volunteer - Communities In Schools of NOVA

In-Classroom Math Tutoring in the International Academy Adds up to SUCCESS

Perrin Keeler, a CIS of NOVA tutor at Hammond Middle School, worked with English language learners in the International Academy since the past school year. Although not a requirement to becoming a tutor for CIS of NOVA, Perrin has been involved in education for many years, and upon completing her Master's degree, she taught second grade in Washington, DC, as part of the DC Teaching Fellows program. In a meeting with the CIS of NOVA Outreach Coordinator, Perrin talked about why she volunteered with CIS of NOVA. "I have always enjoyed working with kids. I like making connections, personally and academically, particularly [...]

Madelon Brennan2020-03-08T14:18:59+00:00August 15th, 2016|0 Comments

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

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

African-American Read-In Coming To Gunston Middle School

The African-American Read-In will be held in the Gunston Middle School Library from February 17 through 19, 2016. The African-American Read-In is held during Black History Month, and there is a special focus on encouraging young people of color to read and enjoy literature. At Gunston, classes from all grades throughout the day will visit the library for a special reading by visitors, administrators, faculty, and staff. Readers can choose from a selection of books by African American authors, or choose their own book that is special to them. To make this great event even better, Gunston’s partnership with Reading Is Fundamental [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:26:15+00:00February 10th, 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

Science Fair Judges Needed for Gunston Middle School!

If you are passionate about helping students fulfill their potential and help them develop leadership skills, and you have time on January 12 and/or 13 from 2:30 to 4pm, the Gunston Middle School Science Fair needs your help! We need adults to judge the Science Fair - you will be evaluating four to six science fair projects by our 7th and 8th grade students in the course of one or two hours. You will be given a rubric on which to evaluate the students’ presentations. Gunston students started working on their projects in October, and finished recently by creating a presentation and [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:25:16+00:00January 6th, 2016|0 Comments

Wakefield High School Brings Developmental Assets To Student Groups

Student group meetings focused on the 40 Development Assets have begun at Wakefield High School! October and November were focused on introductions, establishing group expectations, exposure to school clubs and time management skills. The students, mentors, Ms. Pauline Jo and Dan have been acquainting themselves with one another. Activities have included: ice breakers, time management activities, and completing self-addressed letter that students will reflect on a year from now. Ms. Pauline Jo has high hopes for the freshman students. She has plans to bring in guest speakers into the after-school tutoring sessions and give the students a chance to discussion that week’s [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:24:52+00:00November 30th, 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