_Rome- October - Newsletter

OCTOBER - 2025

CONNECTED ROME NEWSLETTER TABLE OF CONTENTS Connected District Bulletin Connected Partners Collaborations & Contributions Training Highlights Initiative Wide Highlights Staff

A A Whole Whole Person Person Approach 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 addresses physical, mental, and academic well-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 and spooky photos of all the tricks and treats at all of the trunks and streets!

🎃👻

👻🎃 Rewinding the Frights: 6 Halloween Highlights!

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.

Connected Strough had a visit from Stephanie from Jervis Library 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 games and led students through various activities as they transitioned from Bounce Houses, Sprinklers, and other goodies. One of the most anticipated activities was the Inflatable Suit Race for Staff and Students to enjoy.

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 resources to students and their families.

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!

Connected Rome Free Academy held a homecoming 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 Coordinator Chasity has used HUB Huddles to meet and introduce herself to many of the students at Bellamy. From Oct 20th to the 24th 5th graders coming in for lunch created halloween lanterns with Site Coordinator Chasity. This activity fostered a sense of excitement for the upcoming holiday and allowed the Site Coordinator Chasity to continue becoming more familiar with the students.

On October 6th, students at Connected Strough came together to take a stand against bullying in honor of World Day of Bullying Prevention.

Through their Hub Huddles, students created a Kindness Tree, which was proudly displayed in the cafeteria. The tree was filled with uplifting phrases and examples of kind acts, written by students to promote a positive and inclusive school environment.

In addition, students decorated bracelets with powerful anti-bullying messages, which they proudly wore throughout the day to show their commitment to kindness and respect. These bracelets were prepared and cut out by other HUB Huddle students in preparation for the event earlier in the week.

The Connected Rome Free Academy HUB has been a space where students can engage and learn about one another and their unique cultures. Early in the month, Connected RFA celebrated different cultures from all over the world when one of our HUB buddies brought in grape leaves with meat and rice! Students enjoyed trying something new and learning more about other customs and traditions!

It has also become a space where students can discuss their goals and aspirations for the future. Visits from OnPoint for College, Stephanie MArkham from Jervis Library, and other community partners have helped the students explore future opportunities and prepare for them by learning the skills they need to be successful.

ConnectedPARTNERS PARTNERS

Connected

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 transportation struggles.

The Connected SEALs Project has been excited to work with counseling and administrative teams across the district as we roll out the SEALs Project to provide support across the entire Connected Rome City School District. Our two newest Connected SEALs Coordinators, Shawna and Alaia have been very quick to establish relationships at their assigned schools with their new teams, and have begun the process of collaborating to identify site specific needs as well as identifying district wide trends in which the SEALs team can work to provide support. We are excited for the district wide launch of the Connected SEALs Project as we continue to work to support students and explore new ways in which we can support faculty and staff in meeting the objectives of the district wide strategic plan in alignment with the district Mission, Vision, and Values.

For the month of October 2025, the Resiliency Project received 31 referrals which all 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.

ConnectorsConnectors- Trusted Trusted Adults Adults for for Many!

Many!

The school has implemented a new hall policy, which means the Connectors have been busy assisting students adjust to the new changes since they're not in the wings they are normally assigned for the time being. The upside is they have had an increased opportunity to meet many news faces they didn’t see in their previous assigned wings.

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 about when she would be back so they could try to arrange for their next study hall to see her.

It's moments like these that truly allow Connectors to see the difference they make as Connectors.

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 there are also things that the students are the experts at and we, as adults can learn from them as well.

ConnectorsConnectors- Trusted Trusted Adults Adults for for Many!

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 college if they got back on track.

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."

That was incredibly rewarding to hear.

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 an attempt to locate the missing lunch pail. Jimmy and the student were able to locate the item.

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

ConnectedWELCOME WELCOME

Connected

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.”

ConnectedWELCOME WELCOME

Connected

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

Collaborations Collaborations & &Contributions Contributions 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

Connect ed Rome w ould like to thank ev eryone t hat helps! W e cannot do it withou t you!

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.

LINK LINKTrends Trends 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.

TRAINING TRAININGHighlights 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.

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.

Partner Highlights

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 INITIATIVE WIDE WIDE Highlights Highlights 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.

Click here to access the Holiday Assistance Bin Map!

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.

UPCOMING UPCOMING

Events

Events

H O WHow C A can N I IH E L Pyou YO U TO D Amake Y AND help today and MAKE YO U R tomorrow T O M O R Rbetter?

OW BETTER? your

If you know someone that may need help, our LINK system is here to assist with any struggle, worries, or needs that may arise.

If you see someone in need of help (whether it's tangible items, assistance with housing, mental health, primary care, or anything) please contact one of us.

YOUR STROUGH MIDDLE SCHOOL SITE COORDINATOR sarahr@connectedcs.org

YOUR DENTI ELEMENTARY SITE COORDINATOR 315-795-6186

shannonf@connectedcs.org

YOUR GANSEVOORT ELEMENTARY SITE COORDINATOR 315-749-8896

katherinef@connectedcs.org

Kinetria Howard

Katie Fountain

Shannon Faniglula

315-404-6021

Maya Nelson

matthewh@connectedcs.org

315-360-5337

mayan@connectedcs.org

Chasity Cruz

315-240-6012

YOUR ROME FREE ACADEMY SITE COORDINATOR

YOUR BELLAMY ELEMENTARY SITE COORDINATOR

Brandon Fiorenza

YOUR CLOUGH COORDINATOR AND ROME PROJECT MANAGER

YOUR JOHN E. JOY ELEMENTARY & MO BOCES SITE COORDINATOR

Brittany Shue

Sarah Renzi

Matthew Hartwell

Connected Rome Team

YOUR RIDGE MILLS & STOKES ELEMENTARY SITE COORDINATOR

315-360-1212

chasityc@connectedcs.org

315-795-6186

brandonf@connectedcs.org

315-939-0170

brittanys@connectedcs.org

YOUR SEALS SITE COORDINATOR 315-939-3986

kinetriah@connectedcs.org

Connected Rome Resiliency Team

Destiny Branfalt

Nicole Nardozza

Kelley Bennett

Makenna Taylor

Madison Bero-Nestle

RESILIENCY COORDINATOR

RESILIENCY COORDINATOR

DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF COUNTY PROGRAMS

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

Melissa Roys

Danielle Martin

CO-EXECUTIVE LEADER

CO-EXECUTIVE LEADER

Connectors Connectors

Paige Taylor

Tiffany James

Sierra Brown

Lisa LaVine

Brittany Emery

Dakota Russell

Veronica Baker DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Dave Rienzo

Morgan Brennan Timothy Coleman

Katrina Reed

James Brognano

Michelle Jewell