_Rome- October - Newsletter by connected_community

O C T O B E R - 2 0 2 5

C O N N E C T E D R O M E N E W S L E T T E R

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Connected District Bulletin

Connected Partners

Collaborations & Contributions

Training Highlights

Initiative Wide Highlights Staff

A Whole Person Approach

The Connected Rome Teams across all of our different projects continue our commitment to supporting all of the students, families, staff, and community members of the Connected Rome CSD through a whole person approach that addressesphysical,mental,andacademicwell-being.

This month alone, the Connected Rome Teams have hosted, co-hosted, or joined in over 50 separate events and programs designed to provide engaging and free opportunities to support the entire Rome community Highlights of these featured in this newsletter include our Rome Connected Healthy Homes: SIDs Awareness and Safe Sleep event promoting child well being from birth up, in-school programming with SNAP-Ed to promote healthy eating habits, and visits from community partners like First Source FCU and OnPoint for College to speak with students about potential careers and post-secondary education opportunities and resources As we think about what a portrait of a graduate looks like, we realize that it is a self-portrait and each student’s portrait looks different.

Oh, and we can’t forget….October was Halloween, so look inside for lots of fun andspookyphotosofallthetricksandtreatsatallofthetrunksandstreets!

This Halloween season, Connected Community Schools joined the fun at six amazing events across the community! From the very first Trunk or Treat at Park Drive, where Site Coordinator Chasity Cruz and SEALS Project Manager Kinetria Howard connected with students and families, to sweet treats and surprise activities at Trick or Treat Street at Bellamy Elementary, our teams were thrilled to be part of the festivities. Students met superheroes, explored fire trucks, ambulances, and even a payloader, and enjoyed treats like caramel apples, cider, and candy. Connected John Joy hosted its annual Trunk or Treat with Batman-themed fun, while the Denti PTO Trick or Treat Street featured apples donated by Northstar Orchard and cider from Stewart’s Shops. The Rome Fright Night and MVCC Rome Trick or Treat Street events welcomed hundreds of ghosts, ghouls, and little K-Pop Demon Hunterz to visit the Connected tables for tricks, treats, and community connection. Across all events, our staff had the joy of meeting students, families, and community members while spreading Halloween cheer far and wide!

Second graders at Connected Bellamy had the opportunity to create Halloween Lanterns! Students impressed their new Connected Site coordinator, and teachers by showing off their creativity and imagination while creating these fun colored lanterns. This is the first introduction the students had with the Connected Community Site Coordinator Chasity. Second grade teachers were interested in the activity, which gave the site coordinator the opportunity to introduce herself to the students. Many Students expressed interest in having the Site Coordinator Chasity come in to do more activities One student stated “I wish you could stay ” The Site coordinator Chasity let all the students know they could come visit her at the Connected Community HUB.

during all lunch periods to kick off the new month. Stephanie explained how to sign up for a library card and shared all that Jervis has to offer. The kids shared in her enthusiasm and enjoyed stickers and books at the end.

AMEND together is up and running at Connected Strough. DuWayne from the YWCA comes to the Strough HUB once a week to meet with the boys during the lunch periods. The program is designed to end violence against women and girls by engaging men and boys to be a part of the solution.

Students of Connected Bellamy Elementary also got an additional day to enjoy a variety of activities during Fun Day. Connected once again provided large yard

In recognition of SIDS Awareness month, the Rome Connected Team hosted a Safe Sleep Event, bringing together over 10 community partners to share vital resources and information with families. The event focused on promoting safe sleep practices and healthy household environments to support infant well-being. Families in need were also provided with free Pack ‘n Plays, helping ensure every baby has a safe place to sleep.

Deb and Rachael from First Source visited John Joy for the monthly career assembly. They spoke to students about their day to day tasks in the banking business as well as all of the many opportunities and different types of jobs available in the world of finance. The students asked many questions and they were happy to answer as many as they were able in the time allotted

DuWayne Engram from the YWCA came to Connected John Joy and met with the 3rd-6th grade male students. He ran an open conversation with the boys focused on emotions and how to treat others. Students enjoyed DuWayne's visit and are already asking when he will be back again

Connected John Joy offered students an opportunity to display their creativity with a craft during Book Fair Night Students showed off their artistic skills and imaginations by drawing and coloring anything they could dream of. These pieces of art will now be showcased throughout the school for all students to enjoy.

