Communities In Schools of Memphis

Meet Ruthia Garcia! Ruthia recently joined our Care Coordination team to help students and families overcome barriers inside and outside the classroom.

"My favorite CISM core value is integrity because I believe in transparency, and it's all about the kids!"

Thank you to our CIS Memphis Student Support Specialists for all you do to help students create and achieve their goals - inside and outside of the classroom. 💙 You are truly !

Thousands of youth in the Memphis area currently face homelessness. Teresa, our Homeless Youth System Navigator, works with students to obtain secure and stable housing.

Learn more about the Community Alliance for the Homeless: https://t.co/BPoNG7sDW3

Nearly 3K MSCS students face homelessness ahead of new school year, report says The largest school district in the state, MSCS, will resume classes on Aug. 7.

"By keeping up with the ever-changing needs of our students and families and innovatively expanding support and services, we will stay true to our mission. I’m honored and energized to build on these successes and lead our ISS program forward to
achieve the impact Memphis deserves." - Nataline Purdy, Director of Integrated Programs

Read the full Quarter 4 Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XgQYTA4lvkfwHqrVoRLBDzu1nF9PrBNF/view

Today begins ! A time to honor and celebrate the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans, we at CIS celebrate this heritage as we work to support ALL students and families in our community.

We support student success, and the key to unlocking that success is being at . We proudly recognize the commitment of our staff, schools, families, and community partners in ensuring students have what they need to come to school each day prepared to learn. Thank you for being !

Meet LaDaj'sa Harris!

"My favorite CISM value is Integrity. Showing up for students is practicing and modeling accountability for them to see. It builds trust with them and is the foundation to a meaningful year of impact."

The Communities In Schools National Office is seeking qualified, passionate equity practitioners with tangible ways to further the mission to be ! To apply as a workshop presenter at our 2024 Equity Fundamentals Series, please submit your proposal by September 22. Presenters will be notified by October 6 as to whether their proposal has been accepted and the proposed date for their session.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf7A0WDZteAzAUAWiV4xz8RbCDtlvq3Nm7tGqBATlp3QmsMZA/viewform

Happy , Memphis! We are so proud to serve our 901 community and its inspiring, talented, creative, and hardworking members. 〽️💙

As the end of National approaches, we ask that you continue to support Black-owned business, like our WEX partners, year-round! We thank them for welcoming our students and providing valuable experience towards achieving their career goals.

Meet Braden Jackson, who joined us this summer as a Care Coordination Intern from Memphis T-Stem East High School! Braden has helped support our Care Coordination team to connect students and families to vital community resources across the region.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools - MSCS

Meet Jasmine McNeill! We are excited to welcome Jasmine's energy and positivity as she starts her first school year as a CISM team member.

"My favorite core value is passion. It has to be in you and not on you when doing this work."

Meet Alexis Wofford! Alexis joined the CISM team this summer and is supporting the students of Northwest Prep Academy.

"Passion is my favorite core value because it serves as the drive needed to succeed within this position."

Welcome to the team, Kayla!

"My favorite CISM value is Diversity because it allows for multiple experiences, perspectives, ideas and creativity which in turn leads to the increase of gaining knowledge and achieving success."

We've got a special CISM Double Birthday today! 🎂🎂 We wish the best to Ashley and Tashika on their special day and thank them for their passion and dedication to being !

Meet Mishala Holmes! Mishala joined the CISM team this summer and has just begun her first school year as a Student Support Specialist!

"Being innovative is how we are able to be change agents within the community. Through innovation, we are able to grow and shift with the changes of the world."

The 2023-24 school year marks the start of a new partnership with Frayser Community Schools! Thanks to a five-year U.S. Department of Education grant with the Shelby County Community Schools Partnership, CISM will have a dedicated student support specialist at Westside Middle School working with students throughout the year to help them overcome personal challenges and gain confidence to meet their goals in the classroom and in life. We were fortunate to partner with Westside several years ago, so this is an exciting opportunity to help impact that community again!

We look forward to expanding our impact at Northaven Elementary in 2023-24! Thanks to a five-year U.S. Department of Education grant with the Shelby County Community Schools Partnership, we can strengthen our existing partnership with Memphis-Shelby County Schools - MSCS and support more students and families in the Northaven community by connecting them with much-needed resources to be successful in school and life.

Happy Birthday to Clay Woodard! Clay is starting his second school year with CISM supporting the Woodstock Middle community.

The 2023-24 school year will mark the start of a new partnership with Memphis Business Academy thanks to a five-year U.S. Department of Education grant with the Shelby County Community Schools Partnership. CISM will have a dedicated student support specialist assigned to MBA High School to work directly with students daily and provide personalized resources to address various challenges in school and life so they can stay on track for graduation.

CISM is excited to partner with Millington Municipal Schools in 2023-24 as part of a five-year U.S. Department of Education grant through the Shelby County Community Schools Partnership. Our passionate specialists will provide personalized resources and supports for students at Millington Primary School, Millington Intermediate School, and Millington Central Middle/High School.

