This week, we celebrate the incredible educators who make a difference at North Colonie every single day. During Teacher Appreciation Week, we thank our teachers for their passion, dedication, and the countless ways they support, inspire, and uplift our students. Please join us in showing gratitude to the amazing teachers who help shape our future, one student at a time.
Have a fun story or photo of a North Colonie teacher to share? Email us at communications@nccsk12.org!
Have a fun story or photo of a North Colonie teacher to share? Email us at communications@nccsk12.org!
Shaker High School senior Maya Elliott is being recognized as the April North Colonie Kids Care recipient. Maya was nominated by English teacher Ms. Katie Leach for her outstanding leadership, initiative, and positive impact within the school community.
Maya leads by example as the president of the Cooking and Culture Club, co-president of the Psychology Club, and a founding leader of the Pre-Law Society. From the very beginning, she demonstrated professionalism, organization, and drive, reaching out to coordinate meetings and helping establish the Pre-Law Society in its first year. Ms. Leach praised Maya’s maturity and dedication, noting how seamlessly she stepped into a leadership role.
Maya has also played a key role in bringing the school community together through meaningful events. She helped lead the return of the Shaker High School Multicultural Festival, a district-wide celebration featuring food, music, and traditions from around the world that drew hundreds of attendees. She also contributed to organizing a Holidays Around the World event, always ensuring inclusivity and representation are at the forefront.
We are proud to recognize Maya for her commitment to leadership, cultural awareness, and community engagement. Congratulations, Maya!
Maya leads by example as the president of the Cooking and Culture Club, co-president of the Psychology Club, and a founding leader of the Pre-Law Society. From the very beginning, she demonstrated professionalism, organization, and drive, reaching out to coordinate meetings and helping establish the Pre-Law Society in its first year. Ms. Leach praised Maya’s maturity and dedication, noting how seamlessly she stepped into a leadership role.
Maya has also played a key role in bringing the school community together through meaningful events. She helped lead the return of the Shaker High School Multicultural Festival, a district-wide celebration featuring food, music, and traditions from around the world that drew hundreds of attendees. She also contributed to organizing a Holidays Around the World event, always ensuring inclusivity and representation are at the forefront.
We are proud to recognize Maya for her commitment to leadership, cultural awareness, and community engagement. Congratulations, Maya!
They may trade capes for aprons, but our lunch staff are everyday superheroes all the same. Friday, May 1, is School Lunch Heroes Day, and we’re excited to celebrate our incredible food and nutrition team. Thank you for serving up not just meals, but kindness, energy, and a smile with every tray!
¡Felicitaciones! Shaker High School sophomore Carolina Donati has been awarded the 2026 Cynthia K. Hoetzer Spanish Speaking Award! The purpose of this award is to promote the further development of oral Spanish language proficiency beyond current levels. Carol, a Spanish Honors Society member, can choose to use the award towards a language immersion program of her choice. Additionally, Carol scored a silver medal on the National Spanish Exam, scoring in the 90% percentile of achievement when compared to Spanish students nationwide. Congratulations to Carol on her amazing achievements!
Shaker High School is the home of New York State’s best student poet! That’s according to the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the Teachers and Writers Collaborative who recently announced the first winners of the inaugural New York State of Poetry prize. Shaker sophomore Sima Amiri’s poem “Third Apartment” was selected as the New York State of Poetry 2026 best poem. The contest welcomed more than 5,000 students from 59 high schools from across the state.
New York State Poet Laureate emeritus Willie Perdomo served as the judge, selecting “Third Apartment” from among those submitted to the New York State of Poetry anthology. Perdomo said, “‘Third Apartment’ measures the weight of our hauntings with images that sink into your skin and stay there until you can locate a common humanity. If every stanza is a room in a house, then this house is constructed against forgetting.”
As the winner of best poem, Sima won Shaker High School a $500 grant for its library. You can read the winning poem using the link in our bio.
New York State Poet Laureate emeritus Willie Perdomo served as the judge, selecting “Third Apartment” from among those submitted to the New York State of Poetry anthology. Perdomo said, “‘Third Apartment’ measures the weight of our hauntings with images that sink into your skin and stay there until you can locate a common humanity. If every stanza is a room in a house, then this house is constructed against forgetting.”
As the winner of best poem, Sima won Shaker High School a $500 grant for its library. You can read the winning poem using the link in our bio.
It's School Bus Driver Appreciation Day! Let’s give a big thank you to the drivers who keep our school days running safely and smoothly. They are the first friendly face in the morning and the last one in the afternoon, making every ride a safe, welcoming, and dependable part of the day. Thank you bus drivers!
