For Sarah Vatalaro, returning to North Colonie felt like coming back to a place that helped shape who she is today. A 2020 Shaker High School graduate, Ms. Vatalaro has brought her passion for communication, collaboration, and helping others to her role as Main Office Secretary at Shaker Middle School. After gaining professional experience outside of education, she was drawn back to a community where relationships and teamwork are at the heart of everything they do.
“The community has always just been so kind and welcoming,” Ms. Vatalaro said. “It has really helped me grow, and not just as an empathetic person. There were, and still are, so many people who were willing to sit down, listen, and chat with me and help me figure out different solutions for my problems.”
Read more about Ms. Vatalaro on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/staffspotlight
“The community has always just been so kind and welcoming,” Ms. Vatalaro said. “It has really helped me grow, and not just as an empathetic person. There were, and still are, so many people who were willing to sit down, listen, and chat with me and help me figure out different solutions for my problems.”
Read more about Ms. Vatalaro on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/staffspotlight
Shaker High School has a new principal - and the first female to hold the position. Crystal Fox has been named the next principal of Shaker High School. She will take over the role on Wednesday, Aug. 12. Read more here: https://www.northcolonie.org/article/3051784
Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Fox to this new role!
Susan Deierlein and Christina Biviano have been helping students at Shaker Middle School discover what’s possible through compassion, teamwork, and high expectations. Guided by their motto, “Actually, they can,” the special education teachers have created meaningful opportunities for students to build confidence and independence, including through the school’s beloved Bison Brew coffee cart. Together, they continue to show that with the right support, every student can thrive.
“When everybody works together for the same reason, it just impacts the day, the child's life, immensely,” Mrs. Biviano said. Mrs. Deierlein agrees, adding, “The community is fantastic.”
Read more about Mrs. Deierlein and Mrs. Biviano on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/staffspotlight
Just in time for the rainy weather, WNYT @NewsChannel13 Meteorologist Paul Caiano stopped by Forts Ferry on Tuesday, July 28 to talk to fourth and fifth grade students about extreme weather, some of which can happen in the Capital Region. His presentation covered events such as hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and more, while sharing some of his own personal experiences reporting on these events. Caiano then talked about his own path to becoming a meteorologist, telling students, “Whatever it is that you really enjoy and think about a lot, it’s really important to not let things stop you from achieving that goal and being whatever you want.”
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your insights, @PaulCaianoWeather!
Elizabeth Pomerville has supported students and families across North Colonie, bringing compassion, advocacy, and a lifelong connection to the district she proudly calls home. A Shaker High School graduate whose parents also dedicated their careers to North Colonie, Mrs. Pomerville has come full circle, helping students thrive while building strong partnerships with families and staff. As she looks ahead to retirement, she's excited for more travel, time with family, and new adventures, while reflecting on the place that has always felt like home.
“I’m so happy that I got to end my career here,” she said. “It feels like another full-circle moment.”
Read more about Mrs. Pomerville on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/staffspotlight
Hear firsthand what our North Colonie employees love about working in our district, then come see what makes our team so special at our Summer Job Fair on August 6 from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. at 91 Fiddlers Lane, Latham! We're hiring for multiple positions and looking for excited individuals ready to make a difference. Meet our staff, learn about our opportunities, and interview on the spot (first come, first served). RSVP using the link in our bio, we can't wait to meet you!
Ready for Week Two? We sure are!
There are plenty of fresh produce items from the district gardens, along with pantry staples, available at Friday's Summer Garden Market. Stop by in front of Shaker Middle School every Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to see what's available. As always, all items are free of charge. If you'd like to contribute, donations go directly back into supporting the district gardens. We hope to see you there!
There are plenty of fresh produce items from the district gardens, along with pantry staples, available at Friday's Summer Garden Market. Stop by in front of Shaker Middle School every Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to see what's available. As always, all items are free of charge. If you'd like to contribute, donations go directly back into supporting the district gardens. We hope to see you there!
For 22 years, Bob Pollaro has helped shape social studies education across North Colonie, combining his passion for history, leadership, and lifelong learning to support students and teachers throughout the district. As he prepares for retirement, he's looking forward to new adventures, including an Alaskan cruise, more time spent camping and fishing, and even learning to play the electric guitar. After more than two decades of service, Mr. Pollaro reflects most proudly on the opportunity to work alongside dedicated educators and help make a difference for students every day.
“The favorite part that I have in the role is being able to blend all of the different administrative roles from my love of history to working with kids and also working with teachers,” he said.
Read more about Mr. Pollaro on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/staffspotlight
“The favorite part that I have in the role is being able to blend all of the different administrative roles from my love of history to working with kids and also working with teachers,” he said.
