Supply lists for fall

Although each of teachers will send a supply list home, we know that papers sometimes get lost. We have placed copies online just in case

Art show sports Native American theme

Visitors strolling down the elementary school hallway on Saturday, June 5 discovered an amazing collection of drawing and paintings portraying Native American stories and culture. The student art was part of art teacher Kathleen Bushek's Elementary Art Show Pow Wow. (full story and photos)

Fourth grade celebrates agriculture

The skies threatened, but the rain held off as the fourth graders spent the morning outside learning about local agriculture at Cornell Cooperative Extension Agriculture Awareness Day on Monday, June 14.

Several local farmers explained their businesses and displayed animals and equipment for the eager students. More than a fun activity, Ag Awareness Day helps students understand the diversity and importance of agriculture in our local economy. (full story and photos)

Respect and self-control through martial arts

Ask most students what they know about martial arts and they will tell you tales of Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee, Jr. kicking the stuffing out of bad guys in the movies. Jamie McRedmond's first grade class learned that martial arts are much, much more. (full story and photos)

Seniors open 10-year old time capsule

Ten years ago, Rita Garguilo's second grade class buried a little of their history. With graduation just two weeks away, they celebrated their past and their future by unearthing those memories. (full story)

PreK class graduation set

Ms. Wieczenski's Pre-kindergarten class paid a surprise visit to the Superintendent's Office on June 9 with an important message, "We are graduating on June 22nd!"

The class not only reminded Dr. Hoffman of the event, but they extended a personal invitation for him to attend. He immediately accepted. (learn more about the visit and Pre-K)

Cystic Fibrosis March teaches true meaning of "caring"

How do you teach students the importance of caring? You can tell them about it. You can ask them to write about it. You can have them look it up on the Internet. But sometimes, "doing" is the best teacher. (full story and photos)

It is common for a number young students to have their works published in various student publications. But, Mrs. Garguilo's second grade class set a new standard by having every student's haiku poem accepted for publication in "A Celebration of Poets - Spring 2010." (full story)

Three honored in NY Ag writing contest

Three Fonda-Fultonville second-graders were among forty prize winning students from across the state for their entries in the 12th annual New York Agriculture in the Classroom "Be Aware of New York Agriculture" contest. Emma Agnes earned first place, Julianna Hickey placed third, and Sierra Rose earned a second honorable mention. (learn more)

Kindergarten Buddies build friends and strengthen learning

Step into Stacey Lee's kindergarten classroom on most Friday mornings and you will find pairs of kindergartners and fourth graders reading books, writing, working on projects, and talking.

For the eighth consecutive year, fourth grade teacher Katie Briggs and Mrs. Lee have collaborated on Kindergarten Buddies, an informal program where fourth graders join kindergartners as tutors and friends. (full story and more photos)

African Acrobats—a lesson in acrobatics, strength, and culture

The elementary school was treated to an incredible display of physical prowess by a team of Kenyan acrobats during an assembly on April 12 in the high school gymnasium.

"Our goal is to expose the students to amazing acrobatics and give them a sense of the incredible things our bodies can do with work and practice," said Interim Principal James Sack. "In addition, many teachers will take a moment back in the classroom to find Kenya on a map and to teach a little about a different part of our world." (full story and photos)

Luck of the Irish eludes kindergartners

Mrs. Hanifin and Mrs. Lee's classes celebrated St. Patrick's Day in the spirit of the Irish— they went on a leprechaun hunt. To help find the troublesome and elusive creatures, the students searched around the school using "leprechaun finders" they made in the classroom. (full story)

Mush! Sled dogs visit Fonda-Fultonville

What travels across snow, mud, or dirt at speeds of up to 30 mile per hour for 20 miles — oh yes, and it barks! Ask Fonda-Fultonville Elementary School students and they will tell you the answer is sled dogs!

Gar Morey and Ray Jennings of Go Kennels in Fonda visited each of the grades on Wednesday, Mar. 17 to share the experience of racing dog sleds. The visit was part of this year's reading program, "Paws to Read." (full story and photos)

Visitor teaches kindergartners about fire safety

Volunteer fireman JD Downing spent an afternoon in Stacey Lee's kindergarten class teaching the students about fire safety. He talked about thinks such as why it is important to have smoke detectors and what to do in case of a fire. (full story and more photos)

Ventures in Entrepreneurship "sweetens" learning for fourth graders

Can you really teach worthwhile lessons by baking cookies? You certainly can if you pair high school business students with eager fourth graders!

