Have a question? Below is an alphabetical listing of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's). Choose a topic below to jump to a particular section, or just browse through the FAQ's. For further questions, please e-mail the district's communications specialist.

athletics I bus transportation I communications, general I elementary schools I employment opportunities I food service I health/medical I newcomers picnic I parking, high school I program issues I residency I registration I SAT courses I school closings/delays I school vacations I secondary schools I special programs I testing
 

Athletics

Q: Sports Information Nights — Who, what, when and where?

A: For information call the Athletic Office at (518) 785-5511, ext. 3351.

Q: What time does (athletic event) start? Which gym or field is it in? What time is practice over?

A: This varies. For more information visit www.highschoolsports.net or call the Athletic Office at (518) 785-5511, ext. 3351.

Bus Transportation

Q: Who do I call for bus or bus stop issues? Where can I get information about bus schedules and/or safety on the bus?

A: Bus schedules are mailed home in August. For more general information call the Transportation Office at (518) 785-9486. Any bus incidents should be reported to the school/hall office in your child's school building.

For more Bus Transportation facts, click here.

Communications, General

Q: I’ve called several times and no one has called me back...why?

A: We encourage all staff to make follow-up calls. If you have not received a call from a specific staff person right away, it may be that he or she is teaching, in a meeting or at a conference. If you have waited a reasonable length of time, please call the school/hall office and leave a message with the office staff.

Q: Will you page my child? How do I get a message to my child?

A: We do not usually interrupt the school day with announcements or messages. If there is an emergency, call your child's school/hall office and make it clear that there is an emergency.

Q: My child is coming in late, who do I tell? What should I do to pick up my child early? What should I do if my child is absent from school?

A: Call your child's school/hall office.

Q: Can I speak to a principal?

A: Of course. Please keep in mind that the school secretary may offer assistance first.

Q: How can I reach my child’s teacher?

A: Call your child's school/hall office to leave a message. Voice mail is suggested when the teacher is not available. For a complete list of faculty extensions, click on the "Contact Us" link on the specific building page of this Web site.

Q: When does school start?

A: School hours for each building are as follows:

Blue Creek — 8:25 a.m.-2:50 p.m.
Boght Hills — 8:25 a.m.-2:50 p.m.
Forts Ferry — 8:50 a.m.-3:20 p.m.
Latham Ridge — 8:50 a.m.-3:20 p.m.
Loudonville — 8:50 a.m.-3:20 p.m.
Southgate — 8:25 a.m.-2:50 p.m.
Shaker Jr. High School — 7:34 a.m.-2:17 p.m.
Shaker High School — 7:30 a.m.-2:17 p.m.

Q: What if my child lost something?

A: Call your child's school office.

Q: What is the name of my son’s/daughter’s (subject) teacher?

A: This information appears on school schedules, report cards and progress reports and all communications from teachers. If in doubt, call either the guidance office or the hall office.

Q: For all special events...When and where are tickets available? What time does it start? When will it end? Who is sponsoring it? For concerts...When does my child play?

A: This information is published by the sponsoring groups. Other information sources are the special program director or supervisor, the school office, the school newsletter or this Web site.

Q: How do I get school records?

A: Call your child's elementary school office or the guidance office at the secondary schools.

Q: What is the telephone number for Goodrich?

A: Call the supervisor, Virginia McQuade at 785-5511, ext. 3409.

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Elementary School Questions

Q: May I observe a class? I’m thinking of moving here. May I observe a teacher for next year?

A: We do not schedule classroom observations for those other than authorized school personnel because of the disruption to the program. The building principal will be happy to discuss the program with you.

Q: May I request my child’s teacher for next year?

A: We cannot accommodate these requests. We use all available information to make the most appropriate placement for each student. Specific concerns should be discussed with the principal.

Q: Can my child skip a grade?

A: While we do not encourage this practice, your request should be discussed with the building principal.

Q: How do I become a homeroom parent? How can I volunteer?

