We have two winners! Congratulations to Elijah Goldberg and Elena Hymes. Elijah (pictured photo 1, top left photo 3) and Elena (pictured right photo 2) represented North Colonie at the state level SkillsUSA on April 23-25. Elijah won the bronze medal for his Employment Application Basic as part of Digital Media Design. Elena was elected to the statewide office in the SkillsUSA organization by the organization’s House of Delegates. Great job, Elijah and Elena!
about 11 hours ago, North Colonie Communications
Elijah Goldberg with Bronze Medal
Elena at SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA Winner Group
Tiny hands, big imaginations! The William K. Sanford Town Library hosted the North Colonie Art Exhibit Reception on Tuesday, April 29. Students in grades K-5 from all six of our elementary schools were in attendance, showing off their work to friends and family. The display was filled with color and creativity, as every piece told a story — great job to our elementary artists!
1 day ago, North Colonie Communications
Student and Mother at Art Show
Family at Art Show
Family at Art Show
Student Art
Student and Mother Looking at Artwork
Student Art Work
Happy Belated Earth Day! Did you know the second leading cause of pollution is textile waste? Shaker High School freshman Nancy Chandra decided to tackle this problem by hosting Shaker's first ever clothing swap... on Earth Day! Nancy collected 15 bags of clothes and partnered with the Capital City Rescue Mission to donate these clothes to people in need. Around 80 people came to the event to find fresh threads and support the cause!
2 days ago, North Colonie Communications
A student stands with her hands out to show off the tables of clothing at a clothing swap.
Students sort through donated clothing at tables.
A table covered in clothing.
A handful of student pose for the camera while standing in a classroom.
A table covered in donated clothing.
A student holding a bag that says, "Thank you for shopping here!"
A student delivering and handing off bags of clothing to the Capital City Rescue Mission.
Students sort through clothing on various tables throughout the cafeteria.
Garbage bags of donated clothing on carts ready to be moved.
It was out of this world! Boght Hills first graders had a special visitor from the Museum of Innovation and Science in Schenectady today. They learned why it's light during the day and dark at night. Last week, an educator from MiSci came in to teach third graders about the phases of the moon and how and why they occur. What a cool way for our students to learn about space!
3 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An educator teaches first graders about different aspects of space.
A couple of students raise their hands as they sit and listen to a lesson about space.
An educator from MiSci stands at the front of a classroom with a handout on Venus.
Students look on as an educator from MiSci teaches them about space.
The Forts Ferry garden is coming along! Students have worked in conjunction with Forts Ferry Farm to construct garden beds which are nearly complete. The space where the garden will go is cleared out and ready for installation on May 17, during the Forts Ferry Day of Service from 9am-12pm. We hope to see you there!
4 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Two workers from Forts Ferry Farm explain the plans for their garden bed construction.
A group of students sit in front of a garage at Forts Ferry Farm.
A group of students pose from within a garden bed they helped build.
A worker from Forts Ferry Farm speaks to a group of students.
A member of Forts Ferry Farm helps a student use a drill to construct a garden bed.
Forts Ferry third graders are getting closer and closer to their trout release day! On Friday Mr. Ronald Dorn, from the Clearwater chapter of Trout Unlimited, came into speak to the students about the release day on May 14 in Saratoga Springs. Mr. Dorn showed students some of the tools they would be using, and explained some of the safety precautions and what to expect that day. Excitement is building as the trout continue to grow in their tank in Mrs. Parks' Innovation Lab!
5 days ago, North Colonie Communications
A trout expert stands at the front of the room and explains expectations to a room full of students sitting on the floor.
A teacher holds a tray of bugs/trout food on a tray as students crowd around to examine them.
Two students hold a net as an instructor explains how to use it.
Students look at examples of bugs/trout food on a tray as they sit on the floor.
A man wearing a trout hat instructs two students wearing waders.
Earlier this month, the Shaker Middle School select performing groups (Select Band, Select Chorus, Cadenza, Scherzo, Syncopella, Jazz Ensemble, and Treble Makers) - all 180 students - attended The Addams Family musical at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady. The students were buzzing with excitement, and loved the show. Audience members and Proctors staff were full of praise for their behavior and energy. It was a great night!
6 days ago, North Colonie Communications
A theater full of students seated and waving.
A theater full of students seated and waving.
Thursday night was the annual NCCSD Physical Education Leadership Awards! PE Faculty members selected representatives from grades 5-12 who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and effort in PE classes. 48 students in total were honored in front of family and friends in the Shaker Middle School auditorium. Congratulations to all! For a full list of student winners, click on the link in our bio.
