JUNE 2026
CONNECTED MADISON NEWSLETTER TABLE OF CONTENTS Connected District Bulletin Connected Partners Collaborations & Contributions Training Highlights Initiative Wide Highlights Staff
Madison PoG Dinner Madison hosted a community dinner to review the district wide work being done towards the New York State Portrait of a Graduate. Superintendent Mitchell is working diligently to establish a Portrait that is specific to Madison versus using the state created generic portrait. Staff and student input has been generated and members of the community were invited to review the progress and add input from an alum, current parent, business member, or community partner viewpoint. Conversation flowed around the strengths graduates should have upon leaving Madison Central adding to the depth of the Madison Portrait work. Dinner was provided by the Madison cafeteria as Chelsea Schokker and Madison Senior and MO BOCES Culinary Student Jayson Millis created a fabulous summer fare including pulled pork, sides, and fresh strawberry shortcake. Guests left invested in the school and full from dinner!
INTERNET SAFETY FOR GRADES 5 & 6 The 5th and 6th grade cohorts welcomed Ms. Kirley from Madison County Youth Bureau for an educational presentation about internet safety. Ms. Kirley went over online safety tips including telling a trusted adult if anything online makes you uncomfortable. Very valuable information was shared and students participated in enlightening discussions.
FIELD DAYS The annual Elementary Field Days was a day filled with fun and pivoting! Students were able to visit many stations for games, water fun, bounce houses, a sweet treat, and educational opportunities from Madison County Cornell Cooperative Extension Agriculture, Madison County Cornell Cooperative Extension SNAP-Ed, and Utica Rome Speedway. The weather didn’t cooperate for all the outdoor water fun but pulling the race car inside the agriculture department garage allowed for the fun to continue inside! Thank you to our partners for pivoting with us on the America 250th themed day!
WATER WEDNESDAYS Ms. Carol treated students to the final lesson about re-thinking their drink with a refreshing watermelon infused water. Students exclaimed this was their favorite drink of the year and how easy it was to make a great drink that was better for them than sports drinks and sodas. Ms. Carol's monthly education about infused water was a hit!
POSITIVITY PROJECT ASSEMBLIES The final Positivity Project Assembly for the 25-26 school year was filled with student recognition! Students and staff were delighted with a slide show including recognition photos from the year and student videos. Mr. Drake worked with 5th grade students to interview others about what character traits they were recognized for during the year and why it was important to them. Each student video was thoughtful and meaningful and a collaboration to create the final slide show. The Positivity Project isn't just something we learn at school, it is something we do in our life.
COPING SKILLS WITH MARINA Connected Madison welcomed Ms. Marina from the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County Child Care Council in for a day of learning and a fun activity centered around coping skills. Students were able to learn about how they can cope with summer boredom, peers, as well as stressful situations, and then made a calming jar to use as only one of the many tools they learned about! Each student used their own creative ideas to decorate their jars and enjoyed the time spent learning this valuable life skill. Thank you to Ms. Marina for the time!
THREE & ME The final Three & Me Group met for the annual pre-k orientation information night and a bus ride in June. Families were able to interact with each other and teachers and hear about the daily routine and classroom expectations for the 26-27 school year. Students and families then enjoyed a bus safety demonstration as well as a short bus ride to acclimate them to the rules of the road! Madison can’t wait to welcome the class of 2040 and they are just as excited!
HUB HUDDLES CONNECTED MADISON
The Madison HUB wrapped up the year with a focus on relationships. Students were challenged with activities and conversations focused around positive inclusion of all, building friendships, maintaining positive thoughts and words towards others, and having fun. Lunch groups, study hall groups, and individuals were reminded how to be respectful to others and to be inclusive as the school year wraps up and to embrace the differences in each other as we look forward to a summer break and a new start next year.
Connected PARTNERS
Ms. Tubbs and Ms. Bowen met to review summer scheduling, plan out contact/ follow up in the case of emergent needs of families and students over the summer, and wrap up any open families that are being supported. Establishing a plan for the summer months that can sometimes be long and stressful for students ensures that each one can be handled efficiently as needs arise.
Student
School Faculty/Staff
Connected Site Coordinator
Family
Services / Resources
Team Approach
Trends Connecting students to the Madison County Mental Health provider for summer support and collaborating with the provider for summer programs continues to be the trend. Having a strong connection with Madison County and the in-district provider supports students as well as the entire family through a profile and review of all struggles in the home and not just the students mental health support. This partnership continues to build and strengthen for the benefit of students and the families within Madison Central.
