RS Grad Finds His Spot

Jesse Sibley says it took some time, but he finally landed where he belongs.

This fall, Sibley became the Site Coordinator at Waterville Central School for Connected Community Schools.

Last spring, he was assigned to the post temporarily before getting the job permanently.

“From Day 1 when I got here I felt right at home,’’ Sibley said. “I think, how can I call this my job when I have so much fun here every day?’’

Connected Community Schools, a program that began in the Rome City School District, has expanded to 13 districts.

Among them are Waterville, Madison and Mount Markham.

CCS coordinates serves in and outside of a district to help students and families close the gaps that hinder the learning process. This can include help with food, shelter and educational services.

Sibley’s ability to help Waterville students comes not just from understanding what CCS can offer, but because he was a kid whose life had a lot of challenges.

“I was one of those who could have easily been overlooked if certain people hadn’t stepped in,’’ he said.

Born in Arizona, Sibley spent some of his early childhood in Las Vegas and other areas out West.

He and his siblings moved around as their parents struggled to take care of their children.

By the time he was 14, Sibley had attended 25 schools.

It was No. 26 that saved him, he said.

An aunt lived in Richfield Springs and took in Jesse and his brothers.

He came to Richfield and entered 10th grade at the first rural school he had attended.

“It was a culture shock,’’ Sibley said. “Everybody knew each other and I had never had that before.’’ ...