Today is the last day to nominate for the Shaker Alumni Hall of Fame! Do you know a Shaker alum making a difference or doing outstanding work in their career field? All nominations are due by Wednesday, April 15 by midnight! Don’t miss your chance to recognize someone deserving. You can find a link to the nomination in our bio. #alumnihalloffame
The North Colonie Central School District and Shaker High School are mourning the loss of longtime teacher and coach Ed Springstead. Coach Springstead passed away on Friday, April 10, at the age of 93.
A United States Army veteran, Coach Springstead spent more than 50 years as a physical education teacher and cross country and track coach at Shaker. In his decades as a coach, his cross country teams won two state championships, one at Colonie High in 1962 and another here at Shaker in 2010. His 2010 state championship team went on to qualify for Nike Cross Nationals and finished 13th in the country.
Mr. Springstead’s tenure as a coach lasted long beyond his retirement as a teacher in 1989. A member of the Shaker High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Greater Capital Region Cross Country and Track and Field Hall of Fame, Coach Springstead impacted the lives of thousands of student-athletes across the Capital District. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and former athletes and colleagues. Our thoughts are with all of those who knew and loved Coach Springstead during this difficult time.
A United States Army veteran, Coach Springstead spent more than 50 years as a physical education teacher and cross country and track coach at Shaker. In his decades as a coach, his cross country teams won two state championships, one at Colonie High in 1962 and another here at Shaker in 2010. His 2010 state championship team went on to qualify for Nike Cross Nationals and finished 13th in the country.
Mr. Springstead’s tenure as a coach lasted long beyond his retirement as a teacher in 1989. A member of the Shaker High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Greater Capital Region Cross Country and Track and Field Hall of Fame, Coach Springstead impacted the lives of thousands of student-athletes across the Capital District. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and former athletes and colleagues. Our thoughts are with all of those who knew and loved Coach Springstead during this difficult time.
Receiving SNAP secures kids free school meals. Together SNAP and school meals provide kids the food they need to learn. Learn more about how SNAP grocery benefits can support your child’s education: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/snap/
Happy Assistant Principals Week to our Shaker Shaker Middle and High School hall principals and deans! We appreciate everything you do for our students everyday! It may be spring break but be sure to show your appreciation when we come back next week! #assistantprincipalweek
The Bison is wishing everyone a great Spring Break! Don’t forget we are one month away from the Bison getting a name, and celebrating the 75th anniversary together!
You're Invited to Shaker Unified National Banner School Celebration on Friday, April 17 at 6 p.m. in the H-Gym at SHS. This celebration is to recognize our recent recognition as a National Unified Banner School. We would love to have the North Colonie community there to celebrate this milestone!
Friday, March 27 marked the conclusion of the "One School, One Book" month long reading challenge for Latham Ridge. Students took part in a day of celebrations, with a morning assembly that included a student from SHS playing the bagpipes and Mr. Thiell reading the final chapter to the school. Throughout the day, students played Highland games, created their own Tartan patterns for an art project connected to the upcoming Ridge Gala, watched "The Water Horse," and engaged in many activities in their classrooms that connect to the story and the history of Scotland. It was a great day of celebrations, marking the successful completion of the reading challenge. Great job, Panthers!
Second grade students at Latham Ridge had a special visitor last week from the Irish American Heritage Museum. Museum Director Michael Clarke visited the school to talk about Irish immigration, including the Great Famine, push/pull factors, and Irish traditions. With his accordion, Clarke shared Irish music for the group as he talked about the history of the Irish and his own story. Students were quick to clap, tap their feet, and sing along to the music. Thank you for stopping by, Mr. Clarke!
Families and students gathered at the Empire State Plaza K-8 Abstract Expressionism Art Show reception on Thursday, March 12 to celebrate the creativity of young artists from across the region. Students proudly shared their work while exploring inspiring pieces from the Rockefeller collection on the concourse. Local children’s book author and illustrator Liz Zunon delivered an engaging keynote, encouraging students to keep creating and expressing themselves through art. Congratulations to all the students who shared their work!