A: Call your child's teacher or the school office.

Q: May I request morning or afternoon kindergarten for my child?

A: We are not able to accommodate this request unless extenuating circumstances are presented to the school office.

Q: When will I know if my child is in morning or afternoon kindergarten?

A: By August 1 of any given school year.

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Employment Opportunities

Q: Whom do I speak to about teaching positions/employment applications?

A: For Instructional positions, contact the Assistant Superintendent's Office at (518) 785-5511. For non-Instructional positions, contact the Central Office at (518) 785-8591. For current job openings, applications, certification information, etc. go to the Employment section on this Web site.

Food Service

Q: What happens if my child forgets his or her lunch money?

A: This can usually be accommodated in the school office.

Q: How do I make out a check for my child’s lunch account? How do I put money in my child’s lunch account?

A: For information about free/reduced lunches, pre-paid meals or online payments, call the Food Service Director Melodie Marco at (518) 786-8856. Checks can be made out to: North Colonie Food Service Department, Shaker Junior High School, 475 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, N.Y. 12110.

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Health/Medical

Q: What should I do if I have a health concern about my child?

A: Alert the elementary school office or the secondary school nurse.

Q: Are a lot of people out sick? Is it with a specific illness?

A: This general information is not available. If there is a concern about a specific illness or a communicable disease, communications will be sent home by the school nurse.

Q: How do I get work for my son or daughter who is sick? How is my child to keep up?

A: Call your child's school/hall office to find out what can be done. “Keeping up” may need to be discussed with his or her teacher. Serious or long term illness requires specific accommodations. Call the school nurse.

Q: What do I do if my child has to take medication during the day?

A: Medication is dispensed by the school nurse. Call the office to make arrangements. The nurse will need a prescription signed by a physician.

Q: Who do I tell if my child is sick/absent?

A: Call the school office.

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Newcomers Picnic

Q: What is the Newcomers Picnic? Who can attend?

A: Families new to North Colonie schools are invited to meet members of the administration and PTA’s, as well as each other in an informal setting. A picnic supper is served. Informational programs follow.

Parking, Shaker High School

Q: How does my son or daughter get a parking permit?

A: Call the Taft Hall office at (518) 785-5511, ext. 3411.

Program Issues

Q: Why don’t we have a full-day kindergarten? Why don’t we have foreign language at the elementary schools?

A: Each of these program options was studied for two years by committees of administrators, teachers and parents. The Board of Education decisions were based on the results of each study. Further information is available from the Office of the Assistant Superintendent, at (518) 785-5511, ext. 3381.

Residency

Q: Who do I call for a residency question?

A: Call the Office of the Superintendent of Schools at (518) 785-8591.

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Registration

Q: How do I register my child?

A: Registration occurs at the Central Registrar Office, located at the District Office. For more detailed registration information, go to the "Student Registration" page on this Web site.

Q: My child is attending full-day kindergarten. When do I register for grade one?

A: Call the Central Registrar Office at (518) 785-8591, ext. 3130 for more information.

Q: Summer school registration — When, where, what’s the schedule?

A: High school remedial summer school registration dates are on the June calendar. For other grade levels, the Pupil Services Staff invites eligible children in early spring.

Q: When is registration for Driver Education? Will they be in the car or classroom? What’s the schedule?

A: Select the Driver Education link on this Web site for more information or call David Arnone at (518) 785-5511, ext. 3561.

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SAT Courses

Q: Did my child get into the SAT course? What time? Where?

A: This program is offered as part of Continuing Education. Fall and spring brochures are sent home to all residents, additionally information is posted on this Web site on the Continuing Education page. For individual questions, call Edward Dopp at (518) 785-5989.

School Closings/Delays

Q: Is there school today? Are we closing school early? Is school opening late? What happens if there is an emergency school closing? How will I know if you close?

