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Connected District Bulletin
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Initiative Wide Highlights Staff
M A Y 2 0 2 6
PREK PLANTING PREK PLANTING FLOWERS FLOWERS
Spring has blossomed in our PreK classrooms! Partners from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County visited Connected Canastota SSES and PSES to share the joy of gardening. Our youngest learners were captivated by a lovely story of how plants grow before getting their hands dirty with Ms. S, Ms. Tess, and Ms. Alyssa. Students took great pride in decorating unique planters and carefully potting flowers as heartfelt gifts for a special female in their lives in honor of Mother’s Day.
Canastota PTA and your Connected Canastota Team collaborated to host a Hawaiian Luau themed dance for Southside families. Everyone had a fantastic time dancing in the SSES gym to the lively music provided by Canastota's very own DJ, Mr. Smith! Students were able to choose a Hawaiian Luau accessory, which really added to their attire and the overall mood. Additionally, the family game room, organized by Ms. Rogan, was a huge hit. Students and families enjoyed coloring, playing various board games, giant dominos, and the ever-popular SSES favorite, Giant UNO! It was truly a memorable night filled with excitement for everyone who attended.
Ms nty visitedourConnectedCanastotaRSMSSpanishclasses HerCinco DeMayothemewasahitwiththestudents,andtheconversations withintheclassroomsregardingtheimportanceofbeingkindto ourselvesandothersweretrulymeaningfulandinspiring Itwas wonderfultoseethestudentsengagewiththemessagebywriting positivenotesandaffirmationsontheirpapertacostobeposted throughouttheschool Wegreatlyappreciatehersharinghertime andmessagewithus.
The Connected RSMS Terrific Tuesday
Huddle was filled with excitement and engaging challenges as students welcomed Ms. Jocelyn from the Canastota Public Library. Her visits continue to bring energy, laughter, and meaningful teamwork opportunities for all involved. Students enjoyed working together, sharing ideas, and taking on fun activities that sparked both creativity and connection. Each afternoon with Ms. Jocelyn is a highlight, leaving students with smiles and a strong sense of community.
RSMS LEMONADE ON THE LAWN
What a refreshing way to celebrate! Our Connected RSMS students had a fantastic time participating in the "Lemonade on the Lawn" event. The afternoon was filled with laughter and high energy as everyone enjoyed various lawn games and spirited rounds of Ga Ga Ball. This wonderful gathering was a huge success, capped off perfectly with cool cups of lemonade for all to enjoy. It was truly a delight to see the students having so much fun together!
uccess,with80 studentsstoppingbytosamplethefeaturedflavorofthe month pinklemonade!Studentsenjoyedthisrefreshing optionandarealreadylookingforwardtothenext monthlybeverageoffering
What a wonderful display of leadership! Three Canastota HS Connect 4 peer mentors visited a SSES Third Grade Classroom and led a meaningful discussion and interactive game focused on respect and kindness. The third graders were full of so many great ideas on how they can display kindness and respect! Every student received a smiley face eraser to celebrate their participation and the joy of spreading kindness.
May 4-8 was Teacher’s Appreciation Week, and our RSMS and CHS students collaborated to spread thanks with strawberry lemonade or water for faculty! It was so nice to see the smiling faces of everyone who enjoyed our thank you for all that they do for us.
Our Connected PSES peer mentees worked with their Peer Mentors to finish their Minecraft Creeper craft this month! This activity encouraged students to work collaboratively, follow instructions from their Peer Mentor, and to have patience while their peers may not have been as fast as they were to complete a step. Great job everyone!
Pantry PantryRestock Restock
Over 35 community members were able to stop in and refuel the cupboards for this month's Pantry Restock! Families were truly appreciative of this opportunity, and even were able to take home a free plant courtesy of the Canastota CSD Agriculture Class!
HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES
Our Connected PSES HUB Huddle Students were full of energy this month! Students loved taking laps around the blue room; doing jogs, skips, hops, and more after finishing their lunch for the day. It’s always nice to get some physical fun in!
The SSES HUB has become a popular destination during lunch, earning it the nickname "the VIP Room"—complete with its own waiting list! Students at SSES are demonstrating great patience as they wait for their chance to enjoy games and a meal alongside Ms. Rogan and their peers in the HUB.
Taking advantage of the beautiful weather, our RSMS HUB huddles have moved outdoors to enjoy some sunshine and fresh air! It has been wonderful to see students take a welldeserved break from their day to have fun on the playground and express their creativity with sidewalk chalk alongside their peers.
It’s fishing season in our area, and our high school students celebrated by playing Giant Go Fish! It is always exciting for the students to come together after school; enjoy an after school meal while playing a game with friends such as this.
