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E-Connections Newsletter Aug 09 |
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Communities In Schools (CIS) of Charlotte-Mecklenburg
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 Greetings from Communities In Schools!
I hope you've all had a good summer and the chance to relax and rejuvenate with family and friends. It's been a busy summer for CIS but we are excited about the upcoming school year and the addition of several new initiatives that will allow us to reach even more of the students who are most in need of our services. (see article below, "CIS expands to More Schools and Jail North")
While many businesses and non-profits have suffered this past year due to the recession, CIS has weathered the storm very well, due to responsible planning by our Board of Directors as well as ongoing and generous support from multiple funders who continue to see the value of our work. However, we are also well aware that times are still tough for many of the students and families we serve. Unfortunately, we continued to monitor an increase in the number of homeless and other financially strapped families on our caseloads during 2008-09 and are afraid we'll see more of the same throughout much of this school year.
To that end, I hope you will take a few minutes to read this E-newsletter and discover the many opportunities for you or your company to support CIS and the students we serve. We're especially excited about a new CIS event, "Lowcountry on the Green", which will be September 26 at Bissell House, the home of UNC-Charlotte Chancellor Philip Dubois and his wife, Lisa. I hope you'll join us for a fun evening of dancing, fellowship, and delicious food - it will be a night to remember! Hope to see you on September 26.
 Bill Anderson, Ed.D.
Executive Director
Communities In Schools of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Inc.
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CIS Fast Facts
CIS serves 5,000 students annually in 41 CMS schools. Click here to see schools that offer CIS.
99% of CIS students stay in school.
86% are promoted.
90% of CIS seniors graduate.
Did You Know?
In N.C., only 69 of every 100 students graduate from high school.
The national high school graduation rate is 73%.
Approximately 2,000 students drop out of Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools each year.
More than 23,500 students drop out each year in North Carolina.
75% of N.C.'s prison inmates are high school dropouts. It costs $600 million annually to incarcerate them.
Quick Links
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Lowcountry on the Green - Sept. 26, 2009
 Love seafood? Love to dance? Either one and we've got you covered at our new "Lowcountry on the Green" party on September 26! Please join CIS and friends at a lowcountry lawn party at the Chancellor's House on the UNC-Charlotte campus, featuring delicious food, southern-style spirits, and dancing to the tunes of Smitty Flynn & the Rivieras. Cost is $60 per person and all proceeds benefit CIS. Click here for details and to reserve your space - RSVPs needed by September 16!
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CIS expands to More Schools and Jail North
Even during these difficult economic times, CIS continues to grow and thrive. We have secured additional support from new sources, which has enabled us to expand and serve more students. We are excited to announce that CIS Site Coordinators will serve students in six more CMS schools this fall, including the following:
- Albemarle Road Elementary
- Druid Hills Elementary
- Walter G. Byers Elementary
- Whitewater Academy (new CMS School)
- Whitewater Middle School (new CMS School)
- South Mecklenburg High School
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Call for Volunteers and Partners!
Speaking of adding more schools - that means we need MORE volunteers and MORE businesses and organizations willing to partner with CIS to help support our students! Please consider becoming a Lunch Buddy or Reading Buddy for a younger student, or a Mentor or Tutor for an older student - we have needs at all age levels! Send an e-mail to our Volunteer Coordinator to find out more.
Partners for Success
With support from Social Venture Partners of Charlotte (SVPC), CIS has formed a new initiative called "'Partners for Success" to help recruit new businesses and organizations to support our neediest school sites. Find out how your company, faith community or civic group can help by e-mailing our Resource Coordinator, Sherry Waters, or call her at 704-943-9407.
 Cullen Ferguson
First Ward Elementary and
Cochrane Middle School
CIS recently caught up with Cullen Ferguson, a long-time friend of Communities In Schools who has been tutoring a CIS student at First Ward Elementary this past year. Cullen also met with DeAndre over the summer to work on