Stephanie Markham from Jervis Public Library utilized her monthly visit to the RFA HUB with students to remind them of the use of reading in all formats as a stress reduction and self care activity moving into the final weeks of the school year. They discussed their favorite literary characters, some of which Ms. Stephanie happened to have temporary tattoos of, as well as distributed free books so students could find some new favorites.
Students at Connected Denti recently participated in an engaging safety presentation led by Amanda Galindo, Education Coordinator for The Ride for Missing Children – Mohawk Valley. During the visit, students learned valuable lessons about bicycle safety and the importance of identifying trusted adults they can turn to when they need help. The interactive session encouraged student participation through thoughtful questions and a hands-on worksheet activity, helping to reinforce key safety concepts in a fun and meaningful way.
Madelyn Engel from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County's Agriculture in the Classroom program came to the HUB for a honey lesson and tasting with the students. Samples of honey from four different flowers - clover, sunflower, blueberry, and wild flowers were tested, with students overwhelmingly preferring clover honey.
Connected Site Coordinator Chasity Cruz helped support the Bellamy Multicultural Fair alongside other partners including Jervis Library. Students who engaged with Chasity were able to fuel up with a sweet treat and grab a map to help them navigate to all the “Countries” at the fair, as they made their way around the world in 80 minutes!
The Rome Connected Team was able to help support ongoing attendance initiatives at Connected John Joy Elementary by hosting Silent Dance Parties for Mrs. Flansburg and Mr. Carter’s classes who completed their attendance goals. Connected DJ Director Matt Hartwell (quietly) pumped up the jams with Mr. Carter’s class while Connected SEALs Project Manager Kinetria Howard broke out the hype horn with Mrs. Flansburg’s students. The dance break was well appreciated by students and teachers!
Connected John Joy hosted its annual STEAM Night and Science Fair on May 20th. The STEAM Committee brought together a wealth of community partners including James DeFazio from WKTV, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County, Local Math Experts, and many others to provide a variety of activities while others displayed their amazing and creative science projects Connected Rome Director Matt Hartwell assisted over 75 students, and quite a few adults, making Ice Cream in a bag. Cream, sugar, vanilla in a baggy. Plop it in a larger bag of ice with lots of salt and shake it til you make it! I scream, you scream, we all scream for science and ice cream
Team created a Staff Wellness Calendar featuring a variety of self-care opportunities.
On May 28, Connected Gansevoort welcomed MVHS team members Tracy Lebert, RN, BSN, Angie Rocklin, RN, and Erin McCarthy, RDN, CDN, who presented on Perimenopause and the Impact of Diet on the Body. These activities were offered after school throughout the month to support staff wellness and engagement. We appreciate our partnership with MVHS and look forward to future wellness opportunities for staff.
Connected Bookworms took time to recognize important cultural events from around the world during their session, which coincidentally fell on Tuesday, May 5th Cinco de Mayo. Students learned about the historical significance of the date, which commemorates the Battle of Puebla and is widely celebrated as a reflection of Mexican and MexicanAmerican heritage. To connect learning through culture and food, participants created “Let’s Taco-bout It” tacos and enjoyed a shared reading of ¡Quiero Ayudar! – Let Me Help! by Alma Flor Ada
Connected Stokes Robotics and Coding group concluded its meetings for the year with an end of season celebration.
The Connected Stokes Site Coordinator arranged for a make your own sundaes bar, as a sweet treat to end the program and celebrate everything they had learned this year.
Connected Rome was joined by navigators from Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency (MVCAA) on May 21 for our monthly Open HUB. Roughly 40 families were able to come pick up some additional food supplies to last over the extra extended long holiday weekend. MVCAA was also excited to share additional new resources to assist families with utility bills and other rising cost of living expenses. st
HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES
Students at the Bellamy HUB created poppies in recognition of Memorial Day during their lunches. Students discussed the importance of remembering what Memorial Day is about as they created their flowers
Students in Connected Ridge Mills HUB Huddles took time this month to look back and plan forward. They were asked to think about everything they had accomplished so far this school year, and then to create a goal for next year Their plan is to utilize HUB Huddles at the beginning of next school year to work collaboratively to help each other reach those goals.