6 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of several rows of students sitting in an auditorium clapping.
Three middle school students holding certificates pose with their PE teacher.
A group of high school students holding certificates pose with their PE teachers.
A group of high school students holding certificates pose with their PE teachers.
A student speaks at a podium with a microphone.
A large group of students holding certificates pose with their PE teachers.
Two students holding certificates pose with their PE teacher.
Two students holding certificates pose with their PE teachers.
A student speaks at a podium with a microphone.
An image of a person at the microphone speaking to a large group of people sitting at the front of an auditorium in front of a screen.
Shaker Middle School sixth grader Natalie Cehowski is being recognized as the April North Colonie Kids Care recipient for her kindness and inclusivity. Natalie was nominated by Ms. Brook Greco, a Shaker Middle School music teacher, who was also one of the directors of the SMS musical “Willy Wonka” this spring. Natalie was a member of the cast and emailed Ms. Greco to ask if they could do a performance for the five communications classes which is made up of about 35 special education students. Natalie didn’t stop there. She continued to follow up with emails and in person conversations with Ms. Greco until they could make a concrete plan to perform for her classmates. Ms. Greco says it was truly Natalie’s suggestions and perseverance that made this special performance possible. Congratulations Natalie!
7 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of a student holding a certificate while posing with her teacher.
An image of a student holding a certificate and posing with members of her family.
An image of a student receiving a certificate from the Board of Education President.
A student holds a certificate.
An image of a student standing at the front of the room speaking with Board of Education President Linda Harrison.
Over April break, 30 students explored Spain with their chaperones Jessie Morgan, Kelly Mattice, Jaimie Weiss and Lauren Sheeler. Students were able to practice their Spanish skills while experiencing the culture and visiting inspiring historical sites. Places visited included the Prado museum in Madrid, the Roman aqueduct in Segovia, the cities of Toledo and Mijas and the Cathedral of Sevilla, the third largest in the world. Students also visited the Alhambra of Granada and the Mezquita-Cathedral of Córdoba which are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A day trip to the British overseas territory of Gibraltar was another highlight where students got up close with the Barbary Macaque Apes, the only wild primate population in Europe. During the trip many churros were eaten and miles covered, but the open minds and new friends made were the favorite things the students brought home with them.
7 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of a large group of people standing in front of a building in Spain.
An image of four people posing in front of large stone arches.
An image of five students touring a city in Spain.
An image of a group of students sitting at tables while they eat dinner together.
An image of a handful of students standing in an alley between two buildings.
An image of a large group of people posing together while they travel through Spain.
An image of four students holding cups of gelato.
An image of a large group of people posing in front of a waterway and mountain.
An image of five students posing in the soccer stadium of Real Madrid.
An image of a large group of people standing on a bridge over the water.
We have a winner! Congratulations to Shaker High School senior Catherine Cheng who has been selected as a winner of the National Merit 3M Scholarship. Catherine was among more than 16,000 students across the country who scored in the top one percent on the PSAT exam. She is one of approximately 770 corporate-sponsored award winners announced by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation today.
8 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of National Merit 3M Scholarship winner Catherine Cheng posing with Shaker High School Principal Mr. Marcus Puccioni.
In addition to Shaker Select performing in Hartford on Thursday, Shaker senior Mia Sorrentino and junior Isabel Yang will be performing there this weekend. Both students were accepted into the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Eastern Division All-Eastern Music Festival. Mia will perform with Treble Chorus while Isabel will perform with Mixed Chorus. Only three students were selected from the 82 school districts in this NYSMMA zone and Mia and Isabel are two of them. What an incredible accomplishment! Congratulations!
9 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of two students standing together and posing for a photograph.
It's Transportation Staff Appreciation Day! All of our transportation staff members were celebrated Monday with a breakfast with Superintendent Kathleen Skeals. Today, there was a luncheon held at the bus garage for all bus drivers, bus aides, mechanics and other transportation staff members. Thank you for everything you do for the students and staff in our district!
9 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of five people at a table having lunch together.
An image of four people having lunch at a table together.
A group of people grabbing lunch at a buffet table.
An image of two people talking in a bus garage.
Three members of the North Colonie transportation staff pose for a photograph.
Eight members of the North Colonie transportation staff pose for a photograph.
Three members of the North Colonie transportation staff pose for a photo.
Two members of the North Colonie transportation staff pick up breakfast items from a table.
