FEBRUARY 2026
CONNECTED CAMDEN NEWSLETTER TABLE OF CONTENTS Connected District Bulletin Connected Partners
CAMDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL
SILENT DISCO
Collaborations & Contributions Training Highlights Initiative Wide Highlights Staff
Over winter break, the Connected Camden Team hosted a Silent Disco Event, giving families a chance to come together for a night of fun and movement. Participants enjoyed large games and danced to their favorite music, creating a lively and memorable experience. Events like this are important because they bring families together, strengthen community connections, and encourage active, healthy play in a fun, inclusive environment.
The Connected Site Coordinator brought large games to the cafeteria and joined in the fun with both students and teachers during a reward day organized by the faculty for eligible students. The event was a great opportunity to celebrate student achievements, encourage positive engagement, and foster connections between staff and students.
TRIVIA & GAMES
AT THE AT THE MCCONNELLSVILLE MCCONNELLSVILLE PTO PTO MEETING MEETING
While parents attended the PTO meeting, children enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon playing Jeopardy and Pictionary, and sharing snacks with their friends. The activity provided a great opportunity for students to connect, play, and socialize in a safe and engaging environment.
Students who visited the Connected Station at Winter Fest had a blast playing with bubbles, competing in Giant Connect-Four, and taking part in a scavenger hunt with prizes. The activities provided a fun and engaging way for students to connect, play, and celebrate the season.
Your Connected Site Coordinator helped make McConnellville Elementary’s Valentine’s Day Dance a memorable event. Students were welcomed with festive music, colorful Valentine’s decorations, and a photo area to capture fun memories of the celebration.
BEDTIME ROUTINES CONNECTED FAMILIES FOC
BEDTIME ROUTINES Making bedtime a dream
Camden families joined Ambur from CFLR and Connected Project Manager Valarie to learn about healthy bedtime routines. Parents participated in Triple P Training on Bedtime Basics with Ambur, while children created their own bedtime checklists with Valarie to help guide and improve their nightly routines. The event provided families with practical tools to make bedtime smoother and more consistent for everyone.
Families visited the February Open HUB to pick up extra groceries for the long break. They were also able to enjoy fresh lettuce grown by the Middle School Agricultural Students, making this a great opportunity to access healthy, locally grown produce while supporting student initiatives.
HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES
During February, students enjoyed a variety of games during recess, including Hot Potato, PIG, Guess the Word, The Color Game, and Red Light, Green Light. These activities encouraged friendly competition, teamwork, and active play, making recess a fun and engaging time for all.
Camden Middle School HUB was filled with so much love and compassion this month! The students enjoyed Valentine’s Bingo, Valentine’s Day Trivia, cooperative games in small groups, Free Art Fridays, Wellness Wednesdays and as always they are working on their relationships with their peers and increasing communication with each other and adults to foster positive and healthy relationships.
The Camden High School HUB had fun making a kindness chain. Students took turns writing kind messages to be hung in the HUB. The students were also excited to get a new game called Hues and Cues. A vibrant, award-winning party game for 3-10 players, focusing on color-based communication and deduction. Players use one or two-word clues to describe specific colors from 480 options on a board, with the goal of having others place their markers closest to the target shade.
COLLABORATIONS COLLABORATIONS & & cted Conne ld n wou Camde thank like to t ne tha everyo nnot We ca ! s lp e h you! ithout do it w
Rebecca Ouelette Dave Stoelzel McConnellsville Fire Department George Mudrie
Contributions
Contributions
Connected PARTNERS PARTNERS
Connected Family Opportunity Opportunity Center Center Family
Family Opportunity Centers (FOCs) connect families with programs and resources that help build protective factors and support children in thriving both at home and at school. Through strong partnerships with parents, FOCs promote family engagement and empower caregivers to make informed choices that strengthen their families. The FOC team works to connect families with direct resources or community referrals, support caregivers in their roles, and foster informal networks that build stronger family connections. The Camden Family Opportunity Center continues to work closely with families to address essential needs, including assistance related to housing stability, heating costs, and other basic supports. When appropriate, families also receive additional direct assistance with essential items and transportation needs. In February, four families were successfully connected with services to help address their immediate needs. Camden families also participated in a learning opportunity focused on healthy bedtime routines. Parents worked with Ambur from CFLR to complete Triple P’s Bedtime Basics training, while Valarie engaged children in creating personalized bedtime checklists to help support consistent nighttime routines at home.
Ambur continues to visit the High School HUB to work with students during their lunch periods. She also partners with Val from FOC to co-facilitate the Triple P Parenting Classes, providing families with valuable tools and support to strengthen parenting skills and family relationships. 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. Your Connected Team continues to work with families to help streamline the process in ensuring paperwork is completed appropriately so that services can begin in a timely fashion.
Connected PARTNERS PARTNERS
Connected
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 10am2pm, or by scheduled appointments. Need to make a LINK referral? Click here to get started. This month, our middle and high school resiliency students are stepping into the new year with purpose and intention. They are setting personal goals, identifying new skills to master, and looking ahead to a year full of growth, learning, and fresh accomplishments.
Trends
Trends
During February, there has been an increased need for extra groceries, and the team has continued to welcome families into the HUB to access additional supplies. Families are also provided with information about community resources where they can receive further food support if needed. In addition, the team has assisted families with appliances, problem-solving to ensure households have essential items. Several mental health referrals were made this month, with guidance, support, and connections provided to community partners within the Camden area.
UPCOMING UPCOMINGEvents Events Shamrock Shake Making March 17
th
Camden Middle School During Lunches
Leprechaun Scavenger Hunt March 17th Camden High School During Lunches
UPCOMING UPCOMINGEvents Events
Ping Pong Palooza March 17th Camden Middle School During Lunches
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.
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YOUR CAMDEN ELEMENTARY & MCCONNELLSVILLE SITE COORDINATOR
Caitl yn
Walker K
Connected Camden Connected Camden Team Team ler u h Sc
YOUR CAMDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL SITE COORDINATOR
315-985-5348 walkerk@connectedcs.org
udrie M ie
315-983-9711 caitlyns@connectedcs.org
Val ar
YOUR CAMDEN PROJECT MANAGER 315- 271-8780 valariem@connectedcs.org
COLLEEN MATTHEWS
KELLEY BENNETT
DIVISONAL DIRECTOR OF CONNECTED COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF COUNTY PROGRAMS
CENTRAL HUB TEAM
ALEXIS TOWNE
RAIN RIDGNER
KALI FOUNTAIN
KAELYNN BARBER
SARA SNYDER
LAUREN NEWMAN
RESILIENCY COORDINATOR
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF IMPACT
DELIVERY TEAM
NORA BAJOHR
DUSTIN TROTZ