Thursday night was the annual NCCSD Physical Education Leadership Awards! PE Faculty members selected representatives from grades 5-12 who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and effort in PE classes. 48 students in total were honored in front of family and friends in the Shaker Middle School auditorium. Congratulations to all! For a full list of student winners, click on the link in our bio.
about 3 hours ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of several rows of students sitting in an auditorium clapping.
Three middle school students holding certificates pose with their PE teacher.
A group of high school students holding certificates pose with their PE teachers.
A group of high school students holding certificates pose with their PE teachers.
A student speaks at a podium with a microphone.
A large group of students holding certificates pose with their PE teachers.
Two students holding certificates pose with their PE teacher.
Two students holding certificates pose with their PE teachers.
A student speaks at a podium with a microphone.
An image of a person at the microphone speaking to a large group of people sitting at the front of an auditorium in front of a screen.
Shaker Middle School sixth grader Natalie Cehowski is being recognized as the April North Colonie Kids Care recipient for her kindness and inclusivity. Natalie was nominated by Ms. Brook Greco, a Shaker Middle School music teacher, who was also one of the directors of the SMS musical “Willy Wonka” this spring. Natalie was a member of the cast and emailed Ms. Greco to ask if they could do a performance for the five communications classes which is made up of about 35 special education students. Natalie didn’t stop there. She continued to follow up with emails and in person conversations with Ms. Greco until they could make a concrete plan to perform for her classmates. Ms. Greco says it was truly Natalie’s suggestions and perseverance that made this special performance possible. Congratulations Natalie!
about 13 hours ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of a student holding a certificate while posing with her teacher.
An image of a student holding a certificate and posing with members of her family.
An image of a student receiving a certificate from the Board of Education President.
A student holds a certificate.
An image of a student standing at the front of the room speaking with Board of Education President Linda Harrison.
Over April break, 30 students explored Spain with their chaperones Jessie Morgan, Kelly Mattice, Jaimie Weiss and Lauren Sheeler. Students were able to practice their Spanish skills while experiencing the culture and visiting inspiring historical sites. Places visited included the Prado museum in Madrid, the Roman aqueduct in Segovia, the cities of Toledo and Mijas and the Cathedral of Sevilla, the third largest in the world. Students also visited the Alhambra of Granada and the Mezquita-Cathedral of Córdoba which are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A day trip to the British overseas territory of Gibraltar was another highlight where students got up close with the Barbary Macaque Apes, the only wild primate population in Europe. During the trip many churros were eaten and miles covered, but the open minds and new friends made were the favorite things the students brought home with them.
1 day ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of a large group of people standing in front of a building in Spain.
An image of four people posing in front of large stone arches.
An image of five students touring a city in Spain.
An image of a group of students sitting at tables while they eat dinner together.
An image of a handful of students standing in an alley between two buildings.
An image of a large group of people posing together while they travel through Spain.
An image of four students holding cups of gelato.
An image of a large group of people posing in front of a waterway and mountain.
An image of five students posing in the soccer stadium of Real Madrid.
An image of a large group of people standing on a bridge over the water.
We have a winner! Congratulations to Shaker High School senior Catherine Cheng who has been selected as a winner of the National Merit 3M Scholarship. Catherine was among more than 16,000 students across the country who scored in the top one percent on the PSAT exam. She is one of approximately 770 corporate-sponsored award winners announced by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation today.
2 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of National Merit 3M Scholarship winner Catherine Cheng posing with Shaker High School Principal Mr. Marcus Puccioni.
In addition to Shaker Select performing in Hartford on Thursday, Shaker senior Mia Sorrentino and junior Isabel Yang will be performing there this weekend. Both students were accepted into the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Eastern Division All-Eastern Music Festival. Mia will perform with Treble Chorus while Isabel will perform with Mixed Chorus. Only three students were selected from the 82 school districts in this NYSMMA zone and Mia and Isabel are two of them. What an incredible accomplishment! Congratulations!
2 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of two students standing together and posing for a photograph.
It's Transportation Staff Appreciation Day! All of our transportation staff members were celebrated Monday with a breakfast with Superintendent Kathleen Skeals. Today, there was a luncheon held at the bus garage for all bus drivers, bus aides, mechanics and other transportation staff members. Thank you for everything you do for the students and staff in our district!
3 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of five people at a table having lunch together.
An image of four people having lunch at a table together.
A group of people grabbing lunch at a buffet table.
An image of two people talking in a bus garage.
Three members of the North Colonie transportation staff pose for a photograph.
Eight members of the North Colonie transportation staff pose for a photograph.
Three members of the North Colonie transportation staff pose for a photo.
Two members of the North Colonie transportation staff pick up breakfast items from a table.
Three members of the North Colonie transportation staff pose for a photograph.
