Connected Madison enjoyed a day cheering on Colgate Women’s Basketball during the annual Kids Day Celebration! Grades 1-5 enjoyed a very close game, lunch and ice cream provided by Gilligan's Restaurant, and cool swag from Colgate as we cheered on the Lady Raiders! Students also were able to see their very own Mrs. Jecko in a free throw contest, and Mr. Matteson won the grand prize in a free throw musical chairs competition! Such a great day at Colgate!
Ms. Carol with CCE SNAP-Ed came to Connected Madison for the monthly Water Wednesday! Students were able to sample a tart but refreshing grapefruit infused water while learning about benefits of grapefruit in the diet and beverages with less sugar. Thank you Ms. Carol for your knowledge that you shared!
Ms. Carol met with the high school students in Mr. Bruno’s Backyard Agriculture class to talk about healthy beverage options. She reviewed many beverages from energy drinks to soda to gatorade to milk and water to talk to students about optimal times to consume each drink (or not!). Thank you for the reminder of what we take in through drinks!
The January meeting of the Three & Me group was “snow” much fun! Incoming pre-k students and their caregiver played with friends, colored snowmen, heard a great story about snowmen, and then made their own cotton ball snowmen to take home. Lots of fine motor skills were used to help prepare students for the upcoming school year!
The January Positivity Project Assembly celebrated the most recent character traits that students were learning including, self-control, optimism, prudence, and perseverance! Mrs. Cucci started us off with some great jokes, and then students were recognized on stage for possessing the character strengths recently learned! Ms. Bowen then demonstrated for the group an example of what might be brought to the upcoming Discovery Expo so that students could review an actual information board. There were great questions, and even more recognition of students remembering that this isn’t just an assembly once per month, it is something we do every day!
The daily HUB Huddle for both high school and middle school students continues to be a place filled with laughter, relaxation, and shared activities. While students eat lunch, they are able to engage with each other about sports, friends, and family while in a smaller and quieter atmosphere. Games are enjoyed and memories are made!
Connected Connected
Ms. Tubbs and Ms. Bowen continue to meet to support students through a partnership that encompasses both family struggles and student struggles. Mutual families are reviewed for the best possible options to assist them have brighter days and better futures.
The January LINK trend shows a strong need for mental health connections. Ms. Tubbs, Mrs. Buckley, and Ms. Bowen met this month to brainstorm on students that we see regularly that could use extra support with concerns that are more related to outside of school vs in-school counseling. As the list was generated, we each took point on reaching out to families that we already had an established relationship with to discuss the Madison County partnership where they have a mental health counselor right in the building. This meeting brought up multiple students and resulted in multiple LINKS to connect them to this new and vital resource.
The Connected Community Schools Advisory Board brings together a diverse group of leaders, educators, families, youth, businesses, and community partners to guide and sustain the initiative’s work across our region. The Board meets quarterly at the Connected Court at the James Impact Center and represents over 400 established partners On February 5, members gathered alongside guest speakers from Fidelis and the Oneida County Department of Family & Community Services to continue strengthening collaboration and impact.
Oneida County Department of Family & Community Services
Oneida County Department of Family & Community Services Director, Kari Barber, shared updates with the Advisory Board on regional Warming Centers in response to the cold temperatures, announcing cold blue. Under state regulation, a Code Blue is automatically in effect whenever temperature and wing chill equal less than 32 degrees The discussion emphasized the importance of spreading the word and connecting individuals and families especially those experiencing housing instability—to safe, warm spaces and critical support. Community members are encouraged to share this information and help ensure neighbors in need know where to find assistance during the winter months.
Nicole Patrei of Fidelis Insurance provided a comprehensive overview of Fidelis Care's offerings, including vital health plans like Child Health Plus, Managed Medicaid, and various Senior Care options, alongside ancillary benefits such as vision and dental coverage. She also detailed the organization's commitment to community engagement and accessibility through multiple outreach channels, specifically mentioning the Fidelis Mobile Vehicle, the physical community center in Utica, and providing her direct contact email, npatrei@fideliscare.org, for further inquiries. NIcole shared that her and her team strive to be a valuable resource to our community and encouraged those looking for assistance in finding medical coverage and providers to follow up with them whenever the need arises
Fidelis
TRAINING TRAINING Highlights Highlights
Cornell Cooperative Extension's Energy HUB
Monthly virtual Partner Highlights give staff the opportunity to learn about and connect with community partners. In January, We were joined by Brittany Amore, Daniel Sharfarz, Josephine Roman and Juliet Jalonack, and Lucas Russell from Cornell Cooperative Extension's Energy HUB in order to learn about their programming opportunities and services. CCE's Mohawk Valley Regional Clean Energy HUB's goal is to provide education and support to help Upstate New York residents save money, aiming for a healthy and affordable home or business. The Hub covers Herkimer, Fulton, Montgomery,Oneida, Otsego and Schoharie Counties.
TRAINING TRAINING Highlights Highlights
Cornell Cooperative Extension's Energy HUB
Monthly virtual Partner Highlights give staff the opportunity to learn about and connect with community partners. In January, We were joined by Brittany Amore, Daniel Sharfarz, Josephine Roman and Juliet Jalonack, and Lucas Russell from Cornell Cooperative Extension's Energy HUB in order to learn about their programming opportunities and services. CCE's Mohawk Valley Regional Clean Energy HUB's goal is to provide education and support to help Upstate New York residents save money, aiming for a healthy and affordable home or business. The Hub covers Herkimer, Fulton, Montgomery,Oneida, Otsego and Schoharie Counties.
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.
