This week we recognize W. E. B. Du Bois, a sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist whose scholarship and leadership helped shape the fight for equality. As a co-founder of the Niagara Movement and the NAACP, and the first African American to earn a PhD from Harvard University, Du Bois championed full political, economic, and social rights for Black Americans. His work as editor of The Crisis and his lasting influence on civil rights thought continue to resonate today.
2 days ago, North Colonie Communications
W. E. B. Du Bois (1868–1963)
Charlie and Johnny teamed up for Friday's Forts Ferry Staff Appreciation Breakfast! Farm to School Facilitator Mrs. Amber Cost and second grade teacher Mrs. Guba used a griddle on the Charlie Cart to cook johnnycakes for this morning's festivities. There was jam and honey to add to the small cornmeal flatbreads. In addition, North Colonie Food Services provided a yogurt parfait bar, muffins and coffee. What a great event for the last school day before February break!
9 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Two staff members cook up johnnycakes for other staff members on a griddle.
Eight johnnycakes cook on a table top griddle.
Superintendent Kathleen Skeals stands and talks to staff members who are seated at cafeteria tables.
Forts Ferry staff members put jam on their johnnycakes being prepared by their colleagues.
Forts Ferry Principal Dr. Casey Parker speaks to some of the teachers and staff members in the cafeteria.
A staff member puts honey on his johnnycake.
Three staff members pose in their Valentine's Day clothing as they sit at a table.
Mrs. Cost and Ms. Guba prepare and cook johnnycakes using the Charlie Cart.
This week we honor Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator, civil rights leader, and founder of what became Bethune-Cookman University. As the founder of the National Council of Negro Women, she championed racial and gender equality and expanded opportunities for Black Americans through education and public service. Her legacy as a trusted advisor to U.S. presidents and a lifelong advocate for inclusion continues to inspire progress today.
9 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Mary McLeod Bethune (1875–1955)
Forts Ferry Principal Dr. Casey Parker liked it! And a surprising number of students said they loved it! February's Harvest of the Month was roasted Brussels sprouts with NY maple syrup and balsamic and the Lions had the chance to sample the dish during lunch on Wednesday, February 11. The Brussels sprouts certainly weren't for everyone, but we had a good number of students come back up for seconds! "I can't believe how much I like these!" exclaimed one student.

Two representatives from the New York State Education Department's Office of Child Nutrition were on hand to check out our Harvest of the Month. Thank you to North Colonie Food Services for another successful tasting!
9 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Students take samples of Brussels sprouts from a table at the front of the cafeteria.
Three students pose together at a lunch table with food in front of them.
Students are handed Brussels sprouts samples from members of our Food Service team.
Samples of Brussels sprouts on a tray with forks in each of the individual dishes.
Students place stickers on a posterboard to explain how they felt about the Harvest of the Month sample.
A student puts a sticker on a posterboard under the "Loved It" category.
Two students taste Brussels sprouts at their lunch table.
Students stand at a posterboard and decide where to put their stickers.
A student smiles with his sample of Brussels sprouts.
Dr. Parker places a sticker under the "Liked It" category on the Harvest of the Month posterboard.
On Monday afternoon, dozens of district students and families gathered to celebrate the artwork in the Superintendent’s Art Gallery. Superintendent Kathleen Skeals welcomed some of our young, aspiring student artists from Southgate, Latham Ridge and Forts Ferry, whose work was selected by their art teachers for display. The featured pieces have been showcased since the start of 2026 and will remain in the gallery through the end February. Congratulations to our talented student artists!
11 days ago, North Colonie Communications
A student poses next to her artwork on display in the gallery.
Superintendent Skeals discusses a student's artwork with him.
A family looks at artwork hanging in the gallery.
A student shows off her artwork displayed in the gallery.
Superintendent Skeals learns more about a student's artwork on display.
A family poses next to student artwork on display.
A student and his sibling pose next to his artwork on display in the gallery.
A student proudly points to her artwork on display.
A student proudly points to his artwork on display above him.
A family poses in front of their student's artwork on display.

