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 [...]

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.