On Wednesdays we wear pink! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and North Colonie is going pink! We want to encourage all students, teachers and staff members to wear pink on Wednesday, October 29th to show support for the cause!
This Wednesday, October 29th, the 2nd Annual Clothing Swap will take place in the Taft Cafeteria from 2:15-3:00pm. This year, in addition to any clean and gently used clothing, you can also drop off any unwanted sports gear or clothing.
You can drop off your clothing and/or sports gear in the library before Wednesday and then on Wednesday, come browse the donated items and take home some new spring pieces. Snacks will be provided! If you have any questions, please email Nancy Chandra at nchandra@nccsk12.org.
You can drop off your clothing and/or sports gear in the library before Wednesday and then on Wednesday, come browse the donated items and take home some new spring pieces. Snacks will be provided! If you have any questions, please email Nancy Chandra at nchandra@nccsk12.org.
On Oct. 24, Mr. VanDerbeck’s College Accounting class at Shaker High School attended “Accounting Day” at Siena University. The class learned about Siena’s accounting program, asked questions to a panel of current Siena students, participated in a discussion with area accounting firm representatives, and played interactive accounting games. Our SHS College Accounting students are currently taking the class for college credit at UAlbany, through the University in the High School program at SHS. Great job to our students on representing Shaker!
Shaker High School freshman Sharvesh Srinivasan is being honored for some of the work he did as an eighth grader last school year! Sharvesh was named one of the Top 300 Junior Innovators in the 2025 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC). Additionally, his science fair project titled, “Reaction Time of Nickel-Titanium Artificial 'Muscles' from 0.5 Amperes to 5.0 Amperes,” won first place in the Junior Division at the Greater Capital Region Science and Engineering Fair in March and earned him an invitation to the STANYS State Science Congress. Congratulations Sharvesh! Go to the link in our bio for the full story.
October is National Principals Month! We’re celebrating and thanking our eight incredible principals for their leadership, dedication, and the countless ways they support our students, staff, and the entire district every day. We appreciate all that you do!
It’s time! The Bison is finally getting a name and we need your help to make history! For 75 years our Bison mascot has gone without a name, and now you get to be part of this milestone moment. Submit your name nomination using this link or by scanning the QR code in the video.
Nominations are open from Thursday, Oct. 23 through Tuesday, Nov. 18. Once submissions close, the Bison will pick out the top five names.All North Colonie students will then have the chance to cast their votes for the final decision.
Which name will rise to the top? The choice is yours, North Colonie!
#nametheshakerbison #nccsd75
Please join us in congratulating Shaker High School freshman Shubhika Garg, who was recently invited to participate in the Diwali Celebration at the New York State Education Building. On Wednesday afternoon, Shubhika not only read Governor Kathy Hochul's proclamation during the program, but also spoke to attendees about the significance of Diwali. While she was in middle school, Shubhika met with administrators in North Colonie and presented on the importance of having Diwali recognized as a district holiday. There is no doubt Shubhika will continue to be a driver of positive change in her school community and beyond!
Tuesday night, district students and families visited Central Office to view their artwork in the Superintendent's Art Gallery. Superintendent Kathleen Skeals was on hand to greet the artists in grades K-12 who had art chosen for the gallery which has been up since the beginning of the school year. The pieces were selected from last school year and will remain on display through the end of October. Congratulations to all!
Unified Bocce celebrated their first Senior Night on Tuesday! They recognized the hard work and dedication of their three seniors.
Bolaji Owodunni has been part of Unified Sports for one year and is involved with Include the Blue. Bolaji plans to attend HVCC or UAlbany and says, “It’s fun playing the games with teammates.”
Kendra Growick has participated in Unified Sports for three years and is also involved in Include the Blue, Unified Basketball, Unified Bowling, and Bison Buddies. Kendra plans to attend college and continue working, sharing, “I like to help out other kids and it is a lot of fun.”
Shannon O’Neill has been a member of Unified Sports for two years and is involved with Include the Blue, Bison Buddies, and Varsity Softball. She plans to study psychology to become an occupational therapist, saying, “I wanted to be part of something that brings people of all abilities together while being positive and supportive.”
Congratulations to these seniors who embody teamwork, inclusivity, and Shaker pride both on and off the court.
Bolaji Owodunni has been part of Unified Sports for one year and is involved with Include the Blue. Bolaji plans to attend HVCC or UAlbany and says, “It’s fun playing the games with teammates.”
Kendra Growick has participated in Unified Sports for three years and is also involved in Include the Blue, Unified Basketball, Unified Bowling, and Bison Buddies. Kendra plans to attend college and continue working, sharing, “I like to help out other kids and it is a lot of fun.”
