The Bison is one stop closer to getting a name, with our second school visit in the books! Students grades K-5 at Loudonville Elementary School had the chance to cast their votes for the Bison's name today. The Bison and Superintendent Kathleen Skeals both stopped by to say hello, sharing plenty of high fives and excitement. Thanks for having us, Loudonville! See you soon, Latham Ridge!
Please join us in wishing 13 Shaker High School students good luck this weekend as they head to the NYSSMA All-State Music Festival in Rochester. The students have gone through a complex process to be chosen as a performer or alternate in the 2025 NYSSMA All-State Festival. Congratulations and best of luck to the following students:
Bathala Bernardo 12 Drumset in the Modern Band
Surya Bommasani 12 Bass in the Mixed Chorus
Jenna Cannistraci 11 Alto in the Treble Chorus
Nafiza Ilma 11 Alto in the Mixed Chorus
Adam Judson 11 Oboe in the Symphonic Band
Lauren Lee-Chung 11 Violin in the Symphony Orchestra
Jackson Majewski 12 Tenor in the Mixed Chorus
Lily Maynard 12 Soprano 1 in the Treble Chorus
Avery Subik 11 Bass in the String Orchestra
Isabel Yang 12 Alto in the Treble Chorus
Sophie Freed 11 Alternate on Percussion
Gio Ok 11 Alternate on Cello
Chaz Siegfeld 12 Alternate on Tenor
Bathala Bernardo 12 Drumset in the Modern Band
Surya Bommasani 12 Bass in the Mixed Chorus
Jenna Cannistraci 11 Alto in the Treble Chorus
Nafiza Ilma 11 Alto in the Mixed Chorus
Adam Judson 11 Oboe in the Symphonic Band
Lauren Lee-Chung 11 Violin in the Symphony Orchestra
Jackson Majewski 12 Tenor in the Mixed Chorus
Lily Maynard 12 Soprano 1 in the Treble Chorus
Avery Subik 11 Bass in the String Orchestra
Isabel Yang 12 Alto in the Treble Chorus
Sophie Freed 11 Alternate on Percussion
Gio Ok 11 Alternate on Cello
Chaz Siegfeld 12 Alternate on Tenor
Prior to the Thanksgiving break, SHS alumni E.L. Shen visited to share her experiences as a writer and her journey from Shaker student to publisher to published author. The visit was hosted by the SHS National English Honor Society and offered Shen the chance to talk about her latest book, "The Queens of New York," which was based on the friendships she made while at Shaker. She also talked about the creative process behind writing the book, the input she had on the cover, and more. Following her session, Shen then led a writing workshop for students interested in the creative writing and publishing process. Shen has published three books, with another due in fall 2026. Thank you for your visit, E.L. Shen!
It's Special Education Day! While this year was a snowy one, we thank all of our special education students, teachers and staff here in North Colonie for everything you bring to our district! #SpecialEducationDay
Happy Giving Tuesday! The North Colonie @unitedwaygcr Season of Giving campaign continues as we look to provide a happy holiday season for all of our families in need. If you would like to contribute, use the QR code on your screen or by visiting https://ignite.stratuslive.com/uwgcr/get-involved/fundraise/25NCCSDgiving.
100% of the proceeds go directly back to North Colonie to assist our families. Thank you for your support! #givingtuesday
100% of the proceeds go directly back to North Colonie to assist our families. Thank you for your support! #givingtuesday
The North Colonie Central School District is closed today, Tuesday, Dec. 2, due to inclement weather. Only snow removal employees are to report.
Students in Kaytie Ginter’s Russian class at Shaker Middle School recently embarked on a virtual adventure across Eurasia! Using VR goggles provided by NERIC/BOCES, they “visited” a first-grade classroom in Ukraine, witnessed the dramatic cracking ice of Lake Baikal, and explored the iconic Red Square. It was a quick but exciting journey - the students can’t wait to see where they’ll travel next!
Last week was action packed at Blue Creek Elementary School. On Wednesday, Nov. 13, the school's annual Family Bingo Night filled the cafeteria with three rounds of games, enthusiastic winners, a spirited O67 call that thrilled the kids, baked-good sales supporting the food bank, and pizza and drink sales assisting the fifth grade. On Thursday, Nov. 20, Blue Creek hosted the annual Turkey Shoot, welcoming more than 300 participants as students and family partners each took ten shots for a combined score, with winners announced in school and awarded prizes.
On Friday, Nov. 21, Communications and SHS students gathered in the Taft Cafeteria for the Gratitude Gathering, enjoying an hour filled with food, fun, and laughter. It was a warm and welcome chance for students to unwind, spend time with friends and teachers, and celebrate the spirit of appreciation together.
Look at the Boght Hills Food Pantry! With the help of the Community Food Drive a couple of weeks ago, the pantry is stocked and ready to serve our students and families in need through the Backpack Program. Thank you to everyone who donated food and personal hygiene items to help fill all of our eight school pantries! If you would still like to help our students, you can use the QR code for the United Way Season of Giving campaign which directly benefits our district families.
Forts Ferry students got a sweet taste of autumn on Thursday, Nov. 20. Food & Nutrition Services visited for this month’s taste test, where students sampled homemade apple crisp and voted if they Loved It, Liked It, or just Tried It. The winning dish was served across the district the next day!
What do you get when you combine balloons, second graders, and the opportunity for some creativity? Balloons Over Boght! Their artwork was on fully display earlier this week, as Boght Hills celebrated its Fourth Annual Balloons Over Boght Parade. The parade marks a tradition started in 2019 by beloved teacher Mrs. Jennifer Conroy. Although Mrs. Conroy passed away in 2021, her spirit continues to fill the halls she once brightened with laughter, knowledge, and joy.
