Communities In Schools of NOVA In Action

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

Free Vision Screenings and Eyeglasses for Arlington Students

77 Arlington Mill High School and Arlington Career Center students were able to receive a free vision exam during the second week of classes from a partnership between Communities In Schools of NOVA, VSP Global, and the Northern Virginia Optometric Society. Of these 77 students, 60 were identified to need prescription eyeglasses, and were provided a free pair. Held on September 14-16, day and evening students from both schools were given the opportunity to have their eyes examined by volunteer optometrists from the Northern Virginia Optometric Society and were even prescribed free eyeglasses by VSP Global. The Communities In Schools of NOVA [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-01-08T20:22:16+00:00September 21st, 2015|0 Comments

Partnerships In Service to Community: Abby Raphael & Arlington Public Schools

CIS of NOVA is a key partner with Arlington Public Schools in helping our students succeed. During the 2013–2014 school year, CIS of NOVA worked with more than a thousand students and family members, marshaling the Arlington community’s resources to provide tutoring, college and career counseling, and assistance with food, clothing, and health services. The results of these efforts are measured in students’ improved school attendance and academic performance. —Abby Raphael, School Board Member, Arlington Public Schools

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:21:39+00:00June 5th, 2015|0 Comments

Partnerships In Service to Community: Gunston Middle School Site Coordinator Alessandra Domestici

I’m a listening ear that has the time. I know their teachers would love to be there for them, and want to be there for them. But sometimes their plates are full and they have too much to do. For me to be able to be in that school all week, all day, and be there and be like, “I’m going to listen to you. I’m sitting here, I’m ready, I’m waiting. Tell me everything." I think that’s what really opens up a whole new door to these kids. —Alessandra Domestici, Site Coordinator, Gunston Middle School

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:21:22+00:00June 4th, 2015|0 Comments

Partnerships In Service to Community: Dr. Jean Milliken

From the beginning of Communities In Schools 37 years ago, I have had the opportunity to see CIS grow and benefit hundreds of thousands of children and teenagers. I am so pleased that CIS has begun to serve young people in Northern Virginia, beginning in Arlington, where I live. My experience of serving on the CIS of NOVA Board and volunteering in one of the high schools this past year has confirmed for me the value this organization brings to underserved youth in the community. I look forward to our expanding into other school districts throughout Northern Virginia so that more young [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:22:33+00:00June 3rd, 2015|0 Comments

Partnerships In Service to Community: Koube Ngaaje & AFAC

CIS of NOVA was truly instrumental in establishing the [Arlington] Career Center as the first AFAC distribution site within a school for students and families. This partnership not only introduced AFAC’s services to several families suffering from food insecurity in silence, but has also provided a strong incentive for students to pursue their education and helped establish CIS of NOVA as a resource to students and to the broader Arlington community. —Koube Ngaaje, Director of Operations, Arlington Food Assistance Center

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:22:38+00:00June 2nd, 2015|0 Comments

Partnerships In Service to Community: Debbie Polhemus & Phoenix Bikes

Working with my students and Phoenix Bikes has been the high point of my year. With all my other responsibilities, I didn't have the time or perseverance to make the connection to Phoenix Bikes myself. But once I heard that you had brought them to Wakefield, I jumped right in. As an English teacher of newly arrived immigrant teens--many with interrupted formal education, I struggle to determine what "relevant" instruction is. There is no doubt in my mind that the training offered through Phoenix Bikes is relevant. My students learned repair skills and English vocabulary. They learned to observe and collaborate. [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:22:45+00:00June 1st, 2015|0 Comments

Celebrating Diversity during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

For this May’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Gunston Middle School celebrated in style with events representing the rich cultures of Japan and India. Students participated in a lunchtime craft-learning workshop about the art of folding paper, or, origami. Students were able to make paper cranes taught by a knowledgeable seventh grader. Gunston students finished out the month with help from the Asia Heritage Foundation. Wuiping Yap from the Foundation taught a group of students an entertaining Bollywood-style dance to the song “Pinky!” The students found that dancing any kind of choreographed number, especially something with as many moves and [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:20:04+00:00May 29th, 2015|0 Comments

After-School Success At Wakefield High School

The 2014-2015 school year saw many great additions to CIS of NOVA at Wakefield High School. One new program that was launched, with the support and assistance of the Wakefield staff and dedicated CIS of NOVA volunteers, was an after-school study hall. By combining the principals of Communities In Schools Five Basics, CIS of NOVA was able to facilitate a safe and positive environment for personal success and growth. Along with the focus on academic success, students also met with partner organizations and Wakefield staff members to work on resume writing, summer job searches and setting personal goals. The consistent and long [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:19:52+00:00May 22nd, 2015|0 Comments

Maverick Voices: Sharing the Stories of Arlington Mill Students

While many students are worried about their end-of-year prom, SAT scores, or passing their driver’s tests, other students are focusing on balancing their schoolwork, full-time jobs outside of school, and even about feeding their families and children. Arlington Mill High School students are composed of members from around the Arlington community and come from around the world. And while many students county-wide face struggles every day, Arlington Mill students face unique challenges that have gone unnoticed and untold. To bring their stories out to the community, CIS of NOVA is beginning their new campaign titled “I Am Arlington” as a way to highlight success stories [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:19:29+00:00May 18th, 2015|0 Comments