It's School Bus Driver Appreciation Day! Let’s give a big thank you to the drivers who keep our school days running safely and smoothly. They are the first friendly face in the morning and the last one in the afternoon, making every ride a safe, welcoming, and dependable part of the day. Thank you bus drivers!
Join us in celebrating their hard work, care, and dedication on every route. Ready to make a difference in your community? Be a hero, drive a school bus.
Join us in celebrating their hard work, care, and dedication on every route. Ready to make a difference in your community? Be a hero, drive a school bus.
On Thursday, April 16, students of the German program gathered at SHS for a night of celebrating their outstanding achievements. First, a group of 18 seniors were officially inducted into the National German Honor Society Delta Epsilon Phi based on their academic achievement and multiple-year active membership in the Hudson Valley chapter. Next, 39 students were recognized for their amazing performance in the 2025-26 National German Exam. The students won 9 gold medals, 17 silver medals and 13 bronze medals across the level 2, 3, and 4 exams offered by the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) every year. On top of the medals, two students received scholarships. Senior Renat Gosmanov won the Postgraduate Monetary Scholarship. Junior Lillian Pasos received the AATG travel scholarship based on her outstanding results in the exam. She will be traveling to Germany for three weeks, living with a host family and attending a German school. At the end of her stay, she will be traveling to Berlin with a group of other US students of German. The program was accompanied by music performances by Ryan Hoang, Charles Adelstein and Luqman Ahmed. Congratulations to all the students and their teachers, Melissa Brandt and Christine Connor!
On Wednesday, April 22, Shaker HIgh School students participated in a Mock Trial experience in collaboration with the New York State Unified Court System at Shaker Middle School. The Honorable Michael C. Howard of Columbia County Court presided over the proceedings, while representatives from the NYS Unified Court System provided additional support and guidance. The event offered students a valuable, hands-on look at the judicial process.
Only two weeks to go until the Bison Birthday Bash and North Colonie’s 75th Anniversary. Join us on Saturday, May 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Arthur Walker Field for an action-packed celebration with food, music, games, a dance party, and the exciting moment we officially name our Bison!
What an incredible way to wrap up the week! On Friday, April 24, our Unified Basketball team took the court for the second annual Blue vs. White game, and it did not disappoint! The celebration kicked off as all four unified teams were welcomed into H Gym, followed by a special moment as Leigh Howard from Special Olympics New York unveiled our brand new National Unified Champion School banner alongside unified athlete Kiki Growick. Both teams played their hearts out, showcasing not only their skills but the true spirit of unified sports, teamwork, inclusion, and sportsmanship. The energy in the gym was electric from start to finish, with players and fans bringing the hype on and off the court! At halftime, the unified cheer team wowed the crowd with a fantastic performance, adding even more excitement to an already unforgettable event. A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support, your energy made all the difference!
For more pictures go to our Facebook page!
For more pictures go to our Facebook page!
Thursday, April 23, all eight schools gathered at Shaker Middle School for the annual Physical Education District Leadership Awards. Forty-six standout students in grades 5–12 were selected by their PE teachers for demonstrating exemplary leadership and effort. The Shaker Middle School Jazz Band, conducted by music teacher Omar Williams, provided musical accompaniment. Guest speaker Chris Landers, a Shaker High School Class of 2013 graduate and current assistant football coach, shared how physical education, along with his teachers and coaches, helped shape him into the person he is today. Senior students Gavin Bailie and Joelle Hannoush also spoke, sharing their experiences in PE and offering advice to younger students. Congratulations to all honorees!
Congratulations to our SHS Capstone Engineering class students! Three groups from the class took home prizes in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Competition. The class, which consists of SHS seniors, were tasked with coming up with their own real world problem and designing a viable solution to solve the problem. The three groups who came back with prizes were:
- NYS Semi-Finalists - Dev Bhatia, Collin Fisk, Prathik Gullapalli - Multi-Directional Microphone to Detect Victims in Disaster Situations
*This team also won the Your AI Horizons Challenge award from the CTE Momentum AI Challenge.
