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Connected District Bulletin

Connected Partners

Collaborations & Contributions

Training Highlights

Initiative Wide Highlights Staff

OCTOBER 2025

Adirondack Adirondack GIVEAWAY

Connected Adirondack hosted a successful Chobani Giveaway on October 17th at the ADK Bus Garage, offering a convenient drive-thru experience for families. Individuals and families picked up a free case of Chobani yogurt. In just two hours, more than 300 cases were distributed to the community It was a fast, efficient, and greatly appreciated event!

Kevin from YWCA came to Adirondack High School to present workshops to students in Freshman Seminar. These workshops

Lori Metter came in and presented to the High School English senior students with a PowerPoint presentation, to discuss work readiness type of skills, give a brief overview of resume tips, interview discussions, and tips on entering the workforce. She also discussed options such as going to college, working in the trades, or possibly going into the military.

On October 25th, Site Coordinator, Belle with Resiliency Coordinator, Cara participated in the Annual Boonville Trunk or Treat. A community member volunteered their time for the event. The Lodging Kit also donated Candy. Belle and Cara won the “Scariest Decorated Trunk” award at the event!

Boonville,WestLeydenandForestportFire DepartmentspresentedtheirFirePrevention ProgramtostudentsatBoonvilleElementarythis month.Thepresentationincludedfourstations whichincludedfiretrucksandanambulance

Eachstationgaveademonstrationabout15min inlengtharoundfiresafetytostudents

HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES

In October, Boonville Elementary students enjoyed HUB Club. During our time together, Students played Old MacDonald’s Bingo, read books about fall and completed drawing challenges while listening to a story & directions. HUB Club is a time for students to engage, tell stories and be creative while supporting each other.

battled breast cancer—or to simply show their support. These ribbons were added to the Breast Cancer Ribbon Trees before students wrapped up with a fun round of Just Dance. Later in the week, students created heartfelt cards for two local community members, Nicole Pitt and Cindy Kerber, who are currently battling breast cancer. Both women were deeply appreciative, and students were proud to offer support to individuals in their own community.

Connected Connected

PARTNERS PARTNERS

Site Coordinator Belle is connecting with many families who are interested in, or already working with, our in-school provider, Corrina. She will be collaborating closely with Corrina to ensure this valuable resource continues to benefit our students!

Site Coordinator Belle was invited to join the School-Based Health Center Advisory Committee; the Adirondack School Based Health Center will soon be returning in partnership with Rome Health. This resource will provide families and students with access to services such as physicals, exams, sick visits, and immunizations. The elementary school will also be able to utilize the clinic, which will operate at Adirondack three days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We are thrilled to have this valuable resource available to our community!

The Resiliency Project started to assist Rome and Camden school districts by bridging the gap from home to school and the community. Site Coordinators do not always have the ability to meet families where they are at, so Resiliency is the bridge to help ensure families are successful. We discussed with the schools unlessitisimminentrisktheydonothavetocallCPSonfamiliestheyshouldrefertoResiliency.Atthistime,wehadover 500referralscomethatweresentinfromthoseschooldistricts Knowingtheimpact,wehadonthosedistricts ResiliencyhasexpandedtoHollandPatentandAdirondackschooldistrictsaswell.

TheConnectedAdirondackteamhasgrown!YourschooldistricthasadedicatedResiliencyTeamthatincludesa ResiliencyCoordinator,StudentEngagementSpecialistandOneidaCountyDepartmentofFamily&Community Servicesliasionthatisdedicatedtosupportingstudents,families,educatorsandthegreatercommunity.

ThroughtheResiliencyProject,therearealsoadditionalsupportsprovidedwithinthecommunityattheConnected CourtonJamesImpactCenterat207NorthJamesthatassistsnotonlyResiliencyfamilies,butanyfamiliesthatmay haveaneedinRomeorthesurroundingareas ThecenterisopenTuesdayandFridayfrom10-2forassistance;orby scheduledappointments.

TheResiliencyProjecthosts,BookWormsliteracyprogramonTuesdaynightsfrom430-6pm Allchildrenand familiesarewelcome.Thisincludeslisteningtoawonderfulbook,havingasnackandalsoafunactivity.Childrenmay alsotakeabookhomeiftheyareinterested.Wehavedonemanyrecreationactivitiesoverthesummerandwill continueeachmonth.

COLLABORATIONS & COLLABORATIONS &

The Lodging Kit

Tracy Austin

Alicia Ross

Beth Fox

ADK Teacher (Anonymous)

Fawn Henry

Michelle Ziegler

Linda Bourgeois

Boonville Fire Department

Working Solutions

YWCA

Chobani

Black River Valley Business & Community Alliance Connecte Adirondackw liketothan everyoneth helps!Wecan doitwithouty

LINK LINKTrendsTrends

LINK referrals trending in the Connected Adirondack District include food insecurity and mental health services. SC Belle and Divisional Director, Katie are working together in order to provide food boxes and connect students and families to food resources as well as Mental Health supports. Many people have generously donated food or monetary donations to the HUB in order to help support food insecurity Connected Adirondack hosted a Chobani giveaway in October. In November we have an upcoming Open HUB which can be utilized for district families.

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.

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 wellbeing 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 WIDEHighlights

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.