Join us in celebrating their hard work, care, and dedication on every route. Ready to make a difference in your community? Be a hero, drive a school bus.
Join us in celebrating their hard work, care, and dedication on every route. Ready to make a difference in your community? Be a hero, drive a school bus.
On Thursday, April 16, students of the German program gathered at SHS for a night of celebrating their outstanding achievements. First, a group of 18 seniors were officially inducted into the National German Honor Society Delta Epsilon Phi based on their academic achievement and multiple-year active membership in the Hudson Valley chapter. Next, 39 students were recognized for their amazing performance in the 2025-26 National German Exam. The students won 9 gold medals, 17 silver medals and 13 bronze medals across the level 2, 3, and 4 exams offered by the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) every year. On top of the medals, two students received scholarships. Senior Renat Gosmanov won the Postgraduate Monetary Scholarship. Junior Lillian Pasos received the AATG travel scholarship based on her outstanding results in the exam. She will be traveling to Germany for three weeks, living with a host family and attending a German school. At the end of her stay, she will be traveling to Berlin with a group of other US students of German. The program was accompanied by music performances by Ryan Hoang, Charles Adelstein and Luqman Ahmed. Congratulations to all the students and their teachers, Melissa Brandt and Christine Connor!
On Wednesday, April 22, Shaker HIgh School students participated in a Mock Trial experience in collaboration with the New York State Unified Court System at Shaker Middle School. The Honorable Michael C. Howard of Columbia County Court presided over the proceedings, while representatives from the NYS Unified Court System provided additional support and guidance. The event offered students a valuable, hands-on look at the judicial process.
Only two weeks to go until the Bison Birthday Bash and North Colonie’s 75th Anniversary. Join us on Saturday, May 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Arthur Walker Field for an action-packed celebration with food, music, games, a dance party, and the exciting moment we officially name our Bison!
What an incredible way to wrap up the week! On Friday, April 24, our Unified Basketball team took the court for the second annual Blue vs. White game, and it did not disappoint! The celebration kicked off as all four unified teams were welcomed into H Gym, followed by a special moment as Leigh Howard from Special Olympics New York unveiled our brand new National Unified Champion School banner alongside unified athlete Kiki Growick. Both teams played their hearts out, showcasing not only their skills but the true spirit of unified sports, teamwork, inclusion, and sportsmanship. The energy in the gym was electric from start to finish, with players and fans bringing the hype on and off the court! At halftime, the unified cheer team wowed the crowd with a fantastic performance, adding even more excitement to an already unforgettable event. A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support, your energy made all the difference!
For more pictures go to our Facebook page!
For more pictures go to our Facebook page!
Thursday, April 23, all eight schools gathered at Shaker Middle School for the annual Physical Education District Leadership Awards. Forty-six standout students in grades 5–12 were selected by their PE teachers for demonstrating exemplary leadership and effort. The Shaker Middle School Jazz Band, conducted by music teacher Omar Williams, provided musical accompaniment. Guest speaker Chris Landers, a Shaker High School Class of 2013 graduate and current assistant football coach, shared how physical education, along with his teachers and coaches, helped shape him into the person he is today. Senior students Gavin Bailie and Joelle Hannoush also spoke, sharing their experiences in PE and offering advice to younger students. Congratulations to all honorees!
Congratulations to our SHS Capstone Engineering class students! Three groups from the class took home prizes in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Competition. The class, which consists of SHS seniors, were tasked with coming up with their own real world problem and designing a viable solution to solve the problem. The three groups who came back with prizes were:
- NYS Semi-Finalists - Dev Bhatia, Collin Fisk, Prathik Gullapalli - Multi-Directional Microphone to Detect Victims in Disaster Situations
*This team also won the Your AI Horizons Challenge award from the CTE Momentum AI Challenge.
- STEM Innovation Award - Joanna Kang and Shayla Mieu and Sirihamsika Kothagundla - Adaptive Aromatherapy Device to Reduce Agitation and Support Emotional Well-Being in Dementia Patients
- STEM Innovation Award - Fahim Fida, Sanjana Kolli, and Caleb Meade - Interactive Bilateral-Stimulation Mattress Topper For PTSD
Read more about their projects on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/article/2839056
- NYS Semi-Finalists - Dev Bhatia, Collin Fisk, Prathik Gullapalli - Multi-Directional Microphone to Detect Victims in Disaster Situations
*This team also won the Your AI Horizons Challenge award from the CTE Momentum AI Challenge.