Students at Connected Denti HUB Huddles were able to get extra time in smaller group settings with Ride for Missing Children Education Coordinator Amanda Galindo They were able to discuss key takeaways from her presentation on bike safety and how to identify who their trusted adult is. Students had a great time asking follow up questions from the presentation earlier in the day and participating in additional fun worksheet activities!
Connected Connected Connected
PROJECTS PROJECTS PROJECTS
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.
TheSEALsTeamhadthepleasureofleadinganinformativetrainingonMay13thforstaffprofessionaldevelopment during the Superintendent’s Conference Day. Aces in School Spaces provided a space for 30 teaching professionals and paraprofessionals to learn about the significant history and development of the study of Adverse Childhood Experiences,alsoknownasACES.TheSEALsteamsharedexperientialandevidence-basedinsightsonincorporating trauma informed care in classroom techniques to help students engage in the school environment safely and mindfully. Professionals reflected on their personal experiences while adding ideas to their intervention toolbox. Thankyoutoalltheopenmindswhoparticipatedandsharedfeedbackonthispresentation!
As always, the SEALs Team encourages our Connected Families & Communities to reach out for similar learning opportunitiestoenhanceknowledgeandskillsinsupportofourgrowingstudents
Connected SEALs Coordinator Ms. Michele spent time with Connected RFA students to focus on the word of the Month,responsibility.StudentswerepresentedwithaShakespearquoteasaconversationprompt.Studentsspent time reflecting on personal behaviors and what they would like to do differently to improve outcomes and reach goals.
OveratGansevoort,Ms.AlaiaheldlunchbunchesduringTeacherAppreciationWeekwherestudentscoloredpictures for their teachers. Throughout the rest of the month, Ms. Alaia continues to offer lunch check-ins for students needingtovent,individualsessionsfocusedonpreventativesupportandcopingskills,lunchbunches,calmcoloring sessions,andprovideclassroomsupport.
Connected SEALs coordinator Mrs Tien continued working with Denti Elementary students with recent sessions focusedonthecorecharactertraitofresponsibilityanditsimpactonthecommunity Mrs Tienalsointroducedthe coping skill of the month 'sitting quietly,' teaching mindful stillness to calm minds and bodies MrsTien aimed to emphasizethesefoundationallessonstohelpstudentsbuildemotionalresilienceandpositivebehaviorhabits.
Continuing her work with Stokes Elementary students, Mrs. Tien collaborated with guidance counselors for Mental HealthAwarenessMonth.Theteamhostedengagingactivitieslikepositiveaffirmationbutterfliesandusingbubble wands for deep breathing. Students also discussed responsibility and practiced the coping skill of 'sitting quietly.' Theseexercisesalsobuildessentialemotionalresilience,mindfulness,andpositivebehavioralhabits.
The Resiliency Project is a collaborative effort between Oneida County DFCS, The Connected Initiative, and Safe Schools Mohawk Valley to provide support and bridge the gap between home and school for students and families at risk of entering the child protective services. Our goal is to support families prior to this step, and avoid escalation of the struggles that impact children and families in a way that ensures positive and healthy familial relationships and allows families to thrive.
This Team is intended to be an extension to your family, your child’s school and other supports that may already be in place to ensure that everyone can be successful, while bridging the gap between home, school and the community. The team can meet wherever you are most comfortable to provide support!
Go to the Connected LINK Referral form. This will connect you with your dedicated Connected Site Coordinator who can assist you with basic needs and to create a connection with the Resiliency Team! The Resiliency Team is available on site at the Connected IMPACT Center, 207 North James St. Rome on Tuesdays & Fridays from 10am-2pm, or by scheduled appointments. Need to make a LINK referral? Click here to get started.
For the month of May 2026, the Resiliency Project received 13 new referrals which all led to enrollments in the program from a variety of sources including Oneida County Family and Community Services and Connected Community Schools Site Coordinators. The Resiliency Project has received a total number of referrals received by Rome City School District of 470 students and families.
