NOVEMBER
2025
CONNECTED WATERVILLE NEWSLETTER TABLE OF CONTENTS
Reality Check
Connected District Bulletin Connected Partners Collaborations & Contributions Training Highlights Initiative Wide Highlights Staff
Val from Reality Check came in during both the Middle and High School Lunch Periods. During these times, approximately fifteen students stopped in during the sessions to learn more about Reality Check's Mission on countering tobacco and vaping marketing that is aimed at youth. Val was able to share with the group of students engaging information, answered their questions and encouraged the students to take a more active role in promoting healthier choices with their peers and throughout their communities. The visit sparked genuine interest, and three students took applications to become Youth Ambassadors for the Reality Check Program. Val will be returning on December 10th to continue the conversations and offer additional opportunities for the students to get involved.
Project Manager Jesse and the school librarian Mrs. Brennan, hosted Book Club in the High School Library during both middle and high school lunch periods. Around 17 students participated across both sessions, sharing insights and discussing the books they have been reading. The conversations highlighted students’ interests and encouraged a love of reading, as everyone had the chance to talk about their favorite stories and tell their peers about their books. The book club continues to provide a welcoming space for students to connect over literature during their lunch breaks which is capped off every time with some YUMMY! Brownies. Book Club meets one Tuesday a month every month.
Project Manager Jesse, through the Positivity Project, helped set up Boot Camp for the Brave, a school-wide event where MPS students and staff came together to honor and show appreciation for local veterans. Jody Thomas organized Boot Camp for the Brave, ensuring every detail reflected our community’s gratitude for veterans. Attendees received certificates and heartfelt letters from students, making the celebration personal and meaningful. Boot Camp for the Brave was a meaningful reminder of service, sacrifice, and community. We are grateful to everyone who helped make this special Veteran’s Day event possible.
Mrs. Pumilia’s 2nd grade class took a field trip to the Waterville Residential Center. The students got an opportunity to meet their Pen Pals for the first time. They were able to engage with them and do multiple fun activities. Mrs. Pumilia’s class dropped off their new letters for their Pen Pals while they were there and will be planning another visit in the Springtime.
HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES HUB Huddles at MPS Elementary throughout the month of November were fun, engaging, and filled with positive energy. Students participated in creative activities such as a drawing contest to see who could draw the best Mr. Cheesehead, which brought lots of smiles and excitement. In addition to scheduled HUB activities, Lunch HUB Huddles continued to grow in popularity, giving students a welcoming space to connect, laugh, and build relationships during the school day. Interest in the HUB continues to increase, with more students asking to attend daily, showing just how meaningful this space has become.
HUB Huddles at the Waterville Jr./Sr. High School offered students a relaxing and engaging environment throughout November. The 7th period Living Words group enjoyed a movie day that provided time for connection, reflection, and community building. Lunch HUB Huddles for the Jr./Sr. High also continued to be well attended, offering students a consistent place to gather, share conversations, and build positive peer relationships. As the month went on, HUB participation continued to grow, with more students showing interest and becoming regular attendees.
ConnectedPARTNERS PARTNERS
Connected
November saw a large increase in the number of referrals to the Neighborhood Center Satellite Mental Health Office. We continue to work diligently to get the kids the care they need through Neighborhood Center. We also found out Waterville will be getting a new counselor named Madison Bennett.
COLLABORATIONS COLLABORATIONS & & Contributions Contributions Compassion Coalition - The Compassion Coalition donated 100 turkeys to our organization along with 100 5 pound bags of potatoes to go with each turkey. Waterville originally only requested 5, but ended up taking 12 and found families for all 12 Thanksgiving Meals within the Waterville District. Reality Check Valarie Webb - Valarie Webb visited the High School HUB on 11/5/25 from Reality Check Connected Waterville w ould like to than k everyone th at helps! We cannot do it without you !
Trends
Trends
LINK is a single point of access embedded within every Connected school. It brings together school staff and community partners to identify student and family needs and connect them with appropriate supports, services, and local resources to promote student success. November saw a large increase in the number of referrals that were submitted to the Satellite Mental Health Office through the Neighborhood Center. Your Connected Team continue to work diligently alongside the members of the LINK Teams to ensure those students identified for mental health resources are being connected and referred appropriately. A new clinician for the Satellite Mental Health Office will be joining forces in January. We look forward in welcoming Madison Bennett to our teams to ensure all students are receiving the appropriate services.
