Communities In Schools of NOVA In Action

Gunston’s National Geographic Bee Has A Winner

Gunston Middle School held its National Geographic Bee at the school-level the first week of February! Every grade at Gunston took an assessment during their respective social studies classes, and the top scorers from each grade were brought together on Wednesday morning for the second elimination round. Forty-five Gunston students competed at this level, and eleven made it to the final level of the competition, held on Thursday, February 4, 2016. The final competition was held in the traditional “bee” fashion, with students being asked oral questions, round by round. The final showdown was between four students, and it took a few [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-02-10T17:03:04+00:00February 7th, 2016|0 Comments

The Challenges of Rising School Enrollment

Over the next ten years, Arlington Public Schools is anticipating to add 6,655 students across all schools, exceeding the current projected capacities in nearly every school. Rising enrollments bring obvious challenges (maintaining student:teacher ratios) and not so obvious challenges (how to fit 5 lunch periods into the school day!). While school districts must focus on the logistical challenges that rising school enrollments will present, CIS of NOVA is working to ensure that each student not only receives The Five Basics, but has the opportunities to fully grow in the 40 Developmental Assets. In recent surveys conducted by the Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth and [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:26:02+00:00February 5th, 2016|0 Comments

Leadership Arlington 2015 Reflection

By Dan Howard, Wakefield High School CIS Site Coordinator I recently finished the Young Professionals program through the Leadership Center for Excellence's Leadership Arlington. Over the past four months, I participated in workshops and seminars focused on developing leadership skills, learning about civic engagement in Arlington and interacting with my peers and regional leaders. On Tuesday, January 12th, I graduated from the program as a proud member of the Young Professionals Class of Fall 2015, ready to bring my new found knowledge and tools back to Wakefield High School and CIS of NOVA. One particular session focused on finding your "Why?", an idea [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:32:44+00:00January 25th, 2016|0 Comments

CIS of NOVA Accepting New & Gently Used Winter Clothing

As the weather is getting colder, many of our students are in need of extra articles of clothing to keep warm and arrive to school in proper attire. Communities In Schools of NOVA is in collaboration with their four partner schools to collect new and gently used clothing as a way to allow the community to give back and donate to students in need. CIS of NOVA Site Coordinators will be collecting the winter accessories, which will then be donated to our middle school, high school, and adult students for the cold weather. Examples of clothing that may benefit students are: Jackets Scarves Warm sweaters Gloves Ear [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:25:30+00:00January 18th, 2016|0 Comments

Science Fair Judges Needed for Gunston Middle School!

If you are passionate about helping students fulfill their potential and help them develop leadership skills, and you have time on January 12 and/or 13 from 2:30 to 4pm, the Gunston Middle School Science Fair needs your help! We need adults to judge the Science Fair - you will be evaluating four to six science fair projects by our 7th and 8th grade students in the course of one or two hours. You will be given a rubric on which to evaluate the students’ presentations. Gunston students started working on their projects in October, and finished recently by creating a presentation and [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:25:16+00:00January 6th, 2016|0 Comments

International Night 2015 at Gunston Middle School

Gunston Middle School held a magnificent International Night on Wednesday, December 16, 2015. From 6:30pm to 8pm, the Gunston community explored different countries and cultures through student projects, international dishes brought by families, and student-led performances. The outstanding performances included a Fashion Show planned by an enterprising group of 7th grade girls led by Gunston drama teacher, Caitlin Chapuis, which had 30 students model their cultural clothing. There was an amazing example of Bolivian Tinkus dancing from the famous Tinkus Cochabamba Bolivian Dance Troupe, where two students participated. A pair of Gunston 8th grade girls gave a sample of Irish dancing and [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-01-08T14:54:19+00:00December 18th, 2015|0 Comments

Gunston Middle School To Host International Night

Gunston Middle School is hosting the return of their International Night on Wednesday, December 16, from 6:30 to 8pm! International Night is an event that celebrates all countries and cultures represented in the Gunston school community, and the surrounding neighborhood community. Students will prepare projects, create a fashion show of traditional dress, and share dishes from their cultures with guests. There will also be performances by area dance troupes representing Southeast Asia and Central America, as well as a musical performance representing the Caribbean.

Madelon Brennan2015-12-08T04:07:57+00:00December 8th, 2015|0 Comments

Wakefield High School Brings Developmental Assets To Student Groups

Student group meetings focused on the 40 Development Assets have begun at Wakefield High School! October and November were focused on introductions, establishing group expectations, exposure to school clubs and time management skills. The students, mentors, Ms. Pauline Jo and Dan have been acquainting themselves with one another. Activities have included: ice breakers, time management activities, and completing self-addressed letter that students will reflect on a year from now. Ms. Pauline Jo has high hopes for the freshman students. She has plans to bring in guest speakers into the after-school tutoring sessions and give the students a chance to discussion that week’s [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:24:52+00:00November 30th, 2015|0 Comments

Middle School Girls Get Empowered At The Color Of Leadership Conference

This past Saturday, November 14, over 200 middle school girls from across Arlington gathered at Wakefield High School for the Color of Leadership Conference: A Female Perspective, “Get Moving with STEAM!” through the Office of Minority Achievement. Girls participated in two career talks with STEM professionals and the afternoon was dedicated to the arts through martial arts training, dance and step lessons, and vocal exercises. Many girls enjoyed the nuclear and materials engineers’ presentations, where they got to create fizzy bath bombs and imagine new construction uses for everyday materials. After a recharging lunch, the girls had the opportunity to learn amazing [...]

Madelon Brennan2015-12-08T04:11:11+00:00November 16th, 2015|0 Comments

Phoenix Bikes Returns To Wakefield High School

CIS of NOVA is excited to be teaming up with Phoenix Bikes again this year at Wakefield High School. This year, Phoenix Bikes is joining HILT teacher Debbie Polhemus’ classroom to teach students bicycle mechanics, the importance of community service and ultimately, earn a bike of their own! “Having Phoenix Bikes in the classroom is a great example of how Wakefield educators are incorporating creative and meaningful lessons for our HILT students. The Build a Bike program is service learning at its best,” said Site Coordinator Dan Howard, speaking about the in-class program. Recently, CIS of NOVA intern Pauline Jo, had the [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:24:24+00:00October 13th, 2015|0 Comments