This month, multiple services and resources were utilized this month. Clothing, rental assistance, transportation, and food were the most utilized tangible items. This month we had a few families that were experiencing housing uncertainty, and they needed help with rental assistance so Resiliency and OCDFCS ensured all documentation was completed and approved for the families to obtain the funding. With the weather changing, youth needed some clothes for warmer weather, to cover them until their families were able to purchase new items. Transportation is a continuous concern, but we are working on arrangements to put in place to assist with families utilizing other means: City Bus, Move Bus, Uber etc., Incentive gift cards have also been provided for students that have met their goals with their Safe Schools Engagement Specialist.
Success Stories: A youth and his family were referred to Resiliency due to being homeless, and their temporary assistance had been pending for quite some time. With assistance from the Resiliency Team the family found an apartment, was able to obtain needed items for their new home and submitted everything needed to complete the temporary assistance process. They are doing well in just a few short months working with the program.
A youth that was referred to Resiliency was having behaviors and attendance concerns in school; including altercations with other students. After a few months with the Resiliency Team assisting the youth was able to start home tutoring and ensure he was consistently attending his mental health appointments as he began the process of addressing the underlying causes of these disruptions.
A youth was referred to Resiliency as his behaviors in school were affecting his attendance and grades. After a few months working with the Resiliency Team, the youth started attending school regularly by setting small goals and earning incentives for how well he was doing. The youth just needed a bit of support in the school to ensure he knew who he could count on when he needed help. He still reaches out to this day for support if needed.
Connectors - Trusted Adults for Many! 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.
-Connector Paige was invited into a senior French class and asked to teach the students how to make folded paper stars. Paige walked them through each step, the French teacher mixed in some simple French words for colors and directions as they completed the activity. Paige shared with the students the story of how she first learned how to make the folded paper stars (which was also in high school my senior year) and how she also taught the middle schoolers at Strough to make them last year.
The students were very invested in the activity, helping each other out and getting excited as their stars started to come together. By the end, everyone had one (or a few) to show off. The energy in the room was very positive.
-Last year, Connector Tiffany connected with a young lady who is now preparing to graduate this year. Like many young people, she has faced her share of ups and downs, self-doubt, and fear of stepping outside of her comfort zone. Recently, all anyone at school could talk about was senior prom, but she was struggling with the idea of going. She kept talking herself out of it because she was nervous about attending with a young man she liked.
During one of our conversations, Tiffany asked her a simple question: “But what if it all works out?” What if she found the perfect dress? What if she had an amazing night? What if this young man enjoyed spending time with her? What if prom became a beautiful memory instead of something she missed because of fear?
Tiffany reminded her that sometimes we spend so much time preparing for disappointment that we never leave room for things to go right.
That conversation gave her the courage to ask him if he already had a date for prom. He told her no — and at that moment, he asked her if she would go to prom with him. Tiffany looked at her and smiled and said, “And what if it all works out?”
Now they’re going to prom together. It may seem like a small moment to some people, but to Tiffany, this is the power of connection, encouragement, and simply believing in a young person until they can believe in themselves.
-Connector Sierra has been spending time encouraging a student to go to one of their classes that they have been skipping all year. The student told Connector Sierra they don’t like going because it’s hard for them to understand class, so Sierra spoke with the teacher and was able to get the student extra help so they felt more comfortable going to class. Now, the student updates Sierra every day on how class went.
This month the Rome Connected Team was heavily focused on transitions. Many parents had questions and were looking to support their children and families in the face of a variety of changing circumstances.
One consistently reported need was continuity of care as we approached the summer months. Between our embedded clinics with the Neighborhood Center and CHBS, nearly 200 Connected Rome students receive school based mental health counseling. As additional students were referred in May and continuing through June, our team works to coordinate care between the families and clinicians to determine if families wish to continue services and utilize the community based locations, or pause services until the following school year. In some cases we also help coordinate transition to alternative providers.
Our Connected Team has also been working hard to support students who are nervous and unsure about the transition to Middle School or High School. Following the success of our Middle School Boot Camp last summer, we are expanding this to include the transition to High School as well. Multiple families have reached out to us for more information and to reserve their child’s spot in this needed opportunity.
We also unfortunately needed to help a few families this month that were displaced due to fires, building damage, or other unsafe housing conditions. Our key partnership with Oneida County and the Resiliency project help to find immediate short term housing to help stabilize families, and the team works to locate new long term housing. Once established in those residences, we also work to secure new furnishings, clothing, and the resources for long-term success.
