Mt Markham - April 2026 - Newsletter by connected_community

A P R I L 2 0 2 6

C O N N E C T E D

M T M A R K H A M

N E W S L E T T E R

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Connected District Bulletin

Connected Partners

Collaborations & Contributions

Training Highlights

Initiative Wide Highlights

Staff

Chalk Chalk

THE THE

walk walk

Connected Mount Markham hosted a break up the break event during Spring Break. Students and families joined them at the elementary playground to Chalk The Walk! Our students enjoyed creating their own masterpieces from ocean life to flowers to jaguars….they had a blast!

Mr. Engram of YWCA - Mohawk Valley recently presented to elementary students on the importance of showing kindness and respect to others, even when we may have differences. Through meaningful discussion and interactive conversation, students were highly engaged, eagerly asking and answering questions throughout the presentation. Experiences like these help foster empathy, understanding, and a positive school community where every student feels valued and supported.

Mr. Ron & his therapy dog, Melo returned from their southern vacation to visit with first grade and Mrs. Iorio’s special education class. Students listened to Mr. Ron read stories and everyone was able to pet and talk with Melo for a bit.

Connected Mount Markham families visited Open HUB at the high school in need of items to restock their pantries at no cost to them. Open HUB is a vital resource for the Mount Markham Community due to the rural community with limited food resources.

HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES

During the month of April, HUB Huddles provided students with a welcomed opportunity to take a break from state testing and recharge in a supportive environment. Students engaged in meaningful conversations with peers about their experiences and challenges, helping to build connection and community. In addition, students enjoyed a variety of relaxing and creative activities, including decorating Easter cookies, making rubber band bracelets, and playing table games with friends. These moments offered a positive outlet for students to decompress while strengthening relationships and promoting a sense of belonging.

Peer support and meaningful discussions were at the center of HUB Huddle throughout the month of April, with conversations focused on state testing and student experiences. Students were encouraged to share their thoughts, support one another, and reflect on strategies for managing stress during this time. The HUB continues to serve as a welcoming space where students can access what they need—whether that is a break, conversation, or moment to reset—to help them successfully navigate the school day.

HUBHuddlesinthehighschoolcontinuetobea popularspotforstudentstodecompress,express themselves,andtohavealittlefuninbetween classes YourMountMarkhamConnectedTeam strivestobeasafeadultintheeverydaylivesof studentsthatmaynotfeelliketheyhaveone otherwise.TheHUBisalsooftenusedforhygiene productsandclothingduringtheday,makingita staplelocationfordailyneeds.

CONNECTED CONNECTED CONNECTEDPartners Partners Partners

The Neighborhood Center’s embedded program continues to provide valuable support and services to students across all grade levels within the district.

Currently, the program serves 5 students in the Elementary School, 7 students in the middle school, and 5 students in the high school Through ongoing collaboration with school staff and families, the program helps students build social-emotional skills, strengthen connections, and access resources that support their overall well-being and success both inside and outside the classroom.

The Liberty Partnerships Program was established in 1988 under Section 612 Subdivision 6 of Education Law to address the significant dropout rate and promote positive outcomes of post-graduation among New York State Youth. One of 52 collegiate programs, SUNY Polytechnic Institute was awarded the Liberty Partnership Program Grant in Fall of 2022. The SUNY Poly Liberty Partnership Program team strives to provide academic support, career and employment preparation as well as social emotional skill building for 5th - 12th grade students within six Herkimer County school districts: Central Valley, Dolgeville, Frankfort-Schuyler, Herkimer, Little Falls, and Mount Markham.

The SUNY Polytechnic Institute Liberty Partnerships Program currently serves over 200 students providing a series of engaging and supportive programs to aid in individual goal achievement and positive outcomes. Supports and Services include:

Individual Academic Support Meetings

Social Emotional Assessments

Personalized Learning Plans

Career Exploration

Employment Preparation

School-based academic support programs

Summer Programs

COLLABORATIONS & COLLABORATIONS & COLLABORATIONS

Connected MountMarkham wouldliketothank everyonethathelps! Wecannotdoit withoutyou!

