Madison MadisonCOMMUNITYPICNIC
Familieskickedofftheschoolyear withabang at afun-filledevent featuring afree picnic dinner preparedandservedby theMCScafeteriastaff! Entertainment included bouncehousesfrom 3 BrothersParty andTent Rental,Bippy’sBalloonsandFace Painting,andavisit from PrincessBelle.Community partnersandschool-based organizationswereonhandtoshareresourcesandconnect withfamilies
Aspecialthankyoutoallour participating partners:Freedom GuideDogs,CNYBMX,Madison Ambulance,MadisonFireDepartment,Classesof2026,2027,and2028,MadisonYearbook Committee,ColgateUniversity Women’sBasketball,MadisonCounty CCE,OneidaCounty CCEChild
Care Council, NYPENN Girl Scouts, Good News Center, Hamilton Public Library, Madison County CAP Healthy Families, ICAN, Lifeplan, Madison County Youth Bureau, Madison County Rural Health, Madison County Public Health, Madison County Foster Care Program, Madison Democratic Committee, Madison Foreign Language and Culture Club, Madison Teachers Association, Madison Optimist Club, Madison PTO, Madison SADD, Madison School Counselors, and Madison Student Council!
July & August Recap
The Silent Book Club continues to be a favorite for community members and students who can’t put down a good book! Participants enjoy catching up on favorite authors, reading devices, library events, and booktracking apps before settling into quiet reading time or lively conversations. Snacks are always on hand, making the time fly! Ms. Bowen looks forward to continuing the book club and seeing the wonderful things attendees will do during the school year.
MadisonConnectedkickedoffthe2025SummerEnrichmentProgramwithasplash!Weekonedoveintoanocean theme,startingwithapresentationfromMr JamesSears,PresidentoftheNYSDiverAssociation,whosharedhis underwateradventuresandansweredstudents’deepquestions StudentsthenexploredtheAquacultureclassroom withMr.Keville,observingaxolotls,pufferfish,seahorses,andmorewhilelearningabouthabitatsandspeciesthriving incaptivity.TheweekwrappedupwithMs.EileenfromtheOneidaHerkimerSolidWasteAuthority,whoeducated studentsaboutoceanpollution,recycling,andtheGreatPacificGarbagePatch.
Thesecondweekfocusedonriversandstreams.Mrs.BetseyfromtheNYSDepartmentofConservationledan interactivegameillustratingthewatercycle,helpingstudentsseetheuniquepathofwater
WaterSportsandWaterSafetyweekendedwithfun-filledactivitieslikewaterballoontosses,spongerelayraces,and Duck,Duck,Splash,keepingeveryonelaughingandactive.TheColgateUniversityWomen’sBasketballteamalsojoined theprogram,leadingdrills,readingstories,andspendingtimewithstudentsontheplayground,bringingenergy, encouragement,andteamworktotheweek.Mrs.ColemanfromMadisonTownLakesharedessentialwatersafetytips andRedCrossWHALEsafetyvideos,whileMs.Carrietaughtabouthydrationandhealthysnacking,includinga“berrylicious”smoothiedemonstration.
Ms Eileenreturnedwithahands-onactivitytoseeifstudents’recyclableboatscouldfloat,earningthempencilsmade fromrecyclednewspaper.MadisonCountyCornellCooperativeExtensionengagedstudentswithlessonson watersheds,salmonspawning,andthejourneyoffishthroughdamsandfishladders.Theprogramconcludedwitha celebratorydayatMadisonLake,wherestudentsswam,builtsandcastles,enjoyedpicniclunches,andindulgedin cottoncandythankstoMs.AlexisfromConnectedRome.OfficerMarchandMs.Cherylhelpedrunthegrillandbring cookiesforeveryone.SplashintoSummerLearningwasatremendoussuccess,combiningeducation,creativity,physical activity,andfunthroughoutthesummer!
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TuesdayeveningsinJulyweretheplacetobeatMadisonLakefortheannualMadisonConnectedSummerReading Program!PartneringwithHamiltonPublicLibraryandOriskanyFallsRotary,theprogramofferedfun,learning,and communityconnection.
Thesummertheme,ColorYourWorld,kickedoffwithMadisonCCEbringingnaturalpaintsmadefromspinach, blueberries,andmore,pairedwithstoriesaboutpaintingourworld WeektwofeaturedMCSgradsCatherineand Kendra,guidingstudentstopainttheirownsliceofsummerwhileMs Bowenentertainedwithstoriesandfunnyvoices WeekthreecelebratedthecolorsoffoodwithMs.CarriefromCCESNAP-Ed,teachingsafefoodhandlingasstudents preparedafresh,colorfulsaladalongsidestorytime.TheprogramconcludedwithMs.TubbsreadingALittleSPOTof Emotion,helpingstudentsexplorefeelingsandassociatethemwithcolors.
