Herkimer- October - Newsletter

OCTOBER 2025

CONNECTED HERKIMER NEWSLETTER TABLE OF CONTENTS Connected District Bulletin Connected Partners Collaborations & Contributions Training Highlights Initiative Wide Highlights Upcoming Events Staff

TRUNK TREAT or

The Connected Herkimer 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat was an absolute blast! We had an incredible turnout of trunk-or-treaters and so many wonderful volunteers. The event was filled with laughter, dancing to fun Halloween music, exciting games, and of course, plenty of candy! The weather couldn’t have been better, adding to the perfect festive vibe as children safely celebrated Halloween and connected with teachers, businesses, organizations, and community members.

A huge thank you goes out to everyone who hosted a trunk, handed out treats, and helped bring the Halloween spirit to life. Special thanks to our amazing student volunteers who kept everything running smoothly and to the outstanding Herkimer custodial staff for their hard work and support in making the event such a success.

The Pre-K recently hosted its annual Touch a Truck event, and for the second consecutive year, teachers invited Herkimer Connected Community Schools to bring along the Veggie Van! Operated by the West End Farm through the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Herkimer County, the Veggie Van gave children a hands-on look at where their food comes from.

Students explored a variety of locally grown fruits and vegetables, learned how produce travels from farm to market, and discovered that some of those same foods even make their way onto their school lunch trays!

To make the day extra special, each child received their very own pumpkin to take home — a perfect fall surprise that brought big smiles all around. The event was a wonderful blend of fun and learning, connecting students to healthy eating and local agriculture in a truly memorable way.

Marina Bridgham from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County’s Child Care Council visited both the Elementary and Middle/High School HUBs this month. She guided students in creating calm-down jars and led discussions about different calming strategies, such as deep breathing. Students were thrilled to make their own jars, and some even made two!

Those who participated in the activity last year shared how much they enjoyed it and told their peers that they still have their calmdown jars from before. One student even shared that she keeps one next to her bed and uses it when she wants to relax!

Connected Herkimer recently hosted the second round of our Senior Photo Sign-Up event! Two students participated, and staff captured photos for both personal keepsakes and the yearbook. It was a fun and memorable way to celebrate our seniors and preserve these special moments.

If any Herkimer seniors still need a senior photo, please reach out! We would be happy to help!

In October, the Herkimer Connected Team hosted an Open HUB event on October 28. Fidelis Care was on-site to answer insurance questions, and students, families, and community members accessed food, hygiene items, school supplies, and other resources. These events are intentionally scheduled near the end of each month, when many families begin to feel increased strain. This month’s event was especially meaningful, as several community members shared concerns about food access with the upcoming pause of SNAP benefits in November.

Elementary students have had a blast in the HUB this month! They’ve enjoyed games, silent dance parties, and even tasting unique snacks like dill pickle pretzels. One daily highlight has been the “Question of the Day,” sparking fun conversations and helping students connect — from favorite sandwiches and Halloween candy to whether they’d rather live by a water park or an amusement park.

Looking ahead, the HUB is excited to launch a new afterschool group for 3rd graders, Readers in Action, featuring read-alouds and civic engagement activities to help students connect with and give back to their community. A special thanks to the school for supporting this program and providing transportation for our students.

The Middle School/High School has been buzzing with excitement this month! Students enjoyed a wide variety of fun and creative events, including making Teacher Appreciation Cards, a Taylor Swift Listening Party, Halloween arts and crafts, and DIY Chocolate Milk Ghost Cups. Some of our most popular and wellloved activities included Backpack Painting, a “Get Ready With Me for HOCO” event, Trunk or Treat, and a spooky movie night complete with popcorn hands!

Connected PARTNERS PARTNERS

Connected

CHBS operates a satellite clinic within the district. This collaboration allows for seamless access to mental health support, as school counseling staff are in direct contact with the on-site CHBS clinician.

We’re proud to continue our partnership with Family School Navigation (FSN), a key collaborator in Connected Herkimer’s mission to support local families. Together with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County’s Child Care Council, Healthy Families, and the Frank Basloe Library, we’re planning a series of family-friendly events offering resources for parents and caregivers, plus fun activities for children. We’re excited for what’s ahead and grateful to work alongside such dedicated partners.

