M A R C H
C O N N E C T E D
H E R K I M E R
N E W S L E T T E
TABLE OF CONTE
Connected District Bul
Connected Partner
Collaborations & Contrib
Training Highlights
Initiative Wide Highlights
Upcoming Events
Staff
Calm Calm Strategies Strategies
Ms. Marina from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County’s Child Care Council came to the Elementary HUB and focused on calming strategies by creating calm down jars with the students. Students created their own jar and learned that if they shake the jars with all of the sparkles inside, they can take deep breaths while watching the sparkles settle. Students love creating them and even remark on how they have kept ones made prior.
Connected Herkimer Elementary School hosted their annual PARP event and it was full of vibrant decor and activities. The school embraces PARP and creates an interactive event as they decorate the entire school. The Connected Herkimer Team was present at the event providing information, resources, and giving away items to everyone attending the event! It was such a great night, full of people excited about reading.
Throughout March, the 3rd grade students involved in Readers in Action continued to be a help to the community all while improving their literacy. The students began each group by eating a snack while listening to a book being read to them. Sometimes, they even got involved with the various sound effects! In March, students made inspirational artwork. Prior to it being donated to help brighten some peoples day, they are being hung outside the HUB while all Readers in Action groups complete the project! They have also designed pin wheels in honor of Child Abuse Awareness Month in April!
Working Solutions has opened applications for its Summer Youth Employment opportunities. Herkimer had a representative table in the cafeteria to spread the word and the applications to our students!
Students participated in an engaging program focused on understanding nutrition facts and appropriate portion sizes. Through this learning experience, they built valuable skills to support healthier choices. Upon completing the course, students were awarded certificates recognizing their dedication and achievement.
This month during open HUB on March 24th, 18 individuals attended. We were able to offer food, clothing, hygiene items, school supplies and more. Open HUB was held at the Middle/High School as it is more accessible to families and community members.
HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES
TheConnectedHerkimerElementaryHUBwasvibrantwith activitythroughoutMarch Studentslearnedhowtomake friendshipbracelets,hadsilentdancepartiesthatwerenot alwayssilent,competedinMinutetoWinitgames,madecrafts withoneanother,playedmanygames,andparticipatedinFoodie Fridays.StudentsoftenidentifythingstheywanttodointheHUB andthenitisbroughttolife.Somestudentslovepicklesand foundoutclassmateshadneverhadany,whichledtotheHUB PicklePartyplannedforApril2nd!Orwehave5thgraderswho wantanalternativerecessspaceandcometotheHUBto gameswithConnected ProjectManagerShae.
Thismonthwasabusymonthforour middleandhighschoolers!Valeriefrom CCEhasbeencomingintofinishupher nutritionprogramwithourlunchgroups, andsheissettopresentthelasttwo weeksinApril.SiteCoordinatorBreanna andSystemofCarestaffKatieBakeralso collaboratedonseveralevents,suchas “CheeseDoodles&Doodling,”which featuredcreativecoloring,and“Potof GoldScavengerHunt,”wherestudentshad tosolveriddlestofindthecluesaround theroomtofindthemissinggoldencoins! PiDaywasalsocelebratedintheHUB wherestudentswerechallengedtoanswer PiDay-relatedtriviaquestionstowinan applepie Anotherpopularfoodeventis Legos&Eggos,whichfeaturesstudents assemblingLegosetswhileeatingdelicious Eggowaffles
We are proud to continue our meaningful collaboration with Family School Navigation (FSN), formerly known as R4K. FSN remains a vital partner in Connected Herkimer’s missiontosupportlocalfamilies.
FSN- Family School Navigation remains a vital partner in Connected Herkimer's mission to support local families. We have started our series of family-friendly events happening with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County's Child Care Council, Healthy Families of Herkimer County, Herkimer Health Net and Help Me Grow at the Frank Basloe Library. The goal of these events are to provide valuable resources while engaging parents,caregiversandchildren.
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
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.
A AM MB BA AS SS SA AD DO OR R
Mother Daughter Mother DaughterCircle Circle
The first cohort of the Mother Daughter Circle concluded successfully this month. Hosted by the Central Valley Academy HUB, this eight-week program brought mothers and daughters together to strengthen their bonds, build empathy, and develop healthy communication strategies. Through a supportive group setting and guided activities, participants were able to connect more deeply while navigating their evolving relationships.
Y YO OU UT TH H
UN NC CIL
Outreach activities for the Youth Ambassador Council continued in March. We have received referrals for students interested in the Youth Ambassador Council. We are working on outreach to parents and are planning our first meeting in April!
