Madison - October - Newsletter

OCTOBER 2025

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

Colgate Women’s Volleyball Game Connected Madison was able to experience a Colgate Women’s Volleyball Game! While there the students were treated to a delicious lunch and ice cream treat provided by Gilligans Ice Cream. Each student also left with some Colgate swag! Thank you Colgate for this new experience for grades 1-5! Go ‘Gate!

Mr. Bruno’s High School Food Science Class has been busy in the HUB this month, taking part in a series of hands-on nutrition activities.

Students kicked things off by making four varieties of applesauce, comparing each apple’s texture, consistency, and flavor before choosing their favorites. They later returned to create healthy Chobani-based smoothies, sampling two recipes, voting on their preferred flavors, and brainstorming creative combinations they could try at home. The class also enjoyed a “My Plate” nutrition lesson with Ms. Carol, where they reviewed healthy eating habits, portion balance across food groups, and put their knowledge to the test with a fun round of trivia. Learning—and tasting—made for a delicious educational experience!

Ms. Val with BRiDGES Reality Check recently came to Madison to talk about tobacco free communities during the Middle School and High School lunches. Students shared knowledge about tobacco advertising and how they feel about tobacco in their community and learned from Ms. Val. Students painted rocks with different positive messages about tobacco awareness to decorate the memorial garden at school. Thank you Ms. Val for the education and cool pens too!

This month's meeting of the Silent Book Club was a quiet affair filled with talking about favorite authors and series that participants have read. Book titles were shared and a chili dinner was enjoyed by all!

Ms. Carol with Cornell Cooperative Extension SNAP-Ed Program was in for the first Water Wednesday of the 25-26 school year. Students were treated to a strawberry kiwi water sample and talked with Ms. Carol about the benefits of water over other sugary drinks. Many students came back for seconds and over 250 students sampled the water!

The Positivity Project Kids of Character Celebration started off with a count of the socks and underwear collected for Socktober! The goal of 100 pairs was surpassed by more than 6 times with over 600 pairs being collected! Students get to celebrate their achievement with a school wide crazy sock day on Monday November 3rd. Our friend Mike Marris with Creekside Community Thrift Shop came and spoke to students about taking care of other people and how Creekside is there to help. Students were then awarded a certificate and recognized as they demonstrated the character traits of OpenMindedness, Being present and giving others my attention, Integrity, and Creativity.

Students in grades K-2 were invited by the Madison Optimist Club to an after school fall celebration! Ms. Bowen was happy to help celebrate and chaperone the event with the Optimist Members! Students were able to decorate their own unique shirts with a fun fall theme, make crafts, have their face painted, dance, and play games with friends. Everyone was provided a snack and the laughs and fun times were enjoyed by all!

October’s Three & Me Group met and enjoyed a fun fall story read by Mrs. Millson then created a leaf craft with their guardian. Snacks were enjoyed and playtime was educational and entertaining for all!

The High School and Middle School Lunch Bunches continue to be a popular place for students to enjoy an activity together and eat their lunch. Trivia and Uno competitions continue to be the favorite activities and students are looking forward to upcoming holiday crafts to be shared with family and the local nursing home!

ConnectedPARTNERS

Connected PARTNERS

Ms. Tubbs and Ms. Bowen continue to review students' needs through LINK and regular meetings.

Touching base from two points in the building with students that can benefit from a check-in have been the focus this month. Letting all students know there are adults available to help them in multiple places in the building has led to direct student support.

LINK LINKTrends Trends Mental Health supports continues to be the top LINK referral at Madison Connected. With the pending return from maternity leave of the Madison County Mental Health clinician, we expect to be able to facilitate an easy transition to in-school appointment times. As the SNAP benefit distribution for November remains unsettled, education and reaching out to families has been key to explain how we can assist and that we, along with the community partners, are here to help. The suspension of SNAP benefits also includes the suspension of HEAP benefits as well, that so many people count on when paying for the heating sources for their house. We will continue to utilize our LINK referral system that we can assist these families; to connect them with any and all available resources.