COLLABORATIONS COLLABORATIONS & & Contributions New Teacher Final Meeting and Year end review SADD Meeting and collaboration for the upcoming Sources of Strength group Sources of Strength student meeting to plan summer activities 2026 Graduation Principal Interview Committee member
UPCOMINGEvents
UPCOMINGEvents SUMMER ENRICHMENT JULY 6TH - JULY 31ST 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM
BACK TO SCHOOL COMMUNITY PICNIC SEPTEMBER 1 4:00 PM
OPEN HOUSE SEPTEMBER 1 6:00 PM
TRAININGHighlights Strengthening Nonprofits Through Expert-Led Training
Divisional Director Katie Rockwell is participating in an 8-month training series designed to provide expert-led instruction, practical tools, and hands-on guidance for leaders in the nonprofit field. Each month focuses on a different operational area essential to building and sustaining a successful nonprofit organization, with sessions led by subject matter experts offering real-world strategies and resources. In June, Lara Pimentel, Owner of OSA Philanthropy, presented on fundraising strategies, including donor cultivation and stewardship. Participants gained actionable tools and insights to strengthen fundraising efforts and support long-term organizational sustainability.
Supporting Students and Strengthening Skills All Summer Long Connected Staff continue their work throughout the summer months by supporting families, helping facilitate summer programming and community events, and participating in professional learning opportunities. Alongside direct service and event support, staff also take part in the annual Summer Academy, a dedicated time for training, collaboration, and skill-building. This ongoing professional development helps ensure staff are prepared to continue providing strong, consistent support to students and families year-round.
INITIATIVE INITIATIVE WIDE WIDEHighlights Celebrating a Great Year, Together Connected staff came together for a fun and festive End-of-Year Celebration to wrap up a successful year of supporting students and families across the region. The gathering was filled with laughter, conversation, and time to relax and connect outside of daily program work. Staff took the opportunity to celebrate accomplishments from the 2025–2026 school year, reflect on the impact of their efforts, and enjoy time together as a team. The celebration was a positive way to close out the year and recognize the dedication, teamwork, and heart that each staff member brings to Connected every day.
Click here to see the yearbook!
INITIATIVE INITIATIVE WIDE WIDEHighlights A Community United for Child Safety The Ride for Missing Children – Mohawk Valley brought together riders, volunteers, students, families, and community partners for an unforgettable day of advocacy, awareness, and support. Throughout the Ride route, students from local schools enthusiastically welcomed riders with signs, cheers, and noisemakers, creating an incredible atmosphere of encouragement and community spirit. Stops at Jefferson Elementary and Seneca Street Elementary provided opportunities for riders and volunteers to connect with students, reinforce important safety lessons, and celebrate the shared mission of keeping children safe. Community partners, including Connected Community Schools and the Connected Cocoa, joined supporters along the route to cheer on participants as they traveled from Utica to New Hartford.
The day concluded with a closing ceremony celebrating the dedication of everyone involved and recognizing more than $82,000 raised to support child safety initiatives. During the ceremony, The Ride's Community Educator shared the impact of the program's safety education efforts, highlighting outreach to more than 3,000 students, educators, and families across over 20 schools in just the past few months. Ride Day served as a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when a community comes together to support child safety, honor missing children, and create a safer future for all.
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) - Mohawk Valley 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.
STUDENTS LEARN THE MISSION BEHIND THE RIDE As excitement built for The Ride for Missing Children, students at Watson Williams Elementary, Marcy Elementary, Seneca Street Elementary, Martin Luther King Elementary, and John F. Kennedy Middle School participated in engaging presentations focused on child safety and community awareness. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, students explored important topics including bike safety, online safety, and personal safety while learning about the mission and impact of The Ride for Missing Children. Each presentation helped students understand the important role their school community plays in supporting child safety, making safe choices, and encouraging the riders as they travel through the community on Ride Day.
