Beingpreparedandexcitedtoreturnfromlongbreaksisoftenastrugglefor manystudents,andbeingabletoprovideafuneventwherestudents and familiescanpreparetoreturntoschooliskeyinasuccessfultransitionbackto theschoolroutines.Everyonewhocameisnowbetterpreparedtoreturnto schoolnextweekandwewishyouallasuccessfulsecondhalfoftheschoolyear.
Students come to the HUB during their study hall period to catch up on last minute homework and assignments before the end of the marking period to ensure all grades are complete and up-to-date.
Bellamy Elementary celebrated winter holidays with fun family activities! Families created their own ornaments, decorated cookies, and took holiday photos! In addition, Bellmay’s ENL department also participated in the event with their Holidays around the world activity. Families of Bellamy Elementary showcased how they celebrated different winter holidays in their respective cultures Students and their families could get henna, try cultural foods, and participate in activities like hitting a pinata!
Students learned how to write cursive in the RFA HUB through practice worksheets to trace letters and on the white board to practice keeping their writing utensil on the “page” all the way through. Some students mastered cursive writing enough to write their own name and full sentences before the period ended.
Ms. Stephanie from Jervis Library visited the Connected RFA HUB to discuss focusing on goals for 2026! She also discussed the many resources and activities the library has to ensure students thrive academically and socially! Ms. Stephanie joined in on playing a few games in the HUB with the students and handed out free stickers for students to place on their notebooks and folders!
Third and fourth grade students enjoyed an exciting evening of “glowy” fun, complete with a variety of glow items, including glow-inthe-dark temporary tattoos. With an amazing turnout and lots of smiles, the event created a fun and memorable experience for everyone involved.
Stephanie from Jervis visited the Connected Strough HUB during the lunch periods for her monthly visit, bringing books and stickers for the students!
m 1st through 3rd grades and their families attended the Bellamy Silent Disco Night! Students danced to their favorite songs, munched on popcorn provided to Connected by Rome Cinemas, and participated in activities like Giant Tetris and coloring when they needed a rest. It was a great n
DuWayne Engram continues to come into Strough to meet with the boys during the lunch group for AMEND together. DuWayne spoke with the boys about communication and the importance of listening As a fun activity to accompany the lesson, the boys played a game of telephone to work on active listening.
Students in grades K-2nd were visited by Marina from Cornell Cooperative Extension for a special presentation about Kindness. Students interacted with Marina during her presentation and learned what Kindness is all about. Students were tasked with decorating their own Stars with pictures that represent ways they
Open HUB was held at Strough prior to the long holiday weekend. Families were invited into the HUB to stock up on free groceries before the long holiday weekend. While in the HUB they checked in with a Site Coordinator for any struggles or worries they may have and also met with our community partner from CCE’s Child Care Council.
HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES
This month students in Site Coordinator Brandons’ 6th grade enrichment group created posters representing the Winter Olympic games and the events that take place during them. Students shared the history of the games, and facts about each event for fellow students to become more educated on them to hopefully encourage them to take some time and check out some events! They finished by creating posters sharing their research to be hung up in the schools
Students in the Bellamy HUB had the opportunity to engage in fun and engaging activities in January! The first HUB activity had Bellamy students put on their thinking caps, think deep, and create goals for 2026! Once students had determined what their goals were, they were able to choose a color and cut out a construction paper balloon. These Balloons were put on display on the HUB Bulletin Board! One Student’s goal for 2026 was to improve their basketball skills, while another student wanted to improve their cleanliness skills. Students were also able to participate in game week All week long students could choose a board or card game to play Whether it was against Site Coordinator Chasity, or their friends, students had the opportunity to showcase their amazing strategy skills.
The Connected SEALs project serves to support students and staff in navigating social emotional barriers to success in an academic setting. Our team members work in a highly collaborative manner with school counseling and social work teams to provide individual and group level student engagement to foster SEL strengths like coping skills, conflict resolution strategies, and communicating emotional needs that allow students to regulate themselves and remain able to engage in their education. The team also works with building level staff to support them in building these skills with their students through modeling and working side by side in the classroom.
Connected Gansevoort Students met with SEALs Coordinator Ms Cauthen for Lunch Bunch in the month of January They focused on creating New Year Goals and defining the steps to accomplish their goals Grades 5 and 6 began hostingtheSEALsCenterwithMsCauthen ForJanuary,SEALsCentersleanedintoacknowledgingnotonlytheirown strengthsbutalsothestrengthsoftheirfamily,friends,andteachers,fosteringagreaterappreciationforthepositive contributionseachpersonbringstotheclassroom
Asstudentsreturnedfromwinterbreakandneededsupportinreadjustingtoschoolroutines,Ms.Cauthenusedtools such as feelings flashcards to help students recognize their emotions. Students then modeled and practiced utilizing copingskillstorefocusintheirclassrooms.
