It's hard to believe but the start of a new school year is less than a month away! Get ready by downloading the new North Colonie CSD app. The NCCSD app is designed to make it easier than ever for families to stay connected with teachers, schools, and district news. Parents and guardians will have access to a two-way communication feature called Rooms, where you can message directly with your child’s teachers and receive classroom announcements and updates. Download it now!
Download for Android https://aptg.co/Rm9jsg
Download for iPhone https://aptg.co/QKkpXP
Download for Android https://aptg.co/Rm9jsg
Download for iPhone https://aptg.co/QKkpXP
From Latham, NY to Fife, Scotland! Shaker Latin teacher Mrs. Edythe Malara-Lutjen took the international stage at the 2025 Classical Association Conference, sharing how she brings ancient texts to life for today’s students. To read more about Mrs. Malara-Lutjen’s trip and presentation, go to our website.
As North Colonie CSD celebrates its 75th anniversary, the Shaker Loudonville Fire Department’s Explorer Post is celebrating 50 years. Shaker High School students Brayden Blanchard and Jack Monette are proud members of the Explorer Post and are gaining real-world experience while continuing their family traditions in service. To learn more about Explorer Post 475, go to the link in our bio.
On Monday night, recent Shaker High School graduate Mira Ginsburg was honored as one of 10 high school recipients in the 2025 Capital District Sports Women of the Year Class, recognized for her outstanding achievements in academics, athletics, and community service. Mira has gone above and beyond to promote inclusivity at Shaker. She founded the Include the Blue Club as a sophomore and served as its President. She is also heavily involved with Special Olympics NY and has raised thousands of dollars for that organization. Her impact will continue to shape a more inclusive school culture for years to come. Congratulations Mira on this well-deserved honor!
Congratulations are also in order for Kayla Beaudoin, daughter of Loudonville Elementary PE teacher Ron Beaudoin, on her recognition!
Summer Seminar is helping SHS students grow—both academically and personally! The Summer Seminar class is taking learning outside the classroom and into the sunshine, where students will spend the day building a vertical garden, planting pumpkins, and even starting the day with yoga.
Shaker High School has officially been named a NYSPHSAA School of Excellence for the 2024–2025 school year! This incredible achievement means that over 75% of our varsity teams earned the Scholar-Athlete Team Award. This honor is a direct reflection of the hard work, dedication, and balance shown by our student-athletes, coaches, and athletic staff. Let’s keep raising the bar!
We're turning 75! The 2025-26 school year marks the 75th anniversary of the North Colonie CSD and we're inviting you to join us in celebrating! We’re collecting photos from years past and we’d love your help. Whether it’s a snapshot from a school play, a pep rally, graduation, or just a favorite moment in the halls, your photos are part of our shared history. Please send any old school photos (with the year and a brief description if possible) to NC75@nccsk12.org. Your memories will help us create a special anniversary display and possibly be featured in our digital and printed celebrations.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Stay tuned for more information on how we plan to celebrate this exciting milestone. Here’s to the next 75 years!
Thank you for being part of our journey. Stay tuned for more information on how we plan to celebrate this exciting milestone. Here’s to the next 75 years!
Congratulations to our nine SHS seniors—Kate C., Meg C., Alana D., Elizabeth H., Alex J., Samatha S., Yusra T., and Alan Y., —who fulfilled the training requirements and passed the Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills test (ATAS)! Thank you to English teacher, Rebekah Wilson and special education teacher, Paige Prehoda for leading the way with this new initiative!
A total of 16 students enrolled in Literacy and Education, a new full year English course intended for seniors interested in the field of education, or looking to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. During this time, students worked toward a Level 1 Teaching Assistant certification, which provides the foundation to work in public and private schools. Thank you to Wilson and Prehoda for their work with our students, teachers, and administrators to make this course happen!
A total of 16 students enrolled in Literacy and Education, a new full year English course intended for seniors interested in the field of education, or looking to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. During this time, students worked toward a Level 1 Teaching Assistant certification, which provides the foundation to work in public and private schools. Thank you to Wilson and Prehoda for their work with our students, teachers, and administrators to make this course happen!