Consistentattendance,engagedparticipants,andsupportivecommunitypartnersmadethisyear’sprogramavibrant success!
chaperones enjoyed the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County’s Adventures at the Fair program! Seventytwo participants were transported to the fair for a day full of educational activities, delicious food, exciting prizes, and thrilling rides. Despite the heat, everyone had an amazing time. A big thank you to CCE of Madison County for providing this fun and enriching experience!
Colgate University Women's Basketball team enjoyed time playing on the playground and playing basketball with students and families recently. A beautiful night lent itself to fun games, swings, and lots of laughs as students and families interacted with the team and coaches Everyone was able to enjoy refreshing popsicles as they played and chatted Thanks for the experience Colgate Athletics!
September Recap
In recognition of Suicide Awareness Month and through the NYS Mental Health Grant, John Halligan visited Madison Central to share Ryan’s Story with middle and high school students. This powerful presentation encouraged students to reflect on how they treat others, inspired bystanders to stand up against bullying, and highlighted the importance of forgiveness and love. It was a meaningful and impactful experience for all who attended.
Second graders wrapped up their first unit all about fairy tales and folktales. To celebrate, the students dressed up as their favorite character and enjoyed a pancake breakfast in honor of folk legend, Paul Bunyon. Ms. Bowen was happy to make and serve pancakes, applesauce, and milk to the students and hear all about their favorite folk tales and fairy tales!
The Silent Book Club continues to draw book lovers of all ages for a night of book talk and reading. This month the group reviewed our favorite apps for book tracking while making a beaded keychain or bookmark. Participants then took to the books, and read independently white snacking on some sweet treats. Bookish things bring people together!
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either learned or refreshed their kitchen skills and made a delicious cake to enjoy
Mr Bruno
the high school Food Science Class
Madison HUB
apple spice cake Students
been out apple picking
HUB Students
The Madison Positivity Project kicked off its first Kids of Character Award Assembly with music and fun tricks from the Colgate Women’s Basketball Team. Mrs. Rotach introduced the character strengths Curiosity—encouraging questions and exploration—and Teamwork, showing the power of working together. Players shared traits that help them succeed as a team and offered tips for students to use at home, with friends, and at school. Students were recognized as Kids of Character, and Mrs. Rotach reminded everyone, “The Positivity Project isn’t just for assemblies—it’s something we live every day. Together, we spread kindness, respect, and positivity and show the world we’re stronger when we work together!”
Middle School and High School Lunch Bunch Groups continue to fill with students that are looking for an alternate seating arrangement from the cafeteria. Students engage with each other in a smaller atmosphere daily and make connections with each other over group discussions, trivia questions, Uno games, and more while spending lunch time in the HUB.
COLLABORATIONS & COLLABORATIONS & Contributions Contributions
July & August
James Sears, NYS Diver Association
Phil Keville, MCS Aqua-culture Teacher
Eileen Brinck, Oneida Herkimer Solid Waste Authority
Katlyn Santangelo, Madison County Cornell Cooperative Extension
Betsey Ukeritis, Department of Environmental Conservation
Amy Coleman, Madison Parks
Carrie Forward, SNAP-Ed from Madison County Cornell Cooperative Extension
Coach Zee, Colgate Women’s Basketball
Carlee Doxtator, Connected Sherburne-Earlville
Jesse Sibley, Connected Waterville
Alexis Towne, Connected Rome
Dollar Tree, Hamilton
Positivity Project Committee
Oral Health Partnership of Madison County Meetings
Creekside Community Thrift Meeting
Conne Madisonw tothanke thathelp cannotdoit you!
COLLABORATIONS & COLLABORATIONS &
September Recap
CCE of Madison County SNAP-Ed meeting to collaborate for 25-26 school year programming
Class of 2027, 2028, and 2029 class meetings in the HUB
Collaborate with admin team for “If you give a staff member a new school year” cookie surprise for all staff
New Teacher Monthly Meeting - Topic this month is relationship building
Collaboration meeting with BRiDGES Reality Check Program. Miss Val met to schedule year long monthly programming
Oral Health Partnership of Madison County (OHPMC) monthly meeting to review programs for the district BRiDGES, Leading with the Four Tendencies workshop and book study
Positivity Project planning meeting
Club Advisor planning meeting
Waterville CSD Open House event with Jesse Optimist monthly meeting
Connected Connected
PARTNERS PARTNERS
Ms. Tubbs and Ms. Bowen continue to engage regularly this school year to support students with counseling needs and more.
