Dear North Colonie Families,
We made it. The 2020-21 school year has come to an end and I cannot thank you enough for how flexible and supportive you have been all year long. I know there were many challenges this year, but I am so grateful for our school community. I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing summer.
For the final time this year, here are some updates:
New Shaker High School Principal
Last night, the Board of Education appointed James Wager to be the next Shaker High School Principal. Mr. Wager currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Title Grants and District/School Accountability at the Gloversville Enlarged School District. He provides a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role. Mr. Wager was involved in all aspects of K-12 curriculum and instruction, assisted with supervision of building principals and oversaw and coordinated the design and development of the districts’ long-range curriculum plan. I cannot wait for him to get started this summer and meet the wonderful members of our school community.
My thanks and gratitude go out to Richard Murphy who served as principal since 2006. Congratulations on a standout career and best wishes in your retirement, Rich.
Watch the Shaker Graduation live stream
The Shaker High School Graduation will take place tomorrow (Saturday, June 26) at 10 a.m. at the Times Union Center. Individuals can watch the ceremony live on YouTube. Congratulations to the Class of 2021! I can’t wait to see what you accomplish.
Appreciation for our Drivers and Aides
Through it all you rose to the occasion time and again and got students to school safely during the pandemic. You were essential to our successful school year. We are proud to recognize your efforts and contribute to a celebration in your honor.
Weekly Boost
- SJHS performances: SJHS teachers Dimitri Vasilakis and Cristina Froehlich coordinated a music theater experience for students this year, featuring two songs, one from Hamilton and one from High School Musical. Listen to the performances.
- Pen pal program: Sahana Vinothkumar, a Shaker High School student and former Forts Ferry student, began a pen pal program with Forts Ferry sixth grade students and residents of the Eddy Village Green nursing home. The participating sixth grade students include Brianna Bilger, Mahnoor Fatima, Limar Nogoud, Darshni Ramesh and Emily Segarra. Sahana has been instrumental in establishing this program and hopes to expand the program to interested Forts Ferry fifth grade students next year. Great job, Sahana!
- National History Bowl Championship: Congratulations to sophomores Brian Devendorf, Shashank Salgam, Dharini Madadi, Toby Zheng, and Corey Ditzel for finishing 8th in the nation! Read what they have to say about their experience, here.
- Kindness Heroes of the 518: We commend six SJHS students for taking on the United Way’s GCR 518 Day and Teaching Assistant Patti Comas for helping them achieve an award for donating to the Bison Breakfast Club, giving coffee to hall monitors, making flowers and handing them out to school staff, collecting and donating food, and creating thank you cards for veterans, first responders and healthcare workers. Please take a moment to read this heartwarming story.
Again, thank you for all of your support during this particularly challenging time. We are grateful to be able to serve this wonderful community. All the best for a healthy, happy, and restorative summer ahead.
Sincerely,
D. Joseph Corr
Superintendent of Schools