Two people talk in the bus garage during a celebration of the transportation staff.
Applications to request a mail-in ballot for the upcoming school budget vote are now open! The deadline to request a mail-in ballot online is May 12 at 4 p.m. Any requests after that time must be made in person at the NCCSD Central Office at 91 Fiddlers Lane. Ballots must be received by the district clerk by 5 p.m. on the day of the election (May 20, 2025).
3 days ago, North Colonie Communications
A poster with a QR code to request a mail-in ballot for the upcoming budget vote.
North Colonie Central School District is taking part in a "Month of Service" in May. We'll kick it off with the "Blue Creek Day of Service" on Saturday, May 3 from 9am-12pm. We'll be cleaning the garden and installing a new pollinator bed as part of the activities. Come spend your morning with us on May 3! #monthofservice
5 days ago, North Colonie Communications
A poster with images of a pitch fork, watering can, plants, shears, a hat and boots to promote the Blue Creek Day of Service on Saturday, May 3.
Shaker Select is headed to Connecticut this week! The group has been chosen to perform in the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Eastern Division Conference in Hartford on Friday. Shaker Select is one of the seven NYS ensembles chosen to perform at the conference and is the lone upstate public school represented. Congratulations Shaker Select!
5 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of the members of Shaker Select posing for a formal photo. The first row of students are seated in chairs along with their director while the second row is standing.
Welcome to the newest members of the German National Honor Society! Last week, a group of Shaker High School seniors were inducted into the SHS chapter in front of family and friends in Taft Cafeteria. There was also a ceremony highlighting the National German Exam winners. Shaker students took home 10 gold, 11 silver and 7 bronze medals in the competition. Congratulations to all!
10 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of students standing at the front of a room holding lit candles.
An image of two students speaking at a podium during a ceremony with two teachers at the front of the room.
An image of three students at the front of a room of people with a television screen with photos on it.
An image of a student playing the violin next to a screen in a room of people.
An image of a teacher shaking the hand of a student who is being inducted into the German National Honor Society.
Last week, Forts Ferry and Southgate students were treated to the Harvest of the Month! Members of the Food Services team and Farm to School Facilitator Amber Cost pickled New York grown carrots for students to sample pickled carrot chips (both dill and bread and butter options) during their lunch time. Students were then asked to give feedback. The Harvest of the Month program aims to promote healthy eating habits and educate students about the benefits of incorporating fresh produce into their diets.
10 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of a student taking a sample cup of pickled carrot chips at lunch time.
Students take cups of pickled carrot chips at lunch time to try as part of the Harvest of the Month program.
An image of a student placing a sticker on a posterboard to rate the pickled carrot chips sampled at lunch time.
An image of a student placing a sticker on a posterboard to rate the pickled carrot chips sampled at lunch time.
Assistant Director of Food Services Alex Clements holding a tray of sliced and pickled carrots in cups.
Students standing at a table taking sample cups of pickled carrots at lunch time.
An image of gloved hands placing pickled carrots chips into individual cups from a large tray.
An image of a student placing a sticker on a posterboard to rate the pickled carrot chips sampled at lunch time.
A student taking a cup of pickled carrots from a tray on a table at lunch time.
A couple times a month, Ms. Tracey Fitzpatrick's fifth graders at Boght Hills participate in community building circles. This past spring, Ms. Fitzpatrick was selected to take part in Restorative Justice Education training focused on conflict resolution and restorative practices. Ms. Fitzpatrick and her students look forward to "Circle Time," joined by their mascot "Sock," as each student has a voice and is heard by everyone in the circle. Topics range from getting to know you responses, to discussions that foster relationships, connections, and healing.
12 days ago, North Colonie Communications
A image of a class of students sitting in chairs in a large circle as they have a discussion.
An image of several students sitting next to one another in chairs in a classroom.
A image of a class of students sitting in chairs in a large circle as they have a discussion.
It's the annual Free Prom Dress & Attire event at Shaker High School! This year, in addition to dozens of dresses, shoes and purses for the ladies, we have menswear! Suits, shirts, ties and shoes are available and it's all free. We are here from 9am-1pm in LaFollette Cafeteria. We hope to see you there!
11 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of a variety of prom dresses hanging on a rack.
An image of people looking at prom dresses on racks.
Suits on hangers laying on chairs.
Dozens of dress ties displayed on a table.
An up close image of the design on a prom dress with sparkles and flowers.
Did you know a snail has more than 10,000 teeth? Blue Creek first graders learned that on Friday as part of a dental hygiene lesson. The Bulldogs got a visit from Ms. Lisa Upton from Albany Braces & Dental and she showed them the proper way to brush and floss their teeth. Students practiced brushing technique on stuffed animals and a few students even stood in as "teeth" while Ms. Upton and Elementary Health Education Teacher Jennifer Moran demonstrated flossing. They rounded out the lesson with some very interesting trivia about teeth!
