M A R C H 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 & Contribution
Training Highlights
Initiative Wide Highlights Staff
POTO’GOLD DINNER
Our Connected Team hosted a St. Patrick’s Day dinner that they prepared and served to Connected Mount Markham families. Students and their families enjoyed green pancakes and milk while listening to Irish folk music. A quick visit from a little leprechaun made for the best ending to a fun night!
PRACTICING GRATITUDE THROUGH POSITIVE THINKING
Marina presented to students this month on the importance of gratitude. As part of the activity, students were each given a random item in a paper bag and challenged to find and share something positive about it, encouraging thoughtful reflection and a positive mindset.
Colby Thall from the FACE program presented to parents of children with disabilities on Special Education 101. The session provided an overview of the special education process, helping families better understand available supports and how to advocate for their children’s needs.
Connected Project Manager Leslie Nevills was invited to assist the school faculty with their SUPER night at the elementary school providing reading/writing activities for the students to complete as part of the PARP month celebration.
Our Connected Team was invited to table at the Mount Markham Wellness Fair, where they engaged students with fun and meaningful activities. Students enjoyed stress balls featuring positive affirmations and participated in creating their own “foldable fortune tellers,” each filled with mindful activities to support wellness and self-care.
Families visited the Open HUB to access food items and support for their households. Representatives from Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Empower Energy Program and the FACE Program were on hand to provide resources and guidance, helping families connect with the services they need and strengthen their well-being.
HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES
This month, HUB Huddle visitors participated in coloring pinwheels in recognition of Child Abuse Awareness. The activity created a meaningful opportunity to spark age-appropriate conversations and share information about available resources and support.
The Middle School HUB remains open for all students to access HUB Huddle during study halls and lunch periods. This welcoming space offers opportunities for students to build confidence, reduce feelings of insecurity, and strengthen self-esteem through positive interactions, engaging activities, and meaningful discussions.
DuringthemonthofMarch,highschoolstudentsutilizedHUBHuddleasaspacetoopenlydiscusslife’schallenges andsupportoneanother.Conversationsoftencenteredaroundpost–highschoolplans,includingcollegeand enteringtheworkforce Inadditiontothesemeaningfuldiscussions,studentsalsoenjoyedtimetogetherthrough interactivegamesonthesmartboard,Connect4,cardgames,andmindfulnessactivities,creatingabalanced environmentofconnectionandrelaxation.
CONNECTED CONNECTED CONNECTED
The Neighborhood Center’s embedded program is currently supporting 13 students across the district, including 5 in the elementary school, 4 in the middle school, and 4 in the high school.
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
Connected MountMarkham wouldliketothank everyonethathelps! Wecannotdoit withoutyou!
COLLABORATIONS & COLLABORATIONS & COLLABORATIONS &
Colby Thall / FACE Program
Marina Brigham / CCE
DuWayne Engram/ YWCA
Ron Kamp
Deb Grogen / First Source
Herkimer ARC
Chris Haar
rendsTrends
Our Connected Team continues to support families by helping them access dental care, food and hygiene resources, rental and clothing assistance, as well as care management and mental health referrals. With the rising cost of living, many rural families—including those with two incomes—are still facing financial and basic needs challenges. As these pressures increase, families who have not previously engaged with the Connected Initiative are now reaching out for support. TTrends
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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.
A AM MB BA AS SS SA AD DO OR R
Mother Daughter Mother DaughterCircle Circle
The first cohort of the Mother Daughter Circle concluded successfully this month. Hosted by the Central Valley Academy HUB, this eight-week program brought mothers and daughters together to strengthen their bonds, build empathy, and develop healthy communication strategies. Through a supportive group setting and guided activities, participants were able to connect more deeply while navigating their evolving relationships.
Y YO OU UT TH H
UN NC CIL
Outreach activities for the Youth Ambassador Council continued in March. We have received referrals for students interested in the Youth Ambassador Council. We are working on outreach to parents and are planning our first meeting in April!
