FEBRUARY 2026
CONNECTED ADIRONDACK NEWSLETTER TABLE OF CONTENTS Connected District Bulletin Connected Partners
Seeds of Success: Celebrating FFA Week
Collaborations & Contributions Training Highlights Initiative Wide Highlights Staff
Students at Adirondack Middle/High School had a week full of fun and engaging activities as part of our celebration of National FFA Week. From enjoying a yogurt bar and showing off their creativity in an agriculturethemed coloring contest, to ending the week on a sweet note with Stewart’s ice cream bar, these events offered students hands-on, interactive ways to learn about agriculture while having fun with friends.
The Connected Adirondack Team partnered with the FFA group to create a Yogurt Bar experience for students, offering a hands-on way to connect FFA concepts to the real world. Students had a great time building their own yogurt parfaits, combining creativity, healthy choices, and learning all in one activity.
The FFA group worked with Adirondack Connected staff to host an agriculture-themed coloring contest. Students had the chance to color FFA-inspired pictures and submit them for the opportunity to win a prize at the end of the week, blending creativity with a fun way to engage with FFA!
STEWARTS ICE CREAM SUNDAES Stewart’s Shoppes generously donated ice cream and toppings for a sundae bar. This was to help promote FFA and create the connection to our everyday lives!
Taylor from Cornell Cooperative Extension visited to present on maple syrup production, giving students the chance to learn about and connect with a local, native resource. Students even sampled different syrups and voted for their favorite! This hands-on experience helped bring FFA lessons to life while engaging students in fun and interactive learning.
Kevin from the YWCA visited this week to kick off “The Council” lessons, a series designed exclusively for high school boys. Through this program, students learn about being men of honor, promoting safe and healthy development, and building skills that support positive growth and responsible decision-making.
Our February Open HUB was a heartwarming success, providing families with essential supplies and a welcoming space to connect. This month, we were honored to have The Willow Network and the Boonville Life Center join us to share vital resources and program information with our neighbors. By partnering with these organizations, we ensure that every family leaves the HUB with both the physical supplies they need and a stronger network of support for the future.
HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES February has been an action-packed month for our Connected Boonville Elementary! Our HUB Huddles have been buzzing with energy as students come together to celebrate, create, and build a stronger school community. We brought the spirit of the 2026 Winter Olympics to life! Students engaged in Olympic-themed activities; we celebrated the 100th day of the school year with activities centered around the number 100. No Huddle is complete without some friendly competition! We enjoyed various group games and rounds of BINGO, which are always a student favorite for fostering teamwork and excitement. Connected Boonville provides a welcoming, supportive space for every student to unwind, create, and build a sense of belonging within our school.
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The first week of February kicked off with a hot cocoa bar, where students created their own unique drinks by choosing from a variety of toppings and mix-ins. After crafting their beverages, they enjoyed a relaxing movie time together.
Before winter break, middle and high school students had the chance to participate in a silent disco party! Students enjoyed lunch, requested their favorite songs, and danced the afternoon away with headphones on, celebrating and connecting with their peers. After returning from break, students in the HUB celebrated National FFA Week with an agriculture-themed coloring contest, a yogurt bar, and a Stewart’s ice cream bar, combining creativity, hands-on learning, and delicious treats to make the week memorable.
Connected PARTNERS PARTNERS
Connected
We had a decrease in the need to refer to our embedded provider over this past month!
Rome Health’s Boonville Health Center, in collaboration with the Adirondack Central School District, has established a School-Based Health Center (SBHC) in Boonville. We are located at the Adirondack Middle/ High School, The school district will provide transportation from the elementary schools to our location for students enrolled in the program. A SBHC provides primary care and preventative health care services in school to those students enrolled in the program. These services include: Complete physical examinations Sports injuries Vision, hearing, and scoliosis screenings Immunizations, Flu vaccines Diagnosis and treatment of both short-term and long-term illnesses Health education and wellness promotion Mental health screenings and referrals And more!!!! A Student-Based Health Center (SBHC) provides primary care and preventative in-school health care services to those students enrolled in the program during the school day. Parents are encouraged to be in attendance with their child during their appointment. If unable to attend, you will be contacted before or after your child's appointment. All students are eligible to enroll in the School-Based Health Center. We do not replace the student’s primary care doctor; we work with them. There are no out of pocket expenses for any service provided by the SBHC. The SBHC will bill the students’ insurance. If your child does not have health insurance coverage, or youre health insurance does not cover SBHC visits, there will be NO CHARGE. If you do not have health insurance coverage for your child and are interested in how you can receive information on free or low-cost insurance, please call the SBHC at 315942-2913 or contact Rome Health at 315.942.3500. If you wish to enroll your child in a SBHC, please complete the SBHC enrollment forms, and return them to the School-Based Health Center as soon as possible. Forms are available to be printed from the Adirondack CSD website (Community - SBHC) OR paper copies can be requested to be sent home from the main office, nurse's office or call the SBHC and we will send a copy home with your child.
