Mt Markham - April 2026 - Newsletter

APRIL 2026

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

CChhaallkk

E THE TH

wwaallkk

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!

LEARNING TO LEAD WITH KINDNESS

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.

MELO THE THERAPY DOG 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 MT MARKHAM

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

CONNECTED MOUNT MARKHAM ELEMENTARY

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.

HUB HUDDLES CONNECTED MOUNT MARKHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL

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.

HUB HUDDLES CONNECTED MOUNT MARKHAM HIGH SCHOOL

HUB Huddles in the high school continue to be a popular spot for students to decompress, express themselves, and to have a little fun in between classes. Your Mount Markham Connected Team strives to be a safe adult in the everyday lives of students that may not feel like they have one otherwise. The HUB is also often used for hygiene products and clothing during the day, making it a staple location for daily needs.

CONNECTEDPartners 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 & & Contributions Contributions ected Conn rkham a nt M ank Mou to th e k i l d elps! woul hat h t e n o t t do i every anno c e ! u W ut yo witho

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

Trends

Student

School Faculty/Staff

Connected Site Coordinator

Family

Services / Resources

Team Approach

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.

UPCOMING Events Events

WHO ARE WE AND WHAT DO WE DO? 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 DaughterCircle Mother Daughter Circle Daughter 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.

H T U O Y ASSADOR

B M A COUNCIL

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.

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING 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.

UPCOMINGEvents Events AFTER-SCHOOL DROP-INS

CENTRAL VALLEY

DOLGEVILLE

HERKIMER

MT. MARKHAM

UPCOMING MOTHER DAUGHTER CIRCLE Mother Daughter Circle will meet weekly for the next 6 weeks to complete this session.

5/4 5/11 5/18 5/25 6/1 6/8 Please click this link or reach out to Katie to sign up.

MEET KATIE BAKER Youth Ambassador Coordinator, Katie spends time in each of the Herkimer County Connected Districts. Her schedule is as follows:

Monday - Mount Markham Tuesday - Herkimer Katie can be reached at 315-360-4978 or katieb@connectedcs.org.

Wednesday - Central Valley Thursday - Herkimer Herkimer County System of Care is funded by Friday - Dolgeville

TRAININGHighlights Highlights 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.

INITIATIVE INITIATIVE WIDE WIDEHighlights 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.

INITIATIVE INITIATIVE WIDE WIDEHighlights 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.

PROMOTING CHILD SAFETY ON T H E A I R W AV E S 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.

CONNECTED BELLAMY “4 RULES OF PERSONAL SAFETY” LEARNING SERIES

H U B H U D D L E : E VO L U T I O N OF THE 4 RULES

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.

R I D E F O R M I S S I N G C H I L D R E N AT H U B H U D D L E S 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.

COMMUNITY EVENT: TOUCH-A-TRUCK 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.

UPCOMINGEvents

May 28th @ 9:15am: NA Walbran “Ride Route” Presentations May 29th @ 9am: ADK MS Netsmartz Presentations May 29th @ 2pm: Jefferson Elementary “Ride Route” Presentation June 1st @ 9:30am: Watson Williams “Ride Route” Presentation June 4th @ 9:15am: JFK MS “Ride Route” Presentation June 5th ALL DAY: Ride for Missing Children June 15th @ 8am: VVS Safety Presentation

MEET AMANDA GALINDO As a Community Educator for Ride For Missing Children, 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.

Please click this link or reach out to Amanda for more information on presentations.

RFMC COMMUNITY EDUCATOR

HOW CAN I HELP YOU TODAY AND MAKE YOUR TOMORROW BETTER?

How can I help you today and make 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 Mount Markham Team Nichiah Humphrey

Leslie Nevills

YOUR MOUNT MARKHAM SITE COORDINATOR

YOUR MOUNT MARKHAM PROJECT MANAGER

315-985-0859

315-832-3699

nichiahh@connectedcs.org

leslien@connectedcs.org

Katie Rockwell DIVISONAL DIRECTOR OF CONNECTED COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

315-717-9748 katier@connectedcs.org

CENTRAL HUB TEAM ALEXIS TOWNE

KALI FOUNTAIN

DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF IMPACT

NORA BAJOHR

KAELYNN BARBER

DELIVERY TEAM

DUSTIN TROTZ