& Contributions Contributions Contributions

DuWayne Engram - YWCA Mohawk Valley

Deb Grogen -First Source Federal Credit Union

The Shave Shack/ Your Main Squeeze Food Trucks

Colby Thall - FACE Program

Marina Brigham - Cornell Cooperative Extension

Mosaic Dental

Crafted Cuts

TTrends rendsTrends

We continue to assist Mount Markham District families with food insecurity through food boxes and Open HUB events. Food insecurity continues to be a struggle as prices continue to rise, parents are out of work, and as some families care for extended family members in addition to their own immediate family.

Herkimer County has teamed up with Connected Community Schools as part of the Herkimer County System of Care Initiative in order to provide Mental Health support and connections to Herkimer County Youth. The Youth Ambassador Coordinator will work with school administration, school staff and Connected Community Schools staff to identify students who could benefit from serving as an ambassador within their school district and community. The Youth Ambassador Coordinator will organize and facilitate Youth Ambassador Councils across Herkimer County School districts and within the community. Monthly meetings will be held in order to organize and implement activities, events and programming related to Mental Health support and awareness. Youth Ambassadors may also have opportunities to coordinate with Youth Ambassador Councils across Herkimer County including the Annual Youth Summit.

Mother Daughter Mother DaughterCircle Circle

The newest Mother Daughter Circles Group is up and running at The Mount Markham High School Hub. These sessions so far have proved that love, support and connection aren’t limited by roles or titles in a student's life. All important relationships can benefit from the curriculum of Mother Daughter Circle and we have been so pleased to welcome Father’s to this latest session of Mother Daughter Circle. Showing up for one another, building bonds and strengthening families is the guiding purpose of these sessions.

A AS SS SA AD DO OR R

A AM MB B

Y YO OU UT TH H

C CO OU UN NC CI IL L

Youth Ambassador Council Meetings for students at Jarvis Middle School are focusing on students getting to know one another and helping students to understand what their strengths are when it comes to working as a team. Students have begun talking about topics they care about with the help of some guided check in’s and conversation. Students will continue to meet weekly and begin setting some goals to create a positive impact in their school and community.

Afterschool programming across the four Herkimer County districts continues to provide students with opportunities to have fun, build social connections, and strengthen emotional awareness. At Herkimer Central School District Middle/High School, students enjoyed some “Egg-cellent Fun” creating art with plastic eggs to celebrate Spring Break. Students throughout Connected districts also participated in engaging activities like Human Bingo and conversation games designed to encourage teamwork, communication, and meaningful connections. At Central Valley Academy, a giant beach ball filled with conversation-starting questions helped students build communication skills, learn more about one another, and most importantly, have fun together.

YouthAmbassadorCoordinator,KatiespendstimeineachoftheHerkimerCounty ConnectedDistricts.Herscheduleisasfollows: Monday -

CENTRAL VALLEY

DOLGEVILLE HERKIMER MT. MARKHAM

TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING

Building Financial Wellness with First Source Federal Credit Union

Deb and Rachel from First Source Federal Credit Union led an engaging Partner Highlight training focused on Community Financial Education and Wellness. They shared valuable information about the programs they offer to support financial literacy and life-ready skills, including two interactive online platforms—Banzai! and Enrich—which provide students with hands-on learning experiences around budgeting, saving, and realworld financial decisionmaking.

They also highlighted the Reality Fair, an immersive event that allows participants to step into real-life scenarios and practice managing expenses and financial responsibilities. The session provided meaningful insight into the tools available to support student learning and empowerment around financial wellness.

Building Stronger Communities Through Purpose and Passion

Nonprofit organizations are not meant to serve as temporary solutions, but as long-term, sustainable supports that strengthen communities for years to come. Through care, consistency, trust-building, and meaningful connections, nonprofit leaders continue to address real challenges while creating vibrant and supportive environments for all. Attending the NYS Council of Nonprofits Summit was another inspiring opportunity to learn, collaborate, and be energized alongside passionate nonprofit leaders who share the same commitment to making a lasting difference in their communities.

