Barcroft Elementary’s Day of Service

One of Communities in Schools Five Basic principles is to provide students with a chance to give back to peers and community. Involving young students in service projects helps them see themselves as agents in solving societal problems. It is an empowering act to give back, and it helps children value themselves as active and engaged citizens who can make a difference. It also generates character traits such as responsibility, leadership, and compassion. Barcroft Elementary participated in the National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11, 2018. This nation-wide day of tribute to those who serve and protect our communities afforded [...]

2020-03-08T14:18:06+00:00September 26th, 2018|0 Comments

The Power of Connection

We often talk about the power of connection and how Communities in Schools works to build connections with individual students to support their success. But it’s also powerful to see how connections within our organization can facilitate student success. In reviewing the list of new students who were enrolled in the International Academy on the first day at Hammond Middle School, I noticed a new student, Edwin, was coming to us from Barcroft Elementary School, another CIS of NOVA site here in Northern Virginia. I immediately contacted my colleague at Barcroft and was able to set up a conference call between the [...]

2020-03-08T14:18:26+00:00September 24th, 2018|0 Comments

In-Classroom Math Tutoring in the International Academy Adds up to SUCCESS

Perrin Keeler, a CIS of NOVA tutor at Hammond Middle School, worked with English language learners in the International Academy since the past school year. Although not a requirement to becoming a tutor for CIS of NOVA, Perrin has been involved in education for many years, and upon completing her Master's degree, she taught second grade in Washington, DC, as part of the DC Teaching Fellows program. In a meeting with the CIS of NOVA Outreach Coordinator, Perrin talked about why she volunteered with CIS of NOVA. "I have always enjoyed working with kids. I like making connections, personally and academically, particularly [...]

2020-03-08T14:18:59+00:00August 15th, 2016|0 Comments

International Academy Soccer Club at Francis C. Hammond Middle School

With support from Communities In Schools of NOVA, the International Academy Soccer Club at Francis C. Hammond Middle School had its inaugural practice in March 2016. 84 young men and women signed up to participate, with the leadership of four volunteer International Academy faculty and CIS of NOVA’s Outreach Coordinator, Candace Hill. This startup venture was supported by a partnership with the NOVA Gang Prevention Task Force, and the Alexandria Soccer Association, with enthusiastic support from International Academy Academic Principal, Tim Brannon, and Hammond School Principal, Pierrette Hall. It originated after a discussion regarding gang prevention amongst the faculty. The consensus was [...]

2020-03-08T14:19:41+00:00June 27th, 2016|0 Comments

Partnership Highlight: Arlington Food Assistance Center

The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) has been serving Arlington County residents in need of supplemental groceries for over 25 years. With the weekly assistance of a small army of volunteers, AFAC distributes nutritious food to over 2,200 county residents each week. About 35% of those who receive food from AFAC are children. Barcroft Elementary is the most recent school that AFAC has partnered with to provide students in need with supplemental meals. Through the Backpack Buddies Program, students may receive a bag of groceries to take home with them on Friday afternoons. Each bag contains two days worth of nutrition (six [...]

2020-03-08T14:20:14+00:00June 20th, 2016|0 Comments

Arlington Middle School Students Tour GMU

Over 40 students from Gunston Middle School and Thomas Jefferson Middle School took a trip to George Mason University for a school tour, and a chance to meet many multicultural student leaders on campus. The Office of Minority Achievement paired up with CIS of NOVA and GMU student organizations to introduce students to the life of a college student, while also encouraging students to consider college as a post-graduate opportunity. Many of the GMU students represented student organizations on campus that aligned with the Office of Minority Achievement’s mission to help students discover and utilize resources that would help them progress toward [...]

2020-03-08T14:20:39+00:00June 13th, 2016|0 Comments

A New Beginning: Outreach Efforts in Alexandria

By Candace Hill, CIS of NOVA Outreach Coordinator As the Communities In Schools (CIS) of NOVA Outreach Coordinator for Alexandria, I feel fortunate to be a part of a team that’s out there helping to educate our city residents and businesses on the needs of Alexandria City Public School’s students, and to find the resources needed to enable their success in school. The journey that led me to CIS of NOVA is one that has consistently involved working with youth, as I’ve always been fascinated with child development. My career began in research, managing the Temple University site for the NICHD Study [...]

2020-03-08T14:21:00+00:00June 2nd, 2016|0 Comments

Healthy Hammond Community Fair & 5k Color Run

By Candace Hill, CIS of NOVA Outreach Coordinator The forecast had predicted a torrential downpour with heavy winds and rain, but there was no turning back, as the already rescheduled Healthy Hammond Community Fair and 5k Color Run was going to happen on May 21st, rain or shine! Even with the unpredictable morning rain, there were many “shining moments.” I could talk about the girl that came to the event alone, walking 1.5 miles from home to participate in the 5k, only to walk 1.5 miles back home after running the 3+ miles. Or about the other student who showed up an [...]

2020-03-08T14:21:26+00:00May 27th, 2016|0 Comments

Nursing Students Provide Nutritional Facts for Arlington Mill & Career Center Students

For 6 weeks, nursing students from the Chamberlain College of Nursing provided and displayed nutritional tips and information during the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) weekly food distribution at the Arlington Career Center. Every Wednesday during the AFAC weekly food distribution, 4 nursing students set up a table with a display on a topic that covered health-related facts that our students read, while also giving out free samples using some of the related foods. It was a unique and efficient way to promote healthy eating, while also introducing students to nutritious (and delicious!) food they can easily make at home. “This opportunity gave us a different experience than with [...]

2020-03-08T14:21:48+00:00May 10th, 2016|1 Comment

Arlington Teens on the Summer Job Hunt

As the temperatures rise and the calendar approaches June, the hunt for summer employment is in full swing across Arlington County. On Saturday, April 23rd, the Arlington Employment Center hosted the annual Teen Summer Expo at Wakefield High School. Over 75 employers filled the Wakefield cafeteria to discuss opportunities and make connections with hundreds of students from all over Arlington County. Prior to the Teen Summer Expo, Arlington Employment Center coordinator Nadia Conyers dropped by Wakefield to work with students involved with CIS of NOVA’s after-school program at the school. Ms. Conyers discussed students’ motivations for seeking summer jobs, previewed the event [...]

2020-03-08T14:22:15+00:00May 6th, 2016|0 Comments
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