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!
Congratulations to bus driver Stewart Zavolinsky, who was given the AAA School Bus Driver Safety Award for North Colonie CSD this year! Affectionately known by students as Mr. Stew, Zavolinsky is known for his outstanding attendance, commitment, reliability and immaculately kept bus. A couple of fun facts about Mr. Stew... he has a degree in mortuary science and a unique collection of automobiles. Congratulations Mr. Stew and thank you for everything you do to get our students to school and home safely everyday!
She did it! With your help, Shaker junior Shreya Sharath reached her fundraising goal to support the donation of 240 GleeBoxxes to students throughout the North Colonie Central School District. On Wednesday, June 10, Shreya and more than a dozen employees at Sunmark Credit Union helped assemble the boxes, which were delivered to Central Office. 40 boxes will then go to each elementary school, where they will be distributed to students before school is out. A GleeBoxx can have school supplies, treats, fun trinkets or even a kind note to help brighten the day of the recipient.
Thank you, Shreya, for your dedication to making the lives of those around you better. Thank you, Sunmark, for your support of Shreya and the rest of our students.
Thank you, Shreya, for your dedication to making the lives of those around you better. Thank you, Sunmark, for your support of Shreya and the rest of our students.
North Colonie is happy to announce that for the 2026-2027 school year we will be partnering, once again, with Colonie Youth Center, Catholic Central School, and Tiny Town of Latham to offer Universal Pre-Kindergarten to our North Colonie community. This year, for the first time, we will also house one class of UPK at Southgate Elementary.
Important Dates:
June 9, 2026 - UPK Lottery - Notification goes out to all registered families, letting families know if they have been selected for a seat or placed on our wait list.
June 12, 2026 - Families who are selected in the lottery must inform our registrar by 12 p.m. if they are accepting or declining their seat.
Read more about the program on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/article/2967027
Get ready, get set, go! All six elementary schools came together on Thursday, May 28 for the 74th Annual Fifth Grade Track & Field Meet! Despite a little rain, the students brought nonstop smiles, energy, and school spirit! Everyone did an incredible job, and the excitement from the stands was truly unmatched! Congratulations to all of the students who participated and placed in the races. A huge thank you to our faculty, staff, and amazing timekeepers for all of their hard work in making this special event such a success!
Thank you to our friends at Community Food Works, all Forts Ferry students had the opportunity to do a taste testing of tortilla chips and salsa during lunch on Wednesday, May 27. The chips were made with corn grown in Hurley, NY and the processed in Queens. Community Food Works partners with schools and food pantries in the Hudson Valley and beyond to provide a variety of locally sourced foods. The reviews from students were almost unanimously positive! "I don't like it, I love it," and "Put it on the menu, please," were some of the comments left by the Lions.
Congratulations to North Colonie Board of Education President Linda Harrison on being named one of Assemblymember Phil Steck's 2026 Women of Distinction honorees! Mrs. Harrison has dedicated more than 50 years to education and student success. Upon graduation from the University at Albany, she taught social studies at Shaker High School from 1971 to 2005 and continues to make a lasting impact through her leadership on the North Colonie Board of Education.
“Linda has dedicated so much of her time and energy to supporting students, families, and educators,” Steck shared. “Her commitment to public education and our community has made a lasting impact on countless families throughout the Capital Region.”
Thank you, Mrs. Harrison, for your unwavering dedication to our schools, students, and community. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
“Linda has dedicated so much of her time and energy to supporting students, families, and educators,” Steck shared. “Her commitment to public education and our community has made a lasting impact on countless families throughout the Capital Region.”
Thank you, Mrs. Harrison, for your unwavering dedication to our schools, students, and community. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
For the 16th time, the North Colonie Central School District has been named a “Best Communities for Music Education” by the NAMM Foundation. The award recognizes school districts and individual schools for their leadership and equity in music education, with more than 1,000 schools and school districts from across the country receiving this honor this year. Congratulations to our North Colonie musicians for this great accomplishment and thank you to the North Colonie community for your continued support of our music education programs.
We know it’s May now, but we were so blown away by all the support that we decided to wait a little longer to announce the winner of the North Colonie March Madness 2026 Challenge.
Thank you to everyone who supported their school and, in turn, our district. Every building did an incredible job, but three schools really stood out: Boght Hills placed third with $593, Shaker Middle School came in second with $700, and for the second year in a row, Southgate took first place with $1,155. Congratulations to the Gators on earning another banner and the bragging rights that come with it.
Most importantly, every dollar raised stays right here at North Colonie to support students and families in need through United Way. Thank you to every donor, family, and school community that helped make this districtwide challenge such a success.
Thank you to everyone who supported their school and, in turn, our district. Every building did an incredible job, but three schools really stood out: Boght Hills placed third with $593, Shaker Middle School came in second with $700, and for the second year in a row, Southgate took first place with $1,155. Congratulations to the Gators on earning another banner and the bragging rights that come with it.
Most importantly, every dollar raised stays right here at North Colonie to support students and families in need through United Way. Thank you to every donor, family, and school community that helped make this districtwide challenge such a success.
Reminder: There is no school on Friday, May 22 and Monday, May 25.
Thank you to the North Colonie community for supporting the 2026-27 budget! North Colonie residents voted to approve the budget, 1,103 yes votes to 355 no votes. Dr. Nicholas P. Comproski was re-elected to his seat and Janet Appe was elected to the open seat of Mary Nardolillo. Learn more on our website at northcolonie.org/news.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Join us in spreading awareness by wearing green on Thursday, May 21. Let’s show our support!
