Traveling exhibit shows that in one second, everything can change
New DWI exhibit becomes part of ongoing Niskayuna community effort to advocate for healthy decisions among youth
Beginning next week, a powerful display arrives at Niskayuna High School that features stories, pictures and materials related to DWI accidents that not only claimed several young lives, but also forever changed the lives of others in the greater Capital Region.
Called "One Second, Everything Changes," the new exhibit opens at the high school on Tuesday, March 16 and runs through April 15, which coincides with the Niskayuna Community Coalition's spring event, “The Conversation Continues: Uncover … Discover … Empower,” an informational forum from 6:30-9 p.m. on Thursday, April 15 at Niskayuna High School. Read more

Niskayuna celebrates Music in Our Schools Month
In honor of Music in Our Schools Month, Niskayuna's music department has several events planned throughout March, including the district's choral festival featuring students in grades 4-12. Read more

Four Niskayuna students advance to regional spelling bee
Congratulations to Martin Schreiner, Grade 7 and Dimple Permaul, Grade 8 from Van Antwerp Middle School; Max Schutzman, Grade 8 from Iroquois Middle School; and Andrew Hartana, Grade 5 from Craig Elementary School, who will compete with spelling champs from other area schools in the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee on Monday, March 15 at 5 p.m. at Proctor's Theater in Schenectady. “We are proud of all the students who participated in our school level spelling bees," said K-8 English Language Arts Director Jean Winkler, "and look forward to seeing these four students demonstrate their spelling prowess in this highly-competitive annual event.”
This year, the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee will be taped in its entirety and broadcast on the Local on Demand Channel 1009.

Parents of third-graders invited to learn more about Explorers Program
The Office of Educational Programs and Instruction invites parents of third-grade students to an informational meeting on the Explorers Programs in Humanities and Math, Science, Technology on Wednesday, March 24 at 6:30 pm in the Van Antwerp Middle School auditorium located at 2253 Story Avenue. An overview of the two separate programs and explanation of the assessments used to place students will be presented during the meeting.

Niskayuna elementary students celebrate reading Seuss-style
Niskayuna elementary students celebrated Dr. Seuss Day, also called Read Across America Day on March 2.
Some donned Cat-in-the-Hat-inspired stovepipe hats, while many others paid tribute to one of the most beloved children’s authors by reading and discussing their favorite books created by Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. Read article, view pictures

Niskayuna High School student filmmaker earns top award in Capital Repertory Theater contest
Niskayuna High School junior Chris Finn has earned the top prize in a “film trailer” contest sponsored by Capital Repertory Theater. The competition, developed by Capital Rep’s education program, was open to area middle and high school students and required them to write, direct, shoot and edit their own two-minute “film trailer” for the theater's stage production of “To Kill A Mockingbird.” Finn’s winning video, which can be seen on local television stations, uses a combination of graphic images, text and sound to highlight the underlying themes of discrimination, bigotry and courage that are found in both the novel and the play. Read more

Van Antwerp Middle School counselor named a WNYT-13 “Top Teacher”
Congratulations to Kevin McFerran, a school counselor at Van Antwerp Middle School, who was recently named a WNYT-13/SEFCU “Top Teacher.” He received the honor for his commitment to students and was recognized in the TV news segment for the support he provides Niskayuna students during their transition from the elementary level to middle school. View WNYT’s “Top Teacher” report on Kevin McFerran

Niskayuna school community saddened by passing of longtime teacher, school board member
The Niskayuna Central School District faculty and staff are mourning the loss of longtime educator and former Board of Education President Mark Opdyke. He began his teaching career in Niskayuna in 1961 as a foreign language instructor at the high school and also served as president of the Niskayuna Teachers Association (NTA). Read more

Two Niskayuna High School teams advance to New York State Science Olympiad
After finishing second and ninth among the 21 area schools that participated in the regional competition, two Niskayuna High School teams have advanced to the state Science Olympiad in March at West Point. Congratulations and best of luck!

Niskayuna middle school “mathletes” advance to state MATHCOUNTS competition
Student teams from Van Antwerp and Iroquois middle schools captured first and second place, respectively, in the chapter competition of MATHCOUNTS at the GE Global Research Center in Niskayuna on Saturday, January 30. Both teams will advance to the New York state competition on March 13 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy.
The VA team of Cecilia Holodak (captain), Rajesh Bollapragada, Martin Schreiner and Alex Wei, coached by Niskayuna High school senior David Bieber, edged out their counterparts Aniket Tolpadi (captain), Shreya Arora, Suman Padhi, Vineet Velagandula and Samir Menon of the Iroquois team, coached by Niskayuna High school senior Anagha Tolpadi. Read more

Get ready for a “countrified” Niska-Day 29 on May 22
Niska-Day 2010 is "Going Country!" on Saturday, May 22 at Craig Elementary School on Balltown Road. The Niska-Day Committee is planning a country theme for the 29th annual community celebration. Festivities may include square dancing, line dancing, country bands and more! The day begins with a family fun run, followed by the time-honored Niska-Day parade. The day-long celebration will feature arts, crafts, food, children’s games, rides, and a breathtaking fireworks display at dusk. For more information about the day's activities, visit the official Niska-Day Web site.

Information for private school students enrolling in Niskayuna schools
If your child currently attends a private/parochial school but you plan to enroll him/her in a Niskayuna school for the the 2010-11 school year, contact the district registrar at (518) 377-4666, ext. 50714, beginning in January to register your child for school.
The Niskayuna school district is committed to neighborhood elementary schools while maintaining reasonable class sizes. The district utilizes an elementary class size guideline as well as an elementary class size enrollment management plan to meet this objective. More information

Parent portal now available to parents of Niskayuna High School students
With a couple clicks of the mouse, high school parents will now be able to access their child’s grades online. The district's Parent Portal through PowerSchool is currently open for high school students only. Parents may sign up for an account in person at the high school attendance office between 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Parents must bring a photo ID and complete a brief form. Please call Niskayuna High School's main number at 382-2511, and speak with Theresa Poleto. More

Date changes announced for Friends of Music meetings
Due to some conflicts with Niskayuna High School PTO meetings, the dates of some Friends of Music meetings for the 2009-10 school year have been changed. The new meeting dates are as follows: Wednesday, October 14; Monday, November 16; Monday, February 8; and Monday, April 12. All meetings begin at 7 p.m. in the high school choir room.

This page was last updated March 10, 2010