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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

Connected District Bulletin

Connected Partners

Collaborations & Contributions

Training Highlights

Initiative Wide Highlights Staff

TAKE DOWN TOBACCO DAY

The Connected Canastota Take Down Tobacco Day was a great success, providing students with a fun and interactive way to learn about the dangers of tobacco use and the tactics often used to target youth. During the activity, students were challenged to “take down the tobacco industry” by tossing bean bags at obstacles representing different marketing strategies aimed at young people. Students had a blast participating while also gaining valuable knowledge about making healthy choices and resisting peer and media influences. Events like this help promote awareness, prevention, and positive decision-making among students in an engaging and memorable way.

M A D I S O N C

Madison County School Resource Officer Ken worked with Lieutenant Feola to stop by and chat with kids about the importance of bike safety! Students were able to hear why it’s important to wear a helmet, use a cross walk when crossing the road, and more. Connected Canastota was able to secure bikes as examples for this presentation.

Agriculture in the classroom

studentsenjoyedahands-onlearningexperience withMs.SfromCornellCooperativeExtension (CCE)AgricultureintheClassroomofMadison County!Theactivity,"FarminginaGlove," taughtstudentsaboutthelifecyclesofdifferent plantsandwhereplantbasedfoodcomesfrom. Studentsplantedvariousseedsinsideaplastic glovetotakehometowatchtheamazing germinationprocess.Thelessonconcludedwith atastysnackofcottagecheese!

Connected Canastota Roberts Street Middle School students had a blast exploring the science behind making ice cream! Ms. Tess from Madison County Cornell Cooperative Extension guided students through the exciting scientific process of transforming half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla into homemade ice cream. This hands-on activity combined learning and fun, allowing students to explore science concepts in an engaging and memorable way while enjoying a delicious treat at the end. Experiences like this help foster curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning through interactive educational opportunities.

Canastota HS Connect 4 students participated in a fun and creative “Favorite Animal” activity this month that encouraged communication, teamwork, and self-expression. Students partnered together to share their favorite animal and explain why they chose it before using clay to create their partner’s animal. Creations included everything from jellyfish and snakes to dinosaurs, showcasing students’ creativity and imagination. Activities like this help strengthen peer connections while building listening, collaboration, and creative thinking skills in an engaging and supportive environment.

Roberts Street Middle School Connect 4 began to meet their Peer Mentees this month! What better way to build teamwork together than by participating in a blindfolded obstacle course! Students were tasked with supporting one another through the cafeteria to find a marker and return it to the bin before other teams. This activity is geared to strengthen active listening and effective vocal communication skills.

Connect 4 Peer Mentoring is in full swing at Peterboro Street Elementary School! Our Canastota High School Peer Mentors love visiting each week, especially to share a nice visit with their PSES friends. What a great way to chat and learn more about one another!

Pantry PantryRestock Restock

April’s Pantry Restock was a success, providing community members with the opportunity to access and restock essential grocery items for their households. Events like this help support families by increasing access to important resources while strengthening community connections and promoting food security for those in need.

HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES

Connected PSES Lunch Buddies enjoy ending their lunch period on a fun and energetic note by dancing together. It is a great way for students to get active after a meal, build positive peer connections, and share a joyful, welcoming space with friends. The creativity and enthusiasm on the dance floor are always on full display, making this a favorite part of the day for many students.

Connected students at SSES have been enjoying fun and engaging bonding activities in the HUB. They have been spending time together playing simple icebreaker games such as “Two Truths and a Lie” and “Would You Rather,” which have provided a great opportunity to connect, build relationships, and share lots of laughter. Students especially enjoyed the imaginative “Would You Rather” questions involving mythical creatures as pets and trying unusual foods, sparking creativity and conversation throughout the group.

Excitement has been high at Connected RSMS as students have been enjoying friendly competition through the game Bop It! It has been fun to watch them challenge one another, test their reaction skills, and compete for the top score. It is wonderful to see students so engaged, having fun, and enjoying positive competition within the HUB.

This month’s featured game for CHS students was Giant Go Fish, bringing excitement, strategy, and plenty of laughs to the HUB. Students put their powers of observation and perception to the test as they worked to figure out which cards their peers were holding. It was great to see their engagement and teamwork in action, with big smiles all around each time a matching pair was found.

Connected Connected Connected

Madison County Mental health continues to accept new students to visit Nyka in the satellite clinic. Visit your counselor if you are interested in this resource!

COLLABORATIONS & COLLABORATIONS & COLLABORATIONS &

Connected Canastotawould liketothank everyonethathelps! Wecannotdoit withoutyou! Reality Check CCE of Madison County Canastota Library ENGAGE Foundation PSES/SSES PTA

Catholic Charities Valley Dental EyeCare Center of Camden ADHD & Autism Psychological Services and Advocacy PLLC

DidyouknowthatyourConnectedTeamcanhel ,and partofthatteamistheCentralNewYorkHealth any initialformstopairyouwiththishelpfulresource py g ps withmedicalprofessionals,theschool,andmore!ReachouttoyourConnectedTeamtoseeifyoumayqualify today

TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING

Building Financial Wellness with First Source Federal Credit Union

Deb and Rachel from First Source Federal Credit Union led an engaging Partner Highlight training focused on Community Financial Education and Wellness. They shared valuable information about the programs they offer to support financial literacy and life-ready skills, including two interactive online platforms—Banzai! and Enrich—which provide students with hands-on learning experiences around budgeting, saving, and realworld financial decisionmaking.