Connected Gansevoort welcomed students to come into the school for free haircuts, braids, and to learn about healthy hair habits. Community Volunteers- Cooper City Cuts Hair Stylists, King of Cuts and others donated their time. Jervis Library and NAACP joined to provide other

OnPoint for College visited the RFA HUB to talk with students about the resources they have to offer at their organization. Students learned about the events such as college tours, financial literacy and other educational courses OnPoint offers. It was a fun morning in the HUB focusing on the students' future after high school!

mecoming dress

shop where students were able to come in during eighth and ninth period and after school during the week leading to the homecoming dance to pick out a dress or a suit for homecoming, it was a fun time for classmates to find a dress or suit for the big night! Over thirty students were able to come in and personally select an outfit for the Homecoming Dance held on October 3rd

Connected Ridge Mills hosted a vibrant craft night where families from all grade levels enjoyed various DIY projects under the guidance of their Connected SIte Coordinator. Families connected over their love for crafting and fostered a sense of community spirit inspired by the flow of artistic talents.

One of the goals of The Open HUB continues to be supporting families who are looking for supplemental food resources in a way that promotes agency and avoids the stigma of “a handout”. Our Open HUBs, as well as nearly all of our assistance programs including the upcoming Holiday Assistance, are structured in a way in which families can come in and “shop” our shelves. This month over 35 families came into the HUB at Strough to shop for free groceries for the long holiday weekend, speak with a Site Coordinator in regard to other struggles or worries, and meet with additional Community Partners for resources.

HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES

Connected John Joy Site Coordinator Brandon has begun working with his 6th grade enrichment group two to three times a week. This month they were tasked with first making cards for Veterans Day to give to the Vets that attended the Veterans Day assembly. Next they worked on completing attendance posters with the slogan “Joy Tigers Love School!”. These posters are used to motivate students to achieve perfect attendance for their class and fill in each letter each day they do

Connected Bellamy Hub Huddle students created Spooky Halloween skeletons in the HUB on Oct 14th. New Connected Bellamy Site

OnOctober6th,studentsatConnectedStroughcametogethertotakea standagainstbullyinginhonorofWorldDayofBullyingPrevention. ThroughtheirHubHuddles,studentscreatedaKindnessTree,whichwas proudlydisplayedinthecafeteria Thetreewasfilledwithuplifting phrasesandexamplesofkindacts,writtenbystudentstopromotea positiveandinclusiveschoolenvironment.

Inaddition,studentsdecoratedbraceletswithpowerfulanti-bullying messages,whichtheyproudlyworethroughoutthedaytoshowtheir commitmenttokindnessandrespect Thesebraceletswereprepared andcutoutbyotherHUBHuddlestudentsinpreparationfortheevent earlierintheweek.

TheConnectedRomeFreeAcademyHUBhasbeenaspacewherestude andtheiruniquecultures.Earlyinthemonth,ConnectedRFAcelebrat

whenoneofourHUBbuddiesbroughtingrapeleaveswithmeatandrice!Studentsenjoyedtryingsomethingnew an

Ithasalsobecomeaspacewherestudentscandiscusstheirgoa

forCollege,StephanieMArkhamfromJervisLibrary,andotherco

futureopportunitiesandprepareforth

Connected Connected

PARTNERS PARTNERS

The Connected Rome team continues to collaborate with Neighborhood Center embedded clinicians at Connected Gansevoort and Strough Middle Schools. Connected Strough Site Coordinator Sarah submitted six new referrals to the embedded clinic at Strough this month. Connected Gansevoort Senior Site Coordinator Katie Fountain also continues to assist families in navigating the referral and intake process at her site.

The Connected Rome Team continues to collaborate with embedded CHBS counseling services at Connected Bellamy, John Joy, and Rome Free Academy. Across these three sites, the clinician and site coordinators collaborate to support over 110 students who are more readily able to access mental health services due to their location in schools, allowing them to overcome the barrier of

TheConnectedSEALsProjecthasbeenexcitedtoworkwithcounselingandadministrativeteams acrossthedistrictaswerollouttheSEALsProjecttoprovidesupportacrosstheentireConnected RomeCitySchoolDistrict.OurtwonewestConnectedSEALsCoordinators,ShawnaandAlaiahave beenveryquicktoestablishrelationshipsattheirassignedschoolswiththeirnewteams,andhave

beguntheprocessofcollaboratingtoidentifysitespecificneedsaswellasidentifyingdistrictwidetrendsinwhich theSEALsteamcanworktoprovidesupport WeareexcitedforthedistrictwidelaunchoftheConnectedSEALs Projectaswecontinuetoworktosupportstudentsandexplorenewwaysinwhichwecansupportfacultyandstaff inmeetingtheobjectivesofthedistrictwidestrategicplaninalignmentwiththedistrictMission,Vision,andValues.

led to enrollments, coming from Oneida County Family and Community Services and Connected Community Schools Site Coordinators. 75% of the Resiliency Project Referrals have been generated from the Rome City School District. The total # of Referrals received by Rome City School District to date is 392 students and families. 83% of this month’s referrals have been generated from Elementary Schools in the Rome CSD. 17% were generated from Rome Free Academy- Rome High school. 61 referrals were made to outside resources for the Rome students. In October 2025, 5 youth graduated and met the goals for themselves and their families to be successful.

