Aug. 28, 2008 - The North Colonie Central School District opened its doors to new district residents tonight during the annual Newcomers Picnic.

Close to 500 North Colonie residents attended the picnic, which was held at Shaker High School. Festivities included a hot dog and hamburger barbeque cooked by district officials, story time and a magic show for children, and opportunities for parents to receive information about the schools their children will attend.

View a photo gallery of the Newcomers Picnic.
 

The picnic began with a meet-and-greet along the sidewalk that leads to the high school’s main entrance. That’s where each school set up a booth, where parents and children could stop by, chat with school principals and PTA members and receive information packets about the school.

Several parents said the school district has hit upon a great idea with Newcomers Picnic. One parent, whose daughters will attend North Colonie schools in the next few years, was impressed by the number of PTA members on hand. That convinced him and his wife they made the right choice when they decided to move to the district.
 

“I think it says to parents that the district wants them to be involved and values their opinion,” he said.
 

Nancy Russell, president of Shaker High School’s Parent-Teacher-Student Association, said Welcome Newcomers night is an important way for school community members to connect with each other.
 

“It gives them a sense of belonging,” she said.
 

After the barbeque and meet-and-greet period, high school students and their parents attended an orientation program with Principal Rich Murphy, who discussed the school’s history, curriculum, objectives and the need for parents and students to be involved. Students then met with their guidance counselors, while parents met with Assistant Principals Jane Rose and Jan Zadoorian.
 

Principal Murphy said the orientation program helps put a face on the high school, which has about 2,000 students.
“It shows that, even though we are a large school, we are concerned about every student and therefore provide services and opportunities the way smaller schools do,” he said.
 

While those meetings were being held, perhaps the most fun of the night was taking place in the band practice room. That’s where a magician amazed several dozen parents and children, especially when he made silver dollars drop from one child’s nose.