NOVEMBER 2025
CONNECTED CAMDEN NEWSLETTER TABLE OF CONTENTS Connected District Bulletin Connected Partners Collaborations & Contributions Training Highlights Initiative Wide Highlights Staff
Disco Disco SILENT SILENT
The Middle School Principal organized a special fun day for students in good academic standing, and Connected hosted a Silent Disco. Students and teachers alike enjoyed dancing and celebrating together, making it a lively and memorable event.
Tom Pillsworth from the Red Cross delivered an outstanding presentation on International Humanitarian Law to Mrs. Dacey's class.
The McConnellsville PTO hosted a movie night before Thanksgiving break. Connected participated in the event, helping create a fun, festive atmosphere. Families enjoyed popcorn and water provided by the PTO, came in their pajamas, and watched The Grinch together for a cozy evening.
The HUB hosted a Movie and Popcorn Event during 10th period, where students enjoyed watching Migration while snacking on popcorn. It was a fun, relaxing way for students to unwind and enjoy time together.
Families came to the FOC night event with Ambur from CFLR to complete the Triple P session of Building Calm Connections. While parents talked with Ambur, Val hosted a silent disco for the students who came.
Families worked with Ambur from CFLR to complete a session for Triple P. They learned about skills for helping their children with strong emotions. Val made thankful turkeys with the children that came.
Families came into Open HUB to be able to get extra groceries for the long break. Families were able to get lettuce and basil that the Middle School Agricultural Students grew. Frankie from the Camden Life Center was also there to talk to families about counseling and some different options available at the Camden Life Center.
HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES
Throughout the month of November during recess the McConnellsville Elementary Site Coordinator played catch, Four Square, Three Strikes, the Color Game, and raced with students of varying grade levels. The students really enjoyed their continued relationship with Walker and have found this time to be fun and enjoyable.
Throughout the month of November during Noon Hour the Connected Camden Elementary Site Coordinator played catch, basketball, kickball, Uno, and the Color Game with students of varying grade levels. The students have really enjoyed getting to know and working with Walker. It has allowed for them to have another Trusted Adult within the school setting.
Camden Middle School HUB Huddles are Themed the following: Mindful Monday, Trivia Tuesday, Wellness Wednesday, Thoughtful Thursday, and Free Art Friday. The students come in during their lunch periods and participate in activities when they have finished eating their lunches. Having this structure has been beneficial and the students are really enjoying their continued partnership building and working collaboratively with their peers on these different projects. The week of Veteran’s Day the students made cards for their hometown heroes!
The Camden High School HUB has been busy. Students are enjoying trivia, pictionary, and working together on a puzzle. This month, they also took part in a fun scavenger hunt for a treat before Thanksgiving Break.
COLLABORATIONS COLLABORATIONS & & d ecte Conn would den k Cam than o t e lik at ne th o y r t eve anno c e ! s! W t you help u o h t wi do it
Contributions
Contributions
The Camden Life Center came to Open HUB to talk with families about the different services they provide. The Connected Middle School FFA provided fresh lettuce and basil for Open HUB.
Connected PARTNERS PARTNERS
Connected
Family Family The Connected Families FOC had multiple families that needed help with heating this Opportunity month. Families were also able to receive help with Thanksgiving dinners. Center Center
Opportunity
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.
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.
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. There has been a major increase in the need for winter clothing. There have been multiple families that needed assistance in paying for their heating costs due to HEAP being on hold. We had multiple families in need of food boxes. We continue to work with families to ensure all of their basic needs are met; whether that’s inviting them in for different opportunities, providing them resources as appropriately and/or dropping off tangible goods to their homes, together we make it happen.
TRAINING TRAININGHighlights 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 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.
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YOUR CAMDEN ELEMENTARY & MCCONNELLSVILLE SITE COORDINATOR
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Caitl yn
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YOUR CAMDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL SITE COORDINATOR
315-985-5348 walkerk@connectedcs.org
315-983-9711 caitlyns@connectedcs.org
den ed YOUR CAMDEN HIGH SCHOOL SITE COORDINATOR
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Val ar
Kell yR
Walker K
Connected Camden Connected Camden Team Team
315-832-4898 kellyr@connectedcs.org
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
YOUR CAMDEN PROJECT MANAGER
KAELYNN BARBER
SARA SNYDER
LAUREN NEWMAN
RESILIENCY COORDINATOR
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF IMPACT
DELIVERY TEAM
NORA BAJOHR
SASHA MILLER