“We are grateful to be a partner in this transformative grant. As our community grows, so do the needs of our students and families. The community schools model will help us increase and strengthen our supports to ensure children have the best opportunities for academic success.” - Superintendent Bo Griffin

Happy Birthday to CISM Student Support Specialist Wade Bonner! We wish you a wonderful day and start to the school year serving the students and families of Northaven Elementary.

CISM is currently accepting applications for our game-changing Student Support Specialist role as we prepare to expand into more schools and deepen our impact across Memphis and Shelby County! This role is perfect for:

- College grads majoring in education, psychology/counseling, social work, youth development, and related fields
- Teachers who want to transition into a role focusing on 1-to-1 connections with students and families
- Professionals with demonstrated work or volunteer experience in education, social services, mental health, or a related field who want to change career paths

📝 Learn more and apply today at cismemphis.org/careers (link in bio)

For nearly a decade, Communities In Schools of Memphis (CISM) has been changing lives and improving our community by eliminating barriers to success for students and empowering them to achieve in life. CISM is part of a national network with over 40 years of proven impact in communities across America.

As the 2023-24 school year approaches, excitement is building at CISM as we prepare to expand our impact and support more students and families. We received a portion of a $15M U.S. Department of Education grant through the Shelby County Community Schools Partnership (SCCSP) in January to impact more local schools with our proven support model over the next five years, and we can't wait to get started!

The community schools strategy transforms a school into a place where educators, local community members, families, and students work together to strengthen conditions for student learning and healthy development. As partners, we help organize in- and out-of-school resources, supports, and opportunities so that young people thrive.

In the coming days, we'll highlight our new school partnerships with Memphis Business Academy, Millington Municipal Schools, Frayser Community Schools, and Memphis-Shelby County Schools - MSCS!

Happy Belated Birthday to Teresa McClatchey! Yesterday, Teresa celebrated another trip around the sun, and we are so thrilled that she is a part of our team and thankful for the vital work she does for our youth.

Happy Birthday to CISM Program Manager Tasia Wilson! We are so happy to celebrate another year with you on our team. 💙

Tomorrow at Benjamin Hooks Library! Learn more and RSVP now: bit.ly/cismcareers

The CIS Memphis annual Summer Institute gives our staff time to gather, reflect, and re-energize for the coming school year. It is also a time to deepen our commitment to the diverse community we serve and strengthen our culture of inclusivity. This year's special guest was Phillis Lewis, CEO and founder of Love Doesn't Hurt who helped our team learn more about the LGBTQ+ community. As we expand our impact across Memphis and beyond, this work will ensure we are equipped to serve ALL students and families, regardless of background, identity, or ability.

Next Wednesday at Benjamin Hooks Library!

CISM is looking for caring, mission-driven candidates to join our Care Coordination team and help empower families in Memphis to attain economic self-sufficiency. Learn more and RSVP today: bit.ly/cismcareers

CISM is looking for caring, mission-driven candidates to join our Care Coordination team and help empower families in Memphis to attain economic self-sufficiency. Care Coordinators address barriers for the whole family through a network of support, equitable access to community-based resources, and life skills to help them achieve their dreams. Learn more and RSVP for our July 26 Hiring Fair today: bit.ly/cismcareers

Interested in making an IMPACT in Memphis? RSVP for our Care Coordination hiring event! CISM is looking for caring, mission-driven candidates to join our Care Coordination team and help empower families in Memphis to attain economic self-sufficiency. Care Coordinators address barriers for the whole family through a network of support, equitable access to community-based resources, and....

We are excited to announce that our own Nataline Purdy will join The Institute for Success Planning's Summer Workshop at Harvard Graduate School of Education next week! The institute studies how communities design and implement relationship-based strategies to help children succeed in school and life to help reshape education for all. Learn more about the program: https://edredesign.org/success-planning

EdRedesign | Seeding Success | Memphis-Shelby County Schools - MSCS

Happy Birthday to Tiera Hawkins, our Support Services Manager! Tiera's work is vital to providing our students and families with the resources they need inside and outside the classroom. Enjoy your special day! 💖

"For much of CISM’s history, our work has clearly proven our commitment to the 'stay in school' aspect of our mission. However, the untold story is how we’ve also helped thousands of students 'achieve in life.'" - Jessica Pontoo, Director of Collective Impact

Read more and learn about our recent impact in our Quarter 3 Report: https://ow.ly/hNmV50OThLI

Happy from CIS Memphis! This day is a beautiful opportunity to celebrate Black Excellence. Every day CIS works to break down barriers and ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed in school and life.

Fathers and father figures play a vital role in the success of our communities, and today we celebrate you and your love! 🎉 Thank you for being our heroes. 💙

We proudly joined 4,500 school districts, non-profits, educators, and community school coordinators at last week! Focusing on equitable educational outcomes and safe, hopeful, supportive neighborhoods, this event allowed us to gain insight into effective community school implementation, both nationally and with our partners across Tennessee. We are so grateful to all involved for the continued conversation on how to expand our impact, deliver on promises, and execute our mission with integrity and excellence.

Institute for Educational Leadership