Supports and Services: Academic Support 610 min Assessments and PLP 300 Min

Structured Social Emotional Support 170 Min College Readiness 125 Min Other 190 Min

Enrolled Students: 30

LINK LINKTrends Trends

In Herkimer, we have seen an increase in families seeking housing support, though affordable options in the area remain limited. With the recent pause in SNAP benefits, many families are also expressing growing concerns about food accessibility. The Connected Herkimer team is supporting families by providing food on-site at both schools and offering guidance on local food resources.

Looking ahead, the team will create more opportunities for families to access the HUB in November, including keeping the HUB open during both parent/teacher conference days and hosting an Open HUB event. The October Open HUB was well-attended, and we have noticed an increase in families requesting food delivery due to transportation challenges.

COLLABORATIONS COLLABORATIONS & & Contributions Contributions

cted e Conne uld lik er wo im e k r n He eryo nk ev to tha We elps! t that h ithou o it w d t o cann you!

Steet Ponte Chevrolet LPP FSN Herkimer SOC Herkimer NHS Herkimer BPA Herkimer OG Herkimer PBA Herkimer County Probation Herkimer County DSS Northern Rivers

Community Health and Behavioral Services Happy Haggs Dance Troupe of Central NY MOVAC Adirondack bank Ravenswood Comics Fidelis Herkimer VFW Herkimer PTA The girls modified soccer team

To the numerous community members (Lori Norani, Knoupf Family, & Vandelinder Family) The many teachersPre-K teachers Kindergarten teachers 4th grade teachers Mrs.Paul Mrs.Peyton The Decker Family

The SOC continues to collaborate with Connected Districts through engaging outreach and student support initiatives. For World Mental Health Day, the Youth Ambassador Coordinator tabled during CVA lunch periods with an interactive Mental Health Quiz, sharing resources like the 988 Helpline, peer support tips, and information about the Youth Advisory Board and Mother Daughter Circle—inviting students to get involved through a brief recruitment form.

The Youth Ambassador Coordinator also brought fun and connection to several community events this fall. At the Herkimer District Trunk or Treat and Utica Comets “Frights & Flights” Game, CoCo the Connected Bear made special appearances to greet families and hand out treats—joined by Leslie Nevills, Project Manager at Mount Markham, as CoCo’s handler. The fun continued at Central Valley’s Trunk or Treat, where the Coordinator teamed up with the CVA Connected team to serve apple cider and candy to all the ghosts and goblins!

🎃🐻

Herkimer County Youth Summit - Youth Ambassador Coordinator had the opportunity to attend this day long event that was hosted and organized by Catholic Charities and partially funded by Herkimer County System of Care.

Youth heard from keynote speaker Taes Leavitt, attended 3 breakout sessions and worked on and presented an action plan to bring back to their districts to increase mental health awareness, and work towards goals they felt could benefit their peers and improve the overall culture within their district for students and staff.

MEET KATIE BAKER

Youth Ambassador Coordinator, Katie spends time in each of the Herkimer County Connected Districts. Her schedule is as follows:

Monday - Mount Markham Tuesday - Herkimer Wednesday - Central Valley Thursday - Herkimer Friday - Dolgeville Katie can be reached at 315-360-4978 or katieb@connectedcs.org.

UPCOMING UPCOMINGEvents Events

TRAINING TRAININGHighlights Highlights 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 INITIATIVEHighlights 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!

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.

Connected Herkimer Team

Breanna Stiefvater

Shae-Leigh Voorhees

YOUR HERKIMER SITE COORDINATOR

YOUR HERKIMER PROJECT MANAGER

315-983-7347

315-868-8959

315-717-9748

breannas@connectedcs.org

shae-leighv@connectedcs.org

katier@connectedcs.org

Katie Rockwell YOUR CONNECTED COMMUNITY SCHOOLS DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR

CENTRAL HUB TEAM ALEXIS TOWNE

RAIN RIDGNER

KALI FOUNTAIN

KAELYNN BARBER

DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF IMPACT

DELIVERY TEAM

NORA BAJOHR

SASHA MILLER

HOW CAN I HELP YOU TODAY AND MAKE YOUR TOMORROW BETTER?

How can I help you today and make your tomorrow better?

If you know someone that may need help, our LINK system is here to assist with any struggle, worries, or needs that may arise. If you see someone in need of help (whether it's tangible items, assistance with housing, mental health, primary care, or anything) please contact one of us.