COLLABORATIONS & COLLABORATIONS & COLLABORATIONS &
C
Reality Check
CCE of Chenango County
CCE of Oneida County
CCE of Madison County
Canastota Recreation Commission
Canastota Village Administrator
Canastota DPW
Canastota Village Clerk
Canastota Police Dept
Canastota Fire Dept
Canastota Mayor
Canastota Swimming Commission
M & T Bank Canastota
TTrends rendsTrends
US Marine Corps
NBT Bank
CAP of Madison County
Healthy Alliance
Madison County Transportation
Your Nuhorizons
Canastota Library
Keller Williams Realty
Hancock Estabrook LLP
Madison County Working Solutions
JF Real Estate
Catholic Charities
Turner Construction Co.
Launching Point GLAS
Madison County Cadets
Morehouse Appliances
NYS Police
NYS DOT
Connected Canastotawould liketothank everyonethathelps! Wecannotdoit withoutyou!
Jr. Chamber of Commerce/Center for Innovative Learning
Thesummerseasonishere,andthatmeansit’ w clothesduringthisseasonthatfeelandfitcomfo ere Connectedcomesin!ConnectedCanastotahassupportedseveralfamilieseitherthroughourHUBorthrough communityconnectionswiththisneed;providingthemwithnewshorts,t-shirts,andmore Welovetohelpour familiesstaycoolduringourwarmesttimeoftheyear,andwelookforwardtocontinuingtohelpoverthecourse ofthesummerseason.
August 13th
6 - 8 PM
TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING
Connected Partner Highlight: Legal Aid
As part of our May Connected Partner Highlight, we welcomed Olivia Furman and Linda Lark from Legal Aid Society to share information about the valuable services their organization provides to individuals and families in our community. They explained the intake and screening process and discussed the wide range of civil legal matters they assist with, including evictions, landlord-tenant disputes, access to healthcare, green card renewals, estate planning, divorce and family law issues, and foreclosure prevention. They also highlighted their partnership with the Office for the Aging and emphasized that their services focus exclusively on civil matters rather than criminal cases. The presentation provided staff with a greater understanding of available legal resources and how Legal Aid can help connect community members with support during challenging situations.
May All Staff Meeting Focuses on Family Engagement and Community Partnerships
During the May All Staff meeting, Connected team members participated in breakout sessions centered on strengthening family engagement strategies across our districts and communities. Staff had the opportunity to collaborate, share successful practices, and explore new ways to build meaningful connections with students and families. The meeting also featured a presentation from Sleep in Heavenly Peace, which highlighted the organization's mission of ensuring that every child has a safe and comfortable place to sleep. Their presentation provided valuable insight into the impact of community partnerships and the resources available to support local families. The meeting served as an opportunity for professional growth, collaboration, and continued commitment to supporting the whole child and family
Strengthening the Future: Insights from the New York
State Education Department Portrait of a Graduate Conference
Connected Herkimer Project Manager Shae recently participated in the Exploring New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Portrait of a Graduate conference, a collaborative forum focused on integrating key student attributes into educational practice. The conference provided a deeper understanding of the six core competencies outlined in the Portrait of a Graduate framework and highlighted the vital role community schools play in supporting this statewide vision.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in meaningful discussions about current district efforts and explored innovative opportunities for future growth. The experience reinforced that the Connected HUB serves as a natural environment for fostering these competencies by strengthening student-community connections, promoting engagement, and supporting collaborative partnerships.
Shae returned with valuable resources, fresh ideas, and practical strategies to build upon the work already taking place across the Connected Initiative. These insights will be shared with both Connected Districts and to further enhance programming and support for students and families.
Strengthening Our Impact Through Statewide Collaboration
Connected Rome Senior Site Coordinator Katherine Fountain attended the Empower Youth Success Conference. It provided an opportunity to connect with professionals from across New York State, and engage in meaningful networking and learning. There were two very impactful sessions that she has committed to sharing with the Connected Initiative. Am I Welcome? Setting the Course for Impactful Parent Engagement offered valuable insight into the shared challenges and successes of increasing family involvement, while Every Day Matters: Our Path to Better Attendance was especially impactful because improving attendance has been a goal of mine at Gansevoort for several years.The session Learning about the Walking Bus as an initiative was also inspiring—that team shared how they walked routes before school started to determine timing, worked closely with their insurance company to address liability concerns, and secured donations for winter gear and snacks to support participating students. Overall, this conference was beneficial. It refreshed our thinking, reinforced the value of collaboration, and highlighted the importance of providing Connected staff with opportunities to learn from and connect with others doing this work across the state.
Learning Together: Connected Initiative Joins the American Federation of
Teachers Community Schools Intensive in Long Beach
We would also like to recognize and thank the Rome CSD Administration team members who joined us at the National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference. Their participation demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing the Connected Community Schools Initiative and strengthening the district's vision for student success. Together, we presented on the Connected Community Schools Initiative and engaged in an afternoon of strategic planning focused on developing an action plan for the 2026–2027 school year.
