Whatever it takes!
CIS has great success stories written and submitted monthly by Campus-based Youth Coordinators. The names of students and some details have been changed to maintain confidentiality.
Middle Schools Students Get a "Reality Check"
All 6th, 7th, and 8th graders were involved in a Reality Check Activity organized by Communities in Schools. Each student was given a card that stated their occupation, level of education, marital status, number of children, and monthly salary. they had to go to diferent booths to buy certain necessities while staying within their budget. They also had the opportunity to go to college and then revaluate their situation. Here is the response from a 6th grade parent, "I think Reality Check was awesome! My son had so many "grown up" things to so to me." His first response was, "Now I know why you won't let me have everything I want." My husband and I have praised this activity many times. "Way to go, CIS."
CIS + Family + Access to Medical Assistance = Student's Classroom Success!
Sam, a first grade student, had not been able to complete his classroom assignments, pay attention, or sit still in his chair. Sam often distracted his classmates. He crawled around on the floor, talking out, and refused to do his work. Sam has been sent to ISS 4 times this year because of his behavior. Sam was diagnosed with ADHD and his father was unable to fill his prescription. I made contact with the father and referred him to several medical assistance programs. Sam is now on medication and passed his first spelling test all year. He is eager to work, he wants to finish his class work, and is able to sit in his chair.
A One-on-one Relationship with a Caring Adult Leads Child to Safety
A student named Lisa has been in CIS since September. Last month, she came to the CIS classroom. She was really upset and began to tell me about her home situation. She told me how scared she was to go home. Because of the situation she described, I decided it was best to file a CPS report. Lisa didn't believe that anything would change even if CPS was called. I assured her that we would try to get her help. We did get her help. Now she is in a safe environment and is able to concentrate on her studies.
Bullying Behavior Quashed When CIS Helped Child Get Glasses
David is in the first grade and always seemed to bully other students. The teacher referred David to CIS and mentioned all the different behaviors he exhibits in class. When I met David he told me that he acts this way because he cannot see the board in class. I was able to get an appointment for David to see an eye doctor, and also get the student free eye glasses. In a two week follow-up, the teacher told me that the bullying had stopped and David is now participating in class.
Student with Grown-Up Responsibilities at Home-CIS Support Helps Him Get On Track at School
Our students are faced with many grown-up problems. John is in the 6th grade. He was recommended to CIS because of failing grades and disruptive behavior. When I met with John he told me that his mother had recently been diagnosed with cancer. He spends most of his evenings taking care of his younger siblings. We decided to develop a plan to help John get his homework completed. CIS provided John with a notebook that was divided into all his subjects. Each afternoon John would meet with me to go over what homework he was to complete that evening. Then he would meet with me again in the morning before class to ask any questions he may have. John now gets to class on time and is passing all his classes!
Shallowater Coordinator recieves praise from parents and teachers.
Thank you so much for displaying the kid’s pictures and the cute little ribbons you made each child. They all feel special—they have been pointing at them and saying there’s mine—it’s fantastic! The student in my class was very excited to have his chosen to be displayed at the Art Gallary. Thanks for all that you do!
The students really liked seeing their pictures in the hall. THANKS for putting them up & THANKS for ALL you do!!!
It has been so much fun to look at the students’ artwork all over the building! Thank you so much for displaying them so nicely and giving everyone a ribbon. I have to admit that I looked for my grandsons’ work first…in typical grandmother style! This was such a good project and we had great discussions in class as they drew and we talked about good times with our families. Thanks,
The kids were so excited to see their posters with the ribbons on the wall. Thanks for hanging them up! They look great.
Thank you for all your hard work with the children’s art. Also thank you so much for everything you help me do. I appreciate it so much.
Student's behavior improves with eyeglass referrel.
There is one particular student in the First Grade that always seems to bully other students in order to gain attention. The teacher referred the student into the CIS program and mentioned all the different behaviors that the student expresses. When I met with the student he told me that he acts this way because he can not see the board or different activities on the screen during class. I went to the nurse to retrieve his file report on his eye-sight and it showed that he needed glasses. CIS helped the student by providing the eye-glass voucher. In a two week follow-up, the teacher mentioned to me that the bullying has stopped severely and also that he now answers questions instead of doing alternative behaviors.
Student accepted into Youth Corps
We all have issues that we face everyday. Whether it is financial problems, family conflicts, or self esteem issues, in the long run we as adults have been able to cope and decipher which battles we want to fight. Now think about a fourteen year old boy who is dealing with his biological father in prison, his mother who has returned to his life after her going out to the club, and his half brothers living with their biological dad. After thinking about all the family issues, let’s think about all the social aspects that come with being an adolescent boy. He is dealing with being the “top dog” at school, two fights this past year, going to Project Intercept an alternative school for fifteen days due to discipline problems, and peer pressure. CIS has been there every step of the way. CIS has been in contact with his mother, visited him at Project Intercept, talked to the student on a daily basis since his return to public school. With CIS the student has began to realize the potential he has, and is currently in the school Rap group, Boys Lunch group and has been passing his classes. Also the student has taken an interest in becoming a leader and applied for a summer program for the Youth Corps. He had to answer questions, and interview for the program. A three week wait, the student finally received the acceptance letter and he was thrilled about the opportunity he will be receiving this summer. He also has a positive outlook on life, and is trying to improve is academic and social behaviors. I am proud to have this student in the CIS programs and he will continue to shine and grow in his upcoming adventures.