3 3
Madison Connected hosted its first 2025-2026 Three & Me Group on the 18th! Future prekindergarteners and their caregivers were met by Ms. Bowen, Mrs. Milson, Mrs. Buschor, Mrs. Wasick, and Ms. Matteson and treated to fun play time, a great story by Ms. Matteson, a fun craft, and a snack! All children that will be 3 on or before December 1, 2025 are welcome to join!
LINK LINKTrendsTrends
July/August-ConnectedMadisonLINKtrendsshowschoolsupplyneeds,mentalhealthneeds,andfoodinsecurity NationalGridpartneredwithConnectedtobringtheBacktoSchoolBashtotheRomeofficewherefamiliescould engagewithcommunitypartners,havefood,obtainschoolsupplies,andhavefunwithaDJ,bouncehouses,and more!ConnectedMadisonfamiliesthatwereunabletoattendtheeventweresupportedwithbacktoschoolneeds throughtheeventandMs.BowenbroughtneededsuppliestoMadison.MadisonCountyMentalHealthonsiteclinic openedinJulyandsawareferralinearlyAugusttoestablishastudent.Thisnewpartnershipwillhelpsupportmental healthneedsofstudentsandMs.Bowenwillhelpwiththereferralprocessforfamiliesandstaff.Foodinsecurity continuestobeaddressedthroughlocalagenciesandtheHUB.
September-MadisonLINKtrendscontinuetoshowmentalhealthasthenumberoneneedfollowedbybasicsupport ThenewpartnershipbetweenMadisonCSDandMadisonCountyMentalHealthwillallowforaseamlessprocessto referstudentsforthehelpandsupportneededrightintheschoolbuilding Ms Bowencontinuestoworkwith familiesasawholeforsupportonallneeds. & ME & ME
UPCOMING UPCOMINGEvents
TRAINING TRAININGHighlights Highlights
Monthly Connected Partner Highlights are held virtually throughout the school year for staff to discover and build connections with various community partners. September kicked off the presentations for the '25-'26 school year. Melinda Robinson, a research coordinator at Bassett's Research Institute, presented to our staff on her role in cancer awareness, prevention, and education, noting her work with youth tobacco prevention using pigs' lungs as an educational tool. This tobacco prevention education is available for any of our Connected Districts, so our Site Coordinators can work with her to schedule her interactive presentation to schools, at no cost! The presentation, featuring healthy and damaged pigs' lungs, aims to deeply resonate with students about the consequences of tobacco use. For more information or if you are interested in bringing Melinda into your school, please connect with your Site Coordinator!
Learn how to support the mental health of young people in your community! This 6-hour interactive training is designed for anyone who wants to better understand youth mental health, recognize signs of concern, and connect youth with the right resources and supports. Gain practical skills, increase your confidence, and make a positive difference in the lives of young people.
INITIATIVEWIDE INITIATIVE WIDE
In August, we held our initiative-wide Back to School Bash in partnership with National Grid. 1,300 students from our Connected Districts were able to receive the school supplies needed according to their teachers’ lists. About 3,000 individuals were in attendance to learn about the Community Partner resources, have a meal, and enjoy a variety of activities alongside the school supply giveaway! Thanks to our partnership with National Grid, students were able to start
Our first annual Connected Visionary Awards: Not a School Night Celebration was a huge success! The award recipients included Colleen Fahy-Box, Jessica Lattimore, Jason Mitchell, Julia Thet, Karen Belcher on behalf of the Food Bank of CNY, Anne Lansing on behalf of Safe Schools Mohawk Valley, and Richelle Singer on behalf of Cornell Cooperative Extension. The Beeches was a fabulous location with amazing food. There was a silent auction, locker giveaway, painting, and more! We greatly appreciate our Connected Partners and are glad to give them the acknowledgement they deserve for supporting our Intiative.
ero Awards ero Awards
OurCo-Leader,MelissaRoys,wastherecipientoftheHunger HeroAwardshostedbytheFoodBankofCentralNewYork duetotheworkdoneintheTheConnectedInitiativethrough back-to-backnaturaldisastersinCentralNewYork
TheConnectedInitiativeishonoredtocelebrateMelissa Roys,2025HungerHero,whilealsorecognizingthesteadfast leadershipofDanielleMartinandtheentireConnectedTeam fortheirtirelesscommitmenttofightinghunger, strengtheningfamilies,andbuildingresilientcommunities.
CoordinatorAppreciationWeekwasheldnationallySeptember 14th-20th Ourteamcelebratedtheonlywaythatmadesense–bycelebratingeachofourstaffandhighlightingthestrengths theybringtotheConnectedInitiative! Eachstaffmemberreceivedapersonalizedawardfortheunique contributionstheyoffer.
