FEBRUARY 2026
CONNECTED SHERBURNEEARVILLE NEWSLETTER
TABLE OF CONTENTS Connected District Bulletin Connected Partners Collaborations & Contributions Training Highlights Initiative Wide Highlights Staff
Throw Throw Kindness Kindness Like Like Snowballs Snowballs Our annual Elementary School "Throw Kindness Like Snowballs" event, hosted by Connected Project Manager Carlee, was a huge success in February! Grade levels competed by collecting paper snowballs for their acts of kindness. This year's winners were the 1st graders! Carlee will be planning an ice cream party with the winners soon.
TOBACCO-FREE THURSDAYS Jess from PULSE and Rose from Reality Check came to the HUB to have students make Valentine's Day cards for residents of a local retirement home. Jess and Rose brought stickers, cards, envelopes, and a few other decorations for the students to use. Students were able to decorate the cards to their heart's content to send off to the elderly.
Carol Lyons from SNAP-ED handed dixie cups to all students who wanted to try our infused water of the month, Strawberry-Pineapple! Throughout the lunch periods, over 220 students came to get a cup, some for a second cup, and some to fill up a water bottle. After the lunch period was over, several students came into the HUB asking for more of the water and to possibly take some of the strawberries and pineapples home with them. Multiple cups and water bottles were filled with water and fruit pieces until all of the fruit was gone.
Connected Middle School Students were recently treated to a Yogurt Parfait Party as a reward for maintaining approximately 90% attendance since the beginning of the school year. Connected Site Coordinator Sydney collaborated with Middle School Staff to gather supplies for the celebration. Students enjoyed customizing their parfaits with a wide array of toppings, which included various flavors of Chobani yogurt, three kinds of granola, rainbow and chocolate sprinkles, chocolate and caramel syrups, honey, strawberry jelly, and grape jelly. We were delighted to recognize and celebrate the students' achievements!
On Feb 12th, during parent-teacher conferences, Connected Project Manager Carlee opened her HUB to families. Carlee also provided snacks, hot chocolate, coffee, and yogurt to anyone who came in! Carlee was excited to see familiar faces and meet some new families!!
On February 26th, HUB staff Carlee and Sydney collaborated with Carol Lyons of Cornell Cooperative Extension's SNAP-Ed Program to deliver a successful cooking class. Students visited the HUB to learn how to prepare broccoli cheddar soup. The session covered essential cooking skills, including knife safety, understanding measurements, and exploring healthy recipe substitutions. As a bonus, students were able to take home the soup they prepared, along with a recipe card and a vegetable scrubber, to share and enjoy with their families.
The Annual PTO Dance was a huge success! Connected Project Manager Carlee joined the PTO to host this year's "Pajama Jam Dance Party." People of all ages attended and had a great time.
Connected Project Manager Carlee collaborated with the Kindergarten teachers to develop an idea for hallway fine motor and sensory carts. These resources are designed for use by Kindergarten and 1st-grade staff and students. After reviewing the teachers' input on desired activities, Carlee ordered the carts and materials. She created two identical carts, each stocked with supplies, games, sensory bins, and fine motor activities. The Kindergarten and 1st-grade teachers were thrilled to receive the carts and look forward to using them with their students.
This month's Water Fusion Friday flavor of Strawberry-Pineapple was the favorite by far! Everyone who tried it loved it, and many asked for seconds.
Sherburne-Earlville Connected hosted an Open HUB on February 12th and February 19th. Site Coordinator Sydney set up the HUB to make it easier for families to visit the HUB and get some tangible goods. Mary Skillin from Chenango Health Network came to the table during this time and spoke with families. We had families come in and take what they needed from the HUB, including clothing items, food, and hygiene products.