COLLABORATIONS COLLABORATIONS & & Contributions Contributions

Class of 2027 meetings in the HUB Class of 2028 meetings in the HUB Connected Class of 2029 meetings in the HUB Madison would like New Teacher Monthly meetings to thank everyo ne 2026 College and Career Fair Planning Meeting that helps! We cannot do it w Hamilton Food Pantry Meeting to collaborate and plan Holiday Assistance ithout Inter Faith Holiday Assistance Planning Meeting you!

Madison County SPOA monthly meeting PTO Java Fundraiser assistance with staff deliveries Optimist Club meeting, Bonfire Homecoming event, and Elementary After School Halloween event Oral Health Partnership of Madison County Dental Kit Assembly and Distribution to all Madison County Schools

TRAINING TRAININGHighlights Highlights Bruce Brodsky with the Utica Dollars for Scholars came to our October all-staff meeting in Rome to share with staff the scholarship opportunities available to many of the students we serve. The application for Utica Dollars for Scholars is open now through March of 2026 for students in Herkimer and Oneida Counties looking for funding for higher education. Bruce identified that they want to get the word out to students and not only ensure they are aware of the opportunity, but also get support to follow through the full application process, as many start their application but don’t finish it. The presentation was very insightful for our staff who support high school students in the Herkimer and Oneica Counties, and hopefully we can get those students connected to the scholarship opportunities available.

Monthly Connected Partner Highlights are held virtually throughout the school year for staff to discover and build connections with various community partners. In the month of October, we had three different agencies present on some services they offer, including OnPoint for College, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Neighborhood Center’s COMHPS program.

Partner Highlights

Earlier in the month, Anny Guerrero-Brown provided an overview of OnPoint for College, detailing its expansion beyond college access and success to include support for certificate programs, licenses, and trades, serving students in Herkimer, Madison, Onondaga, and Cayuga counties with broad eligibility criteria and individualized support across college access, college success, and career services. Jennifer Engram elaborated on career services, including advising, workshops, and internship opportunities. Anny concluded by emphasizing OnPoint for College's holistic, free, and continuous support, focusing on removing barriers to education and building strong relationships with students.

Lisa McCarthy provided an overview of the Alzheimer's Association, discussing the financial and caregiving impact of dementia, the association's funding and research efforts, various types of dementia, warning signs, and strategies for brain health and prevention. The Alzheimer’s Association is available to table at any events where we may want to share information on dementia and Alzheimer's support.

Paul Ukena introduced The Neighborhood Center's OMH grant-funded COMHPS (Community Mental Health Promotion and Support) program, outlining its focus on community mental health promotion and support, the Neighborhood Center's broader services, and the program's activities, including outreach, referrals, and emotional support, emphasizing its free and short-term nature. The COMHPS program offers Classroom Programming opportunities including interactive tabling and group content delivery using different activities to allow participants to express their creativity while promoting mental well-being. The program is available in Oneida County, so if you are interested in bringing them into your classroom, contact your Site Coordinator!

INITIATIVE INITIATIVE WIDE WIDEHighlights Highlights

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.

Click here to access the Holiday Assistance Bin Map!

Connected Community Schools is kicking off the Connected Food Drive to help ensure families in our community have access to nutritious food this season.

With the support of generous donors and community members, we aim to make a meaningful impact for local families in need.

Donations of non-perishable food items can be dropped off at any Connected Community Schools site or at our main office at 207 North James Street, Rome, NY. Monetary contributions can also be made online at https://connectedcommunityschools.org/donate-2/.

Every gift helps nourish children and families across our community.

UPCOMING UPCOMINGEvents Events NOVEMBER 21ST & 25TH PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES

NOVEMBER 25TH POSITIVITY PROJECT KIDS OF CHARACTER

NOVEMBER 24TH KINDER THANKSGIVING LUNCH

NOVEMBER 7TH REALITY CHECK FOR MS & HS 10:45 - 12:15

DECEMBER 2ND MATH & CHEESE FAMILY DINNER GAME NIGHT

NOVEMBER 20TH THREE & ME 5:30-6:15 PM

DECEMBER 8TH & 9TH KINDER COOKIES 12:30 - 2 PM

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