Herkimer - April 2026 - Newsletter

APRIL 2026

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

HERKIMER

LIBRARY LIBRARY LEARNING SERIES LEARNING SERIES FOR FAMILIES FOR FAMILIES Connected Herkimer has collaborated with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County’s Child Care Council, Healthy Families, Herkimer Health Net, Help Me Grow, Connected System Of Care, and the Frank Basloe Library to create a series of events that are geared towards parents and their children.

The second event of the series took place over Spring Break. It was a well attended event where we were able to see a lot of the same families who had attended the first event earlier in the year. The focus was on emotional regulation for the child and for the parent. Everyone learned various strategies and created a calm down jar.

HERKIMER LIBRARY LEARNING SERIES CONTINUED

Additionally, they all sampled a healthy snack prepared by SNAP-Ed who also provided recipes for everyone. It was an extremely collaborative, informative, and fun event for all. Some even walked away with some awesome door prizes! The next event will be the Summer Kick off on June 24th from 4-5pm.

READERS IN ACTION Readers in Action is all about reading, connecting, and giving back. This month, students celebrated Earth Day by planting.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County’s Child Care Council extended their time at the Herkimer Elementary HUB and continued to engage students in their Social Emotional Learning (SEL) activity about communication.

Throughout the month the students in Readers in Action expressed their interest in various books and have requested that if they want to read, that they help contribute to reading the book aloud to the group. It is tremendous to hear so many of them read with strong-voices!

SPRING CARNIVAL Connected Herkimer had a great time at the Herkimer PTA Spring Carnival! It was a great time to connect with families and share resources. The event is well-attended and full of games, activities, and prizes. It was a fun and meaningful day of community connection!

GROWING HEALTHY MINDS & BODIES COMMUNICATION We were excited to welcome Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County’s Child Care Council to the HUB this month for a hands-on SEL activity focused on communication. Through a fun guessing game, students practiced active listening, learned the impact of body language, and explored the importance of giving others time to share.

NUTRITION PROGRAM

Valerie from Cornell Cooperative Extension finished the last two weeks of her nutrition program. Students earned their certificates by attending all 6 weeks, learning about healthy eating and ways to be mindful of the things we eat.

NBT BANK STRIVE PROGRAM NBT Bank came in to teach students about finances, budgeting, bank accounts, and smart saving/spending. This is a valuable lesson for students who are potentially getting their first job this summer.

WORKING SOLUTIONS Working Solutions is offering help with summer job applications for students at Herkimer High School. They have great programs in which students can apply to and be placed for part-time work throughout the summer.

CONNECTED HERKIMER

Connected Herkimer hosted an Open HUB on April 28th for families and community members to attend. Numerous families and individuals attended the Open HUB, learned of local food resources, and chose essential items for themselves and their families.

HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES CONNECTED HERKIMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

It’s been a month of creativity and connection in the HUB! Students enjoyed a “Pickle Palooza” after some shared they had never tried pickles and celebrated Earth Day by making dirt cups with pudding, oreos, and gummy worms. Foodie Fridays continue to be a favorite with make-and-take trail mix. Throughout April, students worked on a puzzle challenge which encouraged teamwork and problem-solving. We can’t wait to see what fun next month brings!

HUB HUDDLES

CONNECTED HERKIMER MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL

The HUB in Herkimer has been busy with our connected partners this month. Valerie from Cornell Cooperative Extension EFNEP finished the last two weeks of her nutrition program. Students earned their certificates by attending all 6 weeks, learning about healthy eating and ways to be mindful of the things we eat. Students in Herkimer have also been prepping for summer work by talking with our partners from Working Solutions. Our students are submitting applications for part-time jobs over the summer. Pairing that with NBT Bank’s Strive Program, students are also learning how to manage the money that they may be earning this summer!

Connected PARTNERS

Community Health & Behavioral Services (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 are proud to continue our meaningful collaboration with Family School Navigation (FSN). As part of this work, we have hosted a series of family-friendly events in partnership with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County’s Child Care Council, Healthy Families, Herkimer Health Net, Help Me Grow, and the Frank Basloe Library.

Most recently we held an event during Spring Break on April 9th focused on emotional regulation. Attendees leave with resources and tools for themselves and their kids. Our next event, the Summer Kick Off, will take place on June 24th from 4-5pm at the Frank J. Basloe Library!

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.

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

WHO ARE WE AND WHAT DO WE DO? 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.

