**Staff Spotlight: Kimberly Jeram**
For 30 years, Kimberly Jeram has been a steady, compassionate presence at North Colonie, helping students discover that success is possible with the right support, patience, and encouragement. This June, she retired from the district and is looking ahead to new adventures, including a European trip planned for 2027 and plenty of future travel opportunities. Still, after three decades at North Colonie, she reflects most fondly on the people and relationships built along the way.
“I loved being here for 30 years,” she said. “It’s been a great place to work, and I’ve met some of the best people in my life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Read more about Mrs. Jeram on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/staffspotlight
This Friday, July 10, the North Colonie Annual Summer Garden Market will open! In addition to plenty of fresh vegetables from the district garden, pantry items will also be available for pickup. The market will run every Friday from July 10 through August 14, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Be sure to stop by Shaker Middle School to check out all that our gardens have to offer, each week will feature different items. As always, items are free of charge; however, if you would like to contribute, all donations will go directly back into the district gardens. We hope to see you there!
Our Summer Garden Market is making its return this summer! Every Friday, from July 10-August 14 from 10am to 12pm, stop by Shaker Middle School to check out the freshest produce from our district gardens! Every week will feature some different items. As always, items are free of charge. Any donations made will go directly back into the district gardens. We hope to see you on July 10!
When school lets out, grocery bills go up for families who relied on free school meals. Resources in our community, like summer meals, Summer EBT, SNAP, and WIC, can help families put food on the table. Visit hungersolutionsny.org/find-food-help to learn more.
Shaker High School just welcomed around 500 new freshmen! On Thursday, June 25, Shaker Middle School eighth graders, along with their families, friends, and teachers, filled the Shaker High H-Gym to celebrate as these students graduated and took the next step in their journey. They have all worked incredibly hard to reach this milestone and we are excited to see what they do next. Congratulations Shaker High Class of 2030, see you in the fall!
You shared your first day photos with us - now share the last day photos! Photos can be shared with us through Facebook & Instagram (North Colonie Central School District), email (communications@nccsk12.org), or in our social media comments. Download a PDF of the Last Day of School signs: https://aptg.co/MSd_TN
(Please note that by submitting your photos, you allow the North Colonie CSD to use and display them online. When submitting photos on social media, please be sure to avoid using any identifiers like names and house numbers.)
(Please note that by submitting your photos, you allow the North Colonie CSD to use and display them online. When submitting photos on social media, please be sure to avoid using any identifiers like names and house numbers.)
It's finally here - welcome to the last week of school! Fifth graders from Loudonville and Boght Hills started off the final week of elementary school with a group photo. Best of luck to the Class of 2033! We can't wait to see what this week and the future holds for you and the rest of our North Colonie community.
Were you, a family member, or friend featured in our 2025-26 district calendar? Would you like an extra copy? Come to our Central Office at 91 Fiddlers Lane in Latham, NY to pick up a calendar, while supplies last!
The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday - Friday. Questions? Email communications@nccsk12.org.
The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday - Friday. Questions? Email communications@nccsk12.org.
Congratulations to the newest members of the Shaker High School Alumni Hall of Fame! A record number of eight new members were inducted into the SHS Alumni Hall of Fame on Monday, June 15. The event took place at SHS, giving alumni and their families a chance to revisit the halls of their alma mater, while enjoying some treats and beverages from the Shaker Middle School Bison Brew. Read more about the event on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/article/2998673
The countdown is on! What are your summer plans? Share them with us via social media or email at communications@nccsk12.org. We can't wait to see what you're up to this summer! And keep an eye out for Bryson the Bison - you never know where they may end up!
Congratulations to bus driver Stewart Zavolinsky, who was given the AAA School Bus Driver Safety Award for North Colonie CSD this year! Affectionately known by students as Mr. Stew, Zavolinsky is known for his outstanding attendance, commitment, reliability and immaculately kept bus. A couple of fun facts about Mr. Stew... he has a degree in mortuary science and a unique collection of automobiles. Congratulations Mr. Stew and thank you for everything you do to get our students to school and home safely everyday!
The soapbox is yours! Thursday, June 11, Shaker Middle School Civic Engagement and Leadership Club students took the stage to share their voices, ideas, and calls to action through Project Soapbox and with help from SMS Social Studies Teacher, Ms. Carla Ackerly. After months of research, writing, revision, and practice, these young leaders spoke passionately on issues that matter, from mental health and technology to climate change, equity, and community growth. We are proud to celebrate their courage, curiosity, and commitment to creating a better world.
It was a big day for Shaker Middle School on Wednesday, June 10!
The day began with Career Day, where students had the opportunity to hear from dozens of professionals representing a wide range of careers and industries. From orthodontists, lawyers, insurance specialists, firefighters, government officials, restaurateurs, and EMTs to representatives from sports organizations and media professionals, there was truly something for everyone. Students engaged with speakers, took notes, asked thoughtful questions, and gained valuable insight into the many career paths available to them. Thank you to all of our guest speakers for generously sharing their time, experiences, and expertise with our students!
In the afternoon, eighth grade students traveled to Shaker High School for orientation. Guided by members of the Student Leadership Council, students toured the building, learned about the school’s layout, explored the block scheduling system, received information about Yondr pouches, and discovered the many electives and special programs available to them. Students also had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion, where they could ask questions and gain a better understanding of the school they will call home for the next four years.
