North Colonie News: Oct. 28

FROM THE OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT D. JOSEPH CORR

Parents’ Advisory Council Meeting Nov. 1 – Community Safety & Well-being

A Parents’ Advisory Council (PAC) meeting will be held Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. The topic is community safety and well-being. We will be joined by Casey Bardin, North Colonie’s Director of Pupil Services Casey Bardin, K-12 Director of Counseling and Mental Health Services Tricia Doyle, and Lieutenant Todd Weiss and Sergeant Anthony Sidoti from the Colonie Police Department.

The meeting will be livestreamed. A link will be shared early next week.

 

Educating Students: ‘All Means All’ in North Colonie

We want to take the opportunity to share with our community facts and information regarding our special education program. During the 2020-21 school year, 14 percent (848) of the 5,905 students enrolled in North Colonie CSD receive some form of special education programming. This is when specific educational plans are written for a student to ensure they are receiving the services they need.

The theme of our 2022-2023 school year in North Colonie is belonging. Which is only fitting. We have a historical commitment to “all means all,” and that includes receiving the best education support possible at North Colonie CSD schools.

Over the summer, we provided interviews to a Times Union reporter. The Times Union has published a report on districts across the Capital Region, using data obtained through a FOIL request that focuses on two specific areas: timeout rooms and use of physical restraint.

There are some important points regarding timeout rooms we want our community to know and understand:

  • A timeout room’s use is a legal process, requiring overall collaborative agreement by an individual student’s Committee on Special Education (CSE). THE CSE includes the parent, student, special and general education teachers, school psychologist, and public services’ staff. 
  • North Colonie considers the use of timeout rooms as “tools of last resort.”

Click here to read more about North Colonie’s special education programming.

 

NC’s Commitment to the Community Continues

Be on the lookout for information about North Colonie’s United Way campaign – kicking off Nov. 1 through Nov. 30.

united way logo

 

North Colonie Welcomes Conductor and Composer Duo

Sophia Papoulis, associate conductor of the Young People’s Chorus (YPC) in NYC and Shaker High School alum (’02), and husband Jim Papoulis, composer and conductor, visited 6-12 music students last week.

Sophia worked with middle and high school choruses. Jim led songwriting workshops for 8th grade general music students and led workshops focused on composition, rhythmic drumming circles and songwriting with SHS choir, band, orchestra, music theory, and music tech students. Read more about their visit with our students here.

picture of Sophia Papoulis with Shaker music students
Sophia Papoulis, associate conductor of the Young People’s Chorus (YPC) in NYC and Shaker High School alum (’02) worked with middle and high school students during a recent visit.

School Board Recognition Week

School Board Recognition Week is celebrated by districts across the state every year. But at the Oct. 24 meeting, Superintendent Joe Corr took the opportunity to individually recognize each of North Colonies’ Board of Education members for their dedication while presenting each with a certificate. This year’s certificate was designed by SHS senior Lily Buresh. 

Board of Education group photo
From left to right: Matthew Cannon (vice president); Mary Nardolillo; Nicholas Comproski;
Pennie Grinnell; Linda Harrison (president); Mary Alber; Sandy Pangburn; Michelle Dischiavo; and Samuel Johnson.

🎉 Weekly Boost 🎉

 

North Colonie Kids Care: Smiles, Tears, & a Standing Ovation

Board of Education President Linda Harrison is completely accurate when she says the recognition of the North Colonie Kids Care students is the best part of every Board meeting. And October was no exception when Latham Ridge 5th graders, Avery Lyons and Violet Williams were honored at the Oct. 24 meeting.

Avery and Violet made and sold over 700 gold ribbons that brought recognition to Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and needed funds to the Baller Foundation. Contributions totaled more than $1,000 in three days! Click here to read more about Avery and Violet.

Kids Care honorees with teacher
Teacher Michele Sano nominated Violet and Avery for NC Kids Care recognition.

 


Events / Updates / Reminders

Friday, Nov. 11

Veterans Day – no school

District Calendar

Check out our District Calendar online here.

picture of google calendar on NC website