Niskayuna teachers get hands-on, high-tech experience through summer externship program
This summer, three Niskayuna High School teachers went behind the scenes at some of Tech Valley’s top businesses to learn which skills will be essential for students to be competitive and successful in a global workforce.
Math teacher Shana Keith, science teacher Chris Jennings and English teacher Amber Amelio were among 18 area educators who participated in the Tech Valley Summer Externship program, sponsored by the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce.
The six-week program not only provided teachers with hands-on experience at several local high tech firms, but it also demonstrated how the subjects they teach are applied in today’s cutting-edge technology industries.
Keith, Jennings and Amelio each worked on projects for different companies, including Infineon Technologies, Applied Nanoworks and X-Ray Optical Systems.
When the teachers return to their classrooms in the fall, they will share the knowledge they learned from their summer externships with students.
English teacher Amber Amelio was featured on a recent Channel 6 news story about the Tech Valley Externship program. View the story. (To play the video, click on the picture.)

Niskayuna's new teachers prepare for coming school year
School began a little early for Niskayuna's new teachers. School officials welcomed nearly 30 new educators to the district during a three-day orientation in August. The orientation provides an opportunity for new teachers to become acquainted with district policies and procedures and prepare for the upcoming school year. Welcome to all the new teachers and staff who will be joining Niskayuna schools this fall!

Niskayuna High School choral students climb to new heights in July
Members of the Niskayuna High School choir engaged in a friendly snowball fight just before having their picture taken during a visit to Hintertux Glacier in Austria.
The 15 Niskayuna students joined 125 other young vocalists from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and North Carolina for the American Music Abroad Red Tour.
The choir performed seven concerts during a 16-day European tour that took them to Italy, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and France. The trip offered students an opportunity to visit important sites in cities such as Vienna, Salzburg, Venice, Colmar, and Strasbourg.

International exchange program provides civic and cultural learning opportunity for Niskayuna student
Niskayuna High School student Beth Halayko spent part of her summer in an exotic land, where “the beaches are beautiful,” she said. But her trip wasn’t about fun in the sun. She and 23 other high school students from the United States spent nearly a month in Thailand visiting villages in the country’s southern region — an area still rebuilding after the December 2004 tsunami devastated parts of the Southeast Asian coastline.
As part of an international exchange program called Partnership for Youth (P4Y) in Building Disaster-Resilient Communities, Halayko traveled halfway around the world to explore ways in which she and other teenagers can help their communities with disaster preparedness and advocate for public policy changes in responding to natural disasters—such as tsunamis, hurricanes and earthquakes. Read more

Regents exams offered this week
Want to help relieve at least some of the stress associated with summer Regents exams? Find out ahead of time the room locations and the times of the exams you are taking. View the complete Regents exam schedule

Physical exams a must to play fall sports
All students who plan to participate in interscholastic athletics must have clearance from a doctor. Physical exams will be offered at the high school nurse's office beginning at 8 a.m. on the following days:

• Monday, August 14
• Tuesday, August 15
• Wednesday, August 16

Or students may be examined by their family's physician. Proof of the physical examination and the proper health forms must be submitted to the school nurse. [Forms can be downloaded here]. No student will be allowed to try out, practice or participate on any team without the required physical examination ― NO EXCEPTIONS.

Review class offered for Chemistry Regents
Beginning July 27, Niskayuna High School's summer school program is providing a chemistry review class for students who have registered. The class, which runs through August 15, will take place from 12-1:50 p.m. in room C 204. The Chemistry Regents exam is scheduled for Wednesday, August 16 at 12 p.m. More summer school information

Grade 9 Orientation
Niskayuna High School will host the Grade 9 Orientation and Open House on Tuesday, August 29 from 10-11:30 a.m., and Wednesday, August 30 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. The counseling center program for ninth-graders will be offered on August 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Sale of car magnets supports Craig playground fund
Get magnetized this summer! The Craig Elementary School PTO is selling car magnets featuring the Niskayuna school district’s logo to help raise money for a new playground.
The eye-catching magnets are $3 each and can be purchased at Craig Elementary School’s main office, the Niskayuna Recreation Center, or Karalina’s Gift Shop in St. James Square.
The PTO is also accepting mail orders. Send your order to Gynger Connolly, 216 Mohawk Trail, Niskayuna, NY 12309. (Please add $.50 for postage and handling.)

Summer art exhibit showcases student talent, creativity
If you're a fan of painting, sculpture, pottery and more, check out the summer art exhibit at the Niskayuna Central School District Office, located at 1239 Van Antwerp Road. Artwork can be viewed Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., or Fridays until 11:30 a.m.
Preview some of the artwork that will be on display at the Nisk-Art Gallery in September, learn more about course offerings, or view past exhibits at Nisk Art Net.

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