School Updates - Communities In Schools of NOVA

A New Beginning: Partnership Debut with Barcroft Elementary

By Elizabeth LeRoy, Barcroft Elementary School CIS Site Coordinator Barcroft Elementary is the newest school partnership for Communities In Schools of NOVA, and the first elementary school for the CIS of NOVA network. We are thrilled to partner with Barcroft's students and families and to grow the connections between Barcroft and the surrounding community. As the Site Coordinator for Barcroft, it is a new beginning for me in Arlington, too. Starting out in the high-rise world of Crystal City, I learned the ropes of volunteer management in my first two jobs out of college, quickly growing to appreciate the way volunteerism fosters [...]

Madelon Brennan2020-03-08T14:23:36+00:00April 22nd, 2016|0 Comments

Teaching Sportsmanship & Responsibility through Soccer & Literacy

The Real Madrid Foundation leads a weekly after-school soccer program at Gunston Middle School. This program brings experienced and foundation-trained coaches to Arlington Public Schools to teach students not only soccer skills, but also important life values such as good sportsmanship and responsibility. At Gunston, Communities In Schools has partnered with the Minority Achievement Coordinator and school faculty to tie the soccer program with a once-a-week literacy session, where students get extra help and strategies in reading and English. The students are excited to play soccer in organized teams outside, where they are developing personal responsibility by having their daily actions and [...]

Madelon Brennan2020-03-08T14:24:54+00:00April 11th, 2016|0 Comments

UPDATED! Healthy Hammond Community Fair & Color Run 5k School Fundraiser

Walk, jog, and run your way toward a healthier life while raising funds for Francis C. Hammond Middle School. All are welcome! See the event information below. Date: Saturday, May 21, 2016 (new date!) Location: 4646 Seminary Rd., Alexandria, VA 22304 Time: 8:30am to 12:30pm Deadline: Register by May 5th Please contact Candace Hill at candace@cisofnova.org for more information.

Madelon Brennan2020-03-08T14:25:11+00:00April 8th, 2016|0 Comments

2016 Career Day at Wakefield Brings In Volunteers, Local Businesses & Community Organizations

On March 30th, 41 volunteers representing 31 local businesses and community organizations gathered for the annual Sophomore Career Day at Wakefield High School! This year’s event saw numerous volunteers return for their second Career Day at Wakefield, and many more join the morning’s activities for the first time. Speakers represented Arlington County, nonprofit organizations and businesses from all over the Northern Virginia region. Volunteers met with over 300 students to discuss their education paths and career backgrounds, as well as share tips and strategies for students to use in their own career exploration paths. CIS of NOVA would like to thank our [...]

Madelon Brennan2020-03-08T14:26:01+00:00April 6th, 2016|0 Comments

Communities In Schools of NOVA Expands To Its First Elementary School

In early March, Communities In Schools of NOVA brought its mission of empowering students to stay in school and achieve in life to Barcroft Elementary School. Barcroft became the fourth Arlington Public School to partner with CIS of NOVA, and the organization’s first elementary school. Located three blocks off of the Columbia Pike and South George Mason intersection in south Arlington County, Barcroft Elementary School has a rich history of community, and a strong mission of developing the youngest members of the community: “Originally opened in 1925, Barcroft Elementary School has had longer, continuous service to the community as an elementary facility [...]

Madelon Brennan2020-03-08T14:26:19+00:00April 5th, 2016|0 Comments

After-School Clubs Ramping Up at Wakefield

It is hard to believe that APS students began the second semester two months ago! As we enter the second half of our year, several CIS partners are returning to Wakefield to continue their work enriching the lives of students, and building key assets in the areas of community service, civic engagement and learning marketable skills. Below are a few updates from our two of our partners: Liberty’s Promise After working with nearly 50 students in their civic engagement program during the fall semester, Liberty’s Promise will return to Wakefield to begin work with their spring cohort. Students in Liberty’s Promise Civics and Citizenship [...]

Madelon Brennan2020-03-08T14:26:40+00:00April 1st, 2016|0 Comments

Hammerheads After School Club with the Alexandria Seaport Foundation

The Alexandria Seaport Foundation helps to support students at the middle school level to build model boats, cigar box guitars, skateboards and much more. This is a hands-on experience for our students to learn to build while applying math and science skills all the while having fun! This program also supports the IB Middle Years Program goals in the subject area of technology, as well as promoting community and service. We successfully completed our first trebuchet project, which turned out to be amazing Skittle launching devices! Next up: skateboards! Cowabunga!

Madelon Brennan2016-08-15T15:07:19+00:00March 29th, 2016|0 Comments

A Community of Support for Students with Dental Needs

28 Arlington Mill High School students woke up early before 6:00am on Saturday, March 12th, to take advantage of a free dental clinic called Mission of Mercy. The program, created by the Virginia Dental Association, provides uninsured and low-income adults with high-quality dental care during a two-day event at the Northern Virginia Community College Medical Education Campus in Springfield, VA. With support from the Arlington County Department of Human Services, Communities In Schools of NOVA was able to register and refer students to Mission of Mercy for cleanings, teeth fillings, and other important dental needs. Volunteers and dentists from the Northern Virginia [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-03-21T15:56:16+00:00March 21st, 2016|0 Comments

Seeking Volunteers for Wakefield’s Sophomore Career Day 2016

Each year, the Wakefield counseling department and Communities In Schools of NOVA coordinate a Career Day for sophomore students. After hearing from a keynote speaker, volunteer speakers rotate between tables of students, sharing their stories and perspectives, for approximately 10 minutes (completing 4-5 rotations). Also during this time, students ask volunteers questions about their career and education paths, learning invaluable information about the importance of education, networking, and a firm handshake! To volunteer, please contact CIS Site Coordinator Dan Howard at dan@cisofnova.org or (703) 228-2384 and register USING THIS LINK. Sophomore Career Day 2016 Date: Wednesday, March 30th Time: 8:30am – 11:30am [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:27:16+00:00March 14th, 2016|0 Comments

Empowering Students through STEM & Robotics

The Robotics Club at Gunston Middle School, part of the Emerging Leaders Program through Edu-Futuro and in collaboration with the Minority Achievement Office, entered two teams in their first competition this past Saturday, February 27, at the Arlington Career Center. The Adam Nesbitt Robotics Challenge, named in honor of the late technology teacher at Gunston, included morning workshops for the students and an afternoon of completing challenges against three other Arlington schools. As the date of the competition drew closer, the two Gunston teams competing in Saturday’s Challenge dedicated every single afternoon to practicing with their robots. One seventh grade student named Tania, who [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-15T15:07:31+00:00March 4th, 2016|0 Comments