01/17/2025
The 2024 Community Matters Report is here! 📚✨
This national report highlights the challenges facing public schools – and the potential to transform them. Explore the report: cisnational.org/3NuvZXd.
Here are some high-level takeaways ⤵️
What’s happening:
❌ Declining Student Engagement: Student engagement is at an all-time low nationwide.
❌ Decreasing Enrollment: Enrollment has dropped by over one million students across the country.
❌ Chronic Absenteeism: Two-thirds of schools nationwide report high rates of chronic absenteeism.
What’s possible with the CIS model of Integrated Student Supports:
✅ Reconnect Students: Foster meaningful connections among students, families, and educators.
✅ Access Community Resources: Leverage a network of organizations to provide essential resources.
✅ Reduce Absenteeism: Break down barriers like poverty, housing instability, and mental health challenges to keep students in school.
💙 Read the full report to learn how CIS is leading the way: cisnational.org/3NuvZXd
01/15/2025
A little time and a lot of heart – that’s the power of mentorship. 💙
It’s , and we’re looking for mentors to help high school students thrive on their journey to graduation and beyond.
What Mentors Do:
✅ Dedicate just 4 hours a month to connect with a mentee.
✅ Help guide a student toward their goals.
✅ Join your mentee at the CIS Partner Celebration event this spring.
What Mentors Need:
✅ Pass a school district background check.
✅ Complete 3 hours of virtual training.
✅ Commit through May 2025.
✅ And most importantly, bring a passion for empowering students!
✨ Being present matters. Start your mentoring journey today ➡️ cisofsc.org/volunteer
01/10/2025
Meet Destiny Bryant, a dedicated Site Coordinator at St. Andrews Middle School and a proud alum of the CIS program! 👋🏾✨
Destiny is in her second year with CIS, bringing her professional experience as a former 7th-grade science teacher and her unique perspective as someone who once benefited from the program she now serves.
🗣 "Being able to do what my Site Coordinator did for me for these kids is a feeling I can't even begin to describe," Destiny shares. "I see myself in a lot of these students, and being able to take what I learned and share it with them is incredibly rewarding. I hope to show them that there are people behind them every step of the way."
Destiny's personal connection to CIS fuels her passion for empowering students, and it shows in her work. Her teammates describe her as "one of the kindest people we've worked with" and highlight the positive impact she has not only on her students but also on everyone fortunate enough to collaborate with her.
We're honored to have Destiny as part of our team and grateful for how she embodies our mission: to be present for students and help them overcome challenges so they can thrive. Thank you, Destiny, for your unwavering dedication and heart! 🫶
01/08/2025
Stepping into 2025 like… 🕺🏾✨
It's great to be back in school with students this week, where we're busy:
🔐 Unlocking potential
🤝 Building relationships
💪 Breaking down barriers
Here's to a new year of being present and supporting students as they strive toward their goals! 💙✨
12/30/2024
There’s still time to make a lasting impact in 2024! ✨
Every student deserves someone in their corner – listening, guiding, and cheering them on toward success. Your support helps us provide the wraparound care that students and families depend on.
🫶 Be present for students by donating today: cisofsc.charityproud.org/Donate
🤝 Want to explore other ways of giving? Visit cisofsc.org/support-cissc to see how you can show up for students and make a difference.
12/24/2024
This holiday season, we are grateful for our incredible team and community partners, who went above and beyond to ensure students and families could experience the joy and warmth of the holidays.✨
From organizing 🎁 gift drives, 🍎 food drives, ☃️ and holiday events, our team worked tirelessly to make the season brighter. Every family deserves to feel supported, and every student deserves to thrive. Thanks to our community of support, there have been many smiles this season.
Here's to carrying on the spirit of giving and community into the new year! 🫶
📸: Gift drives for Sandel Elementary and Pepperhill Elementary School thanks to Columbia First Nazarene and Ethos Athletic Club; Food drives at North District Middle School and Northwoods Middle School thanks to our friends at the Humanities Foundation.
12/23/2024
The holidays are shining brighter for Welcome Elementary students thanks to the generosity of many incredible partners last week! ✨
🎁 Jen Holly, a former board member and longtime CIS champion, delivered gifts for students and brought our good friends from Clarke & Company Benefits with her to make an even bigger impact!