Connectors- Trusted Adults for Many! Connectors- Trusted Adults for Many!

For the month of October 2025, the Resiliency Project received 31 referrals which all ntedanewhallpolicy,whichmeanstheConnectorshavebeenbusyassistingstudentsadjust to the new changes since they're not in the wings they are normally assigned for the time being. The upside is they havehadanincreasedopportunitytomeetmanynewsfacestheydidn’tseeintheirpreviousassignedwings.

However, this week whenever I stopped by the HUB, the welcome Connector Tiffany received from the students was incredible. Several young women wanted to share important life updates, and the boys were eager to discuss sneakers, food, and sports. When Connector Tiffany tried to leave, students asked her to stay, and some inquired aboutwhenshewouldbebacksotheycouldtrytoarrangefortheirnextstudyhalltoseeher. It'smomentslikethesethattrulyallowConnectorstoseethedifferencetheymakeasConnectors.

Connector Tim was challenged by a student to a chess game in the HUB Tim had never really played so the student offered to teach Tim how to play so that Tim would be able to play against them It was very enlightening to see that therearealsothingsthatthestudentsaretheexpertsatandwe,asadultscanlearnfromthemaswell transportation struggles.

Connectors- Trusted Adults for Many! Connectors- Trusted

Adults for Many!

Last school year, a student was very engaged, but this year the student’s attendance became inconsistent. Connector Tiffany saw her outside of school one day and spoke with her, emphasizing how bright they are and their potential for collegeiftheygotbackontrack.

To Tiffany’s surprise, the student returned to school the following Monday and was consistent throughout the week, even making it to Friday Although the student wasn't there all day, the student’s presence in school was a significant step. When the student saw Tiffany, they said, "I'm working on it, Miss Tiffany, but I wanted to show you I'm trying." Thatwasincrediblyrewardingtohear.

A student approached Connector Jimmy and was extremely shaken up. The student asked if Jimmy had seen their Steelers lunch pail. The student stated they lost it and cannot go home without it. Jimmy showed the student where the lost and found was, but the lunch pail was not there. Jimmy then walked with the student from room to room in anattempttolocatethemissinglunchpail Jimmyandthestudentwereabletolocatetheitem

The look of relief on the student’s face was priceless Sometimes, you just need some support from your favorite Connectortoretraceyoursteps.

Connected Connected

WELCOME WELCOME

Shawna Jones

Position: SEALs Coordinator

Schools: Connected Denti & Stokes Elementary Start Date: October 2025

About Shawna:

Shawna holds a Master of Social Work from Keuka College and brings valuable experience from her work as the Young Scholars Social Worker for Utica City middle schools. She also previously served as a mentor, behavioral manager, and parent aide with ICAN. Shawna joined Connected Community Schools because of her passion for supporting students and helping them thrive in a school setting.

Fun Fact:

Shawna proudly identifies as a pop-culture “nerd,” especially when it comes to Harry Potter. She has also been singing since first grade!

A Warm Welcome:

“Thank you for letting me join this amazing crew — I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Connected Connected

WELCOME WELCOME

Alaia Cauthen

Position: SEALs Coordinator Schools: Gansevoort & Ridge Mills

Start Date: October 2025

About Alaia:

Alaia graduated from UAlbany in 2021 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She began her career at the House of the Good Shepherd as a Teacher’s Assistant before moving into a Case Planner role, where she supported children and families for the past year and a half. After experiencing burnout, she began searching for a new opportunity within Rome CSD— when she found this position, she immediately knew it was the right fit.

Fun Fact:

Alaia is the oldest of six siblings, all of whom have attended or currently attend Rome schools. She is also a proud RFA graduate, Class of 2015.

A Warm Welcome:

Connected tRomewouldliketo hhankeveryonethat elps!Wecannotdo itwithoutyou!

“I am so excited to be doing this work, and I look forward to the opportunities to come.”

Collaborations

& Collaborations &Contributions Contribution

Rome City DPW, Rome FD, AmCare

YWCA

Neighborhood Center

Cayuga Centers

First Source

MVCAA

CRM Rentals - Park Drive Manor

MVCC Rome Campus

CCE Childcare Council

Jervis Library

SNAP-Ed

Life Plan

Rome Branch NAACP

The First Presbyterian Church in Rome donated 50 knitted hats for students at Bellamy Connected Bellamy Principal Jodi Marchione donated 25 cans of soup to the Bellamy HUB.

s

LINK LINKTrendsTrends

In the month of October, The Connected Rome Team received 120 links that identified Basic Needs (Food, Clothing, Shelter) as the primary reason for the LINK referral Roughly 15 of them were for items like winter coats, hats, and gloves that the team was able to provide to prepare families for the coming colder weather. Another dozen of these referrals were families looking for help with finding new housing in the area and were assisted in navigating the available housing lists and exploring the available subsidies and assistance programs like MVCAA and Section 8 to secure funding to access these rentals. The families looking for housing that are at risk or currently experiencing homelessness were also supported through the district under the MckInney-Vento act with Connected projects addressing the additional hurdles and barriers these students and families face.

