Waterville- October - Newsletter

OCTOBER 2025

CONNECTED WATERVILLE NEWSLETTER TABLE OF CONTENTS Connected District Bulletin Connected Partners Collaborations & Contributions Training Highlights

HARVEST MOON HARVEST MOON STORY HOP!‌ STORY HOP!‌ Connected Community Schools joined Jill Kervin and the Waterville Public Library for their Harvest Moon Story HOP! held during the October PTA meeting. Designed to create a warm, family-friendly atmosphere and encourage stronger turnout, the event offered something special for everyone. While parents attended the meeting, children enjoyed an engaging evening with Project Manager Jesse, Jill, and several student volunteers. Story time, crafts, snacks, and a lively parachute game kept the room buzzing with laughter and creativity.

Initiative Wide Highlights Staff

The Harvest Moon Story HOP! not only helped strengthen PTA engagement, but also highlighted the wonderful connections being built between the library, families, and our school community.

Project Manager Jesse joined the Waterville Public Library and PTA for their annual Halloween Trail Event, which shifted indoors due to rainy weather. Even with the last-minute change, the celebration welcomed an estimated 150–200 community members. Dressed as Steve from Minecraft, Jesse hosted a themed activity table that quickly became a favorite stop for excited trick-or-treaters, adding a fun and interactive element to the evening.

Throughout the night, Jesse connected with families to share information about Connected Community Schools’ Holiday Assistance Program and to speak with both current and potential future LINK referrals.

The Halloween Trail Event offered a wonderful opportunity to strengthen community connections while spreading awareness about available support services.

On October 7, Project Manager Jesse picked up heartfelt letters from Mrs. Pumilia’s second graders to deliver to residents at the Waterville Residential Center. Students were eager to share their stories and questions with their new pen pals, creating a meaningful connection across generations. This ongoing letter exchange continues to foster empathy, communication, and community spirit through the simple joy of handwritten notes.

On October 29, Project Manager Jesse delivered response letters from the Waterville Residential Center to Mrs. Pumilia’s class, where students were delighted to hear back from their pen pals. Their excitement and smiles captured the heart of this growing connection.

A field trip is scheduled for November 19 from 10:00– 11:00 a.m., giving students the chance to meet their pen pals in person—a meaningful next step in this intergenerational exchange.

HUB HUDDLES HUB HUDDLES

At MPS Elementary, Lunch HUB Huddles have been full of energy and creativity. Students have joined Project Manager Jesse for activities like a dance party with hula hoops, a Mr. Cheesehead Drawing Competition, and even outdoor kickball games during recess. Favorite board games like Greedy Grandma and Guess Who? have become staples, making the HUB a lively place where students can laugh, play, and connect in a positive environment.

At the Junior/Senior High School, Project Manager Jesse has hosted engaging HUB Huddles during 7th period with the Living Words Group. Students have enjoyed watching movies together in the HUB and spending time playing classic games like Scattergories, Twister, and UNO!. These huddles provide students with a fun and relaxing space to connect, unwind, and build positive relationships during the school day.

ConnectedPARTNERS PARTNERS

Connected

Throughout October, six referrals were made to connect students with vital services and resources. This partnership plays a key role in helping remove barriers and providing assistance that promotes student well-being and success both in and out of the classroom.

Connected Waterville w ould like to than k everyone th at helps!

We cannot do it without you!

COLLABORATIONS COLLABORATIONS & & Contributions Contributions Waterville Public Library (Jill Kervin) MPS PTA Creekside Community Outreach Center (Jacque Roys)

LINK LINKTrends Trends

Throughout October, an increase in student counseling needs was observed, particularly through referrals to the embedded Neighborhood Center Clinic. Many students have been seeking additional emotional and mental health support, and Connected Community Schools has been working closely with the Neighborhood Center to ensure timely access to counseling services.

Additionally, there has been a noticeable rise in food insecurity concerns, especially with SNAP benefits temporarily on hold due to the government shutdown. To address this, Connected Community Schools is helping families with food and also actively connecting families with local food resources and pantry programs to help meet immediate needs and ensure no student goes without support.

UPCOMING UPCOMINGEvents Events

TRAINING TRAININGHighlights Highlights Bruce Brodsky with the Utica Dollars for Scholars came to our October all-staff meeting in Rome to share with staff the scholarship opportunities available to many of the students we serve. The application for Utica Dollars for Scholars is open now through March of 2026 for students in Herkimer and Oneida Counties looking for funding for higher education. Bruce identified that they want to get the word out to students and not only ensure they are aware of the opportunity, but also get support to follow through the full application process, as many start their application but don’t finish it. The presentation was very insightful for our staff who support high school students in the Herkimer and Oneica Counties, and hopefully we can get those students connected to the scholarship opportunities available.

Monthly Connected Partner Highlights are held virtually throughout the school year for staff to discover and build connections with various community partners. In the month of October, we had three different agencies present on some services they offer, including OnPoint for College, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Neighborhood Center’s COMHPS program.

Partner Highlights

Earlier in the month, Anny Guerrero-Brown provided an overview of OnPoint for College, detailing its expansion beyond college access and success to include support for certificate programs, licenses, and trades, serving students in Herkimer, Madison, Onondaga, and Cayuga counties with broad eligibility criteria and individualized support across college access, college success, and career services. Jennifer Engram elaborated on career services, including advising, workshops, and internship opportunities. Anny concluded by emphasizing OnPoint for College's holistic, free, and continuous support, focusing on removing barriers to education and building strong relationships with students.

Lisa McCarthy provided an overview of the Alzheimer's Association, discussing the financial and caregiving impact of dementia, the association's funding and research efforts, various types of dementia, warning signs, and strategies for brain health and prevention. The Alzheimer’s Association is available to table at any events where we may want to share information on dementia and Alzheimer's support.

Paul Ukena introduced The Neighborhood Center's OMH grant-funded COMHPS (Community Mental Health Promotion and Support) program, outlining its focus on community mental health promotion and support, the Neighborhood Center's broader services, and the program's activities, including outreach, referrals, and emotional support, emphasizing its free and short-term nature. The COMHPS program offers Classroom Programming opportunities including interactive tabling and group content delivery using different activities to allow participants to express their creativity while promoting mental well-being. The program is available in Oneida County, so if you are interested in bringing them into your classroom, contact your Site Coordinator!

INITIATIVE INITIATIVE WIDE WIDEHighlights Highlights 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!

Connected Community Schools is kicking off the Connected Food Drive to help ensure families in our community have access to nutritious food this season.

With the support of generous donors and community members, we aim to make a meaningful impact for local families in need.

Donations of non-perishable food items can be dropped off at any Connected Community Schools site or at our main office at 207 North James Street, Rome, NY. Monetary contributions can also be made online at https://connectedcommunityschools.org/donate-2/.

Every gift helps nourish children and families across our community.

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