Silent Silent
Connected McConnelsvil night of winter FUN! Walker, Connected Site Coordinator, made reindeer food with students Families had fun taking pictures with Santa and listening to stories
r Tots event, where families had the opportunity to shop for Christmas presents for their children While there, Walker connected with families, offered support, and helped assess whether there were any additional needs, ensuring families felt supported during the holiday season.
Families visited Open HUB to pick up extra groceries in preparation for the long break. They also received fresh lettuce and basil grown by middle school agricultural students. In addition, Frankie from the Camden Life Center was on hand to speak with families about counseling services and other available supports, while representatives from the Girl Scouts of America shared information about opportunities to join Girl Scouts.
HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES
Throughout the month of December, the McConnellsville Elementary Site Coordinator engaged with students during recess by playing games such as catch, Four Square, Three Strikes, the Color Game, and racing with students across multiple grade levels. These activities provided opportunities for students to connect, share excitement about the holidays and their plans for break, and strengthen positive relationships. Students looked forward to this time and found it both fun and meaningful.
Throughout the month of December, the Connected Camden Elementary Site Coordinator engaged with students during noon hour by playing games such as catch, basketball, kickball, Uno, and the Color Game with students across multiple grade levels. These interactions gave students the opportunity to share their excitement about the holidays and their plans for break while building strong relationships. Students have enjoyed getting to know and working with Walker, gaining another trusted adult within the school setting.
The Camden High School HUB has been buzzing with activity this month. Students have been tackling the daily wordle challenge and enjoying plenty of trivia. We also celebrated the upcoming break with hot chocolate.
ed transformingtheHUBwithholidaycheerby decoratingthespacetogether Studentswrappedthe HUBdoorlikeapresent,created100ornamentsfor theChristmastree,andspreadjoytoteachers,staff, andfamiliesathome.Thecelebrationalsoincluded Christmastriviaandsweettreats,makingitafunand memorableexperienceforall
CMS Student Council Food Drive
United Methodist Church
Gail Raynsford McConnellsville Community Church
Sue Roberts and Family
MES Teachers - Shelley Malenowski, MacKenzie Mitchell, Montana
Sochia, Eric Bird, Carrie Hollis, Katherine Rounds Jordan Fairbrother, Monica Penny-Spellicy, Kathy Zangrilli
Connected Connected
Family
Opportunity Center Family Opportunity Center
PARTNERS PARTNERS
The Connected FOC helped families with heat costs, winter clothing and extra food for holidays through Connected Community Schools.
TheResiliencyProjectproposesthatthekeytosuccesswithchildrenandtheirfamiliesisthroughacollaborative approachformingacaringandresponsiveTeamthatisdedicatedtoservingtheAdirondackCentralSchool District,CamdenCentralSchoolDistrict,HollandPatentCentralSchoolDistrictandRomeCitySchoolDistrict; creatingandstrengtheningConnectionsintheHome,SchoolandCommunity ThereisadedicatedResiliency Coordinator,SafeSchoolEngagementSpecialistandOneidaCountyFamilyandCommunityServiceliaison,that collaborateoneachcase.Unlessitisimminentrisk,priortocallingCPS,placeinaResiliencyreferralsowecan assist,"Support,Don'tReport"
ThisTeamisintendedtobeanextensiontoyourfamily,yourchild’sschoolandothersupportsthatmayalready beinplacetoensurethateveryonecanbesuccessful,whilebridgingthegapbetweenhome,schoolandthe community.Theteamcanmeetwhereveryouaremostcomfortabletoprovidesupport!
GototheConnectedCommunitySchoolsCommunity LINKReferralform.Thiswillconnectyouwithyour dedicatedCommunitySchoolsSiteCoordinatorwhocan assistyouwithbasicneedsandtocreateaconnection withtheResiliencyTeam!TheResiliencyTeamis availableonsiteattheConnectedIMPACTCenteron Tuesdays&Fridaysfrom10am-2pm,orbyscheduled appointments
ThisDecember,ourresiliencystudentsengagedina heartwarmingsocialemotionallearningactivitythat focusedongratitudeandspendingtimewiththeirloved ones Elementarystudentscompleteda"HolidayCheckIn"worksheet,studentsexploredtheirfeelingsand identifiedthemeaningfulconnectionsthatmakethe seasonspecial
CFLR continues to come to the High School HUB to work with students during lunch. She also has been working with the FOC doing Triple P Parenting Classes.
The Neighborhood Center is now taking students for therapy at all four schools. Students are able to be seen in school for therapy which is helpful for parents who struggle with transportation.