The largest piece of these 120 links however were for families facing food insecurity. Of the links received 65 identified a need to assist with accessing community resources including SNAP and other forms of assistance. There was a significant overlap between the 120 who identified basic needs and assistance accessing community resources, speaking to a need for help navigating access to resources that our team was able to help. Connected Site Coordinators meet face to face with families and assist in navigating applications and online portals, and follow up with families to ensure they get submitted As expected there was also a sharp rise in the requests for food resources as we approached the end of October as uncertainty around SNAP funding continued to rise. As an initiative we were able to compile a complete list of all local food resources and then outreached the local pantries, soup kitchens, and distribution sites to assess capacity and accessibility to help guide families planfully to avoid as much overloading of these locations as possible

Monthly Connected Partner Highlights are held virtually throughout the school year for staff to discover and build connections with various community partners. In the month of October, we had three different agencies present on some services they offer, including OnPoint for College, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Neighborhood Center’s COMHPS program

TRAINING TRAININGHighlights Highlights Partner Highlights

Bruce Brodsky with the Utica Dollars for Scholars came to our October all-staff meeting in Rome to share with staff the scholarship opportunities available to many of the students we serve The application for Utica Dollars for Scholars is open now through March of 2026 for students in Herkimer and Oneida Counties looking for funding for higher education Bruce identified that they want to get the word out to students and not only ensure they are aware of the opportunity, but also get support to follow through the full application process, as many start their application but don’t finish it. The presentation was very insightful for our staff who support high school students in the Herkimer and Oneica Counties, and hopefully we can get those students connected to the scholarship opportunities available.

TRAINING TRAININGHighlights Highlights

Earlier in the month, Anny Guerrero-Brown provided an overview of OnPoint for College, detailing its expansion beyond college access and success to include support for certificate programs, licenses, and trades, serving students in Herkimer, Madison, Onondaga, and Cayuga counties with broad eligibility criteria and individualized support across college access, college success, and career services Jennifer Engram elaborated on career services, including advising, workshops, and internship opportunities Anny concluded by emphasizing OnPoint for College's holistic, free, and continuous support, focusing on removing barriers to education and building strong relationships with students.

Lisa McCarthy provided an overview of the Alzheimer's Association, discussing the financial and caregiving impact of dementia, the association's funding and research efforts, various types of dementia, warning signs, and strategies for brain health and prevention The Alzheimer’s Association is available to table at any events where we may want to share information on dementia and Alzheimer's support.

Paul Ukena introduced The Neighborhood Center's OMH grant-funded COMHPS (Community Mental Health Promotion and Support) program, outlining its focus on community mental health promotion and support, the Neighborhood Center's broader services, and the program's activities, including outreach, referrals, and emotional support, emphasizing its free and short-term nature. The COMHPS program offers Classroom Programming opportunities including interactive tabling and group content delivery using different activities to allow participants to express their creativity while promoting mental well-being. The program is available in Oneida County, so if you are interested in bringing them into your classroom, contact your Site Coordinator!

INITIATIVE WIDE INITIATIVE WIDE

Connected is in full Holiday Assistance mode, working to ensure students and families have the support they need this season. Last year, we assisted over 2,000 students, and we’re once again committed to spreading warmth and joy throughout our communities. If you or someone you know could benefit from holiday assistance, please reach out to your Site Coordinator or a member of the LINK Team—we’re here to help.

If you’d like to help, donations are always welcome! Check out the Holiday Assistance bin map included on this flyer for convenient drop-off locations, or bring your donation to our main office at 207 North James Street, Rome, NY. Monetary contributions can also be made online at https://connectedcommunityschools.org/holiday-assistance/, and every gift helps make the season brighter for local families.

Connected Community Schools is kicking off the Connected Food Drive to help ensure families in our community have access to nutritious food this season. With the support of generous donors and community members, we aim to make a meaningful impact for local families in need.

Donations of non-perishable food items can be dropped off at any Connected Community Schools site or at our main office at 207 North James Street, Rome, NY. Monetary contributions can also be made online at https://connectedcommunityschools.org/donate-2/. Every gift helps nourish children and families across our community.