Budget voting day is here! Our annual North Colonie CSD school budget and Board of Education election vote will take place today, Tuesday, May 19, until 9 p.m. Voting will take place at Central Office (91 Fiddlers Lane, Latham, NY 12110).
Please note that all mail-in ballots must be received by the school district clerk by 5 p.m. today in order to be canvassed.
We’re excited to pilot the All Kids Bike program with our kindergarten students at Forts Ferry Elementary!
In partnership with Russell Sage College, students are building confidence, balance, and lifelong skills while learning to ride during PE class. Bikes, helmets, and curriculum were provided by Sage, with support from faculty, including Peter J. Stapleton, Ph.D., and their teacher preparation students.
This is our first year piloting the program, with hopes to expand to additional schools in the future!
#AllKidsBike #StudentWellness #ShakerPride #PhysicalLiteracy
In partnership with Russell Sage College, students are building confidence, balance, and lifelong skills while learning to ride during PE class. Bikes, helmets, and curriculum were provided by Sage, with support from faculty, including Peter J. Stapleton, Ph.D., and their teacher preparation students.
This is our first year piloting the program, with hopes to expand to additional schools in the future!
#AllKidsBike #StudentWellness #ShakerPride #PhysicalLiteracy
We have some amazing artists here at North Colonie CSD! From the art show at the Town of Colonie Library to our Advanced Senior Art Reception and Secondary Art Reception at NYSUT, North Colonie student artwork has been on display across the town! Thank you to Omar Williams and the Shaker Middle School Jazz Ensemble for their performance during the NYSUT event. For more photos and student artwork, visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NorthColonieCSD
This month, Shaker High School junior Shreya Sharath is being recognized as the May North Colonie Kids Care recipient. Shreya was nominated by Shaker High School Student Assistance Counselor, Mrs. Stacey Angell, for her work as the founder of GleeBoxx.
Gleebox is a youth-led nonprofit initiative, grounded in the belief that small acts of kindness can create powerful change. Guided by the idea that no individual should feel defined or diminished by their circumstances, GleeBoxx creates thoughtfully curated care packages that combine essential items with personalized touches such as handwritten notes and small, joyful additions. Through this work, Shreya not only addresses immediate needs, but also fosters a sense of dignity, connection, and belonging among recipients. Shreya is currently organizing a large-scale drive to distribute 240 GleeBoxx care packages to elementary school children here in North Colonie. It’s an effort that reflects both her organizational skills and her unwavering dedication to serving others.
Shreya’s work through GleeBoxx is not only changing lives in our school community, but also reshaping how people think about giving—emphasizing empathy, dignity, and human connection. We are proud and honored to call Shreya one of our own here in North Colonie. Congratulations Shreya, you are so very deserving of this honor as a North Colonie Kids Care recipient.
Gleebox is a youth-led nonprofit initiative, grounded in the belief that small acts of kindness can create powerful change. Guided by the idea that no individual should feel defined or diminished by their circumstances, GleeBoxx creates thoughtfully curated care packages that combine essential items with personalized touches such as handwritten notes and small, joyful additions. Through this work, Shreya not only addresses immediate needs, but also fosters a sense of dignity, connection, and belonging among recipients. Shreya is currently organizing a large-scale drive to distribute 240 GleeBoxx care packages to elementary school children here in North Colonie. It’s an effort that reflects both her organizational skills and her unwavering dedication to serving others.
Shreya’s work through GleeBoxx is not only changing lives in our school community, but also reshaping how people think about giving—emphasizing empathy, dignity, and human connection. We are proud and honored to call Shreya one of our own here in North Colonie. Congratulations Shreya, you are so very deserving of this honor as a North Colonie Kids Care recipient.
There was plenty of sunshine and lots of smiles at Unified Field Day last week! Unified athletes from Shaker High School visited the @ShenendehowaCSD campus for a day filled with games, friendly competition, and lots of cheers.
Please join us in congratulating North Colonie CSD Board Member Mary Nardolillo and Shaker High School Hall Monitor Mary Kay Smollin on receiving awards from the Capital Area School Development Association (CASDA)! On April 30, the two were among those honored at the CASDA Annual Awards and Friends of Education Dinner.
Nardolillo was given the Excellence in School Board Service Award for her time on the North Colonie Board of Education and her dedication to creating opportunities and positive outcomes for students. Smollin was given the Friends of Education award for her unwavering commitment to enriching the lives of students and strengthening the North Colonie community.
During the evening, it was noted that both Nardolillo and Smollin have worked tirelessly - often behind the scenes - to support our district and ensure our students thrive. Congratulations Ms. Nardolillo and Ms. Smollin! North Colonie is lucky to have you!
Nardolillo was given the Excellence in School Board Service Award for her time on the North Colonie Board of Education and her dedication to creating opportunities and positive outcomes for students. Smollin was given the Friends of Education award for her unwavering commitment to enriching the lives of students and strengthening the North Colonie community.
During the evening, it was noted that both Nardolillo and Smollin have worked tirelessly - often behind the scenes - to support our district and ensure our students thrive. Congratulations Ms. Nardolillo and Ms. Smollin! North Colonie is lucky to have you!
