Affiliate Updates - Communities In Schools of NOVA

Full Circle: The Story of a Returning Site Coordinator

By Isabel Pérez, Francis C. Hammond Middle School CIS Site Coordinator Picture this: the year is 1998; Chumbawamba's on top of the charts; Chandler, Joey, Monica, and the gang reign supreme in TV land; the internet is just hitting its stride. Then there's me, a bright-eyed, patchouli-drenched college grad ready to take on the world. I was ready, I was driven, and I wanted nothing more than to say goodbye to long, cold New England winters. So I did what every not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-life college grad does; I joined AmeriCorps Vista! I researched a few assignments and narrowed it down to a small program [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:26:35+00:00February 22nd, 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

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

CIS of NOVA Heads to Atlanta for the 2014 Summer Institute Conference

This summer, Communities In Schools of NOVA Site Coordinators attended the 2014 Summer Institute Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Hundreds of CIS staff, administration, and supporters from around the nation headed to The Peach State for a 3-day conference filled with workshops, networking sessions, and testimonials from CIS leaders and alumni. Many of the workshops were led by CIS staff themselves, with topics that would benefit all attendees. Breakout sessions, such as How We’re Changing the Picture: An Update on the Public Branding Campaign, concentrated on building the CIS brand to a larger level. Other sessions, like The Connection Between Early-Warning Indicators and Targeted Intervention, focused [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:17:53+00:00August 19th, 2014|0 Comments