Communities In Schools, the nation's leading organization dedicated to empowering students to stay in school and achieve in life, today released the results of a five-year comprehensive study with great news: the Communities In Schools model resulted in the strongest reduction in dropout rates of any dropout prevention program that has been evaluated.
Our 5th Annual Improv for Education is Going to be a HIT!
Here's a sneak peak of some of our auction items
Thanks to The Woods Coffee, Kally Adams, and Brenthaven Travel Goods Store for these goodies. We have many more items up for auction and will be posting them soon. For a full list of our generous donors click here.
It's time for our fifth annual Improv for Amanda Stone Is One Of Our Newest Members!
She is a recent graduate from WWU, spending
her time studying Spanish, Early Education, and TESOL/Bilingual
Education. Her knowledge of Spanish makes her a perfect fit for the
school where a large portion of families do not speak English as
their first language...
Become A Volunteer Today!
>>Contact us here!
National Mentoring Month
January is National mentoring month and Communities In Schools is proud to operate and support mentoring programs across the county. With more than 125 mentors in schools, we work to get kids the support they need by matching them with mentors and graduation coaches. The students gain confidence from knowing that someone cares and the mentors have the joy of knowing they are making a difference, for a child and their community. Whatcom County’s future is bright and can be even brighter if we all take time to give back.
Peer Mentor Program Taking Off at Sehome High School
Around the time math moved from basic numbers to more complex equations, Selena Fanning's parents stopped being able to help with her homework.If she didn't understand the lesson in class, she was often on her own to figure it out at home. This year, though, the Sehome High School freshman has someone to help her out.
Case Study
The story of Lucy Delgado (not her real name) told by a Communities In Schools Site Coordinator.
Lucy is an only child whose parents care deeply, speak only Spanish and were frustrated with their daughters worsening problems at school. Her anti-social behavior included truancy, poor academic performance, lying to her peers and teachers, bullying through social media and more. Her teachers and staff placed her in the highest risk group at the school. Communication between school and family failed and Lucy hit bottom.
At this point the CIS Family Engagement Specialist became involved; serving as a bi-lingual intermediary whose first step was to convene a meeting with school staff and the family, with her acting as interpreter. Through a series of meetings mistrust was replaced by a mutual commitment to a case plan designed to track, motivate and hold Lucy accountable to her own commitments. She was no longer able to tell one story at home and another at school. Reports and expectations were translated by Isabel or communicated by phone. Lucy was encouraged to engage in school activities and she joined Youth 4 Real and Alto, two programs designed to support Latino students. She grew confident and became adept at making friends, joining with healthy peers rather than seeking negative attention. Her grades improved and so did her attendance.
At the beginning of this year, when teachers were asked to consider supports that Lucy might need this year, they were surprised and stated there were other kids of much higher priority.
Lucy was on her way!
Race for Education Rocks!
We've Moved!!!
We are excited to announce our move to offices at Shuksan Middle School in Bellingham. We accepted the generous offer of Shuksan admin staff Jay Jordan, Janae Hodge and John Heritage (CIS Board Member).
Our office is in the main section near all support staff and it's good to hear the kids going about the business of their education.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 6071
Bellingham, WA 98227-6071.
Street Address:
2717 Alderwood
Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone
360-676-6470, ext.
4847
Email:
info@ciswhatcom.org
