On Friday, October 23, we’re going PINK! In partnership with Real Kids Wear Pink and the American Cancer Society, we’re coming together as a school community to support Breast Cancer Awareness. Show your support, spread awareness and help us turn the school PINK by wearing pink on October 23!
Congratulations to these 19 Shaker High School students who have been named Commended Students in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program! They are among 34,000 students nationwide to be honored for their outstanding performance on the 2025 PSAT. The following students placed in the top 5 percent of more than 1.5 million programs entrants. Congratulations to:
Bhavya Adhyaksham Venkata
Daneah Ahmad
Ava Bachta
Ella Bagchi
Isaac Deyoe
Alice Elanagwe
Kalvin George
Adam Judson
Chaemin Lee
Lauren Lee-Chung
Aditya Milukuri
Nirvana Monsur
Mustaeen Morshed
Khrishnav Parasuraman
Shreya Sharath
Adithya Thumilan
Aarit Thusu
Amy Wu
It's School Board Recognition Week and we want to say THANK YOU to our board for all they do to support our students! Thank you to our dedicated board members - Linda Harrison (President), Matthew Cannon (Vice President), Mary Alber, Janet Appe, Dr. Nicholas Comproski, Michelle Dischiavo, Ayesha Geter, Samuel Johnson, and Dr. Melissa Veino - for their leadership, commitment, and continued support of our students, staff, and community.
We’re partnering with Hatsgiving once again to spread warmth and kindness to children battling cancer and survivors!
Founded 14 years ago by North Colonie alum Jeremy Wernick, Hatsgiving collects thousands of winter hats each year and distributes them to children’s hospitals across the country, including right here in our local community.
Help us make a difference by donating new winter hats at collection boxes located in our school buildings. Every hat helps bring a little extra warmth and comfort to a child in need.
The final day to donate is Thursday, November 12!
Happy Tuesday! Look at these smiling faces! Arjun and Devon are two of our students in the Shaker-Siena Transition Program. Not only are they enjoying their time on campus, but they are spreading joy everywhere they go, including when they pick up and deliver mail around campus every day. Here, Arjun and Devon are seen with former NCCSD employee Mrs. Hunter and Siena student Danny Tyrel, a dual secondary education and history major who is doing fieldwork hours for one of his classes. It is great to see our students thriving in their new program!
Congratulations to the two Shaker High School freshmen that were recognized at the 25th Annual Capital District Council for Young Musicians (CDCYM) Chopin Piano Competition!
Charles Zhang earned first place in the Master division, the highest level of the competition. Charles has played piano for more than seven years and also plays clarinet in the SHS 9-10 Band. Louis Jin earned second place in the Apprentice division.
The CDCYM Chopin Piano Competition is modeled after the international Chopin Competition and is considered the most competitive piano competition in the Capital Region. This is an outstanding accomplishment for both of these talented young musicians. Congratulations, Charles and Louis!
Charles Zhang earned first place in the Master division, the highest level of the competition. Charles has played piano for more than seven years and also plays clarinet in the SHS 9-10 Band. Louis Jin earned second place in the Apprentice division.
The CDCYM Chopin Piano Competition is modeled after the international Chopin Competition and is considered the most competitive piano competition in the Capital Region. This is an outstanding accomplishment for both of these talented young musicians. Congratulations, Charles and Louis!
Reminder: No school on Monday, Oct. 12 in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day and Columbus Day.
Congratulations to Shaker High School junior David Terrell, who was selected to represent North Colonie at the New York State Education Department's National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebration on Thursday, October 8. David read an official proclamation from Governor Kathy Hochul, but before that, he brought the audience to its feet by telling them about his own story. A math and sports enthusiast, David told the audience about his experience as a Shaker Unified Basketball and Bocce athlete. One of his favorite moments was the Unified Basketball team's back to back sectional championship wins the past two years! NYSED Commissioner Betty Rosa was the first to initiate that standing ovation after David's moving speech.
On Tuesday, Oct. 6, Shaker High’s Global History and Geography students welcomed a delegation from Vietnam as part of the Congressional Office for International Leadership’s Open World program. Hosted by the International Center of the Capital Region, the delegation included five members of the National Assembly of Vietnam: Thi Tu Anh Trinh, Bui Thi Quynh Tho, An Xuan Trinh, Duong A Trang and Anh The Tran, accompanied by a translator and Manh Tu Vu, a Political Specialist from the U.S. Embassy Hanoi. The delegates spoke with students about Vietnamese society, culture and contemporary issues, giving students the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about life in Vietnam. Following the presentation, the delegates gifted students traditional Vietnamese candy and presented the school with a plaque depicting the National Assembly of Vietnam. Thank you to our guests for sharing their knowledge and experiences with our students!
If you’re in the area of the Colonie Town Library this October, stop in to view artwork created by Shaker High’s Advanced Art & Design 1 students! As part of their summer work, students created personal artwork illustrating something important to them, using hands as the main subject matter. Working in colored pencil, students challenged themselves to layer colors and build undertones without using black. Each piece is accompanied by an artist statement explaining the student’s artistic choices, including camera angle, symbolism, color and technical approach, as well as why the subject is meaningful to them. The student artwork will be on display throughout the month of October. Be sure to stop by and check it out!