A key priority identified by the leadership team is the continued alignment of the Community Schools framework with district priorities, including Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), the New York State Portrait of a Graduate, school safety initiatives, and other strategic goals. We are grateful for the leadership and collaboration of Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Jennifer DePerno, Director of Elementary Education Dana Benzo, Director of Secondary Education Melissa Sisco, Bellamy Elementary Assistant Principal Joanne Lalonde, and Gansevoort Elementary Dean John Seifts, whose participation helped make this experience both productive and impactful.
The Connected Initiative was honored to join the American Federation of Teachers for their two Day Community Schools Intensive retreat, held in Long Beach, CA The Connected Team collaborated with over 20 different Community Schools leaders from across the United States We shared our successes, and learned strategies implemented by others to enhance family engagement, support students, families, and staff in preparing to engage in education, and deliver on the Community Schools mission of ensuring all stakeholders collaborate for student success
The Connected Team joined Community Schools team members from across the United States at the Community Schools X Family Engagement National Conference in Long Beach, CA. The team divided and conquered the wide selection of intensive workshops, covering topics from Multi-Tiered System of Supports integration. to family engagement, and workforce development to name a few. The three day conference also provided the opportunity to see Los Angeles consolidated schools in action during site visits, and a plenary opening featuring both local California school leaders and students sharing their experience utilizing the host of strategies guided by the community schools framework This was an amazing opportunity to learn from others doing similar work, and to share our experiences with peers We are excited to bring back what we learned to add to our community schools toolkit
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) - Mohawk Valley 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.
O N T H E R O U T E : L E A R N I N G
S A F E T Y W I T H T H E R I D E F
M I S S I N G C H I L D R E NM O H AW K VA L L E Y
Students across Willard Prior Elementary School, Westmoreland Primary Elementary School, Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High School, N.A. Walbran Elementary School, and Jefferson Elementary School recently participated in The Ride for Missing Children - Mohawk Valley route presentations. Each session introduced students to the mission and highlighted the importance of community involvement in promoting child safety awareness.
Through interactive, age-appropriate discussions, students explored essential safety topics including bike safety, online safety, and personal safety skills. Younger students at Willard Prior engaged in a “Safety Superpowers” presentation focused on building confidence in making safe choices, while older students at Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High School participated in discussions tailored to their increased independence and responsibilities.
Across all schools, students learned how their communities support child safety efforts and gained excitement for the Ride’s upcoming passage through the area in June.
As part of Bike Safety Week at Ridge Mills
Elementary, students participated in a highenergy presentation focused on safe and confident riding skills. Students learned to check their “Bike ABCs” (air, brakes, and chains) before riding, practiced hand signals, discussed helmet safety and visibility, and explored the importance of staying aware of their surroundings. Interactive activities, including a “Spot the Hazard” game, helped reinforce important lessons while keeping students actively engaged throughout the presentation.
Students across Ridge Mills Elementary, Mount Markham Central School, Denti Elementary School, and Adirondack Jr./Sr. High School participated in engaging lunchtime HUB Huddles focused on personal safety, bike safety, and building confidence in everyday decision-making.
Across all buildings, students explored the 4 Rules of Personal
Safety, with an emphasis on identifying trusted adults, supporting one another, and understanding how to stay safe in a variety of situations. Ridge Mills students connected the discussion to their upcoming Bike Safety Week, while Mount Markham students reflected on personal strengths and the tools they can use to care for themselves and others in alignment with The Ride for Missing Children- Mohawk Valley’s mission.
At Denti Elementary, students engaged in interactive safety stations featuring hands-on activities such as puzzles, coloring, and word games, while Adirondack Jr./Sr. High School students participated in age-appropriate discussions and scenarios focused on communication, decision-making, and maintaining safe connections as they grow older.
Together, these HUB Huddles provided students with meaningful, developmentally appropriate opportunities to strengthen safety awareness in a supportive and engaging environment.
Students at Myles Elementary School participated in a full day of engaging safety education activities focused on bike safety, personal safety, and online safety. Throughout the day, students practiced important personal safety skills, participated in interactive discussions, and reinforced lessons through games and activities, including a lively round of Bike Safety Jeopardy during lunchtime HUB Huddles. The enthusiasm and participation from students and staff created an exciting and encouraging learning environment centered around confidence, awareness, and community support.
Fifth and sixth grade students at Adirondack Middle School participated in a Netsmartz internet safety presentation focused on helping students make safe and responsible choices online. Topics included protecting personal information, recognizing inappropriate online behavior, understanding cyberbullying, and learning how to be an upstander for others in digital spaces. Students engaged in important conversations about navigating technology safely and respectfully.
