Happy Thankful Thursday! This week we feature our reason why - our students!
Our students inspire us every day to grow, give back, and make a difference. We are grateful for all they bring to our schools and for making North Colonie such a special community!
Our students inspire us every day to grow, give back, and make a difference. We are grateful for all they bring to our schools and for making North Colonie such a special community!
In honor of Veterans Day, Boght Hills held its annual school wide ceremony to celebrate and acknowledge veterans and active-duty service members from the community. Before the event began, guests were welcomed with refreshments and given the chance to spend time with their Boght Hills students. Everyone was then invited into the gym, where they were treated to a chorus of elementary students singing along to "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "America the Beautiful" 🇺🇸 as part of the ceremony. Thank you to everyone who helped continue this tradition, and - most of all - thank you to all veterans out there for your service as we celebrate you this holiday!
Reminder: There will be no school on Wednesday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day.
Nov. 9 - 13 is National School Psychology Week! School psychologists play a vital role in supporting students’ well-being and we are so grateful for all they do to help our school community. Please join us in celebrating and thanking our dedicated school psychologists for their many contributions to our students and schools! #SchoolPsychologyWeek
Good luck to the cast and crew of "Username"! The one act play will take place this weekend, on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold online at shsnccs.booktix.com/departments or (cash only) at the door before the show. We can't wait to see you there!
It's that time of year again... Happy Thankful Thursday! Each Thursday in November we'll show our gratitude to a group that help make our North Colonie community special. This week, we'd like to thank our non-instructional staff! Often behind the scenes, our transportation staff, custodians and maintenance, aides, office staff, food service workers, monitors, and so many more keep things running in our district. Thank you all for all you do - your hard work and efforts help make North Colonie the wonderful community it is! #ThankfulThursday
Spotted: The friendliest traffic cone you'll ever meet at Forts Ferry! ENL Teacher Lisa Hunter not only took bus duty seriously during a recent dismissal at Forts Ferry, but she also brought plenty of smiles to students, staff, and parents in the pick up line.
Dozens of student artists were celebrated at the first Superintendent's Art Gallery Celebration of the school year on Monday, November 2. Artists from all eight school buildings have art work displayed in the gallery outside Superintendent Skeals' office at Central Office. Those artists and their families came to see their work and had a chance to chat with Ms. Skeals about the process behind their finished products. They enjoyed refreshments and were even joined by many of their art teachers and several principals as well! Congratulations to all of our artists!
Reminder: No school on Tuesday, Nov. 3 for K-12 Superintendent’s Conference Day.
There's still time to get your tickets to Shaker Middle School Theater's upcoming play, "Username" by Brian Hampton. This one act play explores the role of technology and social media in the lives of young people. Performances will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold online at shsnccs.booktix.com/departments, and sales will begin on Oct. 25, 2026. We can't wait to see you there!
Congratulations to Shaker Middle School eighth graders Gabriella Rivera and Hadley Novak, who have been named our Kids Care recipients for the month of October. Gabby and Hadley were honored at the Board of Education meeting on Monday, October 26 after being nominated by SMS speech teacher Mandy O'Brien. Ms. O'Brien had the following to say about Gabby and Hadley when she presented them at the Board meeting:
"When I arrived at the Shaker Middle school 3 years ago I was told that bison stands for: Brave, Inspiring, Supportive, Open Minded, and Neighborly. I could not think of two individuals who display these qualities more than 8th graders, Gabriella Rivera and Hadley Novak. In my 15 years working for the North Colonie School District, one of my greatest joys and privileges has been watching the friendship and connection between Gabby and Hadley.
Despite showing up differently to their time together, the girls have a true, unbreakable bond. Gabby and Hadley have sought each other out year after year each requesting together. As a result, the girls meet in my office no less than once a week to deepen their friendship. I have also witnessed how the girls light up when they catch sight of each other in the hallway, exchanging smiles and a quick hello. Even summer time can’t stop their bond. Gabby often comes in to hang out with Hadley during summer school, going with her to the pool, or during a summer school lesson. Gabby and Hadley have learned that different ways of communicating and moving are not road blocks when it comes to friendship, but something to be celebrated and cherished.
During Gabby and Hadley’s time together, they laugh, talk about teenager topics, and quite often Gabby winds up being a beautician for Hadley. Gabby is sweet, fun, and proactive to Hadley’s needs, while Hadley is inquisitive, caring and loves hearing about Gabby’s life and adventures.
Gabby’s gentle disposition and fun nature make Hadley and all those around her feel at ease. Gabby is a teacher to her peers training them in friendships and ways to understand a peer's nonverbal communication. Gabby demonstrates patience, knowledge, and a love for supporting and teaching others. Hadley in turn has blossomed under this friendship and companionship and has demonstrated patience and determination to guide others to see and respect her.
Gabby and Hadley exemplify what it means to be a bison. Strong, resilient, kind and a deep friendship which everyone should strive to have. Gabby and Hadley’s connection helps to strengthen our Shaker Bison community.
