Retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Byron stopped by Shaker Middle School on Monday, Nov. 10 to visit with five Communications classes. Students listened to a presentation from Byron on his time in the Army, the places he traveled to, their schedules, and more. The group also did some boot camp exercises and tried on some Army fatigues. Thank you to Staff Sergeant Bryon for stopping by!
North Colonie CSD appreciates our Veterans and active-duty service members today and everyday. To mark the occasion, a variety of events were held throughout the district.
On Friday, Nov. 7, Forts Ferry Elementary welcomed members of Christian Brothers Academy for their second annual Veterans Day presentation. During the visit, students learned about the military and the importance of respect through an engaging demonstration by the CBA Color Guard. The event concluded with a special birthday song for Sean, a Color Guard member celebrating his birthday that day, and for a student whose birthday falls on Veterans Day. Thank you to CBA for providing our students with such a meaningful and memorable experience!
On Monday, Nov. 10, the Boght Hills Elementary School community gathered in the gym to celebrate and honor Veterans and active-duty service members. Before the event began, honored guests were welcomed with refreshments and had the opportunity to spend time with their Boght Hills students. Twenty individuals from the Colts community were recognized for their dedication and service across the Air Force, Army, Army National Guard, Navy, and Marines. Each grade paid tribute by singing the military hymns: kindergarteners performed the "Marines’ Hymn," first graders sang "The U.S. Air Force Song," second graders presented "The Army Goes Rolling Along," third graders performed "Always Ready, Always There" in honor of the Coast Guard, and fourth graders sang "Anchors Aweigh" for the Navy. The ceremony concluded with a unifying moment as the entire school, joined by the Shaker High Band, sang "America the Beautiful." After students were released back to their classes, some guests took a moment to look at Boght Hills' Wall of Heroes.
Thank you to all the Veterans and active-duty service members!
Following the reading, a writing workshop will be held for students interested in creative writing and the publishing world. Both the author talk and the workshop are open to all SHS students, but space is limited. Students are encouraged to scan the QR code and register by Friday, November 14. Copies of The Queens of New York are also available for presale, with orders due the same day.
We hope you’ll join us for this exciting opportunity to meet and learn from a Shaker graduate and accomplished author!
Read more about Congiusta and his exciting future plans on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/article/2530016
Looking to sharpen your driving skills and save on insurance? Take a Defensive Driving Course with the Northeastern New York Safety & Health Council. This six-hour, classroom-based accident prevention program helps drivers improve their skills and knowledge on the road.
Participants who complete the course are eligible for a 10% reduction in their liability insurance for three years, and up to four points may be reduced from their driver’s license. The NENY Safety and Health Council, a member of the National Safety Council, will provide the instructor, student workbooks, and completion certificates.
The course will take place on Saturday, December 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is open to ages 16 and older.
To register, visit the link in our bio!
Have you seen Wicked at Proctors Theatre? If the answer is yes, then you heard Shaker Middle School Band teacher Omar Williams playing trumpet in the pit orchestra! Mr. Williams is one of the most sought-after trumpeters in the Capital Region, and as a member of the Schenectady-Amsterdam Musical Union, he got the call to play the touring production of Wicked at Proctors. Mr. Williams is doing double-duty for the two-week run - teaching by day and playing in the pit orchestra each night. If you're catching the show this weekend, listen for the trumpet player!
"Not Sorry to Be Me" was inspired by Isla's experiences with autism and ADHD, tells the tale of a cockatoo called Sorry who is different from the other birds in the forest because he sees the world in color, while the rest only see in black, white, and grey. This sensory overwhelm can cause Sorry to react in ways that irritate or seem strange to the other birds, causing them to miss out on the unique perspective he has to offer. One day, Sorry meets a kind, curious bird who asks to see Sorry's world through his eyes. From this shared understanding, a friendship is forged, and two lives are forever changed.
Isla and Vicki will also be doing a book signing at Professor Java's Coffee Sanctuary on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The book may be purchased at that time or on Amazon or Barnes and Noble online. Congratulations to Isla and Vicki on this exciting accomplishment!
Happy Thankful Thursday! Each Thursday in November, we’re showing our gratitude to all the people who have helped make North Colonie CSD special through the years. From past to present, our incredible instructional staff members have shaped North Colonie into the strong, caring, and inspiring community it is today. Thank you to all of our employees from across the years for your dedication, service, and heart!
#ThankfulThursday #thankyounorthcolonie #nccsd75 #throwbackthursday
On Wednesday, eight Shaker seniors officially signed to continue their athletic and academic careers at Division I and II institutions.
Family, friends, and teammates gathered to celebrate these student-athletes as they made their commitments official.
Congratulations to our signees:
Tessa Carroll – Iona University, Lacrosse
Peyton Hoblock – Dartmouth College, Basketball
Peyton Cerrone – Saint Anselm College, Lacrosse
Emma Davis – Newberry College, Lacrosse
Elisabeth Gialanella – Mercer University, Lacrosse
Sean Hurley – University of North Carolina, Baseball
Talyn Chernosky – Caldwell University, Softball
Jason Bailey – Stonehill College, Baseball
Another signing day will be held in May for seniors still finalizing their decisions.
6 & 7 have entered the classroom! Blue Creek Math Specialists Mrs. Walton and Mrs. Forbes were very popular in Mrs. Connors' kindergarten class. The 6️⃣ and 7️⃣ duo brought some extra smiles (and math jokes) to the day! #MathHumor
*Renee Bates – First Place in both Impromptu Speaking and Extemporaneous Speaking E (Half Bids)
*Ella Bagchi – First Place in Original Oratory (Half Bid)
*Izzy Blanchard – Third Place in Original Oratory (Half Bid)
*Pragna Obiddi – Fourth Place in Original Oratory (Half Bid)
*Gianna Zhang – First Place in Intermediate Lincoln Douglas Debate (Half Bid)
*Aleena Saleem / Evelyn Lu – Second Place in Varsity Public Forum Debate (Half Bid)
*Sharvi Gawad / Chloe Li – First Place in Novice Public Forum Debate (Half Bid)
*Zahra Shaikh / Saila Sagiraju – Third Place in Novice Public Forum Debate
In Unified P.E., the class is split into two groups, “athletes” (individuals with intellectual disabilities) and “partners” (individuals without intellectual disabilities) to explore a wide variety of activities. Additionally, the class supports the development of leadership skills for all students, and the empowerment of ALL students to foster an inclusive class and school-wide environment.
