DECEMBER 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Such A Cozy Community
We kicked off December with an invite to support our district families at the Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency’s Cozy Community Event. On Saturday, December 6 , we spent the day at the Dolgeville Fire House, connecting with families about all the resources being a part of a connected district provides. We also made fun pipe cleaner ornaments together with our little friends! It was a great connected community day! th
Ms. Nicole Meyers from Herkimer Working Solutions visited our Dolgeville Connected School this December. The topic for this visit was centered around job interviews, skills, tips and techniques.
Mr. Kevin Morales came back to DCS to connect with our middle and high school gentleman about participating in the next section of The Council programming. He chatted with students about the program and handed out consents if they were interested.
This month during our First Source Programming our students learned all about credit! What is credit, why do I need it, and how do I build my credit score? Ms. Rachel and Ms. Deb, shared so much valuable information to our students to send them out into the world well-prepared!
HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES
This month we had several lunch huddles for both elementary and highschool friends Students enjoy eating their lunch in the HUB,, and playing UNO and puzzles together.
UPCOMING UPCOMING
Events Events
JANUARY
1/7- MS. WENDY WITH PRE-K ANIMAL OR PLANT LESSION AND 5TH GRADE MYSTERY BOX LESSON 1/16-MARINA BRIDGHAM FOR CHILD CARE COUNCIL-LESSON ON SELF CARE 1/13TH-WORKING SOLUTIONS PROGRAMMING-WORKPLACE ETIQUETTE 1/27 FIRST SOURCE PROGRAMMING-WHAT ARE TAXES? WHAT DO I DO? 1/29-MS. BRITTANY AND XENA THERAPY DOG VISIT
Connected Connected
Joanne Zilkowski
Family School Navigator
Phone:315-429-3155 x 1801
Text: 315-880-0553
Our mission is to unite families, schools, and community resources to prepare children to reach their full potential in school and life. We assist children ages 0-12 and their families by identifying and addressing any barriers to learning.
Our Liberty Partnership Project currently supports 25 students!
Madison Bennett Marriage and Family Therapist 628 Mary Street Utica NY 13501 315-272-2748
Neighborhood Center provides on site mental health support. There are currently 43 students referred to the satellite clinic.
Eva S. Fuess Student and Family Advocate SUNY Research Foundation Hilltop 235 315-792-7340
The Liberty Partnerships Program was established in 1988 under Section 612 Subdivision 6 of Education Law to address the significant dropout rate and promote positive outcomes of post-graduation among New York State Youth One of 52 collegiate programs, SUNY Polytechnic Institute was awarded the Liberty Partnership Program Grant in Fall of 2022 The SUNY Poly Liberty Partnership Program team strives to provide academic support, career and employment preparation as well as social emotional skill building for 5th-12th grade students within six Herkimer County school districts: Central Valley, Dolgeville, Frankfort-Schuyler, Herkimer, Little Falls, and Mount Markham
One of 52 collegiate programs, SUNY Polytechnic Institute was awarded the Liberty Partnership Program Grant in Fall of 2022. The SUNY Poly Liberty Partnership Program team strives to provide academic support, career and employment preparation as well as social emotional skill building for 5th-12th grade students within six Herkimer County school districts: Central Valley, Dolgeville, Frankfort-Schuyler, Herkimer, Little Falls, and Mount Markham
The SUNY Polytechnic Institute Liberty Partnerships Program currently serves over 200 students providing a series of engaging and supportive programs to aid in individual goal achievement and positive outcomes Supports and Services include: Individual Academic Support Meetings Social Emotional Assessments Personalized Learning Plans Career Exploration Employment Preparation School-based academic support programs Summer Programs
Herkimer County has teamed up with Connected Community Schools as part of the Herkimer County System of Care Initiative in order to provide Mental Health support and connections to Herkimer County Youth. The Youth Ambassador Coordinator will work with school administration, school staff and Connected Community Schools staff to identify students who could benefit from serving as an ambassador within their school district and community. The Youth Ambassador Coordinator will organize and facilitate Youth Ambassador Councils across Herkimer County School districts and within the community. Monthly meetings will be held in order to organize and implement activities, events and programming related to Mental Health support and awareness. Youth Ambassadors may also have opportunities to coordinate with Youth Ambassador Councils across Herkimer County including the Annual Youth Summit.
In December, Katie Baker, our Youth Ambassador Coordinator, supported Holiday Assistance efforts in Herkimer County and in Rome during our Initiative-wide event. Her dedication helped provide holiday cheer and meaningful support to students and families throughout our communities.
Mother Daughter Circle will begin on Monday, February 2 at the Central Valley Academy Connected HUB and continue for eight Mondays from 4:30–5:30 p.m. We welcome families of Connected Central Valley, Dolgeville, Herkimer, and Mount Markham families to join us. This group offers a welcoming space for mothers and daughters to connect, share, and grow together through meaningful conversations and activities. Please click this link or reach out to Katie to sign up.