14 days ago, North Colonie Communications
A teacher and a representative from Albany Braces teach students how to properly brush their teeth using a large toothbrush and model mouth.
A student practices brushing the teeth of a stuffed animal.
A student practices brushing the teeth of a stuffed animal.
A dental educator shows students an x-ray of a human mouth with teeth.
Two educators use students to demonstrate the proper way to floss teeth.
For the second year in a row, Warren Dart, son of Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Clarence W. Dart, visited Mr. Fountain's Social Studies class to share a powerful presentation on the historic military roles of African Americans from the Revolutionary War to World War II. With deep historical knowledge and immense pride in his father’s legacy, Mr. Dart opened the discussion with a profound question from The Daily Gazette: “Why would these men fight for a country that fought so hard against them in peace time?” Students were encouraged to ask questions and dive into the complexities of American history. Thank you Mr. Dart for spreading history and sharing your family’s legacy!
16 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Mr. Dart and Mr. Fountain talking with a student
Picture of Mr. Fountain's class
Mr. Dart Presenting
We’re still celebrating National Library Week! Today we are checking in at Shaker Middle School and Loudonville. Our middle school students are lucky to have the trio of Library Media Specialist Ms. Nicole Weimer, Library Media Specialist Ms. Chelsea Phillips and Library TA Ms. Michelle Rought! Across town at Loudonville, the Lions are led by Library Media Specialist Substitute Ms. Jaclyn Paquette and Library Clerk Ms. Samantha Haydock. Thank you for everything you do for our students! #nationallibraryweek
15 days ago, North Colonie Communications
A collage of images that includes the Shaker Middle School and Loudonville library staff members as well as students from Loudonville in the library.
Members of our grounds team were hard at work on Friday, beginning the construction and installation of new garden beds at Blue Creek! The beds, which will be wheelchair accessible, are the creative design of Alex, one of our tremendous groundspeople. If weather cooperates, our team should have the beds completed by the end of next week and ready for planting!
17 days ago, North Colonie Communications
Two groundspeople work to construct garden beds at Blue Creek.
An image of the garden beds being constructed at Blue Creek.
A groundsperson uses a saw to cut wood.
Members of the grounds team work to construct garden beds using planks of wood.
Two members of the grounds team talk strategy while building garden beds.
What do a German Shepherd, a German Wirehaired Pointer, a Bloodhound, and a Belgian Malinois all have in common? They all visited Latham Ridge on Friday! The group of K-9 dogs stopped by Latham Ridge, with their handlers from the New York State Park Police, New York State Police and Colonie Police Department, to teach students more about the training police K-9's go through. Students also learn about some of the work these dogs do to help the departments they work for and see live demonstrations of the dogs obedience and detection skills. Thanks for stopping by, officers and K-9's!
18 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of students sitting on the floor petting a police K-9 hound.
A member of the police stands at the front of a room of students to present on K-9's.
Police officers show off how their K-9 dog works in front of a large class of students.
A police officer explains how he works with a K-9 in front of a class of students.
A police officer hugs his K-9 with a smile.
Congratulations to some of Shaker High School's finest! Twelve of our SHS students competed in the Greater Capital Region Science and Engineering Fair at RPI in March with seven earning awards. These students have dedicated themselves to exploring a scientific phenomenon, carrying out an investigation and analyzing the results. They then presented their findings to a team of judges at RPI.
18 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of three students holding certificates earned at the Greater Capital Region Science and Engineering Fair.
An image of a student holding a certificate won at the Greater Capital Region Science and Engineering Fair.
An image of a student standing next to their posterboard presentation at the Greater Capital Region Science and Engineering Fair.
An image of a student standing next to their posterboard presentation at the Greater Capital Region Science and Engineering Fair.
An image of a student standing next to their posterboard presentation at the Greater Capital Region Science and Engineering Fair.
An image of a student standing next to their posterboard presentation at the Greater Capital Region Science and Engineering Fair.
An image of a student standing next to their posterboard presentation at the Greater Capital Region Science and Engineering Fair.
No party like a World Languages Block Party! Shaker High School's Upper J-Wing hosted the Block Party after school on Wednesday, April 2, in celebration of National World Languages Month. All language students were invited to use their "passport" to travel through various rooms and activities that included international dance, party games, crafts, international trivia, food and even "Gladiator School." As you can imagine, a fun time was had by all!
18 days ago, North Colonie Communications
An image of students dancing in a classroom.
An image of two students wearing sombreros.
An image of a few students holding fake swords as they teach "Gladiator School."
An image of a teacher stamping a student's passport as part of a school event.
An image of two students wearing Viking helmets.
An image of two students holding a post with donuts dangling from strings as students standing beneath try to eat the donuts.