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Connected District Bulletin
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Collaborations & Contributions
Training Highlights
Initiative Wide Highlights Staff
Jessica from the Chenango County Historical Society came to the HUB to tell students and staff about the Historical Society and Museum in Chenango County. Jessica brought in an image viewer, images of various historical buildings, a cut out of a Pepto-Bismol bottle and stomach bug, pens, pads of paper, and various other goodies for the students to take. While students were in the HUB Jessica was able to teach the students about various facts about Chenango County's history and give them a hands-on experience of what people over 100 years ago used for entertainment. Many students had thoughtful conversations with Jessica about the historical society and Chenango County's history.
Marina from Cornell Cooperative Extension Child Care Council visited the HUB to facilitate a session focused on students' futures. Site Coordinator Sydney provided a variety of materials, including poster boards, paint, glue, scissors, and various magazines, which the students used to create vision boards. They cut out inspiring words and pictures from the magazines to collage onto their poster boards.
Jess from PULSE visited the HUB to engage students with an interactive BINGO Game. This activity allowed students to learn facts about teen drinking in an enjoyable way, as the BINGO answers corresponded to facts presented in a Q&A format. Many students participated, with some even playing multiple rounds.
Jess and Rose visited Sherburne-Earlville Sch discussion about the facts of smoking tobacco, weed, and consuming other substances To make the learning interactive, Rose hosted a tobacco-based Jeopardy game in the HUB. Many students participated in the game and had the chance to win prizes provided by both Jess and Rose.
Jess from PULSE and Rose from Reality Check came into the HUB with two sets of activities. One was some Reality Check based puzzle papers including a word search, word scramble, and cross word puzzle. The other activity that they brought was a bookmark making craft with stickers, string, plastic jewels, markers, and foam bookmarks The students were told for the bookmark activity they were to make nice bookmarks that will be donated to some residents living nearby in a retirement home for Valentine's Day. The students were given the opportunity to do both activities while in the HUB. Overall there had been over 30 bookmarks made to be donated After completing one or both activities the students were able to have a snack provided by Jess and Rose.
This month’s Water Wednesday was another success. The infused flavor of the month was Cherry - Lime. Throughout the course of the lunch periods over 120 students came to get a cup, a good portion also came for a second cup. 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 cherries and limes home with them to make their own infused water.
Water Fusion Friday this month was a success! Students and staff enjoyed the refreshing Che y are eagerly anticipating next month's flavor.
Carlee and Sydney greeted families in the HUB alongside Mary Skillin from Chenango Health Network Fresh produce was available for families to pick from provided by the generous Sherburne Rotary Club.
TheMiddle/HighSchoolHUBhostedtwoengagingHUB HuddlesthisJanuary.ThefirstHuddlefeaturedagame ofGuesstheWord.Studentswrotedownvarious promptsthedaybefore,whichwerethenusedfor roundshostedbystudents.ThesecondHUBHuddlewas apopularroundofsongtrivia.Acoupleofslideshows werecreatedwithmusicforstudentstoguessthesong andartist.Oneslideshowfocusedonmetalmusic,and theotheronrap.BothoftheseHUBHuddlesessions wereengagingandfullofthoughtfulconversations.To seethestudentsengagingwithoneanotherand learningsomenewintereststhattheirpeersmayhave hasbeensobeneficialwithbuildinginterpersonalskills.
Gayle Hellert, Sherburne Rotary
Jessica Colley, PULSE and Rose Walsh , Reality Check
Carol Lyons, Cornell Cooperative Extension’s SNAP-Educator
Marina Bridgham, Child Care Council
Jessica Moquin, Chenango County Historical Society
Mary Skillin, Chenango Health Network
Connected
ConnectedSherburneandCornellCooperativeExtensionSNAP-Edareexcitedtoannouncefree,funcookingclassesforeveryonein theSherburneEarlvilleCommunity!We'llbehostingtheseclassesintheMS/HSHUBthelastThursdaysofthemonthfrom3-4 pm.
Ourgoalistohelpfamiliespreparehealthy,budget-friendlymeals.Werecognizedthechallengesmanyfamiliesfaceandwantto providesupportinstretchingyourfoodbudgetwhilestillprovidingnutritiousmeals.Wanttojointhenextclass?UsetheQRcode tosignup
Hereistherecipefeaturedforourfirstclass!
February 27th Water
Elementary Cafeteria during lunch
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 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
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.