Herkimer Connected HUB has been hosting Herkimer County System of Care’s after school drop in programming on Thursdays with structured activities for students. This month students celebrated National Cheez Doodle Day & doodled together about what they enjoy about their connected hub and how they like to spend their time. Students took part in answering questions that encourage positive interactions in 3 categories: Presence, Possibility and Play, in which group challenges got students up and moving. Spring break kicked off in The Hub with “Egg-cellent Fun” where students were challenged to many silly games using Easter Eggs.
Youth Ambassador Coordinator assisted the Central Valley Connected Team at their annual Bunny Trail held at Barringer Road Elementary. The Silent Disco was a huge hit at this event and Youth Ambassador Coordinator kept students dancing and smiling.
Mt Markham High School hosted a Wellness Fair for students. Herkimer County System of Care, Community Engagement Supervisor, MJ and Youth Ambassador Coordinator teamed up to quiz students on their knowledge of issues today's teens are challenged with in the areas of mental health, substance abuse issues and teen social media use.
The questions lead to great open dialogue among students and offered opportunities to gauge the understanding youth have in these important, complex issues.
After-school Programming
Herkimer
Central Valley Dolgeville
in the Middle School/High School HUB. in the CVA HUB.
Every Tuesday beginning April 14th.
Every Wednesday beginning April 22 . nd
Every Thursday beginning April 22 . nd in the Middle School/High School HUB.
Mother Daughter Circles Groups are starting again in April! We are gauging interest in the community to see where the next location of the groups will be. 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
COLLABORATIONS
& COLLABORATIONS & COLLABORATIONS &
Connected Herkimerwouldlike tothankeveryone thathelps!We cannotdoitwithout you!
Valerie Pettingill from Herkimer County Cornell Cooperative Extension
Marina Bridgeham from Oneida County Cornell Cooperative Extension
Nicole Myers from Working Solutions
Eva Fuess with LPP
Katie Baker with SOC
FSN
Herkimer PTA
Herkimer Health Net
Help Me Grow Program
Frank J. Basloe Library
Family School Navigation
NBT Bank
TTrends rendsTrends
TTherehasbeenanincreasedneedforfood,clothing,hygieneitemsandhousingsupport.OpenHUBhelpsto combatsomeofthesestrugglesasthereisdirectaccessforfamiliesalongwithresourceinformtionaround continuedsupportforfood.TheConnectedHerkimerTeamcontinuestocanvastheareaforhousingresources, financialsupportandnavigationofthehousingsystemforfamilies.
April 18th
Gu
We recently explored an exciting new programming opportunity available to all Connected districts—and our team got a firsthand look. At a recent all-staff event, we welcomed Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. to the Impact Center for an engaging training experience.
Through their unique “Hometown Training™” model, they provide guide dogs at no cost to individuals in the Eastern U.S. who are legally blind and may also have additional physical challenges. This approach allows clients to receive support and companionship from a guide dog while continuing their daily routines at home and, in many cases, in the workplace.
This opportunity not only offers meaningful educational programming for students—highlighting the importance and impact of guide dogs—but also serves as a valuable resource for community members who may benefit from these life-changing services.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training –Free & Open to All!
Did you know that Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Training is available at no cost?
This valuable program is designed to help faculty, staff, and community members recognize the signs of mental health challenges in young people, provide support, and connect them with appropriate resources.
By participating, you’ll gain practical skills to respond confidently to students in crisis, foster a supportive environment, and make a real difference in the lives of youth in our community.
Who can attend: All faculty, staff, and community members
Cost: FREE
Registration: Registration link
Empower yourself with the knowledge to support youth mental health—because every student deserves to be seen, heard, and supported.
Celebrating Excel
We are proud to share that our Co-Leader, Melissa Roys, was recognized by Assemblywoman Maryann Buttenschon as a Woman of Distinction this March. Melissa’s tireless dedication to connecting our community and ensuring every individual feels seen continues to make a lasting impact. Congratulations, Melissa!
Co-Leader Danielle Martin was thrilled to lead the Education, Mentorship & Community Impact Hub alongside of Dr. Patricia Washing, Director from On Point and Sarah Gomex, Principal at MO BOCES. They all shared their career journeys, highlighing the importance of learning from the obstacles in life, importance of networking, advocating and never giving up! More than 200 students, educators, and regional leaders were in attendance.
Strengthening Child Safety Through Partnership
Connected is excited to announce a collaboration with the Ride for Missing Children and our new Ride for Missing Children Educator, Amanda Galindo. Connected plays a vital role in advancing the mission of The Ride for Missing Children-Mohawk Valley to promote child safety and support the prevention of child abduction and exploitation.
We deliver engaging, age-appropriate safety education programs foster awareness of the Ride for Missing Children initiative create meaningful connections between students, educators, and the broader community.