It is my pleasure to say thank you to Hadley and Gabby for allowing me to be part of their ever growing friendship.
These young ladies are definitely kids who care."
"When I arrived at the Shaker Middle school 3 years ago I was told that bison stands for: Brave, Inspiring, Supportive, Open Minded, and Neighborly. I could not think of two individuals who display these qualities more than 8th graders, Gabriella Rivera and Hadley Novak. In my 15 years working for the North Colonie School District, one of my greatest joys and privileges has been watching the friendship and connection between Gabby and Hadley.
Despite showing up differently to their time together, the girls have a true, unbreakable bond. Gabby and Hadley have sought each other out year after year each requesting together. As a result, the girls meet in my office no less than once a week to deepen their friendship. I have also witnessed how the girls light up when they catch sight of each other in the hallway, exchanging smiles and a quick hello. Even summer time can’t stop their bond. Gabby often comes in to hang out with Hadley during summer school, going with her to the pool, or during a summer school lesson. Gabby and Hadley have learned that different ways of communicating and moving are not road blocks when it comes to friendship, but something to be celebrated and cherished.
During Gabby and Hadley’s time together, they laugh, talk about teenager topics, and quite often Gabby winds up being a beautician for Hadley. Gabby is sweet, fun, and proactive to Hadley’s needs, while Hadley is inquisitive, caring and loves hearing about Gabby’s life and adventures.
Gabby’s gentle disposition and fun nature make Hadley and all those around her feel at ease. Gabby is a teacher to her peers training them in friendships and ways to understand a peer's nonverbal communication. Gabby demonstrates patience, knowledge, and a love for supporting and teaching others. Hadley in turn has blossomed under this friendship and companionship and has demonstrated patience and determination to guide others to see and respect her.
Gabby and Hadley exemplify what it means to be a bison. Strong, resilient, kind and a deep friendship which everyone should strive to have. Gabby and Hadley’s connection helps to strengthen our Shaker Bison community.
It is my pleasure to say thank you to Hadley and Gabby for allowing me to be part of their ever growing friendship.
These young ladies are definitely kids who care."
Welcome to our new employees! On Monday, Oct. 26, North Colonie officially welcomed all of our new employees who started this school year at a New Employee Recognition Celebration. More than 100 newcomers joined our team this year, from teachers of all subjects and grade levels to food service workers, bus drivers, educational aides, and more! We are grateful to have all of you here at North Colonie!
REMINDER for Elementary Families - Wednesday, Oct. 28 will both be half days for all K-5 students for parent-teacher conferences.
Shaker Middle School Theater presents "Username" by Brian Hampton, a one act play exploring the role of technology and social media in the lives of young people! Performances will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold online at shsnccs.booktix.com/departments, and sales will begin on Oct. 25, 2026. We can't wait to see you there!
REMINDER for Elementary Families - Thursday, Oct. 22 and Wednesday, Oct. 28 will both be half days for all K-5 students for parent-teacher conferences.
"Register to vote so the decisions being made today reflect the generation that will live with them tomorrow!" The slogan was the theme of the day on Thursday, Oct. 15, as students from the Shaker High School Civic Engagement and Leadership class coordinated with the League of Women Voters to organize a voter registration drive. The drive was an immense success, with over 125 SHS students registered and pre-registered to vote. Students and community members can check their voter registration or their polling place by going to the League of Women Voters nonpartisan website Vote411.org. Great job to our Civic Engagement and Leadership class!
Shaker High School senior Tyler Jourdanais recently attended a different kind of open house with his parents, Theresa and Floyd Jourdanais, at the the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center - Albany Campus. Instead of hearing from just his teacher, Tyler was given the chance to show his parents what he has learned at the Welding and Metal Fabrication program at BOCES. The CTE Open House was well attended, with hundreds of family and friends learning more about BOCES CTE programs, viewing equipment demonstrations, and showcasing skills.
On Friday, October 23, we’re going PINK! In partnership with Real Kids Wear Pink and the American Cancer Society, we’re coming together as a school community to support Breast Cancer Awareness. Show your support, spread awareness and help us turn the school PINK by wearing pink on October 23!
It's School Board Recognition Week and we want to say THANK YOU to our board for all they do to support our students! Thank you to our dedicated board members - Linda Harrison (President), Matthew Cannon (Vice President), Mary Alber, Janet Appe, Dr. Nicholas Comproski, Michelle Dischiavo, Ayesha Geter, Samuel Johnson, and Dr. Melissa Veino - for their leadership, commitment, and continued support of our students, staff, and community.
We’re partnering with Hatsgiving once again to spread warmth and kindness to children battling cancer and survivors!
Founded 14 years ago by North Colonie alum Jeremy Wernick, Hatsgiving collects thousands of winter hats each year and distributes them to children’s hospitals across the country, including right here in our local community.
Help us make a difference by donating new winter hats at collection boxes located in our school buildings. Every hat helps bring a little extra warmth and comfort to a child in need.
The final day to donate is Thursday, November 12!