NOVEMBER 2025
CONNECTED MADISON NEWSLETTER TABLE OF CONTENTS Connected District Bulletin Connected Partners Collaborations & Contributions Training Highlights Initiative Wide Highlights Staff
Conference Crafts Parent teacher conferences are a place where teachers and caregivers can spend quality time discussing academics and any other student concerns. Recognizing that this also might be a daycare issue, the Connected Madison HUB opened up for conference crafts and snacks so that students can have a place to go and caregivers and teachers can have quiet and focused discussions. Ms. Bowen hosted some students and laughing and crafting together made for a great afternoon!
Ms. Val with the BRiDGES Reality Check Program came to Connected Madison Middle School lunch to talk about National Smoke Out Day! Students made signs to demonstrate how tobacco impacts lives and reviewed important facts with Ms. Val. Thank you for teaching students and helping them advocate for their own health and community health!
Mrs. Nelson, Ms. Rotach, and Ms. Bowen teamed up to host the annual Kinder Thanksgiving Luncheon right before Thanksgiving break! The day was filled with crafting fun festive outfits and then enjoying a lunch together filled with traditional favorites! Some students expanded their palate and tried new things and many were heard complimenting how yummy the lunch was!
Connected Madison celebrated its monthly Kids of Character Assembly in conjunction with the Positivity Project. Students heard from Tom O’Connor with the Veterans Outreach Center as he shared his experience and reviewed with students how they can be brave every day. Students were recognized as they demonstrated the 3 character traits we learned this month, Other People MIndset - knowing words and actions affect others, bravery, and gratitude. Congratulations to those that know the Positivity Project isn’t just something we talk about at school, it’s something we do everyday!
The November meeting of the Three & Me Group welcomed two new students to the group this month! Families were able to enjoy time together during free play meeting and greeting each other and students were able to learn about sharing with others. Ms. Matteson read a great story and craft time was enjoyed by all! We are thankful for the early connections being made within the group of peers, school faculty, and families.
The Middle School and High School Lunch Bunch Groups continue to meet almost daily and students are engaged with each other through games, targeted questions of the day, and crafts. This space gives the students an opportunity for a quieter setting to enjoy time with each other and build relationships with peers.
Connected PARTNERS PARTNERS
Connected
Ms. Bowen and Ms. Tubbs continue to review families and students and how they can best be supported by both the ICAN and Connected larger team.
Trends
Trends
LINK is a single point of access embedded within every Connected school. It brings together school staff and community partners to identify student and family needs and connect them with appropriate supports, services, and local resources to promote student success. Mental health needs and coordinating referrals to outside agencies continues to be the top LINK at Connected Madison. The pending return of the Madison County Mental Health Counselor on December 1st has led to many families asking to transfer into the in-school service versus transporting to other providers. Ms. Bowen is working closely with school staff and families to ensure that enrollment paperwork is in place and that appointments can be made as soon as the counselor is ready to schedule those. Continuing to review and strengthen the relationships with Madison County is important in making the process seamless for school staff and for families in need.
COLLABORATIONS COLLABORATIONS & & Contributions Contributions Class of 2029, Class of 2028, and Class of 2027 meetings in the HUB Set up the HUB space and assist with supporting class meetings. ICAN Leadership Group with grades 4 and 5 - Took photos and supported teachers and students while they had 3 days of activities to strengthen their leadership skills with ICAN representatives. Optimist Club Craft Show - Assisted with craft show checking in vendors, greeting shoppers, and raffle basket donation. College and Career Fair Planning Meeting - Met with teachers and admin to plan upcoming College and Career event. Meet with Hamilton Food Pantry Staff - Plan and coordinate Thanksgiving food Giveaway. Participate in pick-up day to greet families. Meet with Mrs. Bodner and Mrs. Rotach - Planning meeting to bring an author visit to the district. Giving Tree Committee Meetings Plan with the committee for the annual Giving Tree process. Positivity Project Assembly Secured a presenter for the November assembly. Connected Sherburne - Assisted with Open HUB and Blessing Basket drop off at Connected Sherburne.