🎁 Tremont Church stepped up to sponsor gifts for 20 students, and several other generous sponsors ensured that 16 more received presents. Altogether, CIS supported nearly 60 families with gifts this holiday season!
🎁 ... and that's not all! Thanks to With These Hands and the dedication of Welcome's Social Worker, Ms. Shroy, every student received a holiday sock filled with goodies – stuffed animals, hygiene items, gloves, pencils, and fidget tools.
🫶 These thoughtful gestures remind us of the true spirit of the season – community, generosity, and being present for one another. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this possible, and an extra shoutout to Maria Clark for being a connector extraordinaire!
12/20/2024
A huge THANK YOU to the Lexington Medical Center for their generous support! 💚
Their commitment helps us make a meaningful impact in Lexington School District Two at Wood Elementary School, Pine Ridge Middle School, and AHS LEADS.
We’re so grateful for community partners who share our mission of surrounding students with the resources, mentorship, and encouragement they need to thrive. 🤝
Thank you Lexington Medical Center for your support of Communities In Schools of South Carolina, which in turn helps schools, including Wood Elementary School (shown here), Pine Ridge Middle School and AHS LEADS in Lexington School District Two. We are so grateful for the community, business, faith, and educational partners that support not only Lex2 but schools throughout South Carolina. Cayce Elementary Cyril B. Busbee Creative Arts Academy Lexington 2 Innovation Center Brookland-Cayce High Saluda River Academy for the Arts Northside Middle School Riverbank Elementary School R.H. Fulmer Middle School - Home of the Falcons Springdale Elementary New Bridge Academy Wood Elementary School Congaree Elementary School City of West Columbia, SC City of Cayce Town of South Congaree Town of Springdale, SC Town of Pine Ridge, South Carolina County of Lexington, SC
12/20/2024
Last chance to tour the Southern Living Idea House! 🎄✨
It's the final – and festive – weekend to explore the Idea House at Kiawah River! Don’t miss your chance to visit and support a great cause:
🕙 Tour Hours
Friday & Saturday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Sunday: 12 PM - 5 PM
We’re honored to be one of three organizations benefiting from this year’s Idea House. Thank you to everyone who has toured, volunteered, or supported this incredible opportunity!
🎟️ Get your tickets here ➡ bit.ly/IdeaHouse24Tickets
❤️ Sign up to volunteer here ➡ bit.ly/SLideahouse
📸 Shoutout to Cameron Wilder Photo for capturing the magic.
12/19/2024
Community engagement was in action at Wood Elementary School where 1st graders recently explored the exciting world of STEM careers thanks to the University of South Carolina's STEM on Wheels program! 🚐🔬
Students learned about fascinating fields like volcanology, inspiring them to imagine new possibilities. 🌋
Our AmeriCorps Student Support Coach, Genesis Ragland, a USC student who connected with the President of STEM on Wheels on campus, sparked this opportunity. From there, Genesis partnered with our Lead Site Coordinator, Cameron Watson, to bring the initiative to the school. Our team does an incredible job fostering relationships with community partners that create opportunities to engage, educate, and empower students in new and exciting ways. 🫶
When communities come together to support students, the possibilities are endless. Thank you to USC STEM on Wheels for helping us spark curiosity and ambition in young learners! 💡✨
12/18/2024
Join us in welcoming Laura-Allen Kerlin to the team as our Regional Director of Development in the Upstate! 🎉
🎓 Originally from the New Orleans area, Laura-Allen has called South Carolina home since her freshman year at Clemson University, where she earned degrees in Communications and History. Her journey continued at Duke University, where she earned a Master of Divinity before moving to Greenville in 2013. For the past decade, Laura-Allen has served her community in various roles, including as a pastor at Advent United Methodist Church and, most recently, as Corporate Relations Manager at Harvest Hope Food Bank.
🤝 Now, Laura-Allen is bringing her passion for relationship building and community impact to CIS. "I am so excited to be part of the team at CIS and the transformational impact our site coordinators and volunteers have on the students we serve," she says. "I look forward to engaging with existing and new partners to join us in the work we are doing, helping them achieve broader community impact in both their personal and professional lives."
🌱 Laura-Allen also sees this role as an opportunity to support the organization's mission to expand its reach. "I hope to be part of CIS's success and growth as we work to serve more students across our state," she shares.
