In September, SHS seniors taking the Education and Literacy class visited the SMS library to learn how to give book talks to students. The Education and Literacy class allows for students to learn more about the education field, and to work towards a Level 1 Teacher Assistant Certification. For this training, SMS librarians covered how to choose books, how to be engaging during the talks, and the most important point: never give away the ending!
From here, the SHS students then took on the challenge to read a middle school book that they thought would appeal to seventh graders, plan a book talk, and create a mini lesson on how to do book talks in the future. This prepared the seventh grade students to eventually offer their own book talk for their independent reading projects.
Great job to the Education and Literacy class for their work and support!
From here, the SHS students then took on the challenge to read a middle school book that they thought would appeal to seventh graders, plan a book talk, and create a mini lesson on how to do book talks in the future. This prepared the seventh grade students to eventually offer their own book talk for their independent reading projects.
Great job to the Education and Literacy class for their work and support!
Congratulations to the Shaker High School Varsity History Bowl Team! The team, consisting of Shrijan Sharma, Yunhan Chen, Charles Adelstein, Everitt Li, and Peter Gong, went 6-0 to win the Central New York History Bowl Competition in Syracuse, NY on October 11. In addition to bringing home another Champions plaque for the trophy case, .the team now qualifies for both the National History Bowl Competition in Arlington, VA and the International History Olympiad. Devesh Kusampudi was the top scorer on the Biology National Qualifying Exam during the event. Mustaeen Morshed was the top scorer on the Geography National Qualifying Exam. Yunhan Chen and Devesh Kusampudi tied for second in that same event. All three students qualified for Nationals.Yunhan Chen also placed second in the History Bee event and qualified for Nationals in that event. Great job to our Varsity History Bowl Team!
On November 7th, a group of 45 French 4 students participated in a trip to the Clark and Norman Rockwell museums in Massachusetts. Students spent the day admiring paintings by such famous artists as Monet, Renoir, and Degas as a culminating activity to the Impressionism unit. They also were introduced to Norman Rockwell and his contributions to American art and culture.
The Bison Is One Step Closer to a Name!
After three weeks of nominations from staff, students, alumni, families, and community members, we officially have our top six names! Thank you to everyone who participated, nominations closed at an incredible 1,000 submissions! The six finalists will now go on a ballot for elementary students, starting Monday, Nov. 24 at Blue Creek Elementary School. The Bison will then travel across the North Colonie Central School District, collecting votes from elementary schools before heading to Shaker Middle School and High School. Once voting is complete, the Bison will tally the results, and the winning name will be announced later this school year. After 75 years, our Bison is finally getting a name, thank you for making history with us!
https://youtu.be/sCUhMV6pmRE
After three weeks of nominations from staff, students, alumni, families, and community members, we officially have our top six names! Thank you to everyone who participated, nominations closed at an incredible 1,000 submissions! The six finalists will now go on a ballot for elementary students, starting Monday, Nov. 24 at Blue Creek Elementary School. The Bison will then travel across the North Colonie Central School District, collecting votes from elementary schools before heading to Shaker Middle School and High School. Once voting is complete, the Bison will tally the results, and the winning name will be announced later this school year. After 75 years, our Bison is finally getting a name, thank you for making history with us!
https://youtu.be/sCUhMV6pmRE
It's Substitute Teacher Appreciation Day! Please join us in celebrating our substitutes and thanking them for all they do!
Canstruction took over Upper J Wing on Wednesday as 17 clubs transformed thousands of donated cans into jaw-dropping sculptures for a great cause, supporting the school pantry located just steps away. This year’s event brought in more than 2,000 cans to help keep the pantry stocked for students and families who depend on its support. Teams had only a few hours to build, and judges evaluated every creation for creativity, completion, and how cleverly the cans were used.
The hallway buzzed with energy as students, staff, and spectators watched iconic landmarks and pop-culture scenes rise from stacks of cans. Shaker Robotics wowed the crowd with a replica of R2-D2, the SLC team built an impressive model of Walker Field, and UNICEF recreated the famous house from Up, complete with balloons!
Coding Club took home the award for the most cans donated with its tissue box build. Latin Club claimed first place overall with a stunning Colosseum, German Club earned second for its towering Rapunzel tribute, and the National English Honor Society secured third with a dramatic Hamlet’s skull display. From creativity to community impact, every team delivered. Congratulations to all participants for an unforgettable Canstruction event!
The hallway buzzed with energy as students, staff, and spectators watched iconic landmarks and pop-culture scenes rise from stacks of cans. Shaker Robotics wowed the crowd with a replica of R2-D2, the SLC team built an impressive model of Walker Field, and UNICEF recreated the famous house from Up, complete with balloons!
