. The health and safety of the students and employees of the Fort Plain School District are our highest priorities. In person classes will resume on November 30, 2020.
During the remote learning period, transportation will continue to be provided for all out-of-district programs, including special education, career and technical education, PTech, AgTech, and Adirondack Academy. Meals will be provided for students of both schools and may be picked up at either Harry Hoag or in the Village Office parking lot in downtown, between 10:30 a.m. and 12 noon. The main offices will remain open.
Fort Plain School District has been working in conjunction with Montgomery County Public Health to review policy and procedure for COVID-19 exposure, and is following their guidance. Montgomery County has provided the district with additional PPE and cleaning supplies. Students and staff who have been identified as close contacts will be contacted by the local health department in the county where they reside.
We ask that our community remain diligent with wearing masks and washing hands frequently. Please note that if you do not receive a call from the health department, you have not been identified as a close contact. Also keep in mind, this is one positive confirmed case at this time and does not rise to the level of an outbreak or cluster.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we move forward.
Sincerely,
John Bishop
Superintendent of Schools
All students to learn remotely Nov. 13; campuses are closed
The district has been informed that a member of the school community has tested positive for COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution, Fort Plain Schools will be closed on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, for deep cleaning and disinfection of any potentially impacted areas.
Please note that instruction will continue to be provided, remotely, for all students at both schools, according to schedules posted on our website’s Important Updates webpage (direct link to schedules.)
The district is working closely with the County Department of Health and is following their guidance. They are taking the lead role in any further steps that may be necessary, such as additional testing of individuals, contact tracing and quarantine.
Under federal and state laws and regulations, we cannot identify the individual who tested positive. We will continue to monitor this situation and keep you informed. Thank you for your understanding.
Miles, smiles and talent: new runner raises spirits and awareness
Fort Plain eighth grader Dustin Welch trained as a new runner with the high school cross country team this fall, and he quickly became known for his infectious enthusiasm, love of life and always having a “big smile on his face that brightens everyone’s day.”
According to Patrick Petty, cross country assistant coach, “Dustin was one of the hardest workers on the team and eagerly took on any challenge. He improved greatly over the season and brought many laughs to all of us.”
The conclusion of Dustin’s first season proved to be as energizing and uplifting as the hours he spent training with his teammates. In early November, Dustin joined with Coach Petty in running the 5K for Autism Awareness, a charity event presented through the Moon Joggers Virtual Running Events series.
While the event was virtual – meaning it didn’t involve crowds of runners, large support crews or formal staging – the run itself was very much real for Dustin and his coach, and exciting and inspiring for his cross country teammates, family, Life Skills Teacher Lisa Petty, and High School Principal Dr. Deborah Larrabee, who presented Dustin with his finisher’s medal.
“We had Dustin ‘race’ the Fort Plain athletic complex course as ‘Dustin’s Dash’,” said Coach Petty, “and he did an OUTSTANDING job, completing the 3.1-mile course in 22:40 AND with a big grin on his face!”
Justin’s mom, Jenn Welch, said, “Dustin has a lot of energy, and so we asked Dustin if he would like to run cross country with his brother Clayton, and he said yes and was all excited. We asked Mr. Petty if he could just run with the team,” she continued, “and Mr. Petty was like, absolutely, we would love to have him run.
“The whole team was really great with him. We really appreciate what everyone has done for Dustin,” she said.
Dustin, who is on the autism spectrum, said he loves to run and train with the team. And he is justly proud of earning his Autism Awareness 5K finisher’s medal.
“Dustin looked great after the race; he wasn’t at all tired,” said Dr. Larrabee. “He’s a great student and a talented runner.”
“In addition to bringing out the best in everyone, Dustin serves as a role model and is a true inspiration as well,” Coach Petty said. “Dustin is a remarkable young man; working with him this fall was the most fun and rewarding experience in my coaching career!”
Fort Plain eighth grader Dustin Welch, pictured here receiving his medal from Fort Plain High School Principal Dr. Deborah Larrabee, is an enthusiastic, inspiring and talented runner who completed his first official 5K event in just 22:40 while raising awareness for autism. He loves to run and is coached by Fort Plain science teacher Patrick Petty. Local cross country runners beware: formal competition may be in Dustin’s future.
How instruction will continue if school is closed due to COVID-19
In the interest of planning ahead, the district would like to inform Fort Plain families about how instruction will continue to be provided if one or both of our schools are required to close due to COVID-19.
If school is closed, instruction will continue to be provided remotely/virtually to students according to a schedule set specifically for the Jr./Sr. High School and a schedule set specifically for Harry Hoag School. Information about these schedules follows below.
At Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School, instruction will continue to follow the same schedule as when school is open, but will be provided remotely to all students. This will occur regardless of the length of the school closure.
Letter from High School Principal Dr. Deborah Larrabee, November 2020:
Dear FP Junior-Senior High School Families,
We are happy to have students in our classrooms and cherish the in-person learning days we have with them. We continue practicing social distancing, wearing masks, washing hands and learning to support each other so that our blended learning model may continue. However, if we need to switch to Remote Learning we want you to be prepared. We have created a schedule to ensure continuity of learning for our students. Please see the schedules below.
For a short term closure (24 hours to two weeks), students will follow their regular classroom schedule of periods one through eight daily with classes beginning at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 2:38 p.m. Teachers will provide content and instruction to students daily via Google Classroom.
For a long term closure (beyond two weeks), students will follow their regular classroom schedule of periods one through eight, but times will be shortened to help limit daily screen time. Classes will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 1:00 p.m. Instruction will be provided daily by teachers via Google Classroom. Office hours and extended class time will be 1:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Junior- Senior High School Shortened Schedule:
Period 1: 8:00-8:33
Period 2: 8:35-9:08
Period 3: 9:10-9:43
Period 4: 9:45-10:18
Brunch Break: 10:19-10:49
Period 5: 10:50-11:23
Period 6: 11:25-11:58
Period 7: 12:00-12:33
Period 8: 12:35-1:08
1:15- 3:15: Office Hours, Extended Class, Meetings
Our students are accustomed to having a daily schedule that they can refer to throughout the day. The remote learning schedules were created to provide predictability and grounding for your child during a time that feels very different to them and us. To help support your child, we recommend that you:
• Make sure your child has a consistent physical space for work
• Make sure that your child keeps their Chromebook charged
• Encourage your child to contact their teachers with questions
• Check Google Classrooms daily for each day’s assignments
• Observe work hours for teachers; they will respond to your emails within 24 hours
• Think about how to manage technology at home, to minimize distractions and maximize learning
The home-school partnership is essential to making this a successful year for your children. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions. Thank you for your continued support during these uncertain times.
Best regards,
Deborah Larrabee, Ed.
At Harry Hoag School, instruction will be provided remotely according to one of two schedules: a schedule for short-term closures lasting 24 hours to one week, or a schedule for long-term closures lasting beyond one week.
Letter from Harry Hoag Principal Lauren Crisman, November 2020:
Hello Families of Harry Hoag!
This letter serves to give you information regarding Harry Hoag’s intentions for instruction should we be asked to transition to an all remote (virtual) model for any period of time throughout the school year. If the District transitions to an all remote model for any amount of time, the hybrid Day A/ Day B cycle will not apply to elementary students. All elementary students should plan to attend remotely as outlined below.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. Thank you for your ongoing interest and investment in your child’s academic success!
Proud to be your Principal,
Mrs. Crisman
New HS parking loop offers safety, efficiency for students, families, staff
As part of the district’s capital project, work has been completed on a new parking lot and traffic loop at Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School. Located just beyond the tennis and basketball courts, the new lot and loop provide families with a safer and more efficient way to drop off and pick up their students, as well as additional spaces to park.
Traffic guards are helping to guide drivers as they enter and exit the parking loop and are ensuring that students safely use the cross walk.
After entering the campus from Clyde Street, parents/guardians should follow the road to the new parking lot and loop, where they will find a number of spots to park, as well as space line up safely, away from the bus loop, while they wait for their students. The new loop and lot will ease congestion on local roads and at the school, allow bus traffic to flow in and out of campus, and most importantly, increase student, staff and family safety.
Reviews of the new loop have been positive to-date, according to High School Principal Deborah Larrabee. “One parent commented she ‘loved the new parent loop. It was so easy and stress free.’ She said she was in and out with no problem at all!”
High school named a Scholar-Athlete School of Distinction
Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School has been named a School of Distinction by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHAA) for achieving Scholar-Athlete status for all of its varsity teams during the past school year. Fort Plain is one of only 56 high schools in the state to achieve this honor.
The school received a School of Distinction and Scholar-Athlete trophy and certificate from NYSPHAA after the close of the 2019-20 school year. All of the members of Fort Plain’s varsity teams achieved honor roll.
The award recognizes excellence in both athletics and the classroom by members of Fort Plain’s teams who were able to compete before closure in March, including boys and girls basketball, boys and girls bowling, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls cross country, golf, cheerleading, swimming, wrestling and volleyball.
NYSPHAA’s Scholar-Athlete award honors students and teams for excellence in their studies. To be named a Scholar-Athlete team, at least 75 percent of a roster must achieve a grade point average of 90 or above.
