Forts Ferry Elementary

We're turning 75! The 2025-26 school year marks the 75th anniversary of the North Colonie CSD and we're inviting you to join us in celebrating! We’re collecting photos from years past and we’d love your help. Whether it’s a snapshot from a school play, a pep rally, graduation, or just a favorite moment in the halls, your photos are part of our shared history. Please send any old school photos (with the year and a brief description if possible) to NC75@nccsk12.org. Your memories will help us create a special anniversary display and possibly be featured in our digital and printed celebrations.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Stay tuned for more information on how we plan to celebrate this exciting milestone. Here’s to the next 75 years!

On June 20, Forts Ferry Principal Dr. Casey Parker made good on his promise for the Principal’s Challenge! He vowed that if students raised $20,000 for the new adaptive playground, each class would get the chance to throw water balloons at him, and they did not disappoint. In just two weeks, the school soared past its goal, raising over $25,000! A big thank you to Michelle Duggan and the PTA for helping make this possible. #throwbackthursday

Mark your calendars! North Colonie CSD will be at the Capital Region Virtual Career Fair this Wednesday, July 9. The event will feature a variety of open positions in the district, including teachers, keyboard specialist, aides, bus drivers, and more. Pre-register and learn more here: https://nysdolvirtual4.easyvirtualfair.com/. Find open positions at North Colonie at NorthColonie.org/Employment. Be sure to stop by the North Colonie virtual booth and say hello!

Another day, another Senior Walk Through! Wednesday morning, graduating Shaker seniors strolled the halls of Forts Ferry, where they attended elementary school. The Lions threw quite the celebration! There was a bubble machine, streamers and signs galore to go along with congratulatory signs and cheers from current students and teachers. At the end of it all, the graduates took a group photo on the playground and some took one last ride on the swings.

Another day, another North Colonie CSD Transportation award! Congratulations to Melisa Glodich, who has been named the New York Association of Pupil Transportation (NYAPT) School Bus Attendant of the Year for 2025! A bus aide with the district since 2018, Melisa will receive the award on July 15 at the NYAPT Summer Conference in Saratoga Springs. "Melisa exemplifies all the good qualities of being a bus aide. She has terrific attendance. She is kind, caring, attentive, and compassionate," said NCCSD Director of Transportation Denise Towne. A Waterford native, Glodich says she has always loved children. “Forming strong, trusting relationships with special needs children and their families is incredibly rewarding. I love being a supportive presence in their lives and journey. Interacting with children with diverse needs and learning about their unique characteristics can be a valuable and enriching experience,” she said. Congratulations Melisa and thank you for your service to our students here in North Colonie!

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.

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.

The Forts Ferry garden beds are in! Thanks to a huge effort during Saturday's Forts Ferry Day of Service, the beds were delivered and installed by a group of volunteers that included students, teachers and representatives from Forts Ferry Farm. Lookin' good Lions! We can't wait to see what you grow!

The trout have found a new home! After being well taken care of by the students in Mrs. Parks' innovation lab at Forts Ferry, third graders released the trout into the Geyser Creek in the Saratoga Spa State Park on Wednesday morning. As students released the trout, they sang "happy release day to you," to the tune of "Happy Birthday." In addition, students had the chance to try on waders and get in the creek where they used the kick net to look for macroinvertebrates, tested the water for dissolved oxygen and even learned how to cast a fly reel! It was a great way to cap off everything they've learned about the life cycle of trout this year.

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!"

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!

The Forts Ferry garden is coming along! Students have worked in conjunction with Forts Ferry Farm to construct garden beds which are nearly complete. The space where the garden will go is cleared out and ready for installation on May 17, during the Forts Ferry Day of Service from 9am-12pm. We hope to see you there!

Forts Ferry third graders are getting closer and closer to their trout release day! On Friday Mr. Ronald Dorn, from the Clearwater chapter of Trout Unlimited, came into speak to the students about the release day on May 14 in Saratoga Springs. Mr. Dorn showed students some of the tools they would be using, and explained some of the safety precautions and what to expect that day. Excitement is building as the trout continue to grow in their tank in Mrs. Parks' Innovation Lab!