They also highlighted the Reality Fair, an immersive event that allows participants to step into real-life scenarios and practice managing expenses and financial responsibilities. The session provided meaningful insight into the tools available to support student learning and empowerment around financial wellness.

Building Stronger Communities Through Purpose and Passion

Nonprofit organizations are not meant to serve as temporary solutions, but as long-term, sustainable supports that strengthen communities for years to come. Through care, consistency, trust-building, and meaningful connections, nonprofit leaders continue to address real challenges while creating vibrant and supportive environments for all. Attending the NYS Council of Nonprofits Summit was another inspiring opportunity to learn, collaborate, and be energized alongside passionate nonprofit leaders who share the same commitment to making a lasting difference in their communities.

Honoring Advocacy During National Child Abuse Prevention Month

During National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, members of our Administrative Team had the honor of attending the Child Abuse Prevention Breakfast hosted by the Oneida County Department of Children and Family Services. The event highlighted the importance of community collaboration, advocacy, and continued efforts to support the safety and well-being of children and families. It was an inspiring opportunity to stand alongside community leaders and organizations dedicated to creating brighter, safer futures for children throughout our region.

Mobile Resources Roll In: Fidelis Community Office RV at the Connected Impact Center

On April 24th, the Fidelis Community Office RV parked in front of the Connected Impact Center, providing an accessible and welcoming space for students and families to learn more about available health insurance options and community resources. Staff on-site offered guidance, answered questions, and supported individuals in navigating important coverage information. The visit helped strengthen community connections and ensured that attendees had access to valuable tools and information to support their health and well-being.

Connected Purple Flamingo Thrift & Gift Grand Opening and Vendor Fair

Connected Purple Flamingo Thrift & Gift will celebrate its Grand Opening by welcoming students, staff, and community members into a unique space focused on creativity, connection, and opportunity. The shop features a variety of thrifted treasures, gifts, and student-supported initiatives while promoting community engagement and hands-on experiences. Community members are also invited to attend the upcoming Vendor Fair, where local vendors and organizations will come together to showcase products, services, and resources. It promises to be a fun-filled event supporting local businesses and community partnerships.

W H O A R E W E A N D W H AT D O W E D O ?

The Ride for Missing Children (RFMC) is a community-driven organization dedicated to the prevention of child abduction and exploitation. While our mission is famously represented by our annual bicycle ride, our impact continues year-round through our dedicated Community Education program. In partnership with Connected Community Schools, we provide students and families with practical personal safety strategies, empowering the next generation with the tools they need to stay safe both online and in their everyday lives.

I N G C H I L D S A F E

Community Educator, Amanda, participated in radio interviews with WIBX “This Week in the Mohawk Valley” and WUTQ “Talk of the Town” to highlight the mission of The Ride for Missing Children and to promote child safety education throughout the Mohawk Valley. These outreach efforts help raise awareness, engage the community in meaningful conversation, and reinforce the importance of keeping children safe. P R O M O T

Interactive safety presentations were conducted in three Connected Bellamy 4th-grade classrooms (Ms. Martin/Ms. Bonanza, Mr. Mahardy, and Ms. Sabia), where students learned important bike safety protocols, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) “4 Rules of Personal Safety” (Check First, Take a Friend, Tell People No, and Tell a Trusted Adult), and key digital citizenship skills. A follow-up visit to Bellamy Elementary provided a second round of classroom presentations, continuing the “4 Rules of Personal Safety” curriculum to reinforce and ensure consistent safety messaging across 4th–6th grade levels.

HUB Huddles were held across John Joy, Ridge Mills, and Stokes Elementary, bringing important safety education directly to students during lunchtime. At John Joy, students participated in a cafeteria HUB Huddle focused on the Ride for Missing Children and general safety awareness, engaging in meaningful conversations about prevention while eating lunch. At Ridge Mills, discussions centered on bike and neighborhood safety, empowering students to take responsibility for their own safety both in their community and while riding. At Stokes, students completed interactive activity sheets that supported lessons on personal safety and interpersonal boundaries, including identifying trusted adults, practicing how to say “no,” and learning strategies to stay in control of their personal safety.

HUB Huddles were held across three elementary schools—John Joy, Ridge Mills, and Stokes—bringing important safety conversations directly to students during lunchtime. At John Joy, students participated in a cafeteria HUB Huddle where discussions focused on the Ride for Missing Children and general safety awareness, helping to engage students in preventative education in a relaxed, welcoming setting. At Ridge Mills, students chatted about bike and neighborhood safety, with a focus on empowering them to take charge of their own safety both on their bikes and within their community. At Stokes, students took part in an interactive HUB Huddle using activity sheets to explore personal safety and interpersonal boundaries, practicing how to identify trusted adults, say “no” when needed, and stay in control of their personal safety.

The Community Educator for the Ride for Missing Children was excited to participate in the local “Touch-A-Truck” event, where safety resources were shared with attending families and community members. Staff engaged with participants to raise awareness of missing children initiatives and highlight local safety programming, providing an opportunity for meaningful community connection and education in a family-friendly setting.