We’re excited for the energy and expertise she brings to our mission.
12/13/2024
Lights, Costumes, Action! 🎭
For seven weeks, students at Haut Gap Middle School explored the world of theatre through an intensive program led by Bea Lemaster from PURE Theatre! 🎬✨
Thanks to the dedication of their Site Coordinator, Miracle Mozzee, these talented students spent five afternoons a week preparing for their performance of "Homework Eat Dog and Other Woeful Tales." From perfecting their lines to finding costumes and creating a set, Miracle ensured the students had everything they needed to shine on stage. 🌟
The performance? A resounding success! Parents, students, and staff thoroughly enjoyed watching these young performers' hard work come to life. 👏
We're so grateful for this partnership with Pure Theatre and the fantastic opportunities it brings to the students we serve. Bravo, Haut Gap! 🎉
12/12/2024
We're proud to partner with AmeriCorps to deepen our impact in nine schools this year!
These 11 dedicated Student Support Coaches work alongside Site Coordinators, serving students in essential areas like mentoring, academic assistance, and behavioral support. ⬇️
✨ Toshiya Gaddis & Genesis Ragland at Wood Elementary School
✨ Shanna Brown at Horrell Hill Elementary School
✨ Sade Major at North Charleston High School (NCHS)
✨ Tyrone O'Banner Jr. at North District Middle School
✨ Jada White at Pine Ridge Middle School
✨ Kyree Huggins at Sandel Elementary
✨ Shakira Howard at Sedgefield Middle School Sharks
✨ Teryn Thibodeau & Tashawna Walker-Miller at St. Andrews Middle School
✨ Harold Goethe III at Southeast Middle School
🗣️ "Our AmeriCorps Student Support Coaches are an invaluable part of our team, helping us bridge gaps and provide critical support to students. They make a real difference with their energy, commitment, and heart," shared Lee McLeod, our AmeriCorps Program Director.
12/06/2024
Celebrate the Holidays at the Southern Living Idea House! 🎄✨
It's your final chance to experience the magic of the 2024 Idea House in Kiawah River before tours end on December 22! Explore this beautifully designed home, soak in the festive spirit, and support CIS while you're at it.
🎁 Plus, don’t miss the Holiday Bazaar this Sunday, December 8th, 12-5 PM!
Shop local makers who are featured in the home and find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list.
🎟️ Purchase house tour tickets ➡ bit.ly/IdeaHouse24Tickets
🙌 Volunteer at the Idea House ➡ bit.ly/SLideahouse
📸 House photos by Cameron Wilder Photo
12/05/2024
ICYMI, Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley, principal of Fairfield Central High School, was named National Principal of the Year for the 2024-25 academic year! 🎉🖤🎉💛🎉
Principals are some of our most integral allies in creating meaningful change. “I make sure they [students] understand that the goal is excellence, what’s expected of them, and how to get there,” Dr. Swilley shared with Education Week. “I do an affirmation with my students every day and emphasize that their ZIP code doesn’t decide their abilities.” 💪
We are proud to work alongside incredible leaders like Dr. Swilley, who inspire students to dream big and break barriers. Congratulations on this tremendous – and well-deserved – accomplishment!
⭐️ Learn more about her story and philosophy in the full Education Week article here ➡ edweek.org/leadership/inside-the-no-limits-mindset-of-the-new-national-principal-of-the-year/2024/10
12/03/2024
🎙️ Our very own Jamie Cooper and Latasha Taste recently joined Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann on the Around Town podcast to share how Communities In Schools is breaking down barriers for students in Columbia and beyond.
From providing mentorship and resources to collaborating with educators and parents, they discussed the transformative work CIS does to ensure every student has what they need to thrive – both inside and outside the classroom.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here ➡ bit.ly/cisaroundtown
11/27/2024
At Tanglewood Middle School, students shared what they're grateful for during a special "Grateful Turkey" activity led by our Lead Site Coordinators, Carmen Medero and Stephanie Orr. Students' thoughtful notes remind us how much a kind word, a helping hand, or being present can mean to someone. 🦃✨
We're grateful for the students, families, educators, partners, and supporters who make our mission possible. Your belief in the power of relationships lights the way for brighter futures.
Wishing you and your loved ones a warm and joyful Thanksgiving.🧡