Canastota- October 2025 - Newsletter by connected_community

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C O N N E C T E D

C A N A S T O T A N E W S L E T T E R

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

Fall Fall Festival Festival

The 2025 Fall Fest was a hit! Over 200 visitors stopped in for the classic haunted bus, practiced spraying the fire hose with the fire department, threw axes with the Canastota Recreation Department, and more. Over 15 community partners were able to stop in to be a part of this wonderful evening. We can’t wait to see everyone again soon!

Ms. Marina from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County visited RSMS and PSES to lead fun and interactive Terrific Tuesday lessons on gratitude. Students in K–2 and upper grades each received a “gift” that might normally be considered unwanted—a broken slinky or a gum wrapper—and were challenged to find something positive about it. Between giggles and creative thinking, students complimented the items, came up with new uses, and showed just how grateful they can be, turning ordinary objects into lessons in appreciation and creativity.

ThismonthwasthedebutofournewstapleinCHS,Water Wednesday!

Ms CarolfromCCEofChenangoCountystoppedinwith cucumberbasilwater,withproducestraightfromagarden. Studentswereabletobebraveandtryanewbeverage,with Themajoritystatedthattheyenjoyedthisfreshtaste Thankyou forvisitingMs.Carol!

Firefighter Chris visited our PSES friends to talk about fire safety! He stressed the importance of an escape plan, while also showing students what a fully dressed fireman looks like so that can see them first hand and know that they are safe. The students enjoyed seeing a local hero, and enjoyed learning more about this topic!

Students at both SSES and RSMS enjoyed engaging agriculture lessons from Tess Southern, a classroom educator with CCE Madison County Agriculture. At SSES, Tess led a hands-on “Farm Web” activity where students, with help from their teachers and Site Coordinator Ms. Rogan, worked together to connect the many parts of agriculture before reviewing their web and enjoying a dairy treat. At RSMS, Tess delivered an “apple-solutely” amazing lesson on apples and global food production—sharing fun facts, including that only about 11% of Earth’s land is used to grow food. Students wrapped up the session by snacking on apples and reviewing what they learned.

Canastota Club Fair

Recruiting has begun for new Peer Mentors and Mentees! Several students have signed up to date, and their friends all took applications home. We look forward to starting training in November!

PantryRestock

October’s Pantry Restock was able to supply families with essential food items from the HUB! Families were able to check in, talk with the district PM, and collect food all in one visit. We look forward to continuing to provide this resource for those in need of it.

HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES

PSES students always look forward to Mondays with Mr. Will, where we stay as active as we can! We’ve played games such as soccer, football, and even duck duck goose to date. It’s great to keep moving while the weather is nice, and it’s always fun to make new friends while playing such an exciting game. Teamwork truly is the dreamwork.

South Side HUB is a hopping place! Students and Ms Rogan have been having a fun time playing games like color hop and Sculpt it. Students always make sure to check in and get on the schedule for their visit to one of their favorite places in school. The HUB provides a location where the students can work together with their peers with whatever hurdle is placed in front of them.

RSMS Students enjoy their time in the HUB! This welcoming space was designed perfectly for our middle schoolers to gather, connect, learn, play games and have fun together. Students visit in bunches to take advantage of a more intimate setting to socialize with their peers, and it’s been so exciting to watch new friendships blossom within this space.

Connected Canastotawou

liketothank everyonethathel Wecannotdoit withoutyou!

COLLABORATIONS

& COLLABORATIONS & Contributions Contributions

Reality Check

Canastota FD

Madison County Sheriff’s Office

Madison County Public Health

Madison County VOAD

Canastota Library

CCE of Chenango County

CCE of Madison County

CCE of Oneida County

PSES/SSES PTA

Canastota Recreation Commission

Connected Connected

YMCA

BRIDGES

ASPIRE NY

CAP of Madison County

Canal Town Optical

PARTNERS PARTNERS

Madison County Mental Health’s Satellite Clinic continues to have a jam packed list of students taking advantage of their services. We continue to offer support where our paths intertwine to best support students in the Canastota School District.