The Resiliency Project proposes that the key to success with children and their families is through a collaborative approach forming a caring and responsive Team that is dedicated to serving the Adirondack Central School District, Camden Central School District, Holland Patent Central School District and Rome City School District; creating and strengthening Connections in the Home, School and Community. There is a dedicated Resiliency Coordinator, Safe School Engagement Specialist and Oneida County Family and Community Service liaison, that collaborate on each case. Unless it is imminent risk, prior to calling CPS, place in a Resiliency referral so we can assist, "Support, Don't Report". This Team is intended to be an extension to your family, your child’s school and other supports that may already be in place to ensure that everyone can be successful, while bridging the gap between home, school and the community. The team can meet wherever you are most comfortable to provide support! Go to the Connected LINK Referral form. This will connect you with your dedicated Connected Site Coordinator who can assist you with basic needs and to create a connection with the Resiliency Team! The Resiliency Team is available on site at the Connected IMPACT Center, 207 North James St. Rome on Tuesdays & Fridays from 10am-2pm, or by scheduled appointments. Need to make a LINK referral? Click here to get started.
Trends
Trends
Food insecurity continues to be a challenge for families in the district and surrounding community. To help address this need, we have hosted Open HUB each month, providing families with essential items and offering food boxes as needed. In addition to these tangible supports, families are connected with additional community resources to ensure ongoing access to nutritious food.
COLLABORATIONS & COLLABORATIONSContributions & Contributions The Willow Network The Boonville Life Center Marissa Strain
Connec ted Adiron dack w ould lik to than e k every o n that he e lps! We c a nnot do it wi thout y ou!
UPCOMING UPCOMINGEvents Events
TRAINING TRAININGHighlights Highlights Youth Mental Health First Aid Training – Free & Open to All!
Did you know that Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Training is available at no cost? This valuable program is designed to help faculty, staff, and community members recognize the signs of mental health challenges in young people, provide support, and connect them with appropriate resources. By participating, you’ll gain practical skills to respond confidently to students in crisis, foster a supportive environment, and make a real difference in the lives of youth in our community. Who can attend: All faculty, staff, and community members Cost: FREE Registration: Registration link Empower yourself with the knowledge to support youth mental health—because every student deserves to be seen, heard, and supported.
INITIATIVE INITIATIVE WIDE WIDEHighlights Highlights Advocating for Students and Families in Albany
On Feb. 10, Nora Bajhor, Director of Impact, and Daniel Turk, Project Manager of Quality Assurance, traveled to Albany to meet with state legislators to advocate for funding for Community Schools that support students, families, and communities across New York State. The day began with a powerful video highlighting the realities of childhood poverty across New York, which set the tone for the conversations ahead. The video was both moving and impactful, and several colleagues from the Connected initiative were featured in the presentation. After the video Nora presented as a panelist representing Connected. Throughout the day, the group met with legislators to discuss the importance of sustained support for programs that address the barriers many students and families face. One highlight of the day was an impromptu meeting with a local Assembly representative, who graciously took time to speak with Dan’s group. The conversation was encouraging as he has three Connected school districts in his legislative district, there is hope that he will support the proposed legislation should it move forward to a full Assembly vote. The day provided an important opportunity to highlight the impact of Community Schools and ensure that the voices of students, families and communities are part of the conversation shaping policies across New York.
Click here to watch the 1 in 5: Confronting Childhood Poverty in New York Video.
HOW CAN I HELP YOU TODAY AND MAKE YOUR TOMORROW BETTER?
How can I help you today and make your tomorrow better?
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.
Connected Adirondack Connected Adirondack Team Team
Katie Rockwell
Belle Kranbuhl
Gayle Tien
YOUR ADIRONDACK YOUR ADIRONDACK MS/HS MS/HS SITE COORDINATOR SITE COORDINATOR
YOUR ADIRONDACK YOUR ADIRONDACK BOONVILLE BOONVILLE ELEMENTARY ELEMENTARY SITE COORDINATOR SITE COORDINATOR & & PROJECT PROJECT MANAGER MANAGER
(315) 272-8968
(315) 525-3217
isabellak@connectedcs.org
gaylet@connectedcs.org
YOUR ADIRONDACK YOUR ADIRONDACK DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR
315-717-9748 katier@connectedcs.org
CENTRAL HUB TEAM KNOW SOMEONE F HELP? WHO IS IN NEED O
Have them reach out to a Site Coordinator today!
ALEXIS TOWNE
RAIN RIDGNER
KALI FOUNTAIN
KAELYNN BARBER
DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF IMPACT
DELIVERY TEAM
NORA BAJOHR
DUSTIN TROTZ