Splash Zone Alert! On Tuesday, Blue Creek Principal Chris Turcio took the plunge—again and again—as every grade had a chance to splash him! The reason? Blue Creek Elementary raised $3,278 for the Read for Ronald McDonald House campaign, surpassing the original goal of $2,750. As part of the Principal Challenge, top fundraisers earned the chance to aim for the dunk tank target. Even missed throws didn’t stop the fun! Many students made sure Principal Turcio got soaked by running up to hit the target, which dropped a bucket of water on his head! Congratulations to all the students and staff for their amazing support of a great cause!
Congratulations to North Colonie Bus Driver Marsha Bejian! Marsha has been named the 2025 AAA Hudson Valley Safe School Bus Driver for the district. The award is given to a school bus driver from each school district throughout the Capital Region by the AAA Hudson Valley. The Safe School Bus Driver award recognizes drivers who present themselves in a positive and safe manner, while following all regulations set forth by the agencies that govern transportation. Marsha was given her award during the award ceremony on Wednesday, June 18. Congratulations, Marsha! Thank you for all you do to keep our students safe!
Congratulations to the Shaker High School Hall of Fame Class of 2025! On Monday, June 16, seven new members were inducted into the SHS Alumni Hall of Fame. SHS student government members Pranjal Yadav and Regan Morrissey read the biography of each of the inducted alumni, sharing with the audience their accomplishments. Following this, each member offered some brief remarks on their time at Shaker. Read their remarks on our website here: https://www.northcolonie.org/article/2274095
View the alumni bios here: https://www.northcolonie.org/halloffame
The North Colonie Teachers' Association hosted its annual retirement party to celebrate the outgoing class of teachers. Employees past and present gathered at The Barn at Power's to honor the 15 NCCSD teachers who are calling it a career. It was a night to reminisce on the years of hard work and dedication put in by so many. Thank you all for everything you have done for North Colonie and we wish you the best of luck in your retirement!
If you're driving on I-90 westbound near Everett Road, keep your eye out for some of our students' creative work on a Lamar Billboard! Ms. Moran's elementary health classes partnered with Lamar to develop public service announcements that raise awareness about the physical, social and emotional impact of screen time, cell phone use and social media. One submission was selected for display from each of our six elementary schools and can be seen through June 18.
Blue Creek had a very special visitor on Tuesday afternoon! Alexia Michitti was born without a right hand and came to talk to students about how our differences make us unique. Alexia hosted two assemblies in the gymnasium to share her life story which includes success as a soccer player both in high school, collegiately and internationally. After graduating from SUNY Oneonta, Alexia went on to play for the first ever U.S. Women's National Amputee Soccer Team in the World Cup, leading them to a silver medal as the goalkeeper. She was awarded the Golden Glove trophy for the tournament's best goalkeeper!
The SHS Multicultural Festival was a resounding success on Friday night! Families from across the district turned out to celebrate the many cultures represented here in North Colonie. There was food from dozens of different countries for people to sample, along with dance, music and crafts from various cultures. The festival was put on by the SHS Cooking and Culture Club with the support of many other school clubs. We can't wait to do it again next year!
It was a party at Walker Field on Wednesday as fifth graders from all six elementary schools came together for the 73rd Annual Fifth Grade Track & Field Meet! The field was buzzing with energy, cheers, music, and nonstop fun! Students participated in more than a dozen events like the softball throw and shot put. To wrap up the day there were three thrilling 4x100 relays ( boys, girls, and coed) which brought the crowd to their feet. Latham Ridge swept them all! Huge thanks to our faculty, staff, and incredible timekeepers for making it all happen!
Thank you to the North Colonie community for supporting the 2025-26 budget! North Colonie residents voted to approve the budget, 937 yes votes to 267 no votes. Linda Harrison and Samuel Johnson were both reelected to their seats on the Board of Education. Learn more on our website at northcolonie.org/news.
North Colonie is once again teaming up with the United Way of the Greater Capital Region... this time for our Season of Service! Throughout the month of May, students from buildings around the district are holding days of service to give back to the community. While they're doing that, we want to help our own students in need. The money raised in this campaign will help provide students with food and other items during summer break and beyond. We are grateful for any and all donations!
