Last, but certainly not least, the Latham Ridge Panthers! Principal Thiell joined us for visits to several classrooms throughout the building. From "All About Me" presentations to decorating journals and starting ELA lessons... these students are well on their way to tackling a new school year! #NCCSDFirstDay #NC75
2 days ago, North Colonie Communications
A teacher sits at the front of the room and calls on students to answer questions.
A teacher hands out journals to students seated at their desks.
Superintendent Kathleen Skeals learns about a journal from a young student.
Two students sit together and work at a Chromebook.
Principal Thiell looks on at the back of a class of students.
A student looks on from his desk.
Students look toward the teacher at the front of the room as she goes through a student's presentation.
Three students work at their desks.
A student smiles as she colors at her desk.
Next up, Forts Ferry! Principal Parker made the rounds with us from second grade, to innovation lab and then the library. The Lions are off to a roarin' good start to the school year! #NCCSDFirstDay #NC75
2 days ago, North Colonie Communications
A student wearing headphones works at his Chromebook.
Students wearing headphones work at their Chromebooks.
A group of students wearing headphones sit at their desks and work on their Chromebooks.
Superintendent Kathleen Skeals speaks to two students as they color and cut out a project.
A classroom full of students sit at their desks and work on their Chromebooks.
Four students pose around a table in lab.
The librarian reads a book to a class of students who sit on a carpet in front of her.
Two students talk at a table in innovation lab.
Students look on from the carpet as the librarian reads them a book.
Students look on from the carpet as the librarian reads them a book.
On to Blue Creek! We welcomed our kindergarten students to school on classroom visits and welcomed back our returning students with stops at the iLab, library, cafeteria, and playground. #NC75 #nccsdfirstday
2 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Lego tower!
Student having fun on first day
Student having fun on first day
Student having fun on first day
Student having fun on first day
Student having fun on first day
Student having fun on first day
Student having fun on first day in the library
Student having fun on first day
Lego tower!
We’re back at it, starting the day at Boght Hills! There was plenty of sunshine and smiles for the second day of school, as we visited classrooms, gym class, the library, and playground.

#NC75 #nccsdfirstday
2 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Kids on the playground
Kids on the playground
Library Class
Kids in kindergarten
Kids playing in gym class
Kids in library
Kids playing in gym class
Kids playing in gym class
Kids playing in gym class
Kids in library
Last (but not least) on the first day of school tour was Loudonville Elementary School! Superintendent Skeals visited classrooms, joining in on the first day of school excitement. Welcome back, Lions!

That's a wrap for today - stay tuned as we continue the celebrations tomorrow! Be sure to share your first day photos with us at communications@nccsk12.org. #NC75 #NCCSDFirstDay
3 days ago, North Colonie Communications
students working with string
students working with string
students working with string
students working with string
STUDENTS IN CLASSROOM
kids on carpet smiling
cute kid smiling
kathy and student smiling
cute kids
On to the elementary schools! Our first elementary school stop was Southgate, where we visited classrooms to welcome our kindergarten students to school and greet our returning students. Welcome back, Gators!
3 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Two students get lunch on the cafeteria line.
Three students smile while sitting at the lunch table in the cafeteria.
A teacher sits with a student at a table as she eats lunch in the cafeteria.
A teacher speaks to her class of kindergarten students.
Three students get to know one another by asking questions during a classroom activity.
One student poses at her desk as a student next to her writes with a pencil.
A student writes with a pencil on his paper at a desk.
Two students get to know one another by asking questions about their interests.
A teacher reads a book to her students at the front of the classroom.
Students listen intently from their desks as their teacher reads at the front of the room.

We had a great time today connecting with members of New York State Education Department (NYSED) at Shaker High School today! Joining us were Chief Information Officer Michael St. John and Director of Human Resources Anne Fiscarelli. During their visit, they toured the Shaker gardens, learned about Freshman Seminar, sat in on a Latin class, and visited a few other classrooms to learn more about our district.

