Communities In Schools Tacoma Press Releases

Communities in Schools of Tacoma is among the first four CIS organizations in the nation to receive full accreditation from CIS National.

First Lady Michelle Obama Visits CIS Partner School in Washington, D.C.

Released 5/10/09
We are proud to announce that First Lady Michelle Obama today visited with students at one of CIS of the Nation's Capital partner schools, Ferebee Hope Elementary.
Mrs. Obama spent time with students and staff at Ferebee Hope's tutoring and after-school programs run by CIS of the Nation's Capital. The visit ended with a special surprise when Mrs. Obama dropped in for story time with approximately 30 3rd graders at the school.
Before reading with students, Mrs. Obama addressed the Communities In Schools national board of directors and expressed her support for CIS' efforts to help students achieve in school and increase their chances of graduating on time and prepared for higher education.
Mrs. Obama is visiting with effective community-based organizations across the country. President and Mrs. Obama have voiced their strong support of improving the quality of public education and reducing the nation's dropout rate.
Joining Mrs. Obama today on her tour were Tobeka Green, executive director of CIS of the Nation's Capital; Allison Hertz, CIS site coordinator for Ferebee Hope; Sharron Stroman, principal at the school; Elaine Wynn, chairman of the CIS national board of directors; and Bill Milliken, CIS founder and vice chairman.
Ms. Green and Ms. Hertz spoke about CIS of the Nation's Capital dropout prevention initiatives underway in the Washington area.
View the complete press release on Mrs. Obama's visit by clicking here.

Teachers Say Communities In Schools Helps Them Enjoy Teaching More

Released 4/2/2010

In an article released by Communities In Schools National, a teacher survey revealed that partnering with Communities In Schools allowed teachers to do what they love, teach. CIS provides services that give students the additional support they require without interfering in classroom activities.

For more information, follow the link:
http://communitiesinschools.org/insidecis/article.php?rsid=16&article_rsid=117

PRESS RELEASE

Date: September 17, 2009

Math Tutors Needed!

Did you know that just one hour per week can make a difference in the life of a child? With your assistance, an elementary school child can drastically improve his or her reading skills. According to one teacher, just 60 minutes per week working one-on-one with a child increases his or her skills and self-confidence. That is 60 minutes the classroom teacher can't provide but you can. Our teachers work hard, and we appreciate all they do (which is so much!) but we realize that even with great educators leading classes, some students need that extra helping hand.

Communities In Schools of Tacoma works with four elementary schools in the Tacoma area, including; Edison ( 5830 S. Pine St. Tacoma , WA 98409 ), Fern Hill ( 8442 S. Park Ave. Tacoma , WA 98444 ), Sheridan( 5317 McKinley Ave. Tacoma , WA 98404 ), and Sherman ( 4415 N. 38th St. Tacoma , WA 98407 ).

If you can help, please call 253-571-1114. This is the best volunteer job you will ever love. Remember, it takes a village to raise a child.

Program Dates

Edison Elementary: Thursdays beginning October 1st .

Fern Hill Elementary: Thursdays beginning October 1st .

Sheridan Elementary: Tuesdays beginning September 29th .

Sherman Elementary: Wednesdays beginning September 30th .

All programs end the week of December 14, 2009, and run from 4 o'clock PM to 5 o'clock PM.

Reading Tutors Needed!

Program Dates

Edison Elementary: Wednesdays beginning September 30th .

Fern Hill Elementary: Wednesdays beginning September 30th .

Sheridan Elementary: Thursdays beginning October 1st .

Sherman Elementary: Tuesdays beginning September 29th .

CIS Offers Enrichment Programs to Stimulate Young Minds

At Communities In Schools, our mission is to provide children with community-based resources in order to help them learn, stay in school, and prepare for life. Much of that assistance comes in the form of academic tutoring, but CIS also offers various enrichment programs, such as basketball, cooking, and arts and crafts. Basketball is being offered twice weekly at Sheridan Elementary under the instruction of Jurrell Johnson; Biron Bush is teaching Goju Kan (karate) at Sherman Elementary Mondays and Wednesdays; Gina Steed is teaching a cooking class at Fern Hill every Monday; and Damien Tucker is teaching Chess at Edison Elementary every Monday.

All programs run from 4-5 pm.

Tacoma Business Academy Provides Second Chance for Students

Partnering with Communities In Schools and Bates Technical College , the Tacoma Business Academy provides opportunities for students who, for various reasons, dropped out of high school but are now seeking to complete their education and improve their employability. TBA provides customized high school completion program aimed at allowing the student to apply his or her own unique skills and knowledge toward achieving the goal of graduation.

Project GRAD is a nationwide program whose mission is to ensure a quality public school education for all at risk children in economically disadvantaged communities so that high school graduation rates increase and graduates are prepared to enter and become successful in college. Project GRAD believes that every student, regardless of ethnicity or socio-economic background, not only deserves to, but should graduate from high school and have access to college.

Both of these programs rely on the continued support of volunteers and mentors. Mentoring a student is a great way to make a positive impact on someone's life?demonstrating positive behavior, supporting and encouraging progress, these are what help ensure success for students.