Connected Madison would like to thank every one that helps! We cannot do it w ithout you!
TRAINING TRAININGHighlights Highlights
November Advisory Board
During the month of November, we hosted our quarterly Advisory Board meeting. For this meeting, we had two agencies present on the programs they offer. The first agency to present was CNY Fair Housing, located in Syracuse, New York. Tysha Martin shared with the group that the primary goal of CNY Fair Housing is to fight discrimination in housing for protected classes. They cover 13 counties in Central and Northern New York. Not only do they investigate and fight for tenants, but they also educate landlords and community providers on tenant rights. The presentation was very informative and a great resource to connect appropriate families that we work with. The second presentation was by the Utica Center for Development. This agency provides a variety of services specifically aimed towards veterans and their families including assistance with tangible items as well as mental health support. One of their programs, called the Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Program, works with veterans who have PTSD and other mental health struggles. This is an essential resource for veterans and their families we may work with.
Connected Partner Highlights: Monthly Connected Partner Highlights are held virtually throughout the school year for staff to discover and build connections with various community partners. During the month of November, we had three different agencies present on the services they offer. One program, the Cornell Cooperative Extension Child Care Council, shared that they offer Classroom Programming opportunities focused on social emotional learning. The Child Care Council has been a great partner of Connected and is frequently booked to come into our schools. They also offer assistance in obtaining child care and financial assistance to pay for child care in Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison Counties. Our second presenter was the Madison Community Action Partnership’s Permanency Resources Program. This state-funded program, which evolved from kinship caregiver programs, provides comprehensive support to kinship caregivers, adoptive families, and families going through legal guardianship or adoption processes, in partnership with the Neighborhood Center in Oneida County. This specific program is available in Oneida and Chenango Counties, but there are similar programs throughout the state. Last but not least, we also had Indium Corporation present to our staff on the Classroom Programming that they can offer. Indium can go into local schools and teach students about what Indium does, considerations for career exploration with Indium, and learning about the manufacturing process along with some STEMrelated education. This is a great opportunity that many of our staff only just discovered during this Partner Highlight. If you are interested in bringing Indium into your school, please reach out to your Connected Site Coordinator!
INITIATIVE INITIATIVE WIDE WIDEHighlights Highlights Holiday Assistance 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.
Now Open: Connected Purple Flamingo Thrift & Gift Store The Connected Purple Flamingo Thrift and Gift Store is now open! Bright, quirky, and full of character, the store offers a wide variety of thrifted and new items for sale. All proceeds benefit the Connected Initiative, making every purchase a way to support the community. If you haven’t visited yet, it’s definitely worth checking out!
Connected Community Spaghetti Dinner On November 19 in collaboration between The Connected initiative, Oneida County, and the Connected Rome CSD; the very first Connected County Spaghetti Dinner was held at Connected Strough middle school. The true strength of our communities in the Mohawk Valley is the spirit of resilience and collaboration to come together to support one another in the face of current and ongoing struggles. With the support of our volunteers from Oneida County, student volunteers, and Rome, CSD nutrition services staff we were able to distribute approximately 300 eat in and take out meals to anyone who was able to attend regardless of school district or home address. This event was proof that local action can have a wide impact.
UPCOMING UPCOMINGEvents Events DECEMBER 18TH THREE & ME 5:30-6:15 PM
DECEMBER 20TH JANUARY 4TH SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
DECEMBER 20TH HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE PICK-UP DAY
JANUARY 6TH REALITY CHECK FOR MS & HS 10:45 - 12:15
JANUARY 15TH THREE & ME 5:30-6:15 PM
JANUARY 28TH SNAP-ED AT MR. BRUNO’S BACKYARD AG CLASS
JANUARY 28TH WATER WEDNESDAY
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
CENTRAL HUB TEAM ALEXIS TOWNE
RAIN RIDGNER
KAELYNN BARBER
KALI FOUNTAIN
DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF IMPACT
DELIVERY TEAM
NORA BAJOHR
SASHA MILLER