Safe Schools Mohawk Valley

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Downtown Utica, NY
Safe Schools Mohawk Valley

We are a unique school and community-based provider working with youth, families, schools, community.

10/10/2026

🌍 Today is World Mental Health Day, a powerful reminder that there is no health without mental health.

Every day, we see how much a student's well-being shapes their ability to learn, connect, and grow. Taking care of mental health doesn't have to be complicated.

This past year, the skills students told us they built most with SSMV were talking about their feelings (69%) and asking for help (67%). Those small steps make a big difference. 🌱

We have a special message for each age group of students that we work with:

For Elementary School students: All feelings are okay! Happy, sad, mad, or worried, your feelings are important. When you have a big feeling, you can take a deep breath, name what you feel, and tell a grown-up you trust.

For Middle School students: We know that middle school comes with a lot of changes, including new friends, more homework, and more pressure. It's normal to feel stressed sometimes. Taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body. Try taking a break from your phone, doing something you enjoy, or talking to someone you trust.

For High School students: Asking for help isn't a weakness. It's a strength. Between school, work, relationships, and planning for the future, it's a lot to carry. You don't have to carry it alone. Reach out to a counselor, a trusted adult, or a SSMV Youth Case Manager.

10/09/2026

Madison Bero-Nestle, Youth Engagement Specialist at Rome Secondary School, and her students recently worked on a creative project for spreading kindness called "Seeds of Kindness". 🌱

What’s one kind thing you can do today? Tell us below! 👇

10/07/2026

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and it's a good time to remember that every student deserves to feel safe walking into school.

At Safe Schools Mohawk Valley, bullying prevention is part of our Tier 2 Targeted Prevention Services. We work with schools to build awareness through school-wide education. We also lead small group activities for students who need extra support with things like conflict resolution, self-esteem, and building healthy peer relationships.

Our goal is to help students speak up, look out for one another, and know there are trusted adults in their corner.

Parents and caregivers can help too. Ask your child how things are going with friends at school, listen without judgment, and reach out to their school if something doesn't feel right.

Learn more about our Intervention and Prevention services at https://safeschoolsmohawkvalley.org/programs-and-services/

10/03/2026

Our October work anniversary shout-outs go to…

👏 Jennifer Bottini - 5 years
👏 Daisy Cruz - 3 years
👏 Alicia Luhrssen Zombek - 1 year

Thank you for your dedication, heart, and hard work in supporting our students. Cheers to the year ahead! 💙

10/02/2026

Our 2025–2026 Annual Report is here! 📘

Every year we take stock of the work we do here at Safe Schools Mohawk Valley — who we served, success metrics, and what students told us themselves.

Swipe through for highlights and the impact we're making in the Mohawk Valley.

Read the full report at www.safeschoolsmohawkvalley.org.

10/01/2026

The leaves remind us every October that change can be a good thing. Like the season, you're allowed to grow, shift, and let some things go.

This month, try setting intentions that make room for change:

🍁 Be patient with yourself as things shift.
🌱 Try one new thing, even something small.
💬 Share how you're really feeling with someone you trust.
🚶 Get outside and enjoy the fall air.
🧡 Celebrate progress, not perfection.

Small, intentional choices can make a big difference for your well-being. Which intention are you taking into October? 🧡

09/30/2026

We created some stickers for your notebooks or for sending to a friend. Sometimes the best way to check in with your friends is with the perfect sticker.

09/29/2026

Most serious school problems start small.

A student who's struggling, grieving, or in conflict with a classmate doesn't usually end up suspended overnight. There's a window in between — and that's where our staff work.
Our intervention services are modeled on research and evidence-based programs:

✔ Bully Prevention — school-wide awareness and education, plus targeted small group work
✔ Check In Check Out — short-term monitoring to redirect, remind, and reinforce positive behavior
✔ Crisis Intervention Support — de-escalation and behavior management at every stage of a crisis
✔ Family Conflict Resolution — mediation principles applied with the whole family
✔ Grief and Loss Support — supportive listening and healthy ways to share memories and feelings
✔ Mediation — diverting volatile situations before they lead to suspension, expulsion, or arrest
✔ Mentoring — social skills, coping strategies, self-esteem, resiliency, and self-regulation
✔ Resiliency Skills — discussion, games, role-playing, journaling, and recreation to build social skills
✔ RESET! — for students who act out in response to difficult feelings

Every one of these exists to catch something early. 💙

Questions about services in your child's school? Contact us at https://safeschoolsmohawkvalley.org/contact/

Address

Downtown Utica, NY
13501

Telephone

+13157337768

Website

http://www.safeschoolsmohawkvalley.org/, https://brewl.ink/safeschoolsmohawkvalley

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