Shoppers at Colonie Center were recently treated to songs of the season, thanks to the Shaker Middle School 8th grade band, chorus, and orchestra. Students performed at the mall on Friday, Dec. 12, entertaining hundreds of holiday shoppers and parents. Great job to our Shaker musicians! And a special thank you to the North Colonie maintenance team for their help in moving chorus rises, music stands, and tubas for the group!
3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
SMS 8th grade performing at colonie center
SMS 8th grade performing at colonie center
SMS 8th grade performing at colonie center
SMS 8th grade performing at colonie center
SMS 8th grade performing at colonie center
SMS 8th grade performing at colonie center
SMS 8th grade performing at colonie center
SMS 8th grade performing at colonie center
SMS 8th grade performing at colonie center
SMS 8th grade performing at colonie center
Wouldn't you know it, Boght Hills has plenty of poets! Last week fifth grade students from Boght Hills participated in the annual poetry slam event. It was another successful year of the event, as friends, family, students, and staff gathered to hear the poems students had written. Great job to our Boght Hills poets!
3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
BH Poetry Slam
BH Poetry Slam
BH Poetry Slam
BH Poetry Slam
BH Poetry Slam
BH Poetry Slam
BH Poetry Slam
BH Poetry Slam

Part of being a librarian is the willingness to share knowledge, and that's just what happened recently for Shaker High School Librarian Rebecca Byrne, who presented at the 36th Annual Regional Technology Awareness Day on Friday, Dec. 12. The title of Byrne's session was, "Algorithms in Action: A Hands-On Introduction to AI for Students." After the session, Byrne shared the lesson she does at SHS for the Freshman Seminar class, allowing for attendees to experience the lesson as if they were the students themselves. The exceptional lesson featured discussion, lecture, hands-on activities, and even a digital bias activity. With the ultimate goal of students understanding how AI uses algorithms to learn their habits, attendees left with several resources on tools to help them implement the lesson themselves. Great job representing North Colonie and sharing your knowledge, Rebecca!

3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
Rebecca Byrne presenting
Shaker High School recently offered the North Colonie community a chance to learn all about the “Holidays Around the World!” The event took place on Friday, Dec. 12 and offered a chance for SHS students to share their cultural holidays. Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in making this event a success!
3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
Holidays Around the World
Holidays Around the World
Holidays Around the World
Holidays Around the World
Holidays Around the World
Holidays Around the World
Holidays Around the World
Spotted: Shaker students doing great things! On Thursday, Dec. 4, a SHS violin/cello quartet performed by invitation at the New York State Education Department's annual Employee Service Awards reception. SHS Orchestra Teacher Sara Tribou and three SHS students not only performed for the attendees, but they were also recognized by the administration of NYSED for their efforts. Great job to Ms. Tribou and our students!
3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
Students performing
A group of 63 students from Shaker High School recently spent the day in training to become student ambassadors for the Sources of Strength program. Sources of Strength is a fun and positive program where students work together to spread hope, help, and strength throughout our school. The program, which was established through the University of Rochester, aims to help everyone know that they have people and things in their life that make them strong—even when things get tough. Thank you to our 63 new student ambassadors who spent the day learning, supporting their peers, and showing us just what it means to be a Bison! Read more on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/article/2590714
3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
Sources of Strength training
Sources of Strength training
Sources of Strength training
Sources of Strength training
Sources of Strength training
Sources of Strength training
Sources of Strength training
Sources of Strength training
Sources of Strength training

Old McDonald had a farm.... and kindergartners at Latham Ridge learned all about the cows on that farm! A representative from Cornell Cooperative Extension's Dairy in the Classroom program visited to help teach students all about agriculture in conjunction with their CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) unit on Farm Animals. Students participated in three different activities. They decorated cut-out cows with the grain and corn that cows eat, they made butter and they drew and created small barns with Mrs. Rossi. It was a day filled with a lot of fun and learning!

3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
A student decorates a cow cut-out using corn and grain.
A student poses with the project she is creating on a plate.
A group of students work to glue corn and grain to cut-outs of cows.
A student uses a q-tip to spread glue on a cut-out of a cow.
Students put glue on cut-outs of cows to decorate them.
A student puts glue on a cut-out of a cow as part of a project.
A representative from Cornell Cooperative Extension stands at the front of a room of students, presenting about cows.
A student tries the butter he made, using a cracker.
A representative of the Cornell Cooperative Extension speaks to a class of students.
A student gives thumbs up after tasting the butter he made in class with a cracker.

We're proud to look back at the transportation team who helped keep our students moving in 1983, and proud of the team who does today!

Have any other photos from the last 75 years? Send them to us at communications@nccsk12.org. We love to see them! #NC75 #throwbackthursday

3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
1983 bus staff
2025 bus staff

As Shaker High School marked the end of the first quarter, a group of 31 students were named the newest recipients of the Shaker Strong character award. The award celebrates students who show important character traits in how they act and treat others, including bravery in tough moments, treating others with respect, and making a positive impact on our school community. For the first quarter, the group was honored for social and ethical behavior: building respectful, inclusive communities. The 31 recipients received their award along with a celebratory bagel breakfast. Congratulations to the newest recipients of the Shaker Strong award!