BUILDING SAFE CHOICES THROUGH FUN AND LEARNING Students at Gansevoort Elementary School and Stokes Elementary School strengthened their safety knowledge through engaging, interactive activities designed to build confidence and encourage smart decision-making. At Gansevoort, students explored bike safety, including the Bike ABCs, helmet safety, and safe practices for walking and riding near roadways. They also learned the 4 Rules of Personal Safety and discussed internet safety, emphasizing the importance of protecting personal information, communicating with trusted adults, showing kindness online, and trusting their instincts when something feels wrong. Meanwhile, students at Stokes enjoyed a sunny lunchtime HUB Huddle featuring a lively game of Safety Jeopardy that reinforced personal and bike safety concepts through teamwork, discussion, and friendly competition. Together, these activities equipped students with valuable skills to help them stay safe both online and offline throughout the summer and beyond.
EMPOWERING STUDENTS T H R O U G H S A F E T Y E D U C AT I O N Seventh and eighth grade students at Vernon-VeronaSherrill Jr./Sr. High School participated in engaging safety presentations focused on bike safety, personal safety, and online safety. Students explored practical tools and strategies they can use to take an active role in their own safety while discussing topics such as trusted adults, personal boundaries, and situational awareness. Conversations about digital citizenship and digital footprints encouraged students to think critically about the lasting impact of their online actions and how to make safe, responsible choices in digital spaces.
R I D E R S I N S P I R E S A F E T Y AT C H E R R Y VA L L E Y - S P R I N G F I E L D Students at Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School welcomed Riders from The Ride for Missing Children as they arrived by bicycle before joining safety presentations focused on bike safety, personal safety, and online safety awareness. Throughout the presentations, students learned valuable skills for staying safe both in their communities and online while gaining a deeper understanding of the mission of The Ride. The visit concluded with a bicycle helmet raffle, providing students with additional resources to help them ride safely and confidently.
F U N D AY B R I N G S S A F E T Y LESSONS TO LIFE Connected Mount Markham Elementary School's Fun Day combined excitement with valuable safety education as students learned alongside Riders from The Ride for Missing Children. Through interactive activities, participants reviewed the 4 Rules of Personal Safety, identified trusted adults, and practiced speaking up when something doesn't feel right. Riders also demonstrated proper helmet fit, bicycle sizing, and pre-ride safety checks. Thanks to the generosity of the Optimist Club and community supporters, students wrapped up the event with raffles for bicycle helmets, toys, and other prizes, making the day both educational and memorable.
C E L E B R AT I N G C O M M U N I T Y A N D S A F E T Y AT T H E P U R P L E FLAMINGO GRAND OPENING The Ride for Missing Children – Mohawk Valley was proud to participate in the Purple Flamingo Thrift & Gift Grand Opening by providing safety resources and interactive activities for families and community members. Visitors stopped by to explore safety handouts, complete activity pages, test their knowledge with a spin-the-wheel safety trivia game, and take home fun giveaways including stickers, pencils, and popcorn. The event provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community, share important safety information, and support a local organization dedicated to making a positive impact.
N E T S M A R T Z P R E S E N TAT I O N Students at Holland Patent Middle School participated in a Netsmartz internet safety presentation focused on building safe and responsible online habits. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, students explored the concept of digital citizenship, learned about the lasting impact of their digital footprints, and identified warning signs that may arise when communicating with others online. Students also discussed the difference between being a bystander and an upstander, reinforcing the importance of speaking up, seeking help, and supporting others when they encounter unsafe or inappropriate situations online.
UPCOMINGEvents
July 15th - Fonda Youth Safety Day July 17th - Rome Connected Carnival July 23rd - Dolgeville Bike Rodeo July 30th - Herkimer Conected Carnival August 8th - Oneida County Community Health & Healing Day September 2nd - Willard Prior Back-to-School Open House
MEET AMANDA GALINDO As a Community Educator for The Ride For Missing Children - Mohawk Valley, 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.
RFMC COMMUNITY EDUCATOR
HOW CAN I HELP YOU TODAY AND
How can I help you today and make MAKE YOUR TOMORROW BETTER? 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.
Connected Madison Team Michele Bowen YOUR MADISON PROJECT MANAGER
Colleen Matthews DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF CONNECTED COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
315-271-8848 micheleb@connectedcs.org
VICE PRESIDENT OF CONNECTED INITIATIVES
NORA BAJOHR
CENTRAL HUB TEAM
ALEXIS TOWNE
KALI FOUNTAIN
DELIVERY TEAM
DUSTIN TROTZ
KAELYNN BARBER