At Connected Ridge Mills, Lunch Bunches centered on the word of the month, "accountability." Ms. Cauthen and Studentsfocusedonpositiveaffirmationsandtheimportanceofbeingaccountableforhowweshowupforourselves andothers.
The John Joy Stalls for All committee met for their first meeting with SEALs Project Manager Ms. Howard in January. Committee Students reviewed the January Coping Skill of the Month; Taking Deep Breaths, and the Words of the Month;Perseverance,Goals,andGrowth.StudentspracticedDeepBreathing,andlearnedhowtheymayhelpfriends withthiscopingskill.StudentswentthroughroundsofvotingontheStallsforAllartsubmissiontochoose1out25+ submissions!5thgraderChaseCook’sartsubmissionwaschosentobethebestrepresentationforJanuary’sthemes. GreatJobtoJohnJoyStudents.
The Resiliency Project is a collaborative effort between Oneida County DFCS, The Connected Initiative, and Safe SchoolsMohawkValleytoprovidesupportandbridgethegapbetweenhomeandschoolforstudentsandfamiliesat riskofenteringthechildprotectiveservices.Ourgoalistosupport familiespriortothisstep,andavoidescalationof the struggles that impact children and families in a way that ensures positive and healthy familial relationships and allowsfamiliestothrive.
For the month of January 2026, the Resiliency Project received 15 enrollments from Oneida County Family and Community Services and Connected Community Schools Site Coordinator for Students and Families in Rome. In the same month, 14 youth graduated and met the goals for themselves and their families to be successful. The current numberoffamiliesbeingsupportedacrosselementaryandsecondarylevelsis59families.
Successes - A youth was referred to Resiliency, as she was not attending school due to transportation issues Throughout the few short months with the program, the Resiliency Coordinator assisted her mother with different transportation options; City bus, Move bus, friends and family to make the situation work. We are excited to share thatshehasbeengettingtoschooleachdayandisnolongerhavinganyissueswithtransportation.
A youth and family were referred to Resiliency by OCDFCS for housing This family dynamic was a bit different than usual, an uncle and aunt caring for their child and nephews With the assistance and collaboration of the Resiliency Coordinator and the OCDFCS liaison, the family obtained housing, new furniture and items for the home, and care management for long term service assistance. Resiliency was able to support this alternative, but increasingly more commonfamilystructure,andensuretheyhadaccesstotheresourcestothrive.
Connectors- Trusted Adults for Many! Connectors- Trusted Adults for Many!
The Connectors serve as guides and support within your secondary schools, providing a friendly face that students can rely on to ensure they are making it through high traffic and transition times in a safe and orderly manner throughout the day. Whether it is in the cafeteria, auditorium, or in the hallways, The Connectors are additional trusted adults that the students can connect with if they need help or just want to share how their day is going. By promoting a safe and welcoming environment, The Connectors help every student be able to engage in their education by ensuring that students truly feel that Rome is Home.
-A student had dropped her lunch on the hallway floor as Connector Lisa was walking by. The student seemed upset. Connector Lisa asked the student if they would like help picking the lunch up. As Lisa was helping the student, the student stated they really wanted their lunch. Connector Lisa looked at the student, told them to come with her and they would go together to get them another lunch. The student received their new lunch. The student looked at me and said “thank you for helping me Miss Lisa!” Lisa reinforced with the student that Connectors are always there to help, no matter the issue. The student continued on to their location in a much better place than they were a few minutesprior.
-As Connectors, it is expected that we help and support the students throughout the school buildings This is a reminderthatsometimesstudentsalsohavevaluableinformation/skillsthatcouldhelpadultstoo
AstudentnoticedConnectorPaigetyinghershoesandthatshewasstrugglingwithherlongshoestrings.Thestudent chuckled a bit and said "There's an easier way to double knot your laces. I can show you!" The student untied their shoesandstartedtore-tiethemshowingPaigeherway.Thestudentpulledtheirloopedlacesallthewaytotheknot, andthentiedthemtogetherinadoubleknot.Thestudent'swaywassignificantlyeasierthanthewayPaigehadbeen doingitforover20years.Paigehasbeentyingherlacesthiswaysince.Neitherpersonwasdoingthetaskwrong,but inthisinstancethestudenthadamoreefficientwayandwantedtoshare.
-During the school day, Connector Jimmy worked with a student who has had ongoing difficulty arriving to class on time. On this particular occasion, the student was hesitant to transition to class and expressed frustration about the subjectandfearofbeinglateagain.