Happy Thankful Thursday and Happy Thanksgiving. Each Thursday in November, we have been sharing our gratitude for the people who have helped make North Colonie CSD the community it is today.
This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate our district’s 75th anniversary. For seven and a half decades, our community has stood alongside our schools, supporting our students, educators, and programs and helping shape a strong and caring district. Families, alumni, partners, volunteers, and neighbors: your support, collaboration, and commitment continue to make a lasting difference.
Thank you for believing in our mission and being an essential part of North Colonie. Wishing you a warm and meaningful Thanksgiving from our North Colonie family to yours.
#ThankfulThursday #thankyounorthcolonie #nccsd75 #throwbackthursday
This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate our district’s 75th anniversary. For seven and a half decades, our community has stood alongside our schools, supporting our students, educators, and programs and helping shape a strong and caring district. Families, alumni, partners, volunteers, and neighbors: your support, collaboration, and commitment continue to make a lasting difference.
Thank you for believing in our mission and being an essential part of North Colonie. Wishing you a warm and meaningful Thanksgiving from our North Colonie family to yours.
#ThankfulThursday #thankyounorthcolonie #nccsd75 #throwbackthursday
Prior to the Thanksgiving break, Shaker High School hosted its biggest Career Fair yet, welcoming nearly 60 companies from across the Capital Region! Students had the chance to explore career paths, ask questions, and make real-world connections that could shape their futures. Thank you to all the organizations who spent the day inspiring our students!
A small group of students from Forts Ferry and Shaker Middle School is being recognized as the November North Colonie Kids Care recipients. Sixth grader Benjamin Englat, second grader Luciano Di Carlo, third grader Adeline Fitzgerald and seventh grader Gavan Murry are being honored for their heroic actions to help a neighbor in need.
While playing outside in their neighborhood, Ben, Lucci, Addy and Gavan heard a neighbor calling for help. They responded without thinking, running to her house. They attempted to help her, but realized they needed an adult and rushed to get someone to call 911. Luckily, an ambulance came to assist their neighbor who was later resting at home. Thank you Ben, Lucci, Addy and Gavan for your quick and selfless response. You are not only good neighbors, but wonderful representatives of the North Colonie Central School District. You are truly Kids Who Care!
While playing outside in their neighborhood, Ben, Lucci, Addy and Gavan heard a neighbor calling for help. They responded without thinking, running to her house. They attempted to help her, but realized they needed an adult and rushed to get someone to call 911. Luckily, an ambulance came to assist their neighbor who was later resting at home. Thank you Ben, Lucci, Addy and Gavan for your quick and selfless response. You are not only good neighbors, but wonderful representatives of the North Colonie Central School District. You are truly Kids Who Care!
For the 2025-26 school year, the district welcomed 98 new employees. To celebrate the occasion, we held our annual New Employee Recognition Celebration on Monday, Nov. 24, with new employees, their friends and family, the Board of Education, and NCCSD administration. The event, which was held prior to the Board of Education meeting at Forts Ferry, offered refreshments, raffles, photos with the Bison, and a chance to mingle and see friendly faces ahead of Thanksgiving break. Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us!
It's time to vote! Blue Creek Elementary School got a special visit from the Bison today, who stopped by each classroom to collect the votes for their name. Classes learned about the history of the Bison and the voting process, filling out a ballot with their selected name and placing it in the ballot box. Students received an "I Voted" sticker after placing their vote. Thanks for your votes, Blue Creek!
In September, SHS seniors taking the Education and Literacy class visited the SMS library to learn how to give book talks to students. The Education and Literacy class allows for students to learn more about the education field, and to work towards a Level 1 Teacher Assistant Certification. For this training, SMS librarians covered how to choose books, how to be engaging during the talks, and the most important point: never give away the ending!
From here, the SHS students then took on the challenge to read a middle school book that they thought would appeal to seventh graders, plan a book talk, and create a mini lesson on how to do book talks in the future. This prepared the seventh grade students to eventually offer their own book talk for their independent reading projects.
Great job to the Education and Literacy class for their work and support!
From here, the SHS students then took on the challenge to read a middle school book that they thought would appeal to seventh graders, plan a book talk, and create a mini lesson on how to do book talks in the future. This prepared the seventh grade students to eventually offer their own book talk for their independent reading projects.
Great job to the Education and Literacy class for their work and support!
Thanks to our North Colonie maintenance staff, the receiving hallway in Shaker Middle School just got a major glow up! Pictured here is the crew in action as they repair, refresh, and completely transform the space. Their hard work is already making a huge difference — amazing job, team!
Congratulations to the Shaker High School Varsity History Bowl Team! The team, consisting of Shrijan Sharma, Yunhan Chen, Charles Adelstein, Everitt Li, and Peter Gong, went 6-0 to win the Central New York History Bowl Competition in Syracuse, NY on October 11. In addition to bringing home another Champions plaque for the trophy case, .the team now qualifies for both the National History Bowl Competition in Arlington, VA and the International History Olympiad. Devesh Kusampudi was the top scorer on the Biology National Qualifying Exam during the event. Mustaeen Morshed was the top scorer on the Geography National Qualifying Exam. Yunhan Chen and Devesh Kusampudi tied for second in that same event. All three students qualified for Nationals.Yunhan Chen also placed second in the History Bee event and qualified for Nationals in that event. Great job to our Varsity History Bowl Team!