UPCOMING UPCOMINGEvents Events
Christmas Break
Family Game Night
December 20th January 4th
January 16th
Return to school on the 5th of the New Year.
at the Jr/Sr High School
TRAINING TRAININGHighlights Highlights November Advisory Board
During the month of November, we hosted our quarterly Advisory Board meeting. For this meeting, we had two agencies present on the programs they offer. The first agency to present was CNY Fair Housing, located in Syracuse, New York. Tysha Martin shared with the group that the primary goal of CNY Fair Housing is to fight discrimination in housing for protected classes. They cover 13 counties in Central and Northern New York. Not only do they investigate and fight for tenants, but they also educate landlords and community providers on tenant rights. The presentation was very informative and a great resource to connect appropriate families that we work with. The second presentation was by the Utica Center for Development. This agency provides a variety of services specifically aimed towards veterans and their families including assistance with tangible items as well as mental health support. One of their programs, called the Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Program, works with veterans who have PTSD and other mental health struggles. This is an essential resource for veterans and their families we may work with.
Connected Partner Highlights: Monthly Connected Partner Highlights are held virtually throughout the school year for staff to discover and build connections with various community partners. During the month of November, we had three different agencies present on the services they offer. One program, the Cornell Cooperative Extension Child Care Council, shared that they offer Classroom Programming opportunities focused on social emotional learning. The Child Care Council has been a great partner of Connected and is frequently booked to come into our schools. They also offer assistance in obtaining child care and financial assistance to pay for child care in Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison Counties. Our second presenter was the Madison Community Action Partnership’s Permanency Resources Program. This state-funded program, which evolved from kinship caregiver programs, provides comprehensive support to kinship caregivers, adoptive families, and families going through legal guardianship or adoption processes, in partnership with the Neighborhood Center in Oneida County. This specific program is available in Oneida and Chenango Counties, but there are similar programs throughout the state. Last but not least, we also had Indium Corporation present to our staff on the Classroom Programming that they can offer. Indium can go into local schools and teach students about what Indium does, considerations for career exploration with Indium, and learning about the manufacturing process along with some STEMrelated education. This is a great opportunity that many of our staff only just discovered during this Partner Highlight. If you are interested in bringing Indium into your school, please reach out to your Connected Site Coordinator!
INITIATIVE INITIATIVE WIDE WIDEHighlights Highlights Holiday Assistance Connected is in full Holiday Assistance mode, working to ensure students and families have the support they need this season. Last year, we assisted over 2,000 students, and we’re once again committed to spreading warmth and joy throughout our communities. If you or someone you know could benefit from holiday assistance, please reach out to your Site Coordinator or a member of the LINK Team—we’re here to help. If you’d like to help, donations are always welcome! Check out the Holiday Assistance bin map included on this flyer for convenient drop-off locations, or bring your donation to our main office at 207 North James Street, Rome, NY. Monetary contributions can also be made online at https://connectedcommunityschools.org/holiday-assistance/, and every gift helps make the season brighter for local families. Click here to access the Holiday Assistance Bin Map!
Now Open: Connected Purple Flamingo Thrift & Gift Store The Connected Purple Flamingo Thrift and Gift Store is now open! Bright, quirky, and full of character, the store offers a wide variety of thrifted and new items for sale. All proceeds benefit the Connected Initiative, making every purchase a way to support the community. If you haven’t visited yet, it’s definitely worth checking out!
Connected Community Spaghetti Dinner On November 19 in collaboration between The Connected initiative, Oneida County, and the Connected Rome CSD; the very first Connected County Spaghetti Dinner was held at Connected Strough middle school. The true strength of our communities in the Mohawk Valley is the spirit of resilience and collaboration to come together to support one another in the face of current and ongoing struggles. With the support of our volunteers from Oneida County, student volunteers, and Rome, CSD nutrition services staff we were able to distribute approximately 300 eat in and take out meals to anyone who was able to attend regardless of school district or home address. This event was proof that local action can have a wide impact.
HOW CAN I HELP YOU TODAY AND MAKE YOUR TOMORROW BETTER?
How can I help you today and make your tomorrow better?
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.
Connected Waterville Connected Waterville Team Team
Jesse Sibley
Colleen Matthews
YOUR WATERVILLE SITE COORDINATOR
DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF CONNECTED COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
315-292-2396
jesses@connectedcs.org
CENTRAL HUB TEAM
ALEXIS TOWNE KNOW SOMEONE F HELP? WHO IS IN NEED O Have them reach out to a Site Coordinator today!
RAIN RIDGNER
KALI FOUNTAIN
KAELYNN BARBER
DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF IMPACT
DELIVERY TEAM
NORA BAJOHR
SASHA MILLER