On Thursday, Feb. 5, Mrs. Parks’ Innovation Lab students enjoyed a tasty change of pace with help from the Charlie Cart, a fully equipped mobile kitchen that rolled into school for a Farm to School learning experience. Students tackled hands on tasks like crushing dried parsley with a mortar and pestle, zesting lemons, chopping broccoli and cauliflower, peeling Brussels sprouts, and making breadcrumbs, all while learning knife safety, nutrition, and where food comes from. After discovering that these veggies are all part of the Brassica oleracea family, students watched their dish roast in the Charlie Cart’s convection oven, and, best of all, got to taste their delicious creation!

12 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Forts Ferry student showing their task for innovation lab
Mrs. Cost shows students the proper way to cut vegetables
Forts Ferry student using mortar and pestle
Forts Ferry student prepares brussel sprouts
Forts Ferry student prepares broccoli
Mrs. Cost helps Forts Ferry student prep vegetables
This Black History Month marks 100 years of Black history and this year’s theme is A Century of Black History Commemorations. As part of our Black History Month celebration, we will highlight influential Black leaders whose impact spans from the past to the present every week. This week we are honoring the legacy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Negro History Week in 1926 and the Father of Black History. His work led to the official recognition of Black History Month in 1976 by President Gerald Ford, and continues to ensure that the contributions, struggles, and achievements of Black Americans are included in our shared history.
16 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Dr. Carter G. Woodson (1875–1950)
It's National School Counseling Week! Thank you for your their tireless commitment to our North Colonie students! Be sure to take a moment this week to show your appreciation for all the amazing work your school counselors do.
#nationalschoolcounselingweek
20 days ago, North Colonie Communications
National School Counselors Week
The North Colonie Central School District is closed tomorrow, Monday, January 26, due to inclement weather. Only snow removal employees are to report. There will be no afterschool or evening activities.

Tomorrow’s Board of Education meeting previously scheduled to take place at Blue Creek, will be rescheduled for Tuesday, January 27. The location will be moved to the District Office at the Goodrich building (91 Fiddlers Lane) due to a previously scheduled event taking place at Blue Creek. The start time for the Board meeting will remain 6:30 p.m.
27 days ago, North Colonie Communications
No School Monday, January 26

Spring 2026 Continuing Education registration is officially OPEN! Classes begin Monday, February 23 and offer opportunities to learn new skills, explore hobbies, and grow personally and professionally. There’s truly something for everyone! In-person registration will be available on Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 3–5 p.m. (snow date Feb. 12) at the Central Office, 91 Fiddlers Lane, Latham, NY. Please note that in-person or phone registrations must be paid by check. Kick-off spring with learning and register today!

30 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Spring 2026 North Colonie Continuing Education Registration is now open! Visit northcolonie.org/ce

***NOTE: As of Thursday, Jan. 22, the advisory has been lifted.** The Town of Colonie is under a boil water advisory until further notice due to a water main break. The district is aware and we are taking steps to ensure the safety of our students and staff in all of our school buildings on Tuesday, January 20th. Our Facilities team is bringing bottled water in for students and staff to use in all of our school buildings. Additionally, our staff will make all drinking fountains and bottle refill stations unavailable for use. The North Colonie Food Services team is prepared to adjust all cooking to meet health and safety requirements during the boil water advisory. We will pass along any updates from the Town of Colonie as we receive them. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

about 1 month ago, North Colonie Communications
The Town of Colonie is under a boil water advisory until further notice due to a water main break. The district is aware and we are taking steps to ensure the safety of our students and staff in all of our school buildings on Tuesday, January 20th. Our Facilities team is bringing bottled water in for students and staff to use in all of our school buildings. Additionally, our staff will make all drinking fountains and bottle refill stations unavailable for use. The North Colonie Food Services team is prepared to adjust all cooking to meet health and safety requirements during the boil water advisory. We will pass along any updates from the Town of Colonie as we receive them. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

"The time is always ripe to do right.”

