The following courses are available for the fall 2025 continuing education session. A complete course listing will be available soon.
Registration is now open. You can print and complete this registration form and mail it to the address below. Please include a check or money order payable to the Niskayuna CSD. We cannot accept cash.
Continuing Education
1430 Balltown Road
Niskayuna, NY 12309
An in-person registration will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 6-7:30 p.m., in the Iroquois Middle School main lobby.
Make an Autumn Grapevine Wreath
Happy Fall Y’all! Get sweater weather ready with an Autumn Grapevine Wreath. Bash Parties will bring all of the supplies for you to create an 18” grapevine wreath, complete with a variety of flowers, and a wood cut-out that reads “Hello Fall”, “Happy Fall Y’all or “Welcome”. Instruction and assistance will be provided throughout the entire project. Perfect for your home or a lovely gift! Join us for this fun and creative class! Tara Connors is the owner of Bash Parties, which hosts activity-based events all over the greater Capital Region. Her business frequently hosts craft events at schools, libraries and coffee shops.
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- When: Oct. 20
- Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Iroquois Middle School
- Instructor: Tara Connors
- Participant limit: 12 students
- Fee: $25 materials fee, payable to the instructor on the night of the class
- Registration deadline: Oct. 10, 2025
Book Study: The Anxious Generation
Jonathan Haidt’s, “The Anxious Generation,” is a must-read for anyone raising children in the digital age. This book study will explore Haidt’s powerful thesis: the dramatic rise in youth anxiety and depression is a direct result of the “great rewiring” of childhood. Through guided discussion, we will unpack how the shift from a play-based childhood to a phone-based one has negatively impacted development. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of the crisis and practical strategies to create a healthier, more balanced environment for the young people in your life. Join us and become a part of the solution.
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- When: Wednesdays, Oct. 15 and 22, Nov. 5, 12, 19
- Time: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Iroquois Middle School
- Instructor: Amy Isenhart
- Participant limit: 30 students
- Fee: $25
- Registration deadline: Oct. 10, 2025
Social Media for Small Business
Social media doesn’t have to be overwhelming—or a guessing game. Instead of chasing likes, learn how to build a strategy that actually drives results. In this course, you’ll discover how to approach social media like a professional, focusing on what truly matters: attracting clients and growing your business. Your instructor, Rebecca Gatto—a successful wedding photographer with over a decade of experience and an MBA from Cambridge University—has helped political campaigns, consultants, and even The Financial Times refine their social strategies. Drawing on her expertise, she’ll guide you through creating a customized plan you can put into action right away. By the end of this course, you’ll walk away with a clear, practical social media strategy—and the confidence to make your platforms work for you, not the other way around.
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- When: Mondays, Oct. 20 and 27, Nov. 3 and 10
- Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Location: Iroquois Middle School
- Instructor: Rebecca Gatto
- Participant limit: No limit
- Fee: $99
- Registration deadline: Oct. 10, 2025
A Day in the Life of an NCSD Teaching Assistant
Wondering what it’s really like to be a teaching assistant in Niskayuna? Come to our information session and panel discussion! You’ll get to hear from teaching assistants currently working with students in a wide range of settings. They’ll share their insights and give you a firsthand look at the essential role they play in classrooms across our district.
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- When: Thursday, Oct. 16
- Time: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Location: Iroquois Middle School
- Instructor: Amy Isenhart
- Participant limit: No limit
- Registration deadline: Oct. 10, 2025
Prep Course for the Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (ATAS)
This course is designed to prepare adults for the New York State Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (ATAS), a requirement for obtaining a teaching assistant certificate. The program focuses on the core knowledge and skills necessary to succeed on the exam and to become an effective teaching assistant. Beyond the exam content, this course will provide you with a deeper understanding of the teaching assistant’s role in a classroom environment. You will explore effective teaching strategies, analyze case studies, and learn how to navigate the NYSED-OTI online certification process. Upon completion, you’ll be well-prepared to take the ATAS exam and begin a rewarding career as a teaching assistant.