Read more about Mr. Pollaro on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/staffspotlight
**Staff Spotlight: Kimberly Jeram**
For 30 years, Kimberly Jeram has been a steady, compassionate presence at North Colonie, helping students discover that success is possible with the right support, patience, and encouragement. This June, she retired from the district and is looking ahead to new adventures, including a European trip planned for 2027 and plenty of future travel opportunities. Still, after three decades at North Colonie, she reflects most fondly on the people and relationships built along the way.
“I loved being here for 30 years,” she said. “It’s been a great place to work, and I’ve met some of the best people in my life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Read more about Mrs. Jeram on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/staffspotlight
This Friday, July 10, the North Colonie Annual Summer Garden Market will open! In addition to plenty of fresh vegetables from the district garden, pantry items will also be available for pickup. The market will run every Friday from July 10 through August 14, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Be sure to stop by Shaker Middle School to check out all that our gardens have to offer, each week will feature different items. As always, items are free of charge; however, if you would like to contribute, all donations will go directly back into the district gardens. We hope to see you there!
Our Summer Garden Market is making its return this summer! Every Friday, from July 10-August 14 from 10am to 12pm, stop by Shaker Middle School to check out the freshest produce from our district gardens! Every week will feature some different items. As always, items are free of charge. Any donations made will go directly back into the district gardens. We hope to see you on July 10!
When school lets out, grocery bills go up for families who relied on free school meals. Resources in our community, like summer meals, Summer EBT, SNAP, and WIC, can help families put food on the table. Visit hungersolutionsny.org/find-food-help to learn more.
It was a night filled with fun, games, photos, food, and a special visit from Bryson the Bison at Forts Ferry Elementary's fifth grade Bison Block Party on Tuesday, June 23! Fifth graders had the chance to celebrate, hang out, and make memories with their fellow Lions one of the last times before becoming Bison at Shaker Middle School. After their moving-up ceremony that morning, the Lions came together that evening for a well deserved celebration of their next big adventure! Congratulations Lions!
You shared your first day photos with us - now share the last day photos! Photos can be shared with us through Facebook & Instagram (North Colonie Central School District), email (communications@nccsk12.org), or in our social media comments. Download a PDF of the Last Day of School signs: https://aptg.co/MSd_TN
(Please note that by submitting your photos, you allow the North Colonie CSD to use and display them online. When submitting photos on social media, please be sure to avoid using any identifiers like names and house numbers.)
(Please note that by submitting your photos, you allow the North Colonie CSD to use and display them online. When submitting photos on social media, please be sure to avoid using any identifiers like names and house numbers.)
Let them be! That was the message from Mrs. Kristin Levitus when it comes to honeybees. The beekeeper and district parent presented to first graders at Forts Ferry with the help of her daughter, who is a student there. Mrs. Levitus explained how bee colonies work, how they survive, what threatens them and also the different kinds of honey they produce depending upon the season. She even sent all of the students home with a little sample of honey from her company, Moonlight Dancer Honeybees! Thank you Mrs. Levitus!
It's finally here - welcome to the last week of school! Fifth graders from Loudonville and Boght Hills started off the final week of elementary school with a group photo. Best of luck to the Class of 2033! We can't wait to see what this week and the future holds for you and the rest of our North Colonie community.
Were you, a family member, or friend featured in our 2025-26 district calendar? Would you like an extra copy? Come to our Central Office at 91 Fiddlers Lane in Latham, NY to pick up a calendar, while supplies last!
The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday - Friday. Questions? Email communications@nccsk12.org.
The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday - Friday. Questions? Email communications@nccsk12.org.
It was a triple header of senior walk throughs on Wednesday! We started at Forts Ferry with a breakfast put on by the Forts Ferry PTA and teachers for the former Lions graduating from Shaker this year. After that, the seniors walked the halls of their former school to signs, music, bubbles and plenty of cheers... getting high fives and hugs along the way. It ended with a class photo on the playground! Congratulations to our Forts Ferry/Shaker seniors who will cross the stage next week!
Congratulations to the newest members of the Shaker High School Alumni Hall of Fame! A record number of eight new members were inducted into the SHS Alumni Hall of Fame on Monday, June 15. The event took place at SHS, giving alumni and their families a chance to revisit the halls of their alma mater, while enjoying some treats and beverages from the Shaker Middle School Bison Brew. Read more about the event on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/article/2998673
The countdown is on! What are your summer plans? Share them with us via social media or email at communications@nccsk12.org. We can't wait to see what you're up to this summer! And keep an eye out for Bryson the Bison - you never know where they may end up!
