NOVA - Communities In Schools of NOVA

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

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: 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

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

Phoenix Bikes Engages Students At Wakefield High School

The second semester of Phoenix Bikes at Wakefield High School kicked off on February 5, 2015, with twelve Wakefield students learning about bike mechanics and the importance of community service. Throughout the spring semester, students have learned bicycle mechanics and how to perform repairs, as well as work on bicycles that would be later donated to Arlington community members, and to a fellow Wakefield classmate. CIS of NOVA partnered with Wakefield staff members Debbie Polhemus and Joyce Kelly to recruit students and coordinate the club at the school. Each Thursday, Ms. Polhemus and Ms. Kelly meet with the Bike Club students during study [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:18:14+00:00April 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