Reminder: No School Monday, Jan. 19 in Observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

about 1 month ago, North Colonie Communications
No School Monday, Jan 19
Reminder: No School Monday, Jan. 19 in Observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. #mlk2026 #MLK #MLKDay
about 1 month ago, North Colonie Communications
Reminder No School Monday, Jan 19
Second graders at Forts Ferry Elementary took part in a hands-on learning experience when the Charlie Cart, a fully equipped mobile kitchen, visited the school. As part of a Farm to School learning opportunity, students explored nutrition, food safety, and where food comes from by making homemade ginger ale using fresh ginger from Forts Ferry Farm. The experience helped students compare homemade and store-bought beverages, while building real-world cooking skills in the classroom. Everyone agreed the experience was worthwhile and fun was certainly had by all!
about 1 month ago, North Colonie Communications
Students try ginger ale
Students try ginger ale and decide its too bitter
Students measure sugar
Farm to School Facilitator, Mrs. Cost teaches students about ginger
Students squeeze limes
Ginger ale ingredients
Innovation Lab Teacher, Mrs. Parks teaches about the Charlie Cart
student squeezes lime
Reminder: North Colonie CSD will be in session for a half day on Thursday, Jan 8. Shaker High School will dismiss at 11:30 a.m., Shaker Middle School will dismiss at 12:30 p.m., and all elementary schools will dismiss at 1:30 p.m. There will be no after school or evening activities.
about 2 months ago, North Colonie Communications
North Colonie CSD will be in session for a half day on Thursday, Jan 8.

Kindergarten registration is now open! We are eager to meet our new kindergarten students for the 2026-27 school year! Online registration is now open at www.northcolonie.org/kindergartenregistration.

For any questions or if your student will not be attending kindergarten next year, please contact Student Registration at student.registration@nccsk12.org to let us know so that we can update our records. You may enroll your child through online registration or make an appointment to enroll your child by emailing student.registration@nccsk12.org.

about 2 months ago, North Colonie Communications
Kindergarten Registration is now open!
Have you heard the news? There's are some new heros in town - our school bus drivers! And you're welcome to join them! Learn more on our website at www.northcolonie.org/BUS
about 2 months ago, North Colonie Communications
Be a hero, drive a school bus
It's the Season of Giving, and your donations could provide meals during this winter or clothing throughout the school year! North Colonie Central School District is once again teaming up with the United Way of the Greater Capital Region for our “Season of Giving” campaign. Your support allows us to give back to our own students and families in need in our district. We appreciate your support and are grateful for any and all donations!

Donate here today: https://ignite.stratuslive.com/uwgcr/get-involved/fundraise/25NCCSDgiving
2 months ago, North Colonie Communications
Donate During the Season of Giving
Congratulations to Boght Hills fifth grader James Nagle, who is being recognized as the December North Colonie Kids Care recipient. James was nominated by Ms. Cristi Davis, Ms. Carrie Trimarci, Ms. Heather Garcia and Ms. Dawn Scott, for what he does on a daily basis at school. Not only does James show kindness to his peers, but he encourages classmates both academically and socially. He helps other students feel included during recess by inviting them into games they might not have joined without his encouragement.

His teachers say James acts as a role model of empathy, often checking in on his peers who are upset or hesitant. He also served as a Bus Buddy for the first few months of school, helping kindergartners get on the bus and teaching them how to ride it safely. James truly a wonderful representative of what it means to be a leader. Thank you, James, for your kindness toward others and for always going the extra mile to make sure your classmates feel included and welcome.
2 months ago, North Colonie Communications
James Nagle speaks to North Colonie Board of Education President Linda Harrison as he receives his Kids Care award.
James Nagle poses with the four Boght Hills teachers who nominated him for the monthly award.
James Nagle poses with his parents while holding his certificate for his Kids Care recognition.
If you see Mrs. Jeanne Meddleton, please wish her a very happy retirement! It is Mrs. Meddleton's last day after 19 years in the North Colonie Central School District. Mrs. Meddleton is a legend at Latham Ridge, where she has spent the last 14 years of her career in the main office. Thank you for your dedication to the students and families in North Colonie. You will be missed!
2 months ago, North Colonie Communications
Mrs. Jeanne Meddleton sits behind her desk during her last week before retirement.