Article

Reflecting on a Strong Year and an Exciting Summer Ahead As we wrap up another school year, I find myself reflecting on the meaningful work our team has done alongside students, families, and schools across the Mohawk Valley. This year, we deepened our focus on Social Emotional Learning, helping students make positive choices, build self-esteem, strengthen their emotional capacity, and envision an exciting future. Those efforts translated into improved attendance and fewer negative behavioral incidents, both of which directly support academic success. Looking ahead, we are aligning our services with the NYSED Portrait of a Graduate framework — a [...]

By participating in the Oneida County Summer Youth Program you can be paid to attend. Complete this application (see for requirements and resctrictions) then contact us for assistance wtih applying for more information.

Growing Stronger for Students Spring has finally arrived—and with the new flowers sprouting come new opportunities. At Safe Schools, we’re continually evolving to meet the changing needs of our local schools, youth, and families. One of the ways we do this is by prioritizing staff training, so we’re always prepared to support our partners and the young people in our schools. We take every opportunity to expand the tools and strategies our team uses to work with youth, from monthly staff meetings to professional development during school breaks. Just as important as ongoing training are the strengths and lived experiences [...]

Inside Our Schools: SSMV at Work Each month, Safe Schools’ staff lead engaging activities designed to build connection, strengthen social–emotional skills, and support students in meaningful ways. Check out some of the projects and lessons happening inside our partner schools. Our Youth Case Managers across the Utica City School District—like Tito at JFK Middle School—showed out in red for Red Friday in recognition of National Heart Month. For Martin Luther King Jr Day, students at Kernan Elementary School were asked about their dreams and why it’s important to them. We love the range of responses, from being a veterinarian to a comic [...]

As we start 2026, school districts across New York are navigating two significant challenges: improving student attendance and addressing behavioral concerns. These issues are more connected than they might appear—and both are deeply rooted in Social Emotional Learning (SEL). At Safe Schools Mohawk Valley (SSMV), we specialize in helping schools tackle these interconnected challenges through individualized student support and community engagement. The NYS Challenge New York State is prioritizing: Development of individualized attendance plans for chronically absent students Behavioral intervention strategies that reduce suspensions and keep students learning Implementation of three core SEL goals that help students develop self-awareness, build supportive relationships, and make [...]

Inside Our Schools: SSMV at Work Each month, Safe Schools’ staff lead engaging activities designed to build connection, strengthen social–emotional skills, and support students in meaningful ways. Check out some of the projects and lessons happening inside our partner schools. Melanie Adams, Deputy Chief Program Officer at SSMV, read to kindergarteners at General Herkimer School’s Community Reader Day. All SSMV students created holiday placements that were presented to a Utica-area nursing home for residents to use this Christmas season. Oh, what fun it was making gingerbread houses with kindergarteners at General  Herkimer Elementary. SSMV partnered with [...]

Ever wonder what drives the work we do at Safe Schools Mohawk Valley? This month, we're excited to feature Anne Lansing's appearance on the Love Living Local 315 podcast—a candid, heartfelt conversation that takes you inside our mission. Anne shares the philosophy that guides everything we do: eliminating barriers so kids can succeed. Hear about her leap of faith that started it all, powerful stories of students she's encountered along the way, and why Anne believes our community is unlike anywhere else she's lived. Whether you're familiar with our mission or just getting to know us, this podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look [...]

The 14th Annual Urban Leadership Institute concluded with tremendous success, as Utica high school students completed an intensive week of hands-on learning and career exploration in emergency services.