Putting FACS skills to the test! Francis Estrella, a student from Morgan Armstrong's Textile & Design class, took what he learned in class and transformed it an official brand.
For the class, students were tasked with creating a clothing company logo and one clothing item. Francis made a beanie hat lined with silk to accommodate people that struggle with frizzy hair. He then took the project a step further, pitching his brand, which he named "Director," to a clothing manufacturer. The slogan for Director is "Your Life Is Your Movie," which Francis says reminds us that we are the boss of our lives - no one but yourself can direct this movie, also known as your life.
"I am beyond proud of him," said Armstrong. "This is exactly what it's all about!"
Blue Creek's new gardens are in! Thank you to everyone who came out to help Mr. Turcio and Mrs. Cost work on the gardens and get them looking beautiful on the Bulldogs' Day of Service. Blue Creek also unveiled new hammocks and a Little Free Library on the grounds. It was a wonderful day to kick off our NCCSD Month of Service!
We have changemakers here in North Colonie! Thursday night, three of those educators were recognized at the Capital Area School Development Association's (CASDA) Annual Awards & Friends of Education Celebration.
Board of Education President Linda Harrison was recognized for Excellence in School Board Service. She is currently serving in her twelfth year as President of the Board. Mrs. Harrison was a social studies teacher at Shaker for 34 years.
Former North Colonie Superintendent Joe Corr was honored with the Friends of Education Award for his service as a social studies teacher, department supervisor and superintendent here in North Colonie. He can still be seen on the sidelines at football games and is very involved in the school community.
Farm to School Facilitator Amber Cost was also honored with the Friends of Education Award. Starting in her new position this school year, Amber will have helped to start gardens at all eight school buildings by the end of the school year. She has worked with Food Services to incorporate produce into the cafeterias and has incorporated lessons on agriculture and sustainability into the curriculum around the district.
Congratulations to all!
Tiny hands, big imaginations! The William K. Sanford Town Library hosted the North Colonie Art Exhibit Reception on Tuesday, April 29. Students in grades K-5 from all six of our elementary schools were in attendance, showing off their work to friends and family. The display was filled with color and creativity, as every piece told a story — great job to our elementary artists!
Thursday night was the annual NCCSD Physical Education Leadership Awards! PE Faculty members selected representatives from grades 5-12 who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and effort in PE classes. 48 students in total were honored in front of family and friends in the Shaker Middle School auditorium. Congratulations to all! For a full list of student winners, click on the link in our bio.
It's Transportation Staff Appreciation Day! All of our transportation staff members were celebrated Monday with a breakfast with Superintendent Kathleen Skeals. Today, there was a luncheon held at the bus garage for all bus drivers, bus aides, mechanics and other transportation staff members. Thank you for everything you do for the students and staff in our district!
Applications to request a mail-in ballot for the upcoming school budget vote are now open! The deadline to request a mail-in ballot online is May 12 at 4 p.m. Any requests after that time must be made in person at the NCCSD Central Office at 91 Fiddlers Lane. Ballots must be received by the district clerk by 5 p.m. on the day of the election (May 20, 2025).
North Colonie Central School District is taking part in a "Month of Service" in May. We'll kick it off with the "Blue Creek Day of Service" on Saturday, May 3 from 9am-12pm. We'll be cleaning the garden and installing a new pollinator bed as part of the activities. Come spend your morning with us on May 3! #monthofservice
Did you know a snail has more than 10,000 teeth? Blue Creek first graders learned that on Friday as part of a dental hygiene lesson. The Bulldogs got a visit from Ms. Lisa Upton from Albany Braces & Dental and she showed them the proper way to brush and floss their teeth. Students practiced brushing technique on stuffed animals and a few students even stood in as "teeth" while Ms. Upton and Elementary Health Education Teacher Jennifer Moran demonstrated flossing. They rounded out the lesson with some very interesting trivia about teeth!
Members of our grounds team were hard at work on Friday, beginning the construction and installation of new garden beds at Blue Creek! The beds, which will be wheelchair accessible, are the creative design of Alex, one of our tremendous groundspeople. If weather cooperates, our team should have the beds completed by the end of next week and ready for planting!