TrendsTrends
Thecolderwintermonthshitourfamilieshard,bringingabigjumpinrequestsforhelpwithheatingbills.Paying forenergywasarealworryforalotofhouseholds.Wealsosawahigherneedforbasicnecessities,especially morefoodandouryearlyHolidayAssistanceprogram,whichsuggeststhatmanywerestrugglingwithfood insecurityduringtheholidays Ontopofthosecriticalneeds,manyfamiliesalsoaskedforhelpgettingextrawinter clothingsotheirkidsandfamilymemberscouldstaywarmandprotectedfromtheharshweather.
UPCOMING UPCOMINGEvents Events
VIP
Dance February 11th
Location: Camden High School
Silent Disco
February 18th
Open HUB Hours February 12th 4:00 - 6:00 PM 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Students, invite your VERY IMPORTANT PERSON to the school dance! Join us for a Silent Disco during February break!
Camden Central School District
Connected Elves Holiday Project 2025
Celebrating 8 Years of Community Impact
December 2025 marked the 8th successful year of the Connected Holiday Assistance Program, supporting students and families across our Connected Districts during the holiday season. What began as a small act of care has grown into a powerful community-wide effort spanning all 13 Connected districts, rooted in generosity, collaboration, and compassion
16 Stone Brewpub th
Affair with Hair
Agway Holland Patent
Alteri's Restaurant
Arizona Tacos
Artani's Pizza
Bassett Medical Offices
Big Jay's Pizzeria - Rome
Bliss Environmental
Boss's General Store
Boyz From Italy
Central NY Academy of Dance
Cianfrocco's Subs & Wings
Collis True Value Hardware
Community Bank, N.A.Camden Community Bank, N.A.Rome
Franco's Pizza - Ilion Full Lotis
Gehring Tricot
Grande's Pizzeria
Haven Salon and Lash
Studio
Home Outlet Utica
Jervis Library
Joey's Pizza
Kylie's Diner
La Roma Pizzeria
Matteson Hotel
MetLife Insurance
The Power of Community Partnerships
This year, over 40 local businesses partnered with Connected by hosting donation bins for new, unwrapped toys and gifts Their willingness to open their doors and rally their customers played a vital role in making this program possible.
We are grateful to the 40+ local businesses that served as donation sites and helped make Holiday Assistance possible.
Mister Mikes Gyros
NBT - Rome & Utica
New Hartford Public Library
Nola’s of Clinton
Oneida County
Department of Comm.
Family Services
Petzotics
Remington Federal Credit Union
Rome First United Methodist Church
RT Federal Credit Union
Shook 40
Sorrento Pizzeria
Spresso’s Coffeehouse Square One
Coating
State Farm Michael Collea
Stuff the Bus
Style on Main by Nikki Marie Tanners Insurance Agency Toy for TOTS
Tucker Backyard Pools & Spas
Twin Rivers Paper Company
Woolner Family Eye Care
CCONTINUED
Holiday Assistance Shopping by the Numbers & Gratitude
Through the collective efforts of donors, community partners, and dedicated volunteers, the Connected Holiday Assistance Program supported a total of 1,576 children during Holiday Assistance Shopping this season. With an estimated $59,000 in donated toys and gifts, this milestone reflects the generosity and commitment of our community-wide network, working together to ensure students across our Connected districts experienced the joy, care, and support they deserve during the holiday season.
Holiday Assistance would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteers, who generously gave their time to sort donations, support families, and assist throughout Holiday Assistance Shopping. Their compassion and commitment helped bring this program to life
We extend our heartfelt thanks to every business, donor, volunteer, and community partner who helped make this season brighter. Your generosity continues to strengthen our mission of supporting students and families during the holidays and all year long.
Together, we are Connected
TRAINING TRAININGHighlights Highlights
Monthly Connected Partner Highlights are held virtually for staff to discover and build connections with various community partners. In December, Stephanie Markham and Diana Cassulus presented to our staff regarding what the Mid York Library has to offer. They detailed services such as the "Library of Things," through which people can borrow available items including snow shoes, games, and more! Library cards are free to apply for and can give access to the Library of Things as well as discounted museum and park passes, books, magazines, movies, and affordable in-building services like printing. They highlighted that libraries are safe spaces, resource hubs, providers of free, unfiltered computer access and paper tax forms, and hosts of free early literacy programs and events listed on the Mid-York website calendar. The Mid York Library is a great partner to our Connected schools and are eager to attend events with free books and tailored materials in Madison, Oneida, and Herkimer Counties!