- STEM Innovation Award - Joanna Kang and Shayla Mieu and Sirihamsika Kothagundla - Adaptive Aromatherapy Device to Reduce Agitation and Support Emotional Well-Being in Dementia Patients
- STEM Innovation Award - Fahim Fida, Sanjana Kolli, and Caleb Meade - Interactive Bilateral-Stimulation Mattress Topper For PTSD
Read more about their projects on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/article/2839056
- NYS Semi-Finalists - Dev Bhatia, Collin Fisk, Prathik Gullapalli - Multi-Directional Microphone to Detect Victims in Disaster Situations
*This team also won the Your AI Horizons Challenge award from the CTE Momentum AI Challenge.
- STEM Innovation Award - Joanna Kang and Shayla Mieu and Sirihamsika Kothagundla - Adaptive Aromatherapy Device to Reduce Agitation and Support Emotional Well-Being in Dementia Patients
- STEM Innovation Award - Fahim Fida, Sanjana Kolli, and Caleb Meade - Interactive Bilateral-Stimulation Mattress Topper For PTSD
Read more about their projects on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/article/2839056
Students in Ms. Gauthier’s AP Spanish class recently brought their learning to life with a visit to The Metropolitan Museum of Art to explore the Art of the Ancient Americas exhibit.
As part of Shaker High School’s advanced Spanish program, students regularly engage with authentic cultural materials and real-world interactions that deepen both their language proficiency and cultural understanding. During the visit, students examined artifacts from across Latin America, experiencing firsthand the richness and diversity of the cultures they study in class.
The trip encouraged students to think critically about the connections between past and present, and how art reflects identity, values, and history which are key themes of the AP Spanish Language and Culture curriculum. Experiences like this help bring language and culture to life beyond the classroom, giving students a deeper appreciation for the perspectives and traditions of the Spanish-speaking world.
As part of Shaker High School’s advanced Spanish program, students regularly engage with authentic cultural materials and real-world interactions that deepen both their language proficiency and cultural understanding. During the visit, students examined artifacts from across Latin America, experiencing firsthand the richness and diversity of the cultures they study in class.
The trip encouraged students to think critically about the connections between past and present, and how art reflects identity, values, and history which are key themes of the AP Spanish Language and Culture curriculum. Experiences like this help bring language and culture to life beyond the classroom, giving students a deeper appreciation for the perspectives and traditions of the Spanish-speaking world.
Shaker's Robotics Team 2791 delivered an outstanding performance at the Tech Valley Regional, held at MVP Arena from Thursday, April 16 through Saturday, April 18. The team welcomed Shaker Robotics alum and current RPI student Jason Zhang as a guest speaker during the opening ceremony, where he shared his journey and highlighted the exciting STEM opportunities that FIRST Robotics can open.
Since January, the team dedicated countless hours to designing, building, and refining their robot, and that effort was evident throughout the competition. Across all qualification matches, they demonstrated strong skill, innovation, and teamwork. A standout feature of their robot was the use of a Meta Quest VR headset, programmed to continuously track the robot’s position with millimeter precision, advancing their autonomous capabilities. This innovative approach previously earned the team the Innovation in Controls Award at the Hudson Valley Regional in March, marking their sixth and final engineering award needed to complete the prestigious FIRST Robotics “Hexfecta.”
The team competed with focus, determination, and professionalism in every match. While they did not advance to the playoffs, their qualification performance was strong and consistent, including setting the highest score during qualifications. Beyond competition, the event offered valuable opportunities to connect, collaborate, and share ideas with other teams. Their gracious professionalism was on full display as they supported local Team 3044 Ballston Spa on its run to the finals.
It was an impressive showing by the entire team.
On Monday, April 20, Shaker Middle School hosted its annual Taste of the World event. The celebration has grown since past years thanks to a collaboration with the English as a New Language team, whose students helped make the experience more meaningful and diverse. Families enjoyed sampling foods from more than 20 countries, listening to live music from SMS Chamber Strings, and exploring student projects and international cuisine highlights. ENL displays were featured, along with a digital cookbook available through the link in our bio, and opportunities to connect with community partners.
Wednesday, April 22 marks Administrative Professionals Day! We’re proud to recognize the outstanding team members across our district who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything organized and running seamlessly. Their commitment, professionalism, and positive spirit make a lasting impact every day and we are truly grateful for all they do. Please join us in celebrating and thanking our amazing administrative professionals!