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- When: Mondays (Oct. 20 and 27, Nov. 3, 17 and 24 – No Class Nov. 10)
- Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Iroquois Middle School
- Instructor: Amy Isenhart
- Participant limit: No limit
- Fee: $30 (This fee will be waived for any Teaching Assistant currently employed by NCSD)
- Registration deadline: Oct. 10, 2025
Gentle Yoga
Are you looking for a way to ease into your week? Come use your breath and move your body to help refresh your mind, body and spirit. Whether you are new to yoga or an experienced practitioner looking for a new class, come join us. We will build strength, practice balance, and increase our flexibility as we find our inner peace.
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- When: Mondays (Oct. 20 and 27, Nov. 8 and 24, Dec. 1 and 8)
- Time: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Location: Iroquois Middle School
- Instructor: Chrissy O’Reilly
- Participant limit: 30 students
- Fee: $55
- Registration deadline: Oct. 10, 2025
Zumba!
Join the party and experience a fun, high-energy cardio workout! This 8-session course introduces you to the core rhythms and easy-to-follow choreography of Zumba, a dance fitness program featuring exciting Latin and world music. Designed for adults of all fitness levels, this class will help you boost your energy, improve coordination, and burn calories in a welcoming, low-pressure atmosphere. No dance experience is needed – just bring your water bottle, comfortable shoes, and readiness to move!
- When: Tuesdays (Oct. 14, 21, 28; Nov. 4, 18, 25; Dec. 2, 9)
*No Class Nov. 11 - Time: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Location: Craig Elementary School cafeteria
- Instructor: Kim Perkins
- Participant limit: 24
- Fee: $70
- Registration deadline: Oct. 10, 2025
Learn to Knit from an Expert
Ready to learn how to knit? Join our three-part evening knitting class, designed for complete beginners! In this hands-on course, you’ll go from knitting novice to confident creator in just three sessions. All the materials you’ll need are included, so you can just show up and start creating.
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- When: Wednesdays (Oct. 15, 22, 29)
- Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Iroquois Middle School
- Instructor: Maureen Pivacek
- Participant limit: No limit
- Fee: $135
- Registration deadline: Oct. 10, 2025
Smartphone Photography 101
Want to take photos you’ll be proud to share—without investing in expensive gear? This beginner-friendly course will show you how to unlock the full potential of your smartphone camera. You’ll learn practical strategies, explore helpful settings, and discover free tools that make capturing life’s moments easier and more fun. From kids, grandkids, and pets to unforgettable vacations, you’ll gain the confidence to preserve what matters most. While the class will highlight iPhone features, the techniques apply to all smartphones and tablets. Plus, you’ll leave with a handy printed cheat sheet so you can keep putting your new skills into practice long after the course ends.
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- When: Thursday, Oct. 23 or Tuesday, Dec. 2
- Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Location: Iroquois Middle School
- Instructor: Rebecca Gatto
- Participant limit: No max
- Fee: $30 for one session
- Registration deadline: Oct. 10, 2025
Bocce Ball
This six-week evening course is designed for adults of all skill levels who are interested in learning how to play bocce ball in a fun, relaxed, and social setting. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to brush up on your skills, this class will provide you with the fundamental knowledge and techniques to confidently join a game and have a great time. The class will be led by an experienced and enthusiastic bocce player who will provide personalized feedback and guidance throughout the course. We recommend bringing a chair and a water bottle.
- When: Thursdays (Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30 and Nov. 6, 13)
- Time: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Community Bocce Courts at NHS
- Instructor: Jason Bach
- Participant limit: 24
- Fee: $35
- Registration deadline: Oct. 10, 2025
2025 Defensive Driving
This course is a six-hour accident prevention program taught in the classroom by Steven Darling, Owner & Driving Coach at Easy Method Driving School. Any principal operator of a vehicle completing the course is eligible to receive a 10% reduction in their liability insurance for a three-year period. A maximum of four points will also be reduced for those who are currently carrying points on their license.
- When: Wednesdays, Nov. 5 and 12 (participants must attend both sessions)
- Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Location: Iroquois Middle School
- Instructor: Steven Darling
- Participants: Minimum of 10, open to ages 16+
- Fee: $40
- Registration deadline: Oct. 10, 2025