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December News



Communities In Schools of Atlanta places caring adults inside schools to create a consistent, day-after-day academic, emotional and financial support system to help kids stay in school and graduate. We see the unique needs of each student and collaborate with teachers, parents and community partners to provide the wrap-around services they need to reach their full potential. This year alone, CIS of Atlanta will provide resources and skill-building opportunities to over 49,000 students, 4,000 of whom will receive intensive, customized assistance.  


Levels of Giving:

$100- Helps us provide a student in need with basic needs such as new clothes and shoes. 

$250- Helps a CIS of Atlanta in-school Site Coordinator fill their pantry with food for their students. 

$500- Funds a student enrichment trip, such as a college campus tour. 

$1,500- Allows us to provide one of our families with desperately needed rental and utility assistance. 

$2,500- Supports a CIS of Atlanta caseload student for an entire year.   


12 Days of Giving

This holiday season, embrace the spirit of giving by participating in our 12 Days of Giving activities. Whether you're able to contribute financially or not, there are many ways to make a difference. If you're looking to give back, we encourage you to volunteer with one of our 12 school-based partnerships. It’s a meaningful way to support local communities and create lasting impact. For more information or to get involved, reach out to Nicole Bush, Sr. Program Manager for Corporate & School-Based Partnerships, at nbush@cisatlanta.org. Let’s make this season one of giving and connection! 


1. B.E. Mays Wellness Renovation (Dec. 7th). Transform Benjamin E. Mays High School’s new wellness center by helping with painting and renovations. 

2. Shop the Magic (Dec. 13th). Be a personal shopper at Little Shop of Stories in Decatur to help students select free books! 

3. The Literacy Project (Dec.13th). Brookview Elementary School needs donations of winter clothing (hats & gloves), books for students from 3rd to 5th grade, and school supplies! 

4. High School Hygiene Kits Assembly and Distribution (Dec. 17th-19th). Help donate, assemble, and distribute hygiene kits to all of CIS of Atlanta High Schools. 

5.Winter Wonderland Holiday Party (Dec. 18th). Celebrate the holidays with Flat Shoals Elementary School by helping set up the holiday party! 

6. Warm Toes & Frosty Nose Sneaker Donation Drive (Dec. 18th). Support Heritage Elementary School by donating sneakers or volunteering to help sort donations! 

7. Image & Beyond x PBIS Holiday Dance Off (Dec. 19th). Help students at Mundy’s Mill High School celebrate the holidays with donations of refreshments, gift cards for prizes, or by volunteering to help with the event! 

8. Shear a Coat & a Smile Holiday Coat Drive (Dec 19th). Spread holiday cheer at Stone Mountain Elementary School by donating coats or volunteering for coat distribution! 

9. Holiday Meal Kit Distribution (Dec 19th). Help the families at Morrow High School by donating turkeys or hams or assisting with packaging holiday meal kits. 

10. Annual Holiday Donation Drive for Clayton County Schools. Donate sweatshirts to help K-12 students stay warm through the holiday season!  

11. Angel Tree Donations, North Clayton Elementary School. Purchase a gift to fulfill a student’s wish list to Santa!  

12. Food Drive Donations. Host a food drive within your company or community to stock a local school food pantry with non-perishable items! 



Student Highlight: 


Zaiden is a current 8th grade student at Herman J. Russell West End Academy and has been receiving support from Communities In Schools of Atlanta since the 6th grade.  


Initially, Zaiden faced behavioral challenges and frequently got into trouble at school. With the assistance of his Site Coordinator, Eric White, he has made tremendous strides. Small social-emotional learning groups have helped him to develop essential skills, from understanding his emotions to effectively managing his responses. Zaiden also participated in conflict resolution mediation, learning techniques for peaceful problem-solving and strengthening his ability to handle challenging situations. These experiences have shaped Zaiden into a well-rounded, respectful young man, whose growth is evident both academically and socially.  