Best wishes to our students representing North Colonie at the State SkillsUSA Competition! The competition is being conducted at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse from April 22-24. Students from Shaker High School attending are:
- Emmalina Coluccio for the Barbering competition in the BOCES Cosmetology
- Tessla Murray for the Cosmetology Senior competition in the BOCES Cosmetology program
- Bolaji Owodunni for the Prepared Speech competition in the BOCES Game Design and Implementation program
- Jalal-Taha Selcuk for the Job Skill Demo competition in the BOCES Automotive Trades Technology program
- Elena Hymes as a House of Delegate representative in the Criminal Justice program
Please join us in wishing good luck to these students!
- Emmalina Coluccio for the Barbering competition in the BOCES Cosmetology
- Tessla Murray for the Cosmetology Senior competition in the BOCES Cosmetology program
- Bolaji Owodunni for the Prepared Speech competition in the BOCES Game Design and Implementation program
- Jalal-Taha Selcuk for the Job Skill Demo competition in the BOCES Automotive Trades Technology program
- Elena Hymes as a House of Delegate representative in the Criminal Justice program
Please join us in wishing good luck to these students!
Over April break, a group of 28 French 4, 5, and AP students from Shaker High School participated in a trip to Paris and the Loire Valley. During the trip, students saw famous monuments, toured several castles, and spent a day visiting the American cemetery and D-Day beaches in Normandy.
April is Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month! Let’s come together as a district and go blue on Friday, April 24 to raise awareness, show support, and celebrate inclusion for all. 💙
Congratulations to Shaker Middle School seventh grade student Vibhav Doppalapudi for advancing to the state level of the National Civics Bee! The National Civics Bee is a prestigious nationwide program that challenges middle school students to deepen their understanding of American government, civic responsibilities, and community engagement. Vibhav was invited to compete at the regional level after his essay was selected from over 400 others. On April 2, he advanced through multiple rounds of civics knowledge and scenario-based reasoning to be named a regional winner. From here, he will compete at the state level on Thursday, June 18 . Good luck, Vibhav!
Shaker High School's Freshman Seminar students all had the opportunity to visit UAlbany's ETEC building as part of a class-wide field trip between April 13-17. Mrs. Kim Murray and Mrs. Hope Dils' students took part in three programs sessions in small groups. Those sessions included sustainability, atmospheric science, AI, green design and STEM careers among other topics. After those sessions, students walked across campus to eat lunch in the campus dining hall. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to experience campus life and learn more about future career opportunities!
On Thursday, April 16, Shaker senior Nawaf Kassem was selected to take part in the New York State Education Department's Arab American Heritage Month Celebration. Nawaf read Governor Kathy Hochul's proclamation to those in attendance, declaring April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month in New York State. The ceremony also included moving messages from keynote speaker Dina Refki, the Executive Director for the Center for Women in Government and Civil Society, and emcee Malik Eljallad, the Program Manager for the NYS Department of Health.
Oh what a night! On Friday, April 17, Shaker High School celebrated its recognition as a newly minted Unified Champion National Banner School. The district hosted a celebration of all current and former Unified athletes, partners, coaches and aides during a ceremony in the H-gym. Senator Jake Ashby was on hand, as well as representatives from Special Olympics New York to celebrate the achievement. The distinction marks the highest achievement for Unified Champion Schools in the United States. Congratulations Blue Bison!
On Tuesday, April 14, Mrs. Shipley’s Business and Personal Law classes took a field trip to the Albany Criminal Court to see the justice system in action. Students observed an active criminal trial, including opening statements and witness examinations, and had the opportunity to ask County Court Judge, Honorable Andra Ackerman, questions. The group also toured New York State’s highest court, the Court of Appeals, making for a truly immersive day of real-world learning. Thank you to Jeff Hoffman, a student’s father who works in the court system and helped facilitate the trip, as well as to the court system for providing this valuable educational experience.
On Monday, March 30, author Lisa Smith visited Loudonville to share her stories, her journey as a writer, and inspire the students to create something they can feel proud of. Mrs. Smith spoke to students about how superhero writing is her anchor, but that it may not be the anchor they choose in their own writing. Mrs. Smith stated, "I firmly believe that each of you is a superhero. Your voice matters. Your ideas matter." Mrs. Smith went on to discuss how it's possible that not everyone will like what you write. She also said that students may choose to create in a different way. She said the important part is doing it for you, and whatever you do- it will be awesome! Mrs. Smith's books are currently on Amazon and will be heading to Barnes and Noble soon.
