Dear North Colonie families,
With a long weekend ahead, we deserve some time to rest, relax, and reflect. It has been a long stretch where we have had to adjust our lives to the demands of a global pandemic. We were isolated from family and friends and craving for normalcy, human contact, and the feeling of community. This weekend marks the first time in many months where we can resume the activities we took for granted prior to the pandemic. We will have the chance to come together with family and friends we may not have seen for some time. Stay safe and I wish you all the best as you begin to enjoy this holiday weekend.
Memorial Weekend – Remember the Fallen
On Monday we celebrate Memorial Day and remember and honor those servicemen and servicewomen who gave their lives for our country. We must never forget them and our gratitude knows no boundaries. This gratitude is grounded in the freedoms and opportunities that exist for us all because of their supreme sacrifice. For their service and sacrifice a grateful nation expresses its profound appreciation, respect, and honor.
Destiny Greene
This has been a difficult week for our North Colonie community. We experienced an unthinkable tragedy with the death of our beloved Destiny Greene. Destiny was a warm, friendly, caring, and compassionate student who will forever be in our hearts. We miss her dearly and are profoundly sorry that a wonderful life was so abruptly and unnecessarily cut short. She made us all better people, and we will celebrate her memory by striving to be more loving, giving, and committed to each other, our families, and our community.
Please know that we understand that all have been impacted by this tragedy. If you require additional support, counseling is available in person or via Zoom. The counseling department at Shaker High School can be reached at shscounseling@ncolonie.org. In addition, here are the resources that were made available last Tuesday.
Family resources and contact information.
12 + Vaccination Clinic at Shaker Junior High School
We are partnering again with South Colonie CSD, Colonie EMS, and the county DOH to provide a vaccination clinic for our families as young as 12. The clinic will be at SJHS Tues, June 1 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but we encourage you to sign up.
Remember, the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is given in two doses. If you receive the vaccine on June 1, you will be required to return on June 22 to receive the second dose.
- Ages 12-15 will be required to have a parent/guardian accompany them.
- Individuals between 16 and 17 years of age must complete and bring a copy of a signed parental/guardian consent form or have a parent/guardian reachable by phone to confirm medical screening responses and provide consent.
Vaccinated 12-17 Year Old Students Have a Chance for Full-Ride Scholarship
Governor Cuomo is adding another incentive for students ages 12-17 to get the vaccine — free tuition, room and board, books and supplies to any New York State public college or university for four years. Parents or guardians of any 12 to 17 year old New Yorker can enter if their child has received at least their first COVID-19 vaccine dose. There will be 50 winners. The lottery has not begun, but you can fill out this form to be notified about how to enter once it does.
College Credit for Free
In case you missed it last week, it’s such a great opportunity I thought I would share it again. Enrollment is open for Hudson Valley’s College in the High School Program. They are providing a special program this summer for rising juniors and seniors where all costs are covered, which includes books and materials. The courses are taught online by qualified Hudson Valley faculty members, and college credits are transferable. Check out the courses offered and required documentation to sign up.
Times for Picking up School Meals
We want to remind the remote community that next week, meals will be available to be picked up on Tuesday and Thursday. The times are the same — between 8:00 and 9:00 behind Blue Creek Elementary School.
Weekly Boost
- Break a leg Scout Santoro! First he wins Best Actor at Proctor’s High School Music Awards, and in July Scout will be singing at the Jimmy Awards with the best high school performing artists in the country.
- Turns out, SHS Ava Roth has friends in high places. Jazz legend Herbie Hancock, a family friend of Ava’s, answered questions she brought to him from her Advanced Music Technology class for an hour and a half. Read about the advice he had for students.
- The incredible life of our NCCS icon Renata Relyea. If you haven’t read this Five Questions piece yet, you must!
As always, thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe. Enjoy this long weekend and take care.
Sincerely,
D. Joseph Corr
Superintendent of Schools