Pumpkins aren’t just for carving! Thanks to a generous offer of pie pumpkins from Hillard's Greenhouse and Produce in Latham, Shaker Middle School was able to add a new item to the menu - pumpkin pie parfaits! Middle school cafeteria managers Jeryl Hess and Julie Watson eagerly embraced the opportunity to transform this autumn bounty into a festive, student-favorite treat. Featuring creamy pumpkin layers sweetened with New York maple syrup and garnished with crisp New York apples and cinnamon sticks, these parfaits were a beautiful celebration of local flavors and were an instant hit at breakfast.
2 days ago, North Colonie Communications
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!
2 days ago, North Colonie Communications
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!
3 days ago, North Colonie Communications
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!
3 days ago, North Colonie Communications
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
4 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Hatsgiving is here! Started by North Colonie alum Jeremy Wernick more than ten years ago, Hatsgiving collects new winter hats for pediatric cancer patients across the country. To participate, drop off your new winter hats in the bin in the front vestibule or main office of your child's school building. Thank you for your support and Happy Hatsgiving!
6 days ago, North Colonie Communications
It’s National School Psychology Week! School psychologists play a vital role in supporting students’ well-being, helping them overcome challenges, and reach their full potential. Join us in celebrating and thanking our dedicated school psychologists for their many contributions to our students and schools. #ThankYou #SchoolPsychologyWeek
7 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Opening night is here! Shaker Middle School will present "Dinner at Eight, Dead by None" today, Nov. 1 and Sunday, Nov. 2. Both shows are at 3:30 p.m. and tickets are available at the door for $10. Donations of a cereal box or a cash donation to the SMS Food Pantry will be collected, with anyone who donates being entered into a raffle to win a prize basket. Enjoy the show!
9 days ago, North Colonie Communications
North Colonie is celebrating 75 years this school year and we have exciting events planned! We’ll be naming our Bison and hosting a special spring celebration where the winning name will be revealed! Would you like to be part of the festivities? We are looking for NCCSD teachers, staff, parents, Shaker High School students and community members to sign up for our 75th Anniversary Planning Committee. Complete the form through the link in our bio.
#nametheshakerbison #NC75
11 days ago, North Colonie Communications
A group of Shaker Middle School sixth graders are being recognized as the October North Colonie Kids Care recipients. Mikaila Russell, Olivia Gardner, Madison Fowler, Gia Valenti, Caroline Hunt, Evelyn Tumbusch, Hadley Coughlin, Everly Gregory and Madison Reichert all helped create a rain barrel system for the Blue Creek school garden, which also earned them their Bronze Award, the highest honor for Junior Girl Scouts. Click the link in our bio for the complete story.
12 days ago, North Colonie Communications
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!
13 days ago, North Colonie Communications
BINGO! SMS celebrated Banned Books Week with a school-wide bingo game. Over 400 students and staff participated and each winner was given the chance to choose from a prize box of books. The first winner was Elisa (pictured), with an additional 141 winners following soon after. The event was an immense success and a great start to the school year!
15 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Tickets for the Shaker Middle School fall play, "Dinner at Eight, Dead by Nine," are on sale now! Tickets are $10 and will be on sale today, Saturday, Oct. 25 from 12 to 3 p.m. in the SMS lobby. The show will take place on Saturday, Nov. 1 and Sunday, Nov. 2 at 3:30 p.m. We hope to see you there!
16 days ago, North Colonie Communications
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.
17 days ago, North Colonie Communications
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!
17 days ago, North Colonie Communications
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
18 days ago, North Colonie Communications
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!
19 days ago, North Colonie Communications
The Shaker Middle School fall play is here! On Saturday, Nov. 1 and Sunday, Nov. 2 at 3:30 p.m., SMS will host "Dinner at Eight, Dead by Nine," a one act murder mystery that will leave audiences howling with laughter.
Tickets are $10 and will be go on sale this Saturday, Oct. 25 from 12 to 3 p.m. in the SMS lobby. Tickets will also be sold in the SMS cafeteria the week of Oct. 27 after school from 3-3:30 p.m.
"Dinner at Eight, Dead by Nine" is also collaborating with the SMS Food Pantry for donations. On the night of the show, the audience is encouraged to bring a cereal box or cash donation to the SMS Food Pantry program. Anyone who donates will be entered into a raffle to win a prize basket. We hope to see you at the show!
19 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Reminder: No school on Monday, Oct. 20 for K-12 Superintendent’s Conference Day and in Observance of Diwali.
23 days ago, North Colonie Communications
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
25 days ago, North Colonie Communications