This year, Zaiden’s grades improved to A’s and B’s and he made the honor roll, demonstrating his commitment to academic excellence. Also this year, he took a brave step out of his comfort zone by joining the football team for the first time, embracing new experiences and pushing his boundaries. Zaiden’s positive attitude and determination make him a standout both in the classroom and on the field. 



Partnership Highlight: 


Communities In Schools of Atlanta, in partnership with the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation and LensCrafters, recently offered over 300 students, teachers, and administrators at W.A. Fountain Elementary School free vision tests and new glasses.  


The OneSight Foundation is committed to creating a world where access to vision care is no longer a barrier to human achievement and potential. Uncorrected vision problems can significantly hinder academic performance, as students may struggle to see the board or follow classroom instructions. According to the National Center for Health Statistics' National Health Interview Survey, 25.3% of children aged 2-17 in the U.S. wore glasses or contact lenses in 2019. However, 1.1 billion people worldwide still lack access to glasses (OneSight.org). In the United States alone, one in four students suffers from an undiagnosed vision problem, but 80% of learning is visual (OneSight.org). This means that many students will face significant barriers to their education and will fall behind academically. 

At W.A. Fountain Elementary, students, teachers, and school administrators had the opportunity to receive free vision tests and select their own frames. Allowing young students to choose their frames not only gave them a sense of agency and ownership but also encouraged self-expression, ensuring they would take pride in their glasses and use them with confidence. 


OneSight is working to address these challenges by tackling the root causes of limited vision care access, including affordability, awareness, and physical access to services, and we are proud to partner with them. When students have access to the vision care they need, they are better equipped to excel inside and outside of the classroom! 

 

Citation:  

QuickStats: Percentage of Children Aged 2–17 Years Who Wear Glasses or Contact Lenses, by Sex and Age Group — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:865. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7023a4 


 

Staff Highlight: 


Senior Program Manager Mia Anderson Joins CIS National Office Leadership Program 


We are excited to announce that Senior Program Manager Mia Anderson has been accepted into the second cohort of the Communities In Schools National Office Program Manager Leadership Development Program. 


Mia’s journey with Communities In Schools of Atlanta began in 2007 when she started as a Site Coordinator. She held this role until June 2012, after which she pursued a Master’s in Social Work at Clark Atlanta University. Upon completing her degree, Mia returned to CIS of Atlanta in 2016 as a Site Coordinator, serving in multiple schools, including Carver Early College High School, Price Middle School, Towns Elementary School, and Scott Elementary School. 


In November 2021, Mia was promoted to Program Manager, and just one year later, in September 2022, she advanced to the role of Senior Program Manager. Mia reflects, “My passion for this work has only grown, and I find deep fulfillment in supporting students and communities through CIS programs.” We are proud of Mia’s accomplishments and look forward to seeing her continue to grow and make an impact through her leadership.


Sr. Program Manager Nicole Bush Joins CIS National’s InSpire Action Equity-Focused Fellowship Program 


We are proud to announce that Nicole Bush, Senior Program Manager of Corporate and School-Based Partnerships, has been admitted into CIS National’s InSpire Action Equity-Focused Fellowship Program. This new 10-month fellowship is designed to empower leaders within CIS National and its network affiliates by expanding their skills, knowledge, and networks. The program focuses on cultivating leaders engaged in system change work, particularly around equity initiatives. 


Nicole has been with CIS of Atlanta for nearly 8 years, starting as a Site Coordinator, then moving into the role of Program Manager, and now serving as Senior Program Manager of Corporate and School-Based Partnerships. Her journey with CIS began when she served as a mentor with one of our partners, B'Fly Girls. Through this experience, Nicole saw firsthand the profound impact our programs have on students in the metro Atlanta area. She reflects, “That experience played a big role in my decision to join CIS and start my journey as a Site Coordinator.” 


As Nicole leads all our partnership initiatives, we are confident that the knowledge and DEI strategies she gains from this fellowship will directly and positively impact how we engage and grow our community-based partnerships. We look forward to Nicole’s continued growth and the impact she will bring to Communities In Schools of Atlanta. 


We are so proud of both Mia and Nicole as they take these next steps in their careers!  


 


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