Herkimer Connected HUB has been hosting Herkimer County System of Care’s after school drop in programming on Thursdays with structured activities for students. This month students celebrated National Cheez Doodle Day & doodled together about what they enjoy about their connected hub and how they like to spend their time. Students took part in answering questions that encourage positive interactions in 3 categories: Presence, Possibility and Play, in which group challenges got students up and moving. Spring break kicked off in The Hub with “Egg-cellent Fun” where students were challenged to many silly games using Easter Eggs.
Youth Ambassador Coordinator assisted the Central Valley Connected Team at their annual Bunny Trail held at Barringer Road Elementary. The Silent Disco was a huge hit at this event and Youth Ambassador Coordinator kept students dancing and smiling.
Mt Markham High School hosted a Wellness Fair for students. Herkimer County System of Care, Community Engagement Supervisor, MJ and Youth Ambassador Coordinator teamed up to quiz students on their knowledge of issues today's teens are challenged with in the areas of mental health, substance abuse issues and teen social media use.
The questions lead to great open dialogue among students and offered opportunities to gauge the understanding youth have in these important, complex issues.
After-school Programming
Herkimer
Central Valley Dolgeville
in the Middle School/High School HUB. in the CVA HUB.
Every Tuesday beginning April 14th.
Every Wednesday beginning April 22 . nd
Every Thursday beginning April 22 . nd in the Middle School/High School HUB.
Mother Daughter Circles Groups are starting again in April! We are gauging interest in the community to see where the next location of the groups will be. Please click this link or reach out to Katie to sign up.
YouthAmbassadorCoordinator,KatiespendstimeineachoftheHerkimerCounty ConnectedDistricts.Herscheduleisasfollows:
Monday - Mount Markham
Tuesday - Herkimer
Wednesday - Central Valley
Thursday - Herkimer
Friday - Dolgeville
Katie can be reached at 315-360-4978 or katieb@connectedcs.org.
Herkimer County System of Care is funded by
Gu
We recently explored an exciting new programming opportunity available to all Connected districts—and our team got a firsthand look. At a recent all-staff event, we welcomed Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. to the Impact Center for an engaging training experience.
Through their unique “Hometown Training™” model, they provide guide dogs at no cost to individuals in the Eastern U.S. who are legally blind and may also have additional physical challenges. This approach allows clients to receive support and companionship from a guide dog while continuing their daily routines at home and, in many cases, in the workplace.
This opportunity not only offers meaningful educational programming for students—highlighting the importance and impact of guide dogs—but also serves as a valuable resource for community members who may benefit from these life-changing services.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training –Free & Open to All!
Did you know that Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Training is available at no cost?
This valuable program is designed to help faculty, staff, and community members recognize the signs of mental health challenges in young people, provide support, and connect them with appropriate resources.
By participating, you’ll gain practical skills to respond confidently to students in crisis, foster a supportive environment, and make a real difference in the lives of youth in our community.
Who can attend: All faculty, staff, and community members
Cost: FREE
Registration: Registration link
Empower yourself with the knowledge to support youth mental health—because every student deserves to be seen, heard, and supported.
Celebrating Excel
We are proud to share that our Co-Leader, Melissa Roys, was recognized by Assemblywoman Maryann Buttenschon as a Woman of Distinction this March. Melissa’s tireless dedication to connecting our community and ensuring every individual feels seen continues to make a lasting impact. Congratulations, Melissa!
Co-Leader Danielle Martin was thrilled to lead the Education, Mentorship & Community Impact Hub alongside of Dr. Patricia Washing, Director from On Point and Sarah Gomex, Principal at MO BOCES. They all shared their career journeys, highlighing the importance of learning from the obstacles in life, importance of networking, advocating and never giving up! More than 200 students, educators, and regional leaders were in attendance.
Strengthening Child Safety Through Partnership
Connected is excited to announce a collaboration with the Ride for Missing Children and our new Ride for Missing Children Educator, Amanda Galindo. Connected plays a vital role in advancing the mission of The Ride for Missing Children-Mohawk Valley to promote child safety and support the prevention of child abduction and exploitation.
We deliver engaging, age-appropriate safety education programs foster awareness of the Ride for Missing Children initiative create meaningful connections between students, educators, and the broader community.