Mother DaughterCircle Mother Daughter Circle Daughter Circle

The newest Mother Daughter Circles Group is up and running at The Mount Markham High School Hub. These sessions so far have proved that love, support and connection aren’t limited by roles or titles in a student's life. All important relationships can benefit from the curriculum of Mother Daughter Circle and we have been so pleased to welcome Father’s to this latest session of Mother Daughter Circle. Showing up for one another, building bonds and strengthening families is the guiding purpose of these sessions.

H T U O Y ASSADOR

B M A COUNCIL

Youth Ambassador Council Meetings for students at Jarvis Middle School are focusing on students getting to know one another and helping students to understand what their strengths are when it comes to working as a team. Students have begun talking about topics they care about with the help of some guided check in’s and conversation. Students will continue to meet weekly and begin setting some goals to create a positive impact in their school and community.

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING Afterschool programming across the four Herkimer County districts continues to provide students with opportunities to have fun, build social connections, and strengthen emotional awareness. At Herkimer Central School District Middle/High School, students enjoyed some “Egg-cellent Fun” creating art with plastic eggs to celebrate Spring Break. Students throughout Connected districts also participated in engaging activities like Human Bingo and conversation games designed to encourage teamwork, communication, and meaningful connections. At Central Valley Academy, a giant beach ball filled with conversation-starting questions helped students build communication skills, learn more about one another, and most importantly, have fun together.

UPCOMINGEvents Events AFTER-SCHOOL DROP-INS

CENTRAL VALLEY

DOLGEVILLE

HERKIMER

MT. MARKHAM

UPCOMING MOTHER DAUGHTER CIRCLE Mother Daughter Circle will meet weekly for the next 6 weeks to complete this session.

5/4 5/11 5/18 5/25 6/1 6/8 Please click this link or reach out to Katie to sign up.

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 Katie can be reached at 315-360-4978 or katieb@connectedcs.org.

Wednesday - Central Valley Thursday - Herkimer Herkimer County System of Care is funded by Friday - Dolgeville

COLLABORATIONS COLLABORATIONS & & Contributions cted e Conne uld lik o w r me one Herki every k n a e to th ps! W l e h t t tha ithou w t i t do canno you!

Valerie Pettingill from Herkimer County Cornell Cooperative Extension Denise Snyder from Herkimer NBT Bank Lisa Mang from Working Solutions Herkimer PTA Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County’s Child Care Council Herkimer Health Net

Student

School Faculty/Staff

Connected Site Coordinator

Herkimer County Help Me Grow Family School Navigation Herkimer County Healthy Families

Family

Services / Resources

Team Approach

Trends LINK trends this month have varied from housing to food insecurity to clothing needs. We have been able to successfully connect everyone to the best resources to suit their needs. Whether that be providing the food and clothing from our HUBs or putting them into contact with other community organizations that can assist with rent assistance or more.

UPCOMING HERKIMER OPEN HUB DATES

UPCOMINGEvents Events

Town of Herkimer Wellness Day

July 11

th

Town of Herkimer Park Area

UPCOMING HUB Huddles & Programming HUB Huddles & Programming ELEMENTARY

Cornell Cooperative ExtensionPerseverance Tuesday

May 12th MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL

Spring Arts & Crafts May 18th

Prep for Prom

May 28th

TRAININGHighlights Highlights 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.

INITIATIVEHighlights Highlights 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.

INITIATIVEHighlights Highlights 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.

PROMOTING CHILD SAFETY ON T H E A I R W AV E S 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.

CONNECTED BELLAMY “4 RULES OF PERSONAL SAFETY” LEARNING SERIES

H U B H U D D L E : E VO L U T I O N OF THE 4 RULES

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.

R I D E F O R M I S S I N G C H I L D R E N AT H U B H U D D L E S 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.

COMMUNITY EVENT: TOUCH-A-TRUCK 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.

UPCOMINGEvents

May 28th @ 9:15am: NA Walbran “Ride Route” Presentations May 29th @ 9am: ADK MS Netsmartz Presentations May 29th @ 2pm: Jefferson Elementary “Ride Route” Presentation June 1st @ 9:30am: Watson Williams “Ride Route” Presentation June 4th @ 9:15am: JFK MS “Ride Route” Presentation June 5th ALL DAY: Ride for Missing Children June 15th @ 8am: VVS Safety Presentation

MEET AMANDA GALINDO As a Community Educator for Ride For Missing Children, Amanda dedicates her time to engaging with each of the Connected Districts as well as other districts.

Amanda can be reached at amandag@connectedcs.org.

Please click this link or reach out to Amanda for more information on presentations.

RFMC COMMUNITY EDUCATOR

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 KALI KAELYNN ALEXIS FOUNTAIN BARBER TOWNE DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR DELIVERY TEAM OF IMPACT

NORA BAJOHR

DUSTIN TROTZ

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

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

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