Events Events Events
TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING
Connected Partner Highlight: Legal Aid
As part of our May Connected Partner Highlight, we welcomed Olivia Furman and Linda Lark from Legal Aid Society to share information about the valuable services their organization provides to individuals and families in our community. They explained the intake and screening process and discussed the wide range of civil legal matters they assist with, including evictions, landlord-tenant disputes, access to healthcare, green card renewals, estate planning, divorce and family law issues, and foreclosure prevention. They also highlighted their partnership with the Office for the Aging and emphasized that their services focus exclusively on civil matters rather than criminal cases. The presentation provided staff with a greater understanding of available legal resources and how Legal Aid can help connect community members with support during challenging situations.
May All Staff Meeting Focuses on Family Engagement and Community Partnerships
During the May All Staff meeting, Connected team members participated in breakout sessions centered on strengthening family engagement strategies across our districts and communities. Staff had the opportunity to collaborate, share successful practices, and explore new ways to build meaningful connections with students and families. The meeting also featured a presentation from Sleep in Heavenly Peace, which highlighted the organization's mission of ensuring that every child has a safe and comfortable place to sleep. Their presentation provided valuable insight into the impact of community partnerships and the resources available to support local families. The meeting served as an opportunity for professional growth, collaboration, and continued commitment to supporting the whole child and family
Strengthening the Future: Insights from the New York State Education Department Portrait of a Graduate Conference
Connected Herkimer Project Manager Shae recently participated in the Exploring New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Portrait of a Graduate conference, a collaborative forum focused on integrating key student attributes into educational practice. The conference provided a deeper understanding of the six core competencies outlined in the Portrait of a Graduate framework and highlighted the vital role community schools play in supporting this statewide vision.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in meaningful discussions about current district efforts and explored innovative opportunities for future growth. The experience reinforced that the Connected HUB serves as a natural environment for fostering these competencies by strengthening student-community connections, promoting engagement, and supporting collaborative partnerships.
Shae returned with valuable resources, fresh ideas, and practical strategies to build upon the work already taking place across the Connected Initiative. These insights will be shared with both Connected Districts and to further enhance programming and support for students and families.
Strengthening Our Impact Through Statewide Collaboration
Connected Rome Senior Site Coordinator Katherine Fountain attended the Empower Youth Success Conference. It provided an opportunity to connect with professionals from across New York State, and engage in meaningful networking and learning. There were two very impactful sessions that she has committed to sharing with the Connected Initiative. Am I Welcome? Setting the Course for Impactful Parent Engagement offered valuable insight into the shared challenges and successes of increasing family involvement, while Every Day Matters: Our Path to Better Attendance was especially impactful because improving attendance has been a goal of mine at Gansevoort for several years.The session Learning about the Walking Bus as an initiative was also inspiring—that team shared how they walked routes before school started to determine timing, worked closely with their insurance company to address liability concerns, and secured donations for winter gear and snacks to support participating students. Overall, this conference was beneficial. It refreshed our thinking, reinforced the value of collaboration, and highlighted the importance of providing Connected staff with opportunities to learn from and connect with others doing this work across the state.
Learning Together: Connected Initiative Joins the American Federation of Teachers Community Schools
Intensive in Long Beach
We would also like to recognize and thank the Rome CSD Administration team members who joined us at the National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference. Their participation demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing the Connected Community Schools Initiative and strengthening the district's vision for student success. Together, we presented on the Connected Community Schools Initiative and engaged in an afternoon of strategic planning focused on developing an action plan for the 2026–2027 school year.
A key priority identified by the leadership team is the continued alignment of the Community Schools framework with district priorities, including Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), the New York State Portrait of a Graduate, school safety initiatives, and other strategic goals. We are grateful for the leadership and collaboration of Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Jennifer DePerno, Director of Elementary Education Dana Benzo, Director of Secondary Education Melissa Sisco, Bellamy Elementary Assistant Principal Joanne Lalonde, and Gansevoort Elementary Dean John Seifts, whose participation helped make this experience both productive and impactful.