Three members of the North Colonie transportation staff pose for a photograph.
Two people talk in the bus garage during a celebration of the transportation staff.
Applications to request a mail-in ballot for the upcoming school budget vote are now open! The deadline to request a mail-in ballot online is May 12 at 4 p.m. Any requests after that time must be made in person at the NCCSD Central Office at 91 Fiddlers Lane. Ballots must be received by the district clerk by 5 p.m. on the day of the election (May 20, 2025).
10 days ago, North Colonie Communications
A poster with a QR code to request a mail-in ballot for the upcoming budget vote.
Shaker Select is headed to Connecticut this week! The group has been chosen to perform in the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Eastern Division Conference in Hartford on Friday. Shaker Select is one of the seven NYS ensembles chosen to perform at the conference and is the lone upstate public school represented. Congratulations Shaker Select!
11 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of the members of Shaker Select posing for a formal photo. The first row of students are seated in chairs along with their director while the second row is standing.
North Colonie Central School District is taking part in a "Month of Service" in May. We'll kick it off with the "Blue Creek Day of Service" on Saturday, May 3 from 9am-12pm. We'll be cleaning the garden and installing a new pollinator bed as part of the activities. Come spend your morning with us on May 3! #monthofservice
11 days ago, North Colonie Communications
A poster with images of a pitch fork, watering can, plants, shears, a hat and boots to promote the Blue Creek Day of Service on Saturday, May 3.
Welcome to the newest members of the German National Honor Society! Last week, a group of Shaker High School seniors were inducted into the SHS chapter in front of family and friends in Taft Cafeteria. There was also a ceremony highlighting the National German Exam winners. Shaker students took home 10 gold, 11 silver and 7 bronze medals in the competition. Congratulations to all!
16 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of students standing at the front of a room holding lit candles.
An image of two students speaking at a podium during a ceremony with two teachers at the front of the room.
An image of three students at the front of a room of people with a television screen with photos on it.
An image of a student playing the violin next to a screen in a room of people.
An image of a teacher shaking the hand of a student who is being inducted into the German National Honor Society.
Last week, Forts Ferry and Southgate students were treated to the Harvest of the Month! Members of the Food Services team and Farm to School Facilitator Amber Cost pickled New York grown carrots for students to sample pickled carrot chips (both dill and bread and butter options) during their lunch time. Students were then asked to give feedback. The Harvest of the Month program aims to promote healthy eating habits and educate students about the benefits of incorporating fresh produce into their diets.
17 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of a student taking a sample cup of pickled carrot chips at lunch time.
Students take cups of pickled carrot chips at lunch time to try as part of the Harvest of the Month program.
An image of a student placing a sticker on a posterboard to rate the pickled carrot chips sampled at lunch time.
An image of a student placing a sticker on a posterboard to rate the pickled carrot chips sampled at lunch time.
Assistant Director of Food Services Alex Clements holding a tray of sliced and pickled carrots in cups.
Students standing at a table taking sample cups of pickled carrots at lunch time.
An image of gloved hands placing pickled carrots chips into individual cups from a large tray.
An image of a student placing a sticker on a posterboard to rate the pickled carrot chips sampled at lunch time.
A student taking a cup of pickled carrots from a tray on a table at lunch time.
It's the annual Free Prom Dress & Attire event at Shaker High School! This year, in addition to dozens of dresses, shoes and purses for the ladies, we have menswear! Suits, shirts, ties and shoes are available and it's all free. We are here from 9am-1pm in LaFollette Cafeteria. We hope to see you there!
17 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of a variety of prom dresses hanging on a rack.
An image of people looking at prom dresses on racks.
Suits on hangers laying on chairs.
Dozens of dress ties displayed on a table.
An up close image of the design on a prom dress with sparkles and flowers.
A couple times a month, Ms. Tracey Fitzpatrick's fifth graders at Boght Hills participate in community building circles. This past spring, Ms. Fitzpatrick was selected to take part in Restorative Justice Education training focused on conflict resolution and restorative practices. Ms. Fitzpatrick and her students look forward to "Circle Time," joined by their mascot "Sock," as each student has a voice and is heard by everyone in the circle. Topics range from getting to know you responses, to discussions that foster relationships, connections, and healing.
18 days ago, North Colonie Communications
A image of a class of students sitting in chairs in a large circle as they have a discussion.
An image of several students sitting next to one another in chairs in a classroom.
A image of a class of students sitting in chairs in a large circle as they have a discussion.