On June 20, Forts Ferry Principal Dr. Casey Parker made good on his promise for the Principal’s Challenge! He vowed that if students raised $20,000 for the new adaptive playground, each class would get the chance to throw water balloons at him, and they did not disappoint. In just two weeks, the school soared past its goal, raising over $25,000! A big thank you to Michelle Duggan and the PTA for helping make this possible. #throwbackthursday
Mark your calendars! North Colonie CSD will be at the Capital Region Virtual Career Fair this Wednesday, July 9. The event will feature a variety of open positions in the district, including teachers, keyboard specialist, aides, bus drivers, and more. Pre-register and learn more here: https://nysdolvirtual4.easyvirtualfair.com/. Find open positions at North Colonie at NorthColonie.org/Employment. Be sure to stop by the North Colonie virtual booth and say hello!
Congratulations to the Shaker Writing Center (SWC) for being recognized as a New York State English Council (NYSEC) 2025 Program of Excellence! And congratulations to Siobhan Matrose for being named the NYSEC Educator of Excellence (Secondary School) for her work with the SWC. Starting the SCW in 2014, Matrose has promoted writing as a way of thinking, connecting, and being. Her work with the SWC has guided students to become leaders and in turn, writing consultants.
"For over a decade Ms. Matrose has quietly grown an enduring, brave space within which students don’t just develop a piece of writing, but grow as writers, learners, and citizens," said NYSEC Past President Christopher Mazura.
Through her guidance, students who work in the SWC are empowered to support their peers, focusing on the writer and the story, versus the pressure of perfection and the writing itself. For each 30 minute session, the writing consultants dedicate their time and efforts to help their peers craft their voice and the success speaks for itself.
Congratulations to Siohban Matrose, the writing consultants of the SWC, and the North Colonie community on this amazing accomplishment!
That's a wrap on the inaugural year for the Latham Ridge Running Club! To celebrate the success of the club, the Latham Ridge Running Club Awards were held for runners in grades K-5 on Wednesday, June 25. Runners who had good attendance for the year were honored with a medal. Runners also received awards in the following special categories Golden Sneaker Award (Top Overall Milage), Silver Sneaker Award (2nd Overall Milage), Top Female Runner (For Each Grade), Top Male Runner (For Each Grade), Most Improved Runner (For Each Grade), Respectful Runner Award (For Each Grade), Family Fun Award (Top Sibling Combo), Running Club Cup Grades K-2, and Running Club Cup Grades 3-5. Great job to our runners!
Monday marked Blue Creek Principal Chris Turcio’s first (and probably last) taping! After students crushed their fundraising goal, raising more than $17,000 for the annual fun run, every class got to add a piece of tape to stick him to the wall. He didn’t stay up for long (just one second without the foot holds!), but the impact is sure to stick for longer. Way to go, Blue Creek!
The school year might be over, but we're not done celebrating our students and their efforts as part of our North Colonie Month of Service! Latham Ridge spread their grade level projects out over a six week span. Kindergarten students learned about recycling and composting. First graders made care packages for a shelter. Second graders made a compost bin for the school. Third graders planted a "mini forest" near the playground and built bird houses which were place around the Latham Ridge campus. Fourth graders made dog and cat toys for a shelter and fifth graders have helped all the other grades. What a difference our Panthers made during the NC Month of Service! Great work everyone!
So, about yesterday... how much fun was that??? Congratulations again to the Class of 2025! We wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavors. We can't wait to see what's next! Once a Bison, always a Bison. #classof2025
Cheering for change. Earlier this year, four Shaker High School juniors proposed a Unified Cheer Team and turned it into a reality. Ava Lindley, Isabella Valentine, Nevaeh Harrison and Carly Darmetko created a place for everyone! For their remarkable work they were chosen as this month’s North Colonie Kids Care Recipients! For more on their remarkable journey, go to the link in our bio!
Nothing could stop these grads — not even the heat! Shaker Middle School held their 8th Grade Recognition Ceremony for the Class of 2029 on Wednesday, June 26. Almost 500 students were presented at the front of the gym, making the day a success. Congratulations to the Class of 2029!
The final stop on this year’s Senior Walk Throughs took place at Menands School Wednesday. Lined with cheering students and staff, the hallways came alive with celebration and pride. After the walk, seniors got to relive memories before moving on to new adventures. Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
The Latham Ridge Senior Walk Through was Wednesday morning! The halls were filled with students and staff cheering on the seniors as they walked through their former elementary school. After the walk, the seniors gathered on the playground for a group photo!
Another day, another Senior Walk Through! Wednesday morning, graduating Shaker seniors strolled the halls of Forts Ferry, where they attended elementary school. The Lions threw quite the celebration! There was a bubble machine, streamers and signs galore to go along with congratulatory signs and cheers from current students and teachers. At the end of it all, the graduates took a group photo on the playground and some took one last ride on the swings.