The Connected Initiative was honored to join the American Federation of Teachers for their two Day Community Schools Intensive retreat, held in Long Beach, CA The Connected Team collaborated with over 20 different Community Schools leaders from across the United States We shared our successes, and learned strategies implemented by others to enhance family engagement, support students, families, and staff in preparing to engage in education, and deliver on the Community Schools mission of ensuring all stakeholders collaborate for student success.
The Connected Team joined Community Schools team members from across the United States at the Community Schools X Family Engagement National Conference in Long Beach, CA. The team divided and conquered the wide selection of intensive workshops, covering topics from Multi-Tiered System of Supports integration. to family engagement, and workforce development to name a few The three day conference also provided the opportunity to see Los Angeles consolidated schools in action during site visits, and a plenary opening featuring both local California school leaders and students sharing their experience utilizing the host of strategies guided by the community schools framework This was an amazing opportunity to learn from others doing similar work, and to share our experiences with peers We are excited to bring back what we learned to add to our community schools toolkit
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) - Mohawk Valley 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.
O N T H E R O U T E : L E A R N I N G
S A F E T Y W I T H T H E R I D E F
M I S S I N G C H I L D R E NM O H AW K VA L L E Y
Students across Willard Prior Elementary School, Westmoreland Primary Elementary School, Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High School, N.A. Walbran Elementary School, and Jefferson Elementary School recently participated in The Ride for Missing Children - Mohawk Valley route presentations. Each session introduced students to the mission and highlighted the importance of community involvement in promoting child safety awareness.
Through interactive, age-appropriate discussions, students explored essential safety topics including bike safety, online safety, and personal safety skills. Younger students at Willard Prior engaged in a “Safety Superpowers” presentation focused on building confidence in making safe choices, while older students at Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High School participated in discussions tailored to their increased independence and responsibilities.
Across all schools, students learned how their communities support child safety efforts and gained excitement for the Ride’s upcoming passage through the area in June.
As part of Bike Safety Week at Ridge Mills
Elementary, students participated in a highenergy presentation focused on safe and confident riding skills. Students learned to check their “Bike ABCs” (air, brakes, and chains) before riding, practiced hand signals, discussed helmet safety and visibility, and explored the importance of staying aware of their surroundings. Interactive activities, including a “Spot the Hazard” game, helped reinforce important lessons while keeping students actively engaged throughout the presentation.
Students across Ridge Mills Elementary, Mount Markham Central School, Denti Elementary School, and Adirondack Jr./Sr. High School participated in engaging lunchtime HUB Huddles focused on personal safety, bike safety, and building confidence in everyday decision-making.
Across all buildings, students explored the 4 Rules of Personal
Safety, with an emphasis on identifying trusted adults, supporting one another, and understanding how to stay safe in a variety of situations. Ridge Mills students connected the discussion to their upcoming Bike Safety Week, while Mount Markham students reflected on personal strengths and the tools they can use to care for themselves and others in alignment with The Ride for Missing Children- Mohawk Valley’s mission.
At Denti Elementary, students engaged in interactive safety stations featuring hands-on activities such as puzzles, coloring, and word games, while Adirondack Jr./Sr. High School students participated in age-appropriate discussions and scenarios focused on communication, decision-making, and maintaining safe connections as they grow older.
Together, these HUB Huddles provided students with meaningful, developmentally appropriate opportunities to strengthen safety awareness in a supportive and engaging environment.
Students at Myles Elementary School participated in a full day of engaging safety education activities focused on bike safety, personal safety, and online safety. Throughout the day, students practiced important personal safety skills, participated in interactive discussions, and reinforced lessons through games and activities, including a lively round of Bike Safety Jeopardy during lunchtime HUB Huddles. The enthusiasm and participation from students and staff created an exciting and encouraging learning environment centered around confidence, awareness, and community support.
Fifth and sixth grade students at Adirondack Middle School participated in a Netsmartz internet safety presentation focused on helping students make safe and responsible choices online. Topics included protecting personal information, recognizing inappropriate online behavior, understanding cyberbullying, and learning how to be an upstander for others in digital spaces. Students engaged in important conversations about navigating technology safely and respectfully.
