Wakefield High School - Communities In Schools of NOVA

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

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

Arlington Officials Devise New Ways To Further Reduce Dropouts

Original article from Inside NOVA By Scott McCaffrey Several years ago, Arlington school officials couldn’t track down a student who had been AWOL from the classroom for days. They turned to School Board member Emma Violand-Sanchez, who knew the young man, was able to find him and get him back in class. A situation that could have ended as a statistic resulted in a student who graduated high school and now is in college. That type of story shows that Arlington educators “focus on each student,” Violand-Sanchez said during a May 7 presentation on efforts to further cut drop-out rates. The good news [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:19:17+00:00May 12th, 2015|0 Comments

Career Day 2015 at Wakefield

On Thursday, April 30th, 40 volunteers and 200 sophomore students gathered in the Wakefield High School cafeteria to discuss education and career paths for the Sophomore Career Day. The Sophomore Career Day is an annual event in which students are able to hear from professionals in the Northern Virginia area and ask questions about their careers. Students and volunteers heard from Bishop Garrison, the event’s keynote speaker, and then engaged in a “speed networking” activity. Each student heard from volunteer speakers about their education and career paths, career changes and strategies for making transitions between high school and college, and eventually entering [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:18:58+00:00May 4th, 2015|0 Comments

Hyatt Regency At Crystal City With Wakefield Students

One of this year’s newest partnerships was with Hyatt Regency at Crystal City, with the hotel running its PENCIL college readiness program for students at Wakefield High School. Fourteen Wakefield students visited the hotel in late February to meet with Hyatt employees from all fields in hospitality. Students heard from one of the senior chefs, a building engineer, a marketing representative, event planners and human resource managers, with the take home message that even though there are numerous careers in hospitality, everyone has to start somewhere and that education is the key to opportunities. The day concluded with a complimentary lunch at [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:18:34+00:00April 13th, 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

Wakefield Students On the Job Hunt!

Earlier this month, 25 Wakefield students gathered to learn about the skills and knowledge needed to gain part-time and summer employment! Communities in Schools hosted Dave Remick and Chris Rieley, chairmen of the Arlington/Alexandria Workforce Investment Board, the Teen Network Board and Nadia Conyers of the Arlington Employment Center to learn about how to be successful in the application and interview process, as well as leadership opportunities available to teens in Arlington. Topics included where to look for teen jobs in the area, how to fill out applications, how to follow up with potential employers, and how to best prepare for interviews. [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:17:38+00:00April 29th, 2014|0 Comments

Saturday School Helps Students Succeed!

“There is no substitute for work.” - Vince Lombardi While the big game approaches this Sunday, CIS of NOVA is focusing on providing students with a safe place for students to learn and a healthy start to the new semester at Wakefield high School. While CIS provides tutoring throughout the week, one of the great resources that has existed at the school for several years is the Saturday School and Saturday Academy! Every Saturday in the new Wakefield High School library, students, teachers and volunteers meet to tackle everything from Catcher in the Rye to Trigonometric proofs. Teachers and tutors come together [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:16:11+00:00January 28th, 2014|0 Comments