YouthAmbassadorCoordinator,KatiespendstimeineachoftheHerkimerCounty ConnectedDistricts.Herscheduleisasfollows:
Monday - Mount Markham
Tuesday - Herkimer
Wednesday - Central Valley
Thursday - Herkimer
Friday - Dolgeville
Katie can be reached at 315-360-4978 or katieb@connectedcs.org.
Herkimer County System of Care is funded by
LINK LINKTrendsTrends
Our HUBs and Connected initiative provides resources to address all kinds of struggles and concerns all year round, but there are always certain times of year where particular struggles are emphasized. In August, you know we are tackling back to school concerns head on, including doing numerous back to school events, free haircuts, and thousands of free school supplies. In November, we spear headed the SNAP funding struggles and food scarcity concerns, by providing one hundred turkeys, pounds and pounds of potatoes, and loaded food boxes to our many families
As you can imagine, December brings holiday assistance concerns. Our Connected initiative serves so many counties, and this is the second year our Herkimer County Districts have had the benefit of a local free Connected Christmas Shoppe Families were invited to come and shop for their families for gifts for all ages of children, no age limits!
It’s so great to be connected!
Connected Elves Holiday Project 2025
Celebrating 8 Years of Community Impact
December 2025 marked the 8th successful year of the Connected Holiday Assistance Program, supporting students and families across our Connected Districts during the holiday season. What began as a small act of care has grown into a powerful community-wide effort spanning all 13 Connected districts, rooted in generosity, collaboration, and compassion
16 Stone Brewpub th
Affair with Hair
Agway Holland Patent
Alteri's Restaurant
Arizona Tacos
Artani's Pizza
Bassett Medical Offices
Big Jay's Pizzeria - Rome
Bliss Environmental
Boss's General Store
Boyz From Italy
Central NY Academy of Dance
The Power of Community Partnerships
This year, over 40 local businesses partnered with Connected by hosting donation bins for new, unwrapped toys and gifts Their willingness to open their doors and rally their customers played a vital role in making this program possible.
We are grateful to the 40+ local businesses that served as donation sites and helped make Holiday Assistance possible.
Mister Mikes Gyros NBT - Rome & Utica
New Hartford Public
Bank, N.A. -
Franco's Pizza - Ilion
Lotis
Gehring Tricot Grande's Pizzeria
Haven Salon and Lash Studio
Home Outlet Utica Jervis Library
Joey's Pizza
Kylie's Diner
La Roma Pizzeria
Cianfrocco's Subs & Wings Collis True Value
Nola’s of Clinton
Oneida County
Department of Comm.
Family Services
Petzotics
Remington Federal Credit Union
Rome First United Methodist Church
RT Federal Credit Union
Shook 40
Sorrento Pizzeria
Spresso’s
Coating
State Farm Michael Collea
Stuff the Bus Style on Main by Nikki Marie Tanners Insurance Agency Toy for TOTS Tucker Backyard Pools & Spas
Twin Rivers Paper Company
Woolner Family Eye Care
Connected Elves Holiday Project 2025
CONTINUED
Holiday Assistance Shopping by the Numbers & Gratitude
Through the collective efforts of donors, community partners, and dedicated volunteers, the Connected Holiday Assistance Program supported a total of 1,576 children during Holiday Assistance Shopping this season. With an estimated $59,000 in donated toys and gifts, this milestone reflects the generosity and commitment of our community-wide network, working together to ensure students across our Connected districts experienced the joy, care, and support they deserve during the holiday season.
Holiday Assistance would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteers, who generously gave their time to sort donations, support families, and assist throughout Holiday Assistance Shopping. Their compassion and commitment helped bring this program to life
We extend our heartfelt thanks to every business, donor, volunteer, and community partner who helped make this season brighter. Your generosity continues to strengthen our mission of supporting students and families during the holidays and all year long.
Together, we are Connected
TRAINING TRAINING
Mid York Library
Monthly Connected Partner Highlights are held virtually for staff to discover and build connections with various community partners. In December, Stephanie Markham and Diana Cassulus presented to our staff regarding what the Mid York Library has to offer. They detailed services such as the "Library of Things," through which people can borrow available items including snow shoes, games, and more! Library cards are free to apply for and can give access to the Library of Things as well as discounted museum and park passes, books, magazines, movies, and affordable in-building services like printing. They highlighted that libraries are safe spaces, resource hubs, providers of free, unfiltered computer access and paper tax forms, and hosts of free early literacy programs and events listed on the Mid-York website calendar. The Mid York Library is a great partner to our Connected schools and are eager to attend events with free books and tailored materials in Madison, Oneida, and Herkimer Counties!