Jimmy approached the student calmly and engaged them in a brief, supportive conversation to understand their concerns.Byacknowledgingtheirfeelingsandremindingthemoftheimportanceofstartingthedaypositively,Jimmy helped the student refocus. Connector Jimmy offered clear, simple steps to transition and provided encouragement ratherthanconsequences.
Through this supportive approach, the student agreed to walk with Connector Jimmy to class and arrived before instructionbegan.Thestudententeredtheclassroomcalmlyandprepared,avoidingdisruptionandstartingthelesson ontime.Afterward,thestudentexpressedappreciationforthesupportanddemonstratedimprovedcooperation. This interaction resulted in a successful transition, reinforced positive behavior, and supported the student’s overall academic success. It demonstrated that consistent encouragement and relationship-building can positively impact punctualityandstudentengagement.
-Thismonth,atStrough,ConnectorBrittanywasabletoformsomenewconnectionswithstudentsthatwereinneed ofextrasupportgettingtoandfromclassthroughouttheschoolday. Brittany met two students who were struggling with peer relationships which lead them to having trouble between classesortotrytoavoidtheirclassesaltogether.
After getting to know each of the students better, Brittany and some of the administrative staff at Strough were able tositdownandhelpthestudentsgettothebottomofexactlywhatwasgoingonanddevelopsomeawarenessabout thepatternstheyhaveandkeeprepeatingthatarenothelpingthembesuccessfulinschool.
Theyalltalkedaboutseeingthebiggerpictureratherthanjustreactingtowhat’srightinfrontofus.Thehopewasto help the students see that if they have a larger goal (ex: passing math class) that each small positive choice along the way (coming to school, going to class, completing homework, etc.) will help them have success in the long run. Brittany and the students also talked about doing their best to trust the adults in the building to help them through the problems they are having rather than reacting in ways that might lead to more trouble for them. Lastly, they talked about learning to filter their thoughts and to “stop, think, and make a good choice about whether what I’m abouttosayshouldactuallybesaidaloud”
Connected Site Coordinators in Gansevoort Elementary and Strough Middle Schools were able to help enroll 7 new students in the embedded mental health services available on-site in those buildings. It continues to be a valuable resource for families unable to transport or attend clinic hours outside of the school day, and is scheduled accordingly with school staff to minimize loss of instruction time.
The Connected Community Schools Advisory Board brings together a diverse group of leaders, educators, families, youth, businesses, and community partners to guide and sustain the initiative’s work across our region The Board meets quarterly at the Connected Court at the James Impact Center and represents over 400 established partners. On February 5, members gathered alongside guest speakers from Fidelis and the Oneida County Department of Family & Community Services to continue strengthening collaboration and impact.
Oneida County Department of Family & Community Services
Oneida County Department of Family & Community Services Director, Kari Barber, shared updates with the Advisory Board on regional Warming Centers in response to the cold temperatures, announcing cold blue. Under state regulation, a Code Blue is automatically in effect whenever temperature and wing chill equal less than 32 degrees. . The discussion emphasized the importance of spreading the word and connecting individuals and families especially those experiencing housing instability to safe, warm spaces and critical support Community members are encouraged to share this information and help ensure neighbors in need know where to find assistance during the winter months.
Nicole Patrei of Fidelis Insurance provided a comprehensive overview of Fidelis Care's offerings, including vital health plans like Child Health Plus, Managed Medicaid, and various Senior Care options, alongside ancillary benefits such as vision and dental coverage She also detailed the organization's commitment to community engagement and accessibility through multiple outreach channels, specifically mentioning the Fidelis Mobile Vehicle, the physical community center in Utica, and providing her direct contact email, npatrei@fideliscare.org, for further inquiries. NIcole shared that her and her team strive to be a valuable resource to our community and encouraged those looking for assistance in finding medical coverage and providers to follow up with them whenever the need arises.
Fidelis
TRAINING TRAINING Highlights Highlights
Cornell Cooperative Extension's Energy HUB
Monthly virtual Partner Highlights give staff the opportunity to learn about and connect with community partners. In January, We were joined by Brittany Amore, Daniel Sharfarz, Josephine Roman and Juliet Jalonack, and Lucas Russell from Cornell Cooperative Extension's Energy HUB in order to learn about their programming opportunities and services. CCE's Mohawk Valley Regional Clean Energy HUB's goal is to provide education and support to help Upstate New York residents save money, aiming for a healthy and affordable home or business. The Hub covers Herkimer, Fulton, Montgomery,Oneida, Otsego and Schoharie Counties.