Have you seen the latest district newsletter? Featuring staff spotlights, Capital Project updates, district news, and more, find the digital version here: https://www.northcolonie.org/o/nccs/page/district-newsletters.
Stay tuned for more information about the Bison Birthday Bash on May 9, 2026!
Stay tuned for more information about the Bison Birthday Bash on May 9, 2026!
From pencils and paper in 2006 to a classroom full of curious minds in 2025, learning has always been at the heart of our schools. We’re proud to look back at the students who filled our classrooms years ago and just as proud of the learners continuing that tradition today!
Have photos from the last 75 years? Send them to us at communications@nccsk12.org. We’d love to see them! #NC75 #ThrowbackThursday
Nominations for the Shaker High School Alumni Hall of Fame 2026 Induction are now open! Do you know a Shaker alum making a difference or doing outstanding work in their career field? Nominate that person! All nominations are due by Wednesday, April 15. You can find a link to the nomination form in our bio. #alumnihalloffame
Have you supported your school today? Help your school knock out the competition this March! When you support your school, you’re also helping North Colonie students and families in need. Donate today and share your school spirit, submit your videos and photos through the link in our bio!
For the month of March, Latham Ridge will share one goal, called "One School, One Book." For the second year, students across all grade levels will read a book together, at school and at home from March 9 to 27. On Thursday, March 5, "The Water Horse" by Dick King-Smith was selected as the book of choice for this year. The announcement, which was made at a school-wide assembly, was met with applause and cheers by students. Prior to this, clues, such as bagpipes greeting them at arrival, had been placed throughout the school, inviting students to guess what the book would be. Following the announcement, a "water horse" walked through the aisles of the assembly, much to the students delight. Happy reading, Panthers!
Read Across America! More than 200 Shaker High School students went around the district to visit students in all six of our elementary schools for National Read Across America Day on Monday, March 2. To celebrate the day, high school students from the SHS Writing Center, Literature in Education classes and National English Honor Society did read alouds and facilitated other activities with more than 1,500 elementary students. Stations included bookmark creation, poster contribution, story in motion and question and answer panels. Thank you to our SHS and elementary libraries for collaborating to ensure that Read Across America Day was a success here in North Colonie!
This week we honor Septima Poinsette Clark, an educator and civil rights leader who used education as a powerful tool for change. Through the Citizenship Schools she developed, Clark helped African Americans gain literacy skills needed to register to vote and participate fully in democracy. Her work connected education to empowerment and earned her recognition as the Grandmother of the Civil Rights Movement.
Tuesday, Feb. 24, North Colonie hosted an event titled “Paving Your Path in Education.” This event was designed for individuals interested in exploring a career in education. The evening consisted of networking, a panel discussion with district leaders, and one-on-one screening sessions. It was an informative experience for both current and future educators.
As we head into March, this event marks the first of many recruitment efforts. Jewelie Koutelis, our Recruitment and Retention Specialist, will be traveling from Plattsburgh to Niagara Falls in search of top teaching talent across New York State, along with some of our administrators. Part of their journey will consist of attending two Teacher Recruitment Days (TRD), during which they will meet with college students from a total of 18 colleges in NYS.
If you were unable to attend, but are interested in joining the North Colonie team, please visit northcolonie.org/recruitment to learn more.
February is American Heart Month! Join us on Wednesday, February 25 and go red to raise awareness! North Colonie students, staff, and community, wear red and show your support for heart health! ❤️
North Colonie Central School District is proud to celebrate Public Schools Week 2026. This week we honor the educators, staff, students, and families who are the very foundation of our schools. We recognize the dedication, passion, and collaboration that support our students every day, from exceptional teaching and strong leadership to family engagement and community partnerships. Join us in celebrating the people, practices, and pride that make public schools strong.
North Colonie CSD will operate on a two-hour delay today, Feb. 23. There will be no AM BOCES.