For the first HUB Huddle, Site Coordinator Sydney set up two different stations for students to engage with during their lunch mod. One station was making Valentine's Day paper Fortune cookies, and the second station had practice sheets for learning cursive writing. For the second HUB Huddle, Sydney put together two song trivia slideshows for February. The first slideshow had Country music and the second had Valentine's Day/Romance music. The students could compete for a prize of gummy snacks. The third HUB Huddle Sydney got out colored paper, dog tags, markers, sequins, paint, and other crafting items. The students were able to use any number of the crafting items to create Valentine's Day cards, decorate the dog tags, or work on a vision board for themselves. The last HUB Huddle was Sydney setting up a game of Context Clues Bingo for the students to play. For the students who were able to get a 'Bingo', they were able to pick out a prize from a prize bin.
COLLABORATIONS COLLABORATIONS & & Contributions Contributions Gayle Hellert, Sherburne Rotary Carol Lyons, CCE SNAP Ed Jessica Colley, PULSE and Rose Walsh Reality Check Mary Skilin, Chenango Health Network SE Elementary PTO SE Middle School Admin SE Kindergarten Teachers
Trends
Trends
We're excited to share the recipe for the easy, budget-friendly, and healthy Broccoli Cheddar Soup we made during this month's CCE Cooking class! We hope you and your family enjoy making and eating it as much as we did.
Connecte d Sherburn e-Earville would lik e to than k everyone that helps! W e cannot do it with out you!
UPCOMING UPCOMINGEvents Events
UPCOMING UPCOMINGEvents Events
Rethink your Drink March 17th in MS/HS HUB during lunch mods
CCE Cooking Class March 26th in MS/HS HUB from 3-4 pm
Water Fusion Friday th March 27 Elementary Cafeteria during lunch
INITIATIVE INITIATIVE WIDE WIDEHighlights Highlights
Advocating for Students and Families in Albany
On Feb. 10, Nora Bajhor, Director of Impact, and Daniel Turk, Project Manager of Quality Assurance, traveled to Albany to meet with state legislators to advocate for funding for Community Schools that support students, families, and communities across New York State. The day began with a powerful video highlighting the realities of childhood poverty across New York, which set the tone for the conversations ahead. The video was both moving and impactful, and several colleagues from the Connected initiative were featured in the presentation. After the video Nora presented as a panelist representing Connected. Throughout the day, the group met with legislators to discuss the importance of sustained support for programs that address the barriers many students and families face. One highlight of the day was an impromptu meeting with a local Assembly representative, who graciously took time to speak with Dan’s group. The conversation was encouraging as he has three Connected school districts in his legislative district, there is hope that he will support the proposed legislation should it move forward to a full Assembly vote. The day provided an important opportunity to highlight the impact of Community Schools and ensure that the voices of students, families and communities are part of the conversation shaping policies across New York.
Click here to watch the 1 in 5: Confronting Childhood Poverty in New York Video.
TRAINING TRAININGHighlights Highlights 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.
HOW CAN I HELP YOU TODAY AND MAKE YOUR TOMORROW BETTER? HOW CAN I HELP YOU TODAY AND MAKE YOUR TOMORROW BETTER?
How can I help you today and make your tomorrow better? How can I help you today and make tomorrow better? If you know someoneyour that may need help, our LINK system is here to assist withIf any worries, ormay needs that mayour arise. you see in you struggle, know someone that need help, LINKIfsystem is someone here to assist need of help (whether it's tangible items, with mental with any struggle, worries, or needs thatassistance may arise. If youhousing, see someone in health, or anything) please contact one with of us.housing, mental needprimary of help care, (whether it's tangible items, assistance health, primary care, or anything) please contact one of us.
Carlee D o
Connected Connected Sherburne-Earlville Sherburne -Earlville Team Team r ate t x
YOUR SHERBURNE PROJECT MANAGER
YOUR SHERBURNE SITE COORDINATOR
315-832-4899 Carleed@connectedcs.org
sydneyt@connectedcs.org
315-983-9279
CENTRAL HUB TEAM
COLLEEN MATTHEWS
ALEXIS TOWNE
RAIN RIDGNER
KALI FOUNTAIN
KAELYNN BARBER
DIVISONAL DIRECTOR OF CONNECTED COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF IMPACT
DELIVERY TEAM
NORA BAJOHR
SASHA MILLER
KNOW SOMEONE LP? IS IN NEED OF HE O H W Have them reach out to a Site Coordinator today!