NOVEMBER 2025
CONNECTED ADIRONDACK NEWSLETTER TABLE OF CONTENTS Connected District Bulletin Connected Partners Collaborations & Contributions Training Highlights Initiative Wide Highlights Staff
Making Memories on the Polar Express: Adirondack Railroad Supports Local Families
In November, the Adirondack Railroad generously donated 75 tickets to Connected Adirondack families, giving children and their families the chance to experience the magic of the Polar Express. Families could choose from two train times, enjoying a festive ride filled with holiday cheer. This generous donation created lasting memories for many families in the community, spreading joy and excitement throughout the season.
During Parent-Teacher Conference Day, Connected Site Coordinator Belle led a creative activity with 8th-grade students during their half day. Together, they designed and crafted festive window clings for Sunset Nursing Home using printed designs, acrylic paint markers, and laminating paper. Belle will deliver the decorations just in time for the holidays, bringing joy to the residents and celebrating the spirit of giving.
Kevin from YWCA came in on our Middle School Parent Teacher Conference Day to present the topic of Digital Teens to 7th and 8th grade students. He stressed the importance of online safety.
Officer Morgan visited with 5th-8th grade students to discuss online safety before they watched the film Screenagers. The presentation helped students understand important strategies for navigating the digital world responsibly, which was reinforced during the movie discussion afterward.
Jonathan and his mother, owners of Broadway Cafe, visited 7th and 8th grade students to share their journey in entrepreneurship. Jonathan began the cafe in 5th grade, and their presentation inspired students with lessons on creativity, determination, and turning ideas into reality.
Families were invited to the HUB to receive essential items, including food, hygiene products, and clothing. The Willow Network also participated, tabling the event and providing resources. This month’s Open HUB served a total of 89 individuals, helping support families throughout the community.
HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES In November, students participated in HUB Huddles, engaging in activities, playing games, and enjoying Chobani yogurt. These sessions provide a valuable opportunity for students to connect with their peers and build positive relationships with both classmates and adults during the school day.
This month, students at Adirondack Middle and High Schools participated in HUB Huddles filled with fun and meaningful activities. They contributed to “What Are You Thankful For?” posters, created Thanksgiving turkeys with gratitude notes, and discussed holiday plans. Students also enjoyed team Connect 4 competitions and daily Just Dance sessions. These activities provided a relaxed space for students to connect with peers, express gratitude, and have fun throughout the month.
Connected PARTNERS PARTNERS
Connected
This month, Connected Site Coordinator Belle referred numerous students to RKA, an excellent in-school counseling resource. These referrals provide students with valuable support for their social-emotional well-being, helping them navigate challenges and thrive in school.
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 Community Schools Community LINK Referral form. This will connect you with your dedicated Community Schools 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 on Tuesdays & Fridays from 10am-2pm, or by scheduled appointments.
Trends
Trends
LINK is a single point of access embedded within every Connected school. It brings together school staff and community partners to identify student and family needs and connect them with appropriate supports, services, and local resources to promote student success. Food insecurity continues to be a challenge in our district and community. To help, Open HUB has been held each month, providing families with muchneeded items. Multiple members of the community have generously donated food and other resources, allowing us to serve families and help ease the burden of food insecurity in the Adirondack area. Families visiting Open HUB were also able to sign up for holiday assistance and access additional local resources.
COLLABORATIONS & COLLABORATIONSContributions & Contributions Willow Network
Alicia Ross
CJ Logging
Amanda Sterling
Compassion Coalition
Working Solutions
Julie Patterson
YWCA
Tomorrow Needs You
Fawn Henry
Lisa Stanford
Adirondack Railroad
Connected Adirondack wo uld like to thank everyone that helps! We cann ot do it without yo u!
UPCOMING UPCOMINGEvents Events
Wreath Making & Hot Cocoa w/ Miss K in the HUB December 23rd
TRAINING TRAINING Highlights Highlights
November Advisory Board
During the month of November, we hosted our quarterly Advisory Board meeting. For this meeting, we had two agencies present on the programs they offer. The first agency to present was CNY Fair Housing, located in Syracuse, New York. Tysha Martin shared with the group that the primary goal of CNY Fair Housing is to fight discrimination in housing for protected classes. They cover 13 counties in Central and Northern New York. Not only do they investigate and fight for tenants, but they also educate landlords and community providers on tenant rights. The presentation was very informative and a great resource to connect appropriate families that we work with. The second presentation was by the Utica Center for Development. This agency provides a variety of services specifically aimed towards veterans and their families including assistance with tangible items as well as mental health support. One of their programs, called the Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Program, works with veterans who have PTSD and other mental health struggles. This is an essential resource for veterans and their families we may work with.
Connected Partner Highlights: Monthly Connected Partner Highlights are held virtually throughout the school year for staff to discover and build connections with various community partners. During the month of November, we had three different agencies present on the services they offer. One program, the Cornell Cooperative Extension Child Care Council, shared that they offer Classroom Programming opportunities focused on social emotional learning. The Child Care Council has been a great partner of Connected and is frequently booked to come into our schools. They also offer assistance in obtaining child care and financial assistance to pay for child care in Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison Counties. Our second presenter was the Madison Community Action Partnership’s Permanency Resources Program. This state-funded program, which evolved from kinship caregiver programs, provides comprehensive support to kinship caregivers, adoptive families, and families going through legal guardianship or adoption processes, in partnership with the Neighborhood Center in Oneida County. This specific program is available in Oneida and Chenango Counties, but there are similar programs throughout the state. Last but not least, we also had Indium Corporation present to our staff on the Classroom Programming that they can offer. Indium can go into local schools and teach students about what Indium does, considerations for career exploration with Indium, and learning about the manufacturing process along with some STEMrelated education. This is a great opportunity that many of our staff only just discovered during this Partner Highlight. If you are interested in bringing Indium into your school, please reach out to your Connected Site Coordinator!
INITIATIVE INITIATIVE WIDE WIDEHighlights Highlights Holiday Assistance
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!
Now Open: Connected Purple Flamingo Thrift & Gift Store The Connected Purple Flamingo Thrift and Gift Store is now open! Bright, quirky, and full of character, the store offers a wide variety of thrifted and new items for sale. All proceeds benefit the Connected Initiative, making every purchase a way to support the community. If you haven’t visited yet, it’s definitely worth checking out!
Connected Community Spaghetti Dinner On November 19 in collaboration between The Connected initiative, Oneida County, and the Connected Rome CSD; the very first Connected County Spaghetti Dinner was held at Connected Strough middle school. The true strength of our communities in the Mohawk Valley is the spirit of resilience and collaboration to come together to support one another in the face of current and ongoing struggles. With the support of our volunteers from Oneida County, student volunteers, and Rome, CSD nutrition services staff we were able to distribute approximately 300 eat in and take out meals to anyone who was able to attend regardless of school district or home address. This event was proof that local action can have a wide impact.
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
YOUR ADIRONDACK YOUR ADIRONDACK DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR
YOUR ADIRONDACK YOUR ADIRONDACK BOONVILLE BOONVILLE ELEMENTARY ELEMENTARY Belle is at Adirondack MS and HS
315-717-9748
(315) 272-8968
katier@connectedcs.org
isabellak@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
SASHA MILLER