#NC75 #NCFirstDay

3 days ago, North Colonie Communications
NYSED members and North Colonie faculty conversing at the SHS garden.
a view of the classroom
Michael St. John and Anne Fiscarelli
Michael St. John and Anne Fiscarelli listening to SHS teacher.
Edith teaching class
NYSED member conversing at the SHS garden.
teacher teaching a class
people laughing and having a good time
Let's learn latin!
Our second stop of the day is Shaker Middle School! We are excited to see old friends again and even more excited to welcome new faces, especially the incoming sixth graders. Don’t forget to share your first day photos with us by emailing communications@nccsk12.org. #NC75 #NCCSDFirstDay
3 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Shaker Middle School Students on the first day.
Shaker Middle School Students in class on the first day.
Shaker Middle School Students in class on the first day.
Shaker Middle School Students in class on the first day.
Shaker Middle School Students in class on the first day.
Shaker Middle School Students in class on the first day.
Kathy and Shaker Middle School teacher welcoming students into classroom
Shaker Middle School Teacher with first day sign.
Shaker Middle School Teachers on the first day.

Welcome back, Shaker High School! SHS students were welcomed into the building by Superintendent Skeals, SHS admin, Charlie, and, of course, a fun balloon arch. Follow along as we visit each of the schools today and tomorrow to welcome our students and staff back! Don't forget to share your first day photos with us by emailing communications@nccsk12.org. It's going to be a great year! #NC75

3 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Group photo of North Colonie admin and Shaker High School admin
Nikki and Student
Students on the first day holding sign
Students on the first day holding sign
Students on the first day holding sign with Garrett
Students on the first day holding sign
Students on the first day holding sign
Students on the first day holding sign
Students on the first day holding sign
Students on the first day holding sign

On Tuesday, Sept. 2, members the NextStep Federal Credit Union team stopped by Central Office to drop off backpacks filled with school supplies. The backpacks will go to North Colonie elementary school students as a part of their Backpacks for Kids program. Thank you, NextStep - we’re so grateful for your support!

4 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Director of Communications and Community Outreach, Ashley Miller, and a representative from NextStep Federal Credit Union
Reminder: Share Your First Day Photos With Us - From Then and Now!

Have a first day of school photo from this year or the last 75 years? Share it with us! Photos can be shared with us through Facebook & Instagram (North Colonie Central School District), email (communications@nccsk12.org or NC75@nccsk12.org), or by using the hashtag #NCCSDFirstDay. We can’t wait to see how you plan to celebrate the start of the 2025-26 school year! #NCCSDFirstDay #NC75

**Download a PDF of the First Day of School signs: https://aptg.co/4_blSP
4 days ago, North Colonie Communications
First Day of School 2025-26 Then and Now Photo Collage
The North Colonie Art Department is ready make this year a masterpiece! In honor of their first day of school for the 2025-26 school year, the team celebrated with this fun photo op.

Don't forget to share your first day of school photos with us - then and now! Feel free to email communications@nccsk12.org (or NC75@nccsk12.org), message us on social media, or use #NCCSFirstDay. We can't wait to welcome back our students on Thursday!
5 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Members of the North Colonie Art Department
The 2025-26 school year kicked off with more than just a welcome, it began with looking back at 75 years of North Colonie. Board of Education President Linda Harrison and Superintendent Kathleen Skeals shared a message with faculty that tied today’s excitement to the district’s roots. When North Colonie grew from 12 small districts into the larger school community we know today. Closing her remarks, Superintendent Skeals shared: “I think our founders would be proud. I know I am.”

The welcome was followed by a performance of “Glorious” by SHS seniors Grace and Jackson Majewski, accompanied by music teacher Amy Kimbler. Staff then broke into groups for additional first-day preparations.

We’re counting down to the #nccsdfirstday and can’t wait to see our students on Thursday, Sept. 4!

#nccsd75
5 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Superintendent Skeals with first NCCSD Superintendent, Edgar Pitkin's foreword
Instructional Staff collected in the SHS auditorium
Director of Communications and Community Outreach, Ashley Miller, and Recruitment and Retention Specialist, Jewelie Koutelis
Ashley Miller and Board of Education President, Linda Harrison
Superintendent Skeals showing newspaper clippings from 1949-1950, when North Colonie was being created
SHS seniors Grace and Jackson Majewski and SHS music teacher Amy Kimbler
District Administrators
#ThenAndNow The halls of Shaker High School and Middle School looked a little different back in 1967! We're looking forward to seeing our students back in the halls next week. #NC75
8 days ago, North Colonie Communications
then and now north colonie

Share Your First Day Photos With Us - From Then and Now! For the 2025-26 school year, we are inviting North Colonie CSD students, staff, and families to share their first day of school photos with us. In celebration of our 75th anniversary, we’re also looking for first day of school photos from over the last 75 years. 