Honoring Advocacy During National Child Abuse Prevention Month

During National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, members of our Administrative Team had the honor of attending the Child Abuse Prevention Breakfast hosted by the Oneida County Department of Children and Family Services. The event highlighted the importance of community collaboration, advocacy, and continued efforts to support the safety and well-being of children and families. It was an inspiring opportunity to stand alongside community leaders and organizations dedicated to creating brighter, safer futures for children throughout our region.

Mobile Resources Roll In: Fidelis Community Office RV at the Connected Impact Center

On April 24th, the Fidelis Community Office RV parked in front of the Connected Impact Center, providing an accessible and welcoming space for students and families to learn more about available health insurance options and community resources. Staff on-site offered guidance, answered questions, and supported individuals in navigating important coverage information. The visit helped strengthen community connections and ensured that attendees had access to valuable tools and information to support their health and well-being.

Connected Purple Flamingo Thrift & Gift Grand Opening and Vendor Fair

Connected Purple Flamingo Thrift & Gift will celebrate its Grand Opening by welcoming students, staff, and community members into a unique space focused on creativity, connection, and opportunity. The shop features a variety of thrifted treasures, gifts, and student-supported initiatives while promoting community engagement and hands-on experiences. Community members are also invited to attend the upcoming Vendor Fair, where local vendors and organizations will come together to showcase products, services, and resources. It promises to be a fun-filled event supporting local businesses and community partnerships.

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) 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.

I N G C H I L D S A F E

Community Educator, Amanda, participated in radio interviews with WIBX “This Week in the Mohawk Valley” and WUTQ “Talk of the Town” to highlight the mission of The Ride for Missing Children and to promote child safety education throughout the Mohawk Valley. These outreach efforts help raise awareness, engage the community in meaningful conversation, and reinforce the importance of keeping children safe. P R O M O T

Interactive safety presentations were conducted in three Connected Bellamy 4th-grade classrooms (Ms. Martin/Ms. Bonanza, Mr. Mahardy, and Ms. Sabia), where students learned important bike safety protocols, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) “4 Rules of Personal Safety” (Check First, Take a Friend, Tell People No, and Tell a Trusted Adult), and key digital citizenship skills. A follow-up visit to Bellamy Elementary provided a second round of classroom presentations, continuing the “4 Rules of Personal Safety” curriculum to reinforce and ensure consistent safety messaging across 4th–6th grade levels.

HUB Huddles were held across John Joy, Ridge Mills, and Stokes Elementary, bringing important safety education directly to students during lunchtime. At John Joy, students participated in a cafeteria HUB Huddle focused on the Ride for Missing Children and general safety awareness, engaging in meaningful conversations about prevention while eating lunch. At Ridge Mills, discussions centered on bike and neighborhood safety, empowering students to take responsibility for their own safety both in their community and while riding. At Stokes, students completed interactive activity sheets that supported lessons on personal safety and interpersonal boundaries, including identifying trusted adults, practicing how to say “no,” and learning strategies to stay in control of their personal safety.

HUB Huddles were held across three elementary schools—John Joy, Ridge Mills, and Stokes—bringing important safety conversations directly to students during lunchtime. At John Joy, students participated in a cafeteria HUB Huddle where discussions focused on the Ride for Missing Children and general safety awareness, helping to engage students in preventative education in a relaxed, welcoming setting. At Ridge Mills, students chatted about bike and neighborhood safety, with a focus on empowering them to take charge of their own safety both on their bikes and within their community. At Stokes, students took part in an interactive HUB Huddle using activity sheets to explore personal safety and interpersonal boundaries, practicing how to identify trusted adults, say “no” when needed, and stay in control of their personal safety.

The Community Educator for the Ride for Missing Children was excited to participate in the local “Touch-A-Truck” event, where safety resources were shared with attending families and community members. Staff engaged with participants to raise awareness of missing children initiatives and highlight local safety programming, providing an opportunity for meaningful community connection and education in a family-friendly setting.