C O N N E C T E D
W A T E R V I L L E
N E W S L E T T E R
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Connected District Bulletin
Connected Partners
with with D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 5
Collaborations & Contributions
Training Highlights
Initiative Wide Highlights
Staff
COOKIES COOKIES C
and and
LI
CKS
CLICKS
SANTA SANTA and Mrs. Claus and Mrs. Claus
WatervilleConnectedhostedajoyfulholidayeventattheMPScafeteria. Thiseventcreatedandbroughtfamiliestogetherforasimple,meaningful Holidayexperience.
Thespacewasfilledwithlaughter,smiles,andholidaycheer.Thechildren enjoyedcookiesandmilk,workedoncoloringandcrafts,andhadtheir photostakenwithSantaandMrs Claus Familieswereabletoslowdown, connect,andcreatespecialmemoriestogetherinawarmandwelcoming environment.
This event was all about community, creating a place where people could feel valued, welcomed, and cared for during the holiday season. This could not have happened without the wonderful assistance of Willard from Canastota, Val from Camden, and Shae-Leigh from Herkimer connected districts, Roc Star Ice Cream and their donation of 400 cookies and the Oneida Madison Milk Producers CO-OP donating 200 milk cartons Their help and donations made this event possible.
Wearegratefulforthegener
Mrs.Clauseventasuccess.RocLangone,ownerofRocStarIceCream,donated400individuallywrappedcookies, whiletheOneidaMadisonMilkProducersCo-Opgenerouslyprovided200pintsofmilk.Theirsupporthelpedcreatea warmandfestiveexperienceforfamiliestoenjoytogether
HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES
MPS HUB huddles this month consisted of kids engaging in creating winter snowflake cutouts and coloring pictures for Christmas. Some students even created ornaments to take home to hang on their trees.
The High School HUB kicked back and enjoyed the Christmas movie the Grinch during our 7th period “Living Words” HUB huddles. We also decided on a new project for after we return from break to create encouraging notes to post to peoples lockers and staffs desks around the school.
Connected Connected
PARTNERS PARTNERS
COLLABORATIONS & COLLABORATIONS &
The month of December saw a new Neighborhood Center rep come in for training to take over in Waterville, named Madison Bennett. As Madison transitions into both schools, she will be looking to up her caseload with the influx of referrals the school has seen over the month of December.
Roc Star Ice Cream
Oneida Madison Milk Producers CO-OP
TrendsTrends
Holiday Assistance referrals through Waterville saw a notable increase in December, with 12 new LINKs submitted to support families during the holiday season. In addition, the transition to a new Neighborhood Center representative, Madison Bennett, contributed to increased engagement, resulting in three new LINKs for Neighborhood Center referrals and several additional referrals moving forward in the process.
February 4th
During the Middle School and High School lunches Val from Reality Check will be joining Connected Waterville.
UPCOMING UPCOMINGEvents Events MPS Passion Fair
February 6th 6:00 -7:30 PM
March - TBD
Come one, Come ALL and show off your sweet treats, tricks, or collections to the rest of your classmates and schoolmates.
Connected Elves Holiday Project 2025
Celebrating 8 Years of Community Impact
December 2025 marked the 8th successful year of the Connected Holiday Assistance Program, supporting students and families across our Connected Districts during the holiday season. What began as a small act of care has grown into a powerful community-wide effort spanning all 13 Connected districts, rooted in generosity, collaboration, and compassion
16 Stone Brewpub th
Affair with Hair
Agway Holland Patent
Alteri's Restaurant
Arizona Tacos
Artani's Pizza
Bassett Medical Offices
Big Jay's Pizzeria - Rome
Bliss Environmental
Boss's General Store
Boyz From Italy
Central NY Academy of Dance
Cianfrocco's Subs & Wings
Collis True Value Hardware Community Bank, N.A. -
Bank, N.A. -
Franco's Pizza - Ilion Full Lotis
Gehring Tricot Grande's Pizzeria
Haven Salon and Lash Studio
Home Outlet Utica
Jervis Library
Joey's Pizza
Kylie's Diner
La Roma Pizzeria
Matteson Hotel
MetLife Insurance
The Power of Community Partnerships
This year, over 40 local businesses partnered with Connected by hosting donation bins for new, unwrapped toys and gifts Their willingness to open their doors and rally their customers played a vital role in making this program possible.
We are grateful to the 40+ local businesses that served as donation sites and helped make Holiday Assistance possible.
Mister Mikes Gyros
NBT - Rome & Utica
New Hartford Public
Nola’s of Clinton
Oneida County
Department of Comm.
Family Services
Petzotics
Remington Federal Credit Union
Rome First United Methodist Church
RT Federal Credit Union
Shook 40
Sorrento Pizzeria
Spresso’s
Coating
State Farm Michael Collea
Stuff the Bus
Style on Main by Nikki Marie Tanners Insurance Agency Toy for TOTS Tucker Backyard Pools & Spas
Twin Rivers Paper Company
Woolner Family Eye Care
Connected Elves Holiday Project 2025
CONTINUED
Holiday Assistance Shopping by the Numbers & Gratitude
Through the collective efforts of donors, community partners, and dedicated volunteers, the Connected Holiday Assistance Program supported a total of 1,576 children during Holiday Assistance Shopping this season. With an estimated $59,000 in donated toys and gifts, this milestone reflects the generosity and commitment of our community-wide network, working together to ensure students across our Connected districts experienced the joy, care, and support they deserve during the holiday season.
Holiday Assistance would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteers, who generously gave their time to sort donations, support families, and assist throughout Holiday Assistance Shopping. Their compassion and commitment helped bring this program to life
We extend our heartfelt thanks to every business, donor, volunteer, and community partner who helped make this season brighter. Your generosity continues to strengthen our mission of supporting students and families during the holidays and all year long.
Together, we are Connected
TRAINING TRAINING
Mid York Library
Monthly Connected Partner Highlights are held virtually for staff to discover and build connections with various community partners. In December, Stephanie Markham and Diana Cassulus presented to our staff regarding what the Mid York Library has to offer. They detailed services such as the "Library of Things," through which people can borrow available items including snow shoes, games, and more! Library cards are free to apply for and can give access to the Library of Things as well as discounted museum and park passes, books, magazines, movies, and affordable in-building services like printing. They highlighted that libraries are safe spaces, resource hubs, providers of free, unfiltered computer access and paper tax forms, and hosts of free early literacy programs and events listed on the Mid-York website calendar. The Mid York Library is a great partner to our Connected schools and are eager to attend events with free books and tailored materials in Madison, Oneida, and Herkimer Counties!
If you know someone that may need help, our LINK system is here to assist with any struggle, worries, or needs that may arise. If you see someone in need of help (whether it's tangible items, assistance with housing, mental health, primary care, or anything) please contact one of us.
