M A Y 2 0 2 6
ColleenjoinedthemembersoftheMIlersRunningCluband approximately120studentswhohadtheirsneakerson,theirwater bottlespresentandwerereadytotackletherunningpathoutside This weekthethemewasteamworkwheretheyworkedaspairsandgroups tocompletedifferenttasksthatweresetuparoundthebuildingsuchas givinghighfives,andprovidingcomplimentstotheirpeers.Thestudents enjoyedtheirtimetogether;theywereprovidedsnacksafterpriorto themleavingtogohomefortheday.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Connected District Bulletin
Connected Partners
Collaborations & Contributions
Training Highlights
Initiative Wide Highlights
Staff
Project Manager Carlee joined MPS's Milers Club after school. Carlee was excited and happy to be a part of this fun, energetic group! Due to the rain, we were inside today, but that did not stop the fun. We had a wonderful guest speaker, Marina from the Child Care Council, who came to speak to us about coping skills. Carlee handed out snacks after the students finished exercising before they went home.
Project Manager Carlee joined MPS's Milers Club after school. Carlee was excited and happy to be a part of this fun, energetic group! Today was our first day running outside! The students were very excited and happy to be outside for the first time. Carlee handed out snacks after the students finished exercising before they went home.
Project Manager Carlee joined MPS's Milers Club after school. Carlee was excited and happy to be a part of this fun, energetic group! Due to the rain, we were inside today, but that did not stop the fun! We held running exercises in the gym and yoga in the cafeteria. Carlee handed out snacks after the students finished exercising before they went home.
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.
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Colleen Matthews