Have a photo from this year or years past? Photos can be shared with us through Facebook & Instagram (@NorthColonieCSD), email (communications@nccsk12.org or NC75@nccsk12.org), or by using the hashtag #NCCSDFirstDay.  We can’t wait to see how you plan to celebrate the start of the 2025-26 school year!

Download a PDF of the First Day of School signs: https://aptg.co/p47d84
Download the JPEG versions of the First Day of School signs : https://northcoloniecentralschoolsny.sites.thrillshare.com/documents/17969767

Please note that by submitting your photos, you allow the North Colonie CSD to use and display them online. When submitting photos on social media, please be sure to avoid using any identifiers like names and house numbers. #NCCSDFirstDay #NC75

11 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Students holding first day of school signs

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to the 51 new practitioners joining North Colonie CSD! The group started off Monday with a welcome message from North Colonie Superintendent of Schools Kathleen Skeals, who offered an overview of the district mission and words of encouragement for the year ahead.

"We're helping kids be the best version of themselves possible," said Skeals. "There are days that are hard, but there is no better job you can do."

The group, which consisted of teachers, specialists, and support staff, then went on to introduce themselves to the room. Each introduction offered a chance to showcase unique talents, fresh ideas, and a passion for helping our students thrive. Welcome to our new practitioners - we’re excited to have you as part of the North Colonie family! #NC75

12 days ago, North Colonie Communications
New Teachers with the Bison
New Teacher with the Bison
New Teacher with the Bison
New Teacher with the Bison
New Teacher with the Bison
Charlie!
Teachers with the Bison
New Teacher with the Bison
New Teacher with the Bison
Kathleen Skeals Speaking to Teachers
The Class of 1959 holds a special place in our history, and the picture shown here is the cover of their yearbook, a book filled with the faces, stories, and memories of North Colonie’s beginnings. We would love to hear those stories again, see your photos, and relive your memories. If you or someone you know was part of this milestone class, please reach out to us at NC75@nccsk12.org.
14 days ago, North Colonie Communications
We’re celebrating 75 years at North Colonie and we want to start with the very first graduating class!
On Thursday, August 21, the Varsity Girls Soccer team volunteered a few hours at the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. They sorted bottles and cans as a part of the Empties for Animals program that generates over $180,000 annually. The players also took a tour of the facility and were excitedly invited back to help out any time! JV and modified teams will also be participating in the next few weeks.
15 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Picture of the varsity girls soccer team
Girls soccer team sitting outside
Girls soccer team members helping sort bottles
Girls soccer team at Mohawk Hudson Humane Society
Girls soccer team members helping sort bottles and cans
Girls soccer team members helping sort bottles and cans
Girls soccer team members helping sort bottles and cans
Girls soccer team members helping sort bottles and cans
Girls soccer member with sorted cans
Girls soccer member excited to help!

That's a wrap on week one of the varsity fall season! Did you know Shaker Athletics has been making history since 1959? From our first football title to the Boys’ Cross Country State Championship in 2010, and the launch of Girls’ Golf in 2020, our tradition of excellence keeps growing.

Today, Shaker Athletics is home to 29 varsity teams, 80 levels of competition, and an impressive 2 state, 112 regional, 125 sectional, and 223 league/division championships.

Our latest achievement: Shaker High School has been named a NYSPHSAA School of Excellence for 2024–2025, with over 75% of varsity teams earning the Scholar-Athlete Team Award. Proof that our student-athletes lead both on the field and in the classroom.

Here’s to raising the bar every year!

#nccsd75 #thenandnow

16 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Then
Now

Meet Chelsea Murphy, North Colonie’s new K-12 District ELA & Libraries Supervisor! Chelsea grew up in Waterford and now lives in Clifton Park with her family. She spent six years teaching high school English at Scotia-Glenville High School.

“I’m excited to support teachers and help shape learning across the district,” she said.

Chelsea was drawn to North Colonie for its culture of collaboration and commitment to excellence.

“This district values both educators and students, and I’m thrilled to be part of it,” she shared. "I’m passionate about lifelong learning and believe that every student’s voice matters. I look forward to building strong relationships with staff, students, and families as we work together to make North Colonie the best it can be."

Outside of work, Chelsea enjoys sailing, practicing yoga, spending time with family, and exploring new places.

Please join us in welcoming Chelsea Murphy to North Colonie!

20 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Meet Chelsea Murphy!