- STEM Innovation Award - Joanna Kang and Shayla Mieu and Sirihamsika Kothagundla - Adaptive Aromatherapy Device to Reduce Agitation and Support Emotional Well-Being in Dementia Patients
- STEM Innovation Award - Fahim Fida, Sanjana Kolli, and Caleb Meade - Interactive Bilateral-Stimulation Mattress Topper For PTSD
Read more about their projects on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/article/2839056
Students in Ms. Gauthier’s AP Spanish class recently brought their learning to life with a visit to The Metropolitan Museum of Art to explore the Art of the Ancient Americas exhibit.
As part of Shaker High School’s advanced Spanish program, students regularly engage with authentic cultural materials and real-world interactions that deepen both their language proficiency and cultural understanding. During the visit, students examined artifacts from across Latin America, experiencing firsthand the richness and diversity of the cultures they study in class.
The trip encouraged students to think critically about the connections between past and present, and how art reflects identity, values, and history which are key themes of the AP Spanish Language and Culture curriculum. Experiences like this help bring language and culture to life beyond the classroom, giving students a deeper appreciation for the perspectives and traditions of the Spanish-speaking world.
As part of Shaker High School’s advanced Spanish program, students regularly engage with authentic cultural materials and real-world interactions that deepen both their language proficiency and cultural understanding. During the visit, students examined artifacts from across Latin America, experiencing firsthand the richness and diversity of the cultures they study in class.
The trip encouraged students to think critically about the connections between past and present, and how art reflects identity, values, and history which are key themes of the AP Spanish Language and Culture curriculum. Experiences like this help bring language and culture to life beyond the classroom, giving students a deeper appreciation for the perspectives and traditions of the Spanish-speaking world.
Wednesday, April 22 marks Administrative Professionals Day! We’re proud to recognize the outstanding team members across our district who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything organized and running seamlessly. Their commitment, professionalism, and positive spirit make a lasting impact every day and we are truly grateful for all they do. Please join us in celebrating and thanking our amazing administrative professionals!
Best wishes to our students representing North Colonie at the State SkillsUSA Competition! The competition is being conducted at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse from April 22-24. Students from Shaker High School attending are:
- Emmalina Coluccio for the Barbering competition in the BOCES Cosmetology
- Tessla Murray for the Cosmetology Senior competition in the BOCES Cosmetology program
- Bolaji Owodunni for the Prepared Speech competition in the BOCES Game Design and Implementation program
- Jalal-Taha Selcuk for the Job Skill Demo competition in the BOCES Automotive Trades Technology program
- Elena Hymes as a House of Delegate representative in the Criminal Justice program
Please join us in wishing good luck to these students!
- Emmalina Coluccio for the Barbering competition in the BOCES Cosmetology
- Tessla Murray for the Cosmetology Senior competition in the BOCES Cosmetology program
- Bolaji Owodunni for the Prepared Speech competition in the BOCES Game Design and Implementation program
- Jalal-Taha Selcuk for the Job Skill Demo competition in the BOCES Automotive Trades Technology program
- Elena Hymes as a House of Delegate representative in the Criminal Justice program
Please join us in wishing good luck to these students!
Over April break, a group of 28 French 4, 5, and AP students from Shaker High School participated in a trip to Paris and the Loire Valley. During the trip, students saw famous monuments, toured several castles, and spent a day visiting the American cemetery and D-Day beaches in Normandy.
April is Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month! Let’s come together as a district and go blue on Friday, April 24 to raise awareness, show support, and celebrate inclusion for all. 💙
Shaker High School's Freshman Seminar students all had the opportunity to visit UAlbany's ETEC building as part of a class-wide field trip between April 13-17. Mrs. Kim Murray and Mrs. Hope Dils' students took part in three programs sessions in small groups. Those sessions included sustainability, atmospheric science, AI, green design and STEM careers among other topics. After those sessions, students walked across campus to eat lunch in the campus dining hall. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to experience campus life and learn more about future career opportunities!
On Thursday, April 16, Shaker senior Nawaf Kassem was selected to take part in the New York State Education Department's Arab American Heritage Month Celebration. Nawaf read Governor Kathy Hochul's proclamation to those in attendance, declaring April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month in New York State. The ceremony also included moving messages from keynote speaker Dina Refki, the Executive Director for the Center for Women in Government and Civil Society, and emcee Malik Eljallad, the Program Manager for the NYS Department of Health.
Oh what a night! On Friday, April 17, Shaker High School celebrated its recognition as a newly minted Unified Champion National Banner School. The district hosted a celebration of all current and former Unified athletes, partners, coaches and aides during a ceremony in the H-gym. Senator Jake Ashby was on hand, as well as representatives from Special Olympics New York to celebrate the achievement. The distinction marks the highest achievement for Unified Champion Schools in the United States. Congratulations Blue Bison!