Fourth grade teachers Lori Dietrick and Ann Mahon were looking for a different way to reinforce their lessons on measurement. What better way than to step into the kitchen! The elementary teachers teamed up with high school business teacher Laura Bellinger to create a two-day lesson that included basic math, reading, and practical business and life skills. (full story and more photos)

First and Second Graders Color and Learn about Bicycle Safety

March is “National Brain Injury Awareness Month.”  The Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS) has collaborated with the New York State Police and other local police agencies, to bring the Eleventh Annual “Design Your Own Helmet” Contest to all first and second graders, in Montgomery, Fulton and Schoharie Counties. (full story and photos)

Fourth graders get a first hand look at Native American culture

(Click on any photo to view a larger image in a new window)

Fourth grader Aaidyn Cook brought something special to class for "show-and-tell"—her grandfather Clifford Cook. Mr. Cook is a descendent of the Cherokee people and visited Mrs. Zajaceskowski's fourth grade class to share a little of the Cherokee and Native American culture. (full story)

Is your emergency contact information up-to-date?

If your child became seriously ill at school, could we reach you? If there were an emergency school closing, how would we let you know?

Whether for a snow day or some school emergency, school officials occasionally need to contact parents/guardians with important information. We rely on the emergency contact information that you provide at the beginning of each year. But, people move; phone numbers and e-mail addresses change. In the event of an emergency, could we reach you? Don't leave things to chance; please contact your school with any changes to your emergency contact information.

Teacher by day, hero by night!

(Photo courtesy of Karl Koch/weezer.com)

F-F fourth graders had to do a double-take of a photo that appeared in local newspapers and on the Internet. Was that really Mr. Romano dressed as a fireman? They soon discovered that yes, that was Mr. Romano!

Fourth grade teacher and volunteer fireman Eric Romano manned the jaws of life to free the Rivers Cuomo, lead singer of the rock band "Weezer," and his family and staff from their tour bus after it crashed into a muddy ditch on the Thruway on Dec. 6. The vehicle had skidded on the icy road, plowed over the guardrail, and dropped into a mud-filled ravine. The accident wedged the bus door against a wall of mud making it impossible for the injured occupants to escape. Mr. Romano and his fellow firefighters climbed into the ditch, removed a rear window and safely rescued everyone.

Thank you Mr. Romano for volunteering your time to serve your community in such an important way!

F-F Elementary officially receives its 2009 National Blue Ribbon School Award

It all became official on Nov. 2 and 3 as Principal Alicia Henry and Reading Coach Sue Wolf formally accepted Fonda-Fultonville Elementary School's 2009 National Blue Ribbon School Award during special ceremonies in Washington, DC. They proudly accepted a plaque and a flag to mark the event. (full story and photos)

Learn more about the 2009 National Blue Ribbon School award

Fonda-Fultonville Elementary School was named a 2009 National Blue Ribbon School by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on Tuesday, September 15. (full story)

Lesson makes social studies a tasty treat!

Mr. Murray's and Mrs. Mahon's fourth grade classes wrapped up a social studies lesson on the geography of New York in a mouth-watering way. They made sugar cookie maps of New York State! (full story and more photos)

After-school program expands to include elementary students

Beginning this fall, the Advantage After School Program will serve students in grades K-8. The program is expanding to include younger students thanks to new funding from the state. This is a supervised program that provides homework time and activities. (learn more, get forms)

CDC video discusses merits of child immunization

Recent protests over requiring health care worker to have H1N1 flu shot may raise concerns among parents concerning other immunizations. The following video from the Center for Disease Control discusses the issue in simple terms.

The CDC describes the video as "After talking with parents across the country, CDC put together this short video to help answer the tough questions that real moms had about childhood immunizations. Understanding the importance of vaccines is crucial for you to protect your children’s health."

If you have further questions, please contact your health care professional or the school nurse.

Free and Reduced Lunch forms online

Free and Reduced Meal Applications must be filed for the new school year! Click here for an application, or pick one up in one of the school offices. Please be reminded that FFCSD has a NO CHARGE policy. 
The cafeteria accepts cash and checks made payable to the FFCS Cafeteria. Check payment can also be mailed to the school. Att: Judy Murray, FSD.

Wondering What's for Lunch?

Are you wondering what's for lunch? Click here to visit our food service page, complete with breakfast and lunch menus.

Find past stories in our archives

Looking for something that happened over the past few years? Check out our archived stories.