Shannon O’Neill has been a member of Unified Sports for two years and is involved with Include the Blue, Bison Buddies, and Varsity Softball. She plans to study psychology to become an occupational therapist, saying, “I wanted to be part of something that brings people of all abilities together while being positive and supportive.”
Congratulations to these seniors who embody teamwork, inclusivity, and Shaker pride both on and off the court.
Leaves are falling, making it the perfect time to learn about trees! On Friday morning, Blue Creek first and second graders discovered the differences between maple, oak, and evergreen trees. Farm to School Facilitator Ms. Cost led the lesson alongside High School Environmental Science teacher Mr. Rodewald and his eleventh and twelfth graders. Together, they explored the Blue Creek grounds, identifying trees in real time! Elementary students practiced telling the maples apart, while the high schoolers worked to name each specific species.
Reminder: No school on Monday, Oct. 20 for K-12 Superintendent’s Conference Day and in Observance of Diwali.
Welcome to our exchange students from Costa Rica! The group of students from Humboldt High School arrived on Monday, October 13 to a welcome from Shaker High School students and host families.
This week, the group took a trip to Albany to visit the Capitol building, NYS Museum and the Corning Tower. They also took a day trip to Lake Placid to see the Olympic Center and High Falls Gorge on a beautiful fall day. On Friday, students attended SHS Spanish classes during the day before heading the varsity football game as part of "The Barn" student section at night. Pura vida!
This week, the group took a trip to Albany to visit the Capitol building, NYS Museum and the Corning Tower. They also took a day trip to Lake Placid to see the Olympic Center and High Falls Gorge on a beautiful fall day. On Friday, students attended SHS Spanish classes during the day before heading the varsity football game as part of "The Barn" student section at night. Pura vida!
The competition was fierce between Unified Bocce and the Shaker High School faculty Friday afternoon! Our Unified athletes, in their home blues, showed their teachers and administrators a thing or two about the sport. With four matches taking place simultaneously, there was plenty for students and staff in the crowd to cheer about!
It’s National School Lunch Week! Over the last 75 years, our Food and Nutrition Services team has been nourishing generations of students. Thank you for all that you do!
Have any other photos from the last 75 years? Send them to us at communications@nccsk12.org. We love to see them! #NC75 #throwbackthursday
Have any other photos from the last 75 years? Send them to us at communications@nccsk12.org. We love to see them! #NC75 #throwbackthursday
Spot the Bison! The Bison’s been busy brewing something big! Keep an eye out on our socials… soon, you’ll have a chance to help decide what we’ll be calling our Bison!
Get ready to “Taste the World” during National School Lunch Week, October 13–17, 2025. Join us in celebrating global flavors and nutritious meals served right in our school cafeterias.
This week we celebrate Board of Education Recognition Week! Thank you to our dedicated board members, Linda Harrison (President), Matthew Cannon (Vice President), Nicholas Comproski, Michelle Dischiavo, Ayesha Geter, Samuel Johnson, Mary Nardolillo, and Melissa Veino, for their leadership, commitment, and continued support of our students, staff, and community.
Reminder: No school on Monday, Oct. 13 in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day and Columbus Day.
Shaker High School German Club celebrated Oktoberfest today, but this year the event was extra special as our German exchange students were there to celebrate with us! Danke schön to all who joined us for the celebration! The festivities included plenty of delicious food, a donut eating contest, fun crafts, and (of course) plenty of music and dance with a few rounds of musical chairs. Prost to new friendships, shared cultures, and great memories!
Congratulations to Shaker High School alum ('71) and former Athletic Director Dave Herman on his induction into the Capital Region Track, Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame this past weekend! Herman was celebrated among 10 athletes and coaches in the eighth class of inductees on Saturday, October 4, at the Albany Marriott in Colonie.
Herman established 12 school records in his time at Shaker and dominated Section 2 in his signature event, the low hurdles. In his senior year, he was selected as New York State Indoor Track Athlete of the Year (1971). Herman received a full scholarship to the University of Florida and during his freshman year, set a school record for the indoor 70-yard low hurdles and placed fifth in the outdoor 440-yard intermediates at the Southeast Conference Championships.
Herman established 12 school records in his time at Shaker and dominated Section 2 in his signature event, the low hurdles. In his senior year, he was selected as New York State Indoor Track Athlete of the Year (1971). Herman received a full scholarship to the University of Florida and during his freshman year, set a school record for the indoor 70-yard low hurdles and placed fifth in the outdoor 440-yard intermediates at the Southeast Conference Championships.