A: School delays, closings and early dismissals are announced on this Web site on the Emergency School Closings page, and on the following radio and televisions stations:

WGNA - 1460 AM, 107.7 FM

WGY - 810 AM, 99.5 FM

WKLI - 100,9 FM

WROW - 590 AM

WPTR - 1540 AM

WFLY - 92.3 FM

WQBK - 1300 AM, 103.9 FM

WRGB - TV Channel 6

WTEN - TV Channel 10

WNYT - TV Channel 13

WTRY - 980 AM, 98.3 FM

WPYX - 106 FM

School Vacations

Q: Where can I find school vacation dates?

A: School recesses appear on the monthly calendars, the district calendar and on this Web site. Click on the "Calendar" link for more information.
 

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Secondary School Questions

Q: What time is “Back to School” night? What do they do there? What time will it end?

A: "Back to School" night is usually scheduled in mid-to-late September at 7:30 p.m. For details, go to the district calendar found on this Web site. That night, parents are given overviews of their child’s courses and follow the daily schedule from class to class. The night usually ends by 9:30 p.m.

Q: Where is graduation? Time begins? How long does it last? How many guests can I bring?

A: It is held at the University at Albany Recreational and Convocational Center. Information is given to students and sent home from Taft Hall office before the event, or you can find the information on this Web site. For further questions call the Taft Hall office at (518) 785-5511, ext. 3411.

Q: When will report cards be mailed home?

A: Look on the months of November, February, April and June on the district calendar or on the Calendar portion of this Web site.

Q: When will interim progress reports be mailed home?

A: Look on the months of October, December, March and May on the district calendar or on the Calendar portion of this Web site.

Q: How do I get my transcript?

A: Call the guidance office at (518) 785-5511, ext. 3339.

Q: What are the qualifications for honor or merit rolls?

A: Qualifications are listed in your child's Student Handbook.

Q: What time do class periods begin and end?

A: This information appears on the daily schedule issued to your child and in the Student Handbook.

Q: When will students receive their schedules?

A: Junior high students receive their schedules at the end of August. At the high school, students new to the district receive them at the Newcomers Picnic; ninth graders receive them at their orientation in September (see calendar) and 10-12 graders receive them on the first day of school.

Special Programs

Q: I want my child to have extra help, but I don’t want them to be pulled out of class. What do I do?

A: Call your child's elementary principal.

Q: Can my child be given extra math so that he or she can get into the alternate math program?

A: The amount of extra math is not a consideration for the alternate math program. Call your child's elementary school counselor for information.

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Testing

Q: What time are the SAT’s/PSAT's? What time does the test get over?

A: All exams begin at 8 a.m. The PSAT exam requires 2-2 1/2 hours and the SAT’s run three hours from the time the test was started. Scheduled dates are on the district calendar as well as the district calendar on this Web site.

Q: What is the College Testing meeting? Does my child attend?

A: At the College Testing meeting information about the tests of choice for various college admissions and the results preferred for acceptance is given. All students are welcome. To find out the College Testing meeting date, look on the district calendar or on this Web site on the calendar page.

Q: Eleventh Grade Parent/Student Night — Should my child be there? What’s it about?

A: Students and parents are encouraged to attend the 11th Grade Parent/Student Night to receive an overview of options for post-high school. Representatives from colleges, R.O.T.C. and the private sector are present. Matters such as financial aid and college transfers are also discussed.

Q: Regents and local exams — What time? How long do they last? When are make-ups? What time are the buses?

A: The Regents and local exam dates appear on the district calendar for January, May and June under both Shaker Junior High and Shaker High. Students receive the schedules in advance; the schedule and the make-up times are developed well in advance. Both the school newsletters and this Web site also list the schedules. Buses leave at the conclusion of all exams. Check your child’s exam schedule for specific times.

Q: How can I see copies of my child’s test results, standardized/state?

A: All standardized achievement test results are sent home. Reviews may be arranged by appointment with your child's elementary principal or secondary counselor.

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