3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
Shaker Strong
It's almost here! The first “Holidays Around the World” event takes place this Friday, Dec. 12 from 5-7 p.m. at Shaker High School. The North Colonie community is invited to attend this event, which will celebrate diversity and culture by allowing SHS students a chance to share their cultural holidays. Read more about the event on our website at https://www.northcolonie.org/article/2578704. We hope to see you there!
3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
Holidays Around the World
Forts Ferry stepped into the spotlight as Monday marked the halfway point in the Bison’s naming journey! Students learned about the voting process during two assemblies before casting their ballots in classrooms. Excitement filled the building, and first graders were so inspired they even wrote a poem for the Bison. With plenty of votes to count, the journey continues at Boght Hills in January for their election day!
3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
First Graders vote for Bison's name
Student votes for bison's name
First grade poem to the Bison
Forts Ferry student puts on "I Voted Today" sticker
Student puts in ballot and gets sticker
Student votes for bison's name
Student decides what name to vote for
Student excitedly votes
On December 6th, the Shaker Speech and Debate won 1st Place in team sweeps at the Snowball Invitational at Mt. Markham High School. Leading the team to their success were the following competitors:

Original Oratory Speech:

1st Place – Ella Bagchi

2nd Place – Pragna Obiddi

3rd Place – Aven Kilmer

Extemporaneous Speaking:

1st Place – Renee Bates

Oral Interpretation:

1st Place – Aven Kilmer

Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate:

1st Place – Victoria Chung

2nd Place – Sima Amiri

Intermediate Lincoln Douglas Debate:

1st Place – Gianna Zhang

Congratulations everyone on a job well done!
3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
Speech & Debate Team
Speech & Debate Team Winning an Award

The Latham Ridge votes are in! The Bison stopped by Latham Ridge Elementary School Friday, and our students were excited to cast their votes the bison name! Their creativity and enthusiasm are helping bring this district-wide project to life. Stay tuned as we visit more schools and gather more votes! Forts Ferry, we will see you on Monday!

3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
Bison latham ridge visit
Bison latham ridge visit
Bison latham ridge visit
Bison latham ridge visit
Bison latham ridge visit
Bison latham ridge visit
Bison latham ridge visit
Bison latham ridge visit
The North Colonie community is invited to attend the first “Holidays Around the World” event on Friday, Dec. 12 from 5-7 p.m. at Shaker High School. The event, hosted by the Cooking & Culture Club, celebrates celebrate diversity and culture by allowing SHS students a chance to share their cultural holidays. Read more about the event here: https://www.northcolonie.org/article/2578704
3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
Holidays Around the World
The Bison is one stop closer to getting a name, with our second school visit in the books! Students grades K-5 at Loudonville Elementary School had the chance to cast their votes for the Bison's name today. The Bison and Superintendent Kathleen Skeals both stopped by to say hello, sharing plenty of high fives and excitement. Thanks for having us, Loudonville! See you soon, Latham Ridge!
3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
bison visit to loudonville
bison visit to loudonville
bison visit to loudonville
bison visit to loudonville
bison visit to loudonville
bison visit to loudonville
bison visit to loudonville
bison visit to loudonville
bison visit to loudonville
Please join us in wishing 13 Shaker High School students good luck this weekend as they head to the NYSSMA All-State Music Festival in Rochester. The students have gone through a complex process to be chosen as a performer or alternate in the 2025 NYSSMA All-State Festival. Congratulations and best of luck to the following students:
Bathala Bernardo 12 Drumset in the Modern Band
Surya Bommasani 12 Bass in the Mixed Chorus
Jenna Cannistraci 11 Alto in the Treble Chorus
Nafiza Ilma 11 Alto in the Mixed Chorus
Adam Judson 11 Oboe in the Symphonic Band
Lauren Lee-Chung 11 Violin in the Symphony Orchestra
Jackson Majewski 12 Tenor in the Mixed Chorus
Lily Maynard 12 Soprano 1 in the Treble Chorus
Avery Subik 11 Bass in the String Orchestra
Isabel Yang 12 Alto in the Treble Chorus
Sophie Freed 11 Alternate on Percussion
Gio Ok 11 Alternate on Cello
Chaz Siegfeld 12 Alternate on Tenor
3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
NYSSMA All State Music
Prior to the Thanksgiving break, SHS alumni E.L. Shen visited to share her experiences as a writer and her journey from Shaker student to publisher to published author. The visit was hosted by the SHS National English Honor Society and offered Shen the chance to talk about her latest book, "The Queens of New York," which was based on the friendships she made while at Shaker. She also talked about the creative process behind writing the book, the input she had on the cover, and more. Following her session, Shen then led a writing workshop for students interested in the creative writing and publishing process. Shen has published three books, with another due in fall 2026. Thank you for your visit, E.L. Shen!
3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
Author E.L. Shen Visit
Author E.L. Shen Visit
Author E.L. Shen Visit
Author E.L. Shen Visit

It's Special Education Day! While this year was a snowy one, we thank all of our special education students, teachers and staff here in North Colonie for everything you bring to our district! #SpecialEducationDay

3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
it's special education day
Happy Giving Tuesday! The North Colonie @unitedwaygcr Season of Giving campaign continues as we look to provide a happy holiday season for all of our families in need. If you would like to contribute, use the QR code on your screen or by visiting https://ignite.stratuslive.com/uwgcr/get-involved/fundraise/25NCCSDgiving.

100% of the proceeds go directly back to North Colonie to assist our families. Thank you for your support! #givingtuesday
3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
It's Giving Tuesday! Donate to the NCCSD Families During the Season of Giving
The North Colonie Central School District is closed today, Tuesday, Dec. 2, due to inclement weather. Only snow removal employees are to report.
3 months ago, North Colonie Communications
no school tuesday dec 2