Records are made to be broken! This year, Shaker High School is honored to have 15 students chosen as a performer or alternate in the 2026 NYSSMA All-State Festival. This is a new record for North Colonie CSD! Additionally, this is the highest number of students accepted from any Suburban Council district. Congratulations to the following students:
Luqman Ahmed (11) - Trombone in Symphonic Band
Manna Alemu (12) - Alto in Treble Chorus
Jenna Cannistraci (12) - Alto in Mixed Chorus
Mykael Corniel (11) - Bass in Mixed Chorus
Miltiadis (Miltos) Hamilton (11) - Clarinet in Wind Ensemble
Nafiza Ilma (12) - Alto in Treble Chorus
Adam Judson (12) - Oboe in Symphony Orchestra
Lauren Lee-Chung (12) - Viola in String Orchestra
Isabella Monaco (12) - Alto in Treble Chorus
Giuliana Palmieri (12) - Alto in Treble Chorus
Bella Pelton (12) - Soprano in Mixed Chorus
Emily Tribou (11) - Violin in String Orchestra
Alexander King (11) - Alternate on Bass
Gio Ok (12) - Alternate on Cello
Christina Zhang (11) - Alternate on Flute and Piccolo
The NYSSMA All-State Festival will be held in Rochester, NY from December 3-6, 2026.
Luqman Ahmed (11) - Trombone in Symphonic Band
Manna Alemu (12) - Alto in Treble Chorus
Jenna Cannistraci (12) - Alto in Mixed Chorus
Mykael Corniel (11) - Bass in Mixed Chorus
Miltiadis (Miltos) Hamilton (11) - Clarinet in Wind Ensemble
Nafiza Ilma (12) - Alto in Treble Chorus
Adam Judson (12) - Oboe in Symphony Orchestra
Lauren Lee-Chung (12) - Viola in String Orchestra
Isabella Monaco (12) - Alto in Treble Chorus
Giuliana Palmieri (12) - Alto in Treble Chorus
Bella Pelton (12) - Soprano in Mixed Chorus
Emily Tribou (11) - Violin in String Orchestra
Alexander King (11) - Alternate on Bass
Gio Ok (12) - Alternate on Cello
Christina Zhang (11) - Alternate on Flute and Piccolo
The NYSSMA All-State Festival will be held in Rochester, NY from December 3-6, 2026.
On Sept. 30, over 25 vendors stopped by the 2026-2027 Transition Fair at Shaker High School. The fair offered a chance for community members to learn about college, day programs, research employment options, independent living, and more. Thank you to everyone who attended the event!
Stop and smell the kale! Loudonville now has a "Mobile Sensory Garden," allowing students to take a break and touch and smell a small variety of plants. The cart also has a feelings chart, utilizing fruits and vegetables, to help students identify how they are feeling. The mobile garden has been a success in the school so far, with hopes to expand to other schools across the district soon.
What a way to welcome October! On October 1, the North Colonie community came together for our 4th Annual Fall Family Fest! From henna by the Indian Student Organization to pickle making with Forts Ferry Innovation Teacher Amy Parks and pumpkin painting with the Art Honor Society, there was truly something for everyone. Students and staff provided entertainment, while community partners including Daisy Cafe, Garelick Farms, El Mariachi, and more supplied delicious food and drinks. After days of gloomy weather, the sun even came out to make the evening extra special! Thank you to all our community partners, clubs and organizations, and student volunteers for making it a night to remember!
Congratulations to our first Kids Care recipient of the new school year, Shaker High School junior Mia Thomas! Mia was recognized as the September Kids Care honoree at the Board of Education meeting on Monday, September 28. Over the summer, Mia made dozens of handmade cards for cancer patients at New York Oncology and Hematology. She made the cards in honor of her grandmother, who passed away from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma back in May. The cards provided comfort, hope, validation and a reminder to patients that they are not alone. Congratulations Mia!
Bryson is walking with NAMI - and you're invited! Join the Shaker NAMI On Campus Team at the Capital Region NAMIWalks this Saturday, October 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Washington Park.
Come together with friends and family to raise awareness for mental health, show your support, and advocate for mental wellness. Our Bison mascot, Bryson, will be there too! Wear blue to show your Shaker NAMI spirit!
Join our team and walk with us: https://www.namiwalks.org/teams/82889
Come together with friends and family to raise awareness for mental health, show your support, and advocate for mental wellness. Our Bison mascot, Bryson, will be there too! Wear blue to show your Shaker NAMI spirit!
Join our team and walk with us: https://www.namiwalks.org/teams/82889
Friday, October 2, is School Custodial Workers Recognition Day! Today, we celebrate the dedicated custodial workers who help keep our schools clean, safe, welcoming, and ready for learning every day. Thank you for all that you do!
*Reminder: Early Release Drill on Friday, October 2, 2026*
North Colonie CSD will carry out a practice Early Release Drill by dismissing all students fifteen minutes before the normal dismissal time on Friday, October 2, 2026.
North Colonie CSD will carry out a practice Early Release Drill by dismissing all students fifteen minutes before the normal dismissal time on Friday, October 2, 2026.
Join us tonight for North Colonie’s Fourth Annual Fall Family Festival from 5–7 p.m. in Shaker High School’s Lower Courtyard! Enjoy music, food, activities and plenty of fall fun with family and friends. With the SMS Open House this evening, please park at Shaker High School. We can’t wait to see you there!
North Colonie CSD is pleased to announce the return of a familiar face to Shaker High School. Mrs. Nicky Bogert will be coming back to SHS as the new LaFollette Hall Principal. Mrs. Bogert has spent most of her career in North Colonie, first as a health teacher for 23 years and then as the Taft Hall Dean from 2021-2024. For the past two years, Mrs. Bogert has served as the South Glens Falls High School Principal, gaining valuable experience that will serve her well in her new role.
"Mrs. Bogert’s wealth of experience both as a teacher and an administrator, as well as her familiarity with the district and the high school, make her the right person for the job," said North Colonie Superintendent of Schools Kathleen Skeals. "She has already established relationships with many of the faculty and staff at the high school and will no doubt hit the ground running when she returns."
Her first day with SHS will be Monday, November 2. Please join us in welcoming back Mrs. Bogert!