After a day filled with learning and exploration, it was time for some fun! Students returned to Shaker Middle School and enjoyed a spirited kickball game alongside their peers and gym teachers, a perfect way to wrap up an exciting day!
North Colonie is happy to announce that for the 2026-2027 school year we will be partnering, once again, with Colonie Youth Center, Catholic Central School, and Tiny Town of Latham to offer Universal Pre-Kindergarten to our North Colonie community. This year, for the first time, we will also house one class of UPK at Southgate Elementary.
Important Dates:
June 9, 2026 - UPK Lottery - Notification goes out to all registered families, letting families know if they have been selected for a seat or placed on our wait list.
June 12, 2026 - Families who are selected in the lottery must inform our registrar by 12 p.m. if they are accepting or declining their seat.
Read more about the program on our website: https://www.northcolonie.org/article/2967027
Bison Brew is now official! There was a huge crowd in attendance for the formal ribbon cutting of the popular Bison Brew at Shaker Middle School on Friday, May 29. There was even a special appearance by Bryson the Bison!
What started as a "coffee cart" has expanded into an every other week cafe and delivery service of drinks and snacks for two periods of the school day. The Bison Brew is supported completely by our special education students and faculty members and has become so popular that their mugs are on back order! Thank you to the Colonie Chamber of Commerce Board members who attended and helped welcome their newest member! We look forward to serving for years to come!
What started as a "coffee cart" has expanded into an every other week cafe and delivery service of drinks and snacks for two periods of the school day. The Bison Brew is supported completely by our special education students and faculty members and has become so popular that their mugs are on back order! Thank you to the Colonie Chamber of Commerce Board members who attended and helped welcome their newest member! We look forward to serving for years to come!
On your mark... get set... read! Last month, Shaker Middle School Library hosted a "Read-a-Thon," an all day reading event. The event took place from period 1 to period 9, with teachers signing up to bring their classes down to the library for 20 minute blocks. The event was an immense success, with the library hosting a total of 50 classes during the day. Kudos to SMS for getting their read on!
Congratulations to North Colonie Board of Education President Linda Harrison on being named one of Assemblymember Phil Steck's 2026 Women of Distinction honorees! Mrs. Harrison has dedicated more than 50 years to education and student success. Upon graduation from the University at Albany, she taught social studies at Shaker High School from 1971 to 2005 and continues to make a lasting impact through her leadership on the North Colonie Board of Education.
“Linda has dedicated so much of her time and energy to supporting students, families, and educators,” Steck shared. “Her commitment to public education and our community has made a lasting impact on countless families throughout the Capital Region.”
Thank you, Mrs. Harrison, for your unwavering dedication to our schools, students, and community. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
“Linda has dedicated so much of her time and energy to supporting students, families, and educators,” Steck shared. “Her commitment to public education and our community has made a lasting impact on countless families throughout the Capital Region.”
Thank you, Mrs. Harrison, for your unwavering dedication to our schools, students, and community. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
For the 16th time, the North Colonie Central School District has been named a “Best Communities for Music Education” by the NAMM Foundation. The award recognizes school districts and individual schools for their leadership and equity in music education, with more than 1,000 schools and school districts from across the country receiving this honor this year. Congratulations to our North Colonie musicians for this great accomplishment and thank you to the North Colonie community for your continued support of our music education programs.
We know it’s May now, but we were so blown away by all the support that we decided to wait a little longer to announce the winner of the North Colonie March Madness 2026 Challenge.
Thank you to everyone who supported their school and, in turn, our district. Every building did an incredible job, but three schools really stood out: Boght Hills placed third with $593, Shaker Middle School came in second with $700, and for the second year in a row, Southgate took first place with $1,155. Congratulations to the Gators on earning another banner and the bragging rights that come with it.
Most importantly, every dollar raised stays right here at North Colonie to support students and families in need through United Way. Thank you to every donor, family, and school community that helped make this districtwide challenge such a success.
Thank you to everyone who supported their school and, in turn, our district. Every building did an incredible job, but three schools really stood out: Boght Hills placed third with $593, Shaker Middle School came in second with $700, and for the second year in a row, Southgate took first place with $1,155. Congratulations to the Gators on earning another banner and the bragging rights that come with it.
Most importantly, every dollar raised stays right here at North Colonie to support students and families in need through United Way. Thank you to every donor, family, and school community that helped make this districtwide challenge such a success.
The Shaker High School Neuroscience Club recognized Brain Awareness Week (March 16-22) by giving back to their community. For the week, which is a national initiative dedicated to promoting brain health and neuroscience education, the 11 members of the Neuroscience Club organized a schoolwide donation drive and fundraiser. Led by SHS juniors and Neuroscience Club co-founders, Nirvana Monsur and Aleena Saleem, the club raised over $500 for the Alzheimer’s Association and the Parkinson’s Foundation. The club also collected over 1,200 donated items from SHS classes, including fidget toys, blankets, pillows, cozy socks, and stuffed animals. These donations were distributed across multiple care units at Albany Medical Center, including the Neuroscience ICU, Neuroscience Progressive Care Unit, Neuroscience Medicine Unit, and Pediatric Neurology, with additional support extending to patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as to patient care units within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospital. Great job, Neuroscience Club!
