Our community was buzzing with green energy this past March 16th as families gathered for Operation Leprechaun Trap Family Night, hosted by Project Manager Mrs. Tien and Site Coordinator Miss K. The creativity on display was truly gold-standard, with families working side-by-side to build clever catch-and-release traps using only repurposed boxes and craft supplies to outsmart the trickiest sprites. A thank you to the families who made this evening a magical opportunity to bond, problem-solve, and create lasting memories together—we’re already brainstorming how to make our traps even more "un-escapable" for next year!
K-2 students attended an informative presentation led by Ellen and Sue from Cornell Cooperative Extension regarding the five food groups. Through clear explanations and visual examples, students learned how to identify the different components of a balanced plate. A major focus of the session was the nutritional value of choosing whole foods from a farm over processed items from a package, teaching our youngest learners that the best fuel for their growing bodies comes straight from nature.
We were fortunate to collaborate with the Neighborhood Center, who joined us to facilitate meaningful conversations around mental health and the importance of setting healthy boundaries.
Kevin from the YWCA visited this week to begin “The Council” lessons for high school boys. This series focuses on guiding students toward becoming men of honor while promoting safe choices and healthy development.
This month we saw a surge in the number of families seeking support. While this increase highlights the growing economic pressures on our neighbors, it also reinforced why the HUB is so vital to our community. Our team worked hard to ensure everyoneespecially families joining us for the first time-received the resources that they needed. We are proud to serve as a reliable anchor for those navigating life’s challenges. We were happy to have the Willow Network and Boonville Life Center with us again, providing critical community resources to those who visited.
March Hub Huddles provided the middle school students with engaging opportunities for self-reflection, celebration, and community connection. We kicked off the month with our interactive “What’s in the Box?” activity, encouraging curiosity, teamwork, and open discussion. In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, students created shamrocks centered around positive affirmations—“I Can,” “I Am,” and “I Have”—promoting self-confidence and gratitude.
We were also fortunate to partner with the Neighborhood Center, who joined us to facilitate meaningful conversations around mental health and the importance of setting healthy boundaries. To wrap up the month, students participated in a pre-Easter scavenger hunt, where they searched for goody bags and enjoyed a movie together, ending March on a fun and rewarding note.
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While usage of the RKA mental health clinic has recently decreased, keeping this resource available ensures our community always has a vital safety net for professional support. Its presence remains essential for providing proactive care and immediate assistance whenever it is needed most.
We are thrilled about the launch of the new School-Based Health Center in partnership with Rome Health! By bringing primary healthcare directly to our campus, we are working together to ensure every student stays healthy, focused, and ready to succeed!
ThisTeamisintendedtobeanextensiontoyourfamily,yourchild’sschoolandothersupportsthatmayalreadybein placetoensurethateveryonecanbesuccessful,whilebridgingthegapbetweenhome,schoolandthecommunity The teamcanmeetwhereveryouaremostcomfortabletoprovidesupport!
Food insecurity toward the end of each month continues to be a challenge within the district and community. To help address this need, monthly Open HUB events are held to provide families with essential items. In addition, food boxes are distributed as needed, and families are connected with local resources to support ongoing access to food.
GuWe recently explored an exciting new programming opportunity available to all Connected districts—and our team got a firsthand look. At a recent all-staff event, we welcomed Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. to the Impact Center for an engaging training experience.
Through their unique “Hometown Training™” model, they provide guide dogs at no cost to individuals in the Eastern U.S. who are legally blind and may also have additional physical challenges. This approach allows clients to receive support and companionship from a guide dog while continuing their daily routines at home and, in many cases, in the workplace.
This opportunity not only offers meaningful educational programming for students—highlighting the importance and impact of guide dogs—but also serves as a valuable resource for community members who may benefit from these life-changing services.
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.
Celebrating Excel
We are proud to share that our Co-Leader, Melissa Roys, was recognized by Assemblywoman Maryann Buttenschon as a Woman of Distinction this March. Melissa’s tireless dedication to connecting our community and ensuring every individual feels seen continues to make a lasting impact. Congratulations, Melissa!
Co-Leader Danielle Martin was thrilled to lead the Education, Mentorship & Community Impact Hub alongside of Dr. Patricia Washing, Director from On Point and Sarah Gomex, Principal at MO BOCES. They all shared their career journeys, highlighing the importance of learning from the obstacles in life, importance of networking, advocating and never giving up! More than 200 students, educators, and regional leaders were in attendance.
Strengthening Child Safety Through Partnership
Connected is excited to announce a collaboration with the Ride for Missing Children and our new Ride for Missing Children Educator, Amanda Galindo. Connected plays a vital role in advancing the mission of The Ride for Missing Children-Mohawk Valley to promote child safety and support the prevention of child abduction and exploitation.
We deliver engaging, age-appropriate safety education programs foster awareness of the Ride for Missing Children initiative create meaningful connections between students, educators, and the broader community.