LINK LINKTrendsTrends

Theseasonofchangeisuponus,andtheweatherischangingwithit.Coldtemperatureshavequicklyapproached, leadingtoourstudentsbundlingupinordertocontinuetobesuccessfulwiththeireducation.Severalofourrecent LINKshavehighlightedthis,asrequestsforwinterclothinghavetakenasharpincrease SiteCoordinatorDenise RoganandProjectManagerWillLamonthavecontinuedtotakeactionassoonaspossibletofulfilltheseneeds, providingseveralwinterclothingitemstofamilies.Welookforwardtocontinuingtokeepstudentswarmasthe winterseasonapproaches,andwecontinuetosupportourCanastotafamiliesinthisneed

WiththedateofNovember1stbeingwhenSNAPbenefitswillstop,yourConnectedTeamisreadyandwillingto assistwithanyfamiliesthatarefacedwithfoodinsecurities Thestaffcontinuetominethecommunityforlocal foodpantriesandadditionalresourcestoassistthemwhenworkingwithfamilies.OurHUBSarefullofpantryitems andfrozenfood WeencouragethestaffandfamiliestosubmitaLINKreferralifthereisaneedandwewilladdress andworkwiththefamiliestoensuretheirbasicneedsaremet.

CABVI

TRAINING TRAINING

Bruce Brodsky with the Utica Dollars for Scholars came to our October all-staff meeting in Rome to share with staff the scholarship opportunities available to many of the students we serve. The application for Utica Dollars for Scholars is open now through March of 2026 for students in Herkimer and Oneida Counties looking for funding for higher education. Bruce identified that they want to get the word out to students and not only ensure they are aware of the opportunity, but also get support to follow through the full application process, as many start their application but don’t finish it The presentation was very insightful for our staff who support high school students in the Herkimer and Oneica Counties, and hopefully we can get those students connected to the scholarship opportunities available.

Monthly Connected Partner Highlights are held virtually throughout the school year for staff to discover and build connections with various community partners In the month of October, we had three different agencies present on some services they offer, including OnPoint for College, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Neighborhood Center’s COMHPS program.

Partner Highlights

Earlier in the month, Anny Guerrero-Brown provided an overview of OnPoint for College, detailing its expansion beyond college access and success to include support for certificate programs, licenses, and trades, serving students in Herkimer, Madison, Onondaga, and Cayuga counties with broad eligibility criteria and individualized support across college access, college success, and career services. Jennifer Engram elaborated on career services, including advising, workshops, and internship opportunities. Anny concluded by emphasizing OnPoint for College's holistic, free, and continuous support, focusing on removing barriers to education and building strong relationships with students

Lisa McCarthy provided an overview of the Alzheimer's Association, discussing the financial and caregiving impact of dementia, the association's funding and research efforts, various types of dementia, warning signs, and strategies for brain health and prevention The Alzheimer’s Association is available to table at any events where we may want to share information on dementia and Alzheimer's support.

Paul Ukena introduced The Neighborhood Center's OMH grant-funded COMHPS (Community Mental Health Promotion and Support) program, outlining its focus on community mental health promotion and support, the Neighborhood Center's broader services, and the program's activities, including outreach, referrals, and emotional support, emphasizing its free and short-term nature The COMHPS program offers Classroom Programming opportunities including interactive tabling and group content delivery using different activities to allow participants to express their creativity while promoting mental well-being. The program is available in Oneida County, so if you are interested in bringing them into your classroom, contact your Site Coordinator!

INITIATIVE WIDE INITIATIVE WIDE

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.

Connected Community Schools is kicking off the Connected Food Drive to help ensure families in our community have access to nutritious food this season. With the support of generous donors and community members, we aim to make a meaningful impact for local families in need.

Donations of non-perishable food items can be dropped off at any Connected Community Schools site or at our main office at 207 North James Street, Rome, NY. Monetary contributions can also be made online at https://connectedcommunityschools.org/donate-2/.

Every gift helps nourish children and families across our community.