ACPS - Communities In Schools of NOVA

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 [...]

Madelon Brennan2020-03-08T14:19:41+00:00June 27th, 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 [...]

Madelon Brennan2020-03-08T14:21:00+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 [...]

Madelon Brennan2020-03-08T14:21:26+00:00May 27th, 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

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

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

Combating Food Insecurity in the City of Alexandria

Francis C. Hammond Middle School is now one of the newest participants in the Blessings In a Backpack (BIB) program, thanks to the new partnership between Communities In School of NOVA, the United Way of the National Capital Area, ALIVE (ALexandrians InVolved Ecumenically), and the Alexandria Food Center. As the country honored the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 18th, we celebrated his legacy by launching BIB at Francis C. Hammond Middle School. Over 12 volunteers gathered at the Alexandria Food Center and worked diligently to pack 200 weekend backpacks for students at Hammond. These backpacks will be distributed to [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:26:26+00:00February 16th, 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