Coding Club took home the award for the most cans donated with its tissue box build. Latin Club claimed first place overall with a stunning Colosseum, German Club earned second for its towering Rapunzel tribute, and the National English Honor Society secured third with a dramatic Hamlet’s skull display. From creativity to community impact, every team delivered. Congratulations to all participants for an unforgettable Canstruction event!
Lanterns were aglow for the annual Martinstag Lantern Parade and Celebration on November 13! Students and families from around the district gathered to celebrate the traditional German holiday at Shaker Middle School with performances and an outdoor lantern parade. This event has grown each year with tremendous support from the German program, students and staff. We hope to see you next year!
Please join us in congratulating SHS senior Nithin Vinothkumar, who recently earned the distinction of an Eagle Scout. For his Eagle Scout project, Nithin remodeled the area that his old preschool used as a play space. The room had thin carpeting that had been damaged by flooding and contained several hazards for the children who used it, so he removed the existing carpeting, sealed the walls that were letting water in with concrete sealant, and painted the walls. I then installed padded flooring to make the area safer for the kids and wrapped the support poles for added protection. Thank you to Nithin for your hard work and commitment to our community!
Reminder! Tomorrow is the community food drive, we will be hosting the event from 8am-12pm at Central Office (91 Fiddlers Lane). We need your help to support our district students and families in need! All donations of non-perishable food items will be used to support the backpack programs at each of our eight school buildings. A list of most needed items can be found by clicking the link in our bio. Thank you for your support!
Shaker High School is excited to present Peter and the Starcatcher on Nov. 21 and 22 at 7 p.m., and Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. at SHS auditorium.
Tickets are available online and at the door. Scan the QR code to purchase your tickets today!
Tickets are available online and at the door. Scan the QR code to purchase your tickets today!
North Colonie CSD appreciates our Veterans and active-duty service members today and everyday. To mark the occasion, a variety of events were held throughout the district.
On Friday, Nov. 7, Forts Ferry Elementary welcomed members of Christian Brothers Academy for their second annual Veterans Day presentation. During the visit, students learned about the military and the importance of respect through an engaging demonstration by the CBA Color Guard. The event concluded with a special birthday song for Sean, a Color Guard member celebrating his birthday that day, and for a student whose birthday falls on Veterans Day. Thank you to CBA for providing our students with such a meaningful and memorable experience!
On Monday, Nov. 10, the Boght Hills Elementary School community gathered in the gym to celebrate and honor Veterans and active-duty service members. Before the event began, honored guests were welcomed with refreshments and had the opportunity to spend time with their Boght Hills students. Twenty individuals from the Colts community were recognized for their dedication and service across the Air Force, Army, Army National Guard, Navy, and Marines. Each grade paid tribute by singing the military hymns: kindergarteners performed the "Marines’ Hymn," first graders sang "The U.S. Air Force Song," second graders presented "The Army Goes Rolling Along," third graders performed "Always Ready, Always There" in honor of the Coast Guard, and fourth graders sang "Anchors Aweigh" for the Navy. The ceremony concluded with a unifying moment as the entire school, joined by the Shaker High Band, sang "America the Beautiful." After students were released back to their classes, some guests took a moment to look at Boght Hills' Wall of Heroes.
Thank you to all the Veterans and active-duty service members!
Shaker High School’s National English Honor Society is proud to welcome E.L. Shen, Shaker alumna and author of The Queens of New York, for a special author visit for SHS students. E.L. Shen will visit Tuesday, November 25, where she will share her journey from Shaker student to editor to published author, along with insights into her writing process and career in publishing.
Following the reading, a writing workshop will be held for students interested in creative writing and the publishing world. Both the author talk and the workshop are open to all SHS students, but space is limited. Students are encouraged to scan the QR code and register by Friday, November 14. Copies of The Queens of New York are also available for presale, with orders due the same day.
We hope you’ll join us for this exciting opportunity to meet and learn from a Shaker graduate and accomplished author!
Following the reading, a writing workshop will be held for students interested in creative writing and the publishing world. Both the author talk and the workshop are open to all SHS students, but space is limited. Students are encouraged to scan the QR code and register by Friday, November 14. Copies of The Queens of New York are also available for presale, with orders due the same day.
We hope you’ll join us for this exciting opportunity to meet and learn from a Shaker graduate and accomplished author!
Reminder: North Colonie Central School District is closed on Tuesday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day.
Shaker High School senior Rob Congiusta is combining his passions in pursuit of a lucrative career. Congiusta is currently enrolled in the Welding and Metal Fabrication program at Capital Region BOCES where he is earning certifications and learning American Welding Society standards in pursuit of a career in the welding industry. But he isn’t pursuing just any career in welding; rather, Congiusta would like to become an underwater welder.
Read more about Congiusta and his exciting future plans on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/article/2530016
Read more about Congiusta and his exciting future plans on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/article/2530016
Just stopping by to say hi! Last week Taft Hall Principal Brian Spofford and LaFollette Hall Principal Nikki Newidomy visited Siena to meet with students in the NCCSD-Siena University Transition Program. The duo talked with students and discussed the NCCSD-Siena University Transition Program. Students then provided Principals Spofford and Newidomy with a tour of Siena, which also gave them the opportunity for this great photo opp!
Have you seen Wicked at Proctors Theatre? If the answer is yes, then you heard Shaker Middle School Band teacher Omar Williams playing trumpet in the pit orchestra! Mr. Williams is one of the most sought-after trumpeters in the Capital Region, and as a member of the Schenectady-Amsterdam Musical Union, he got the call to play the touring production of Wicked at Proctors. Mr. Williams is doing double-duty for the two-week run - teaching by day and playing in the pit orchestra each night. If you're catching the show this weekend, listen for the trumpet player!
North Colonie Central School District is once again teaming up with the United Way of the Greater Capital Region for our “Season of Giving” campaign. As the holiday season approaches, we would like to give back to our own students and families in need in our district. Your donations could provide meals during winter break or clothing throughout the school year. We appreciate your support and are grateful for any and all donations!
Meet North Colonie's newest author! Loudonville fifth grader Isla Bentley recently co-authored a children's picture book with her mom Vicki (who works as a substitute teaching aide at Blue Creek), called "Not Sorry to Be Me." Isla and Vicki visited Isla's classroom on Wednesday, Nov. 6 to read the book to the class.
"Not Sorry to Be Me" was inspired by Isla's experiences with autism and ADHD, tells the tale of a cockatoo called Sorry who is different from the other birds in the forest because he sees the world in color, while the rest only see in black, white, and grey. This sensory overwhelm can cause Sorry to react in ways that irritate or seem strange to the other birds, causing them to miss out on the unique perspective he has to offer. One day, Sorry meets a kind, curious bird who asks to see Sorry's world through his eyes. From this shared understanding, a friendship is forged, and two lives are forever changed.
Isla and Vicki will also be doing a book signing at Professor Java's Coffee Sanctuary on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The book may be purchased at that time or on Amazon or Barnes and Noble online. Congratulations to Isla and Vicki on this exciting accomplishment!
"Not Sorry to Be Me" was inspired by Isla's experiences with autism and ADHD, tells the tale of a cockatoo called Sorry who is different from the other birds in the forest because he sees the world in color, while the rest only see in black, white, and grey. This sensory overwhelm can cause Sorry to react in ways that irritate or seem strange to the other birds, causing them to miss out on the unique perspective he has to offer. One day, Sorry meets a kind, curious bird who asks to see Sorry's world through his eyes. From this shared understanding, a friendship is forged, and two lives are forever changed.
Isla and Vicki will also be doing a book signing at Professor Java's Coffee Sanctuary on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The book may be purchased at that time or on Amazon or Barnes and Noble online. Congratulations to Isla and Vicki on this exciting accomplishment!
Happy Thankful Thursday! Each Thursday in November, we’re showing our gratitude to all the people who have helped make North Colonie CSD special through the years. From past to present, our incredible instructional staff members have shaped North Colonie into the strong, caring, and inspiring community it is today. Thank you to all of our employees from across the years for your dedication, service, and heart!
#ThankfulThursday #thankyounorthcolonie #nccsd75 #throwbackthursday
On Wednesday, eight Shaker seniors officially signed to continue their athletic and academic careers at Division I and II institutions.
Family, friends, and teammates gathered to celebrate these student-athletes as they made their commitments official.
Congratulations to our signees:
Tessa Carroll – Iona University, Lacrosse
Peyton Hoblock – Dartmouth College, Basketball
Peyton Cerrone – Saint Anselm College, Lacrosse
Emma Davis – Newberry College, Lacrosse
Elisabeth Gialanella – Mercer University, Lacrosse
Sean Hurley – University of North Carolina, Baseball
Talyn Chernosky – Caldwell University, Softball
Jason Bailey – Stonehill College, Baseball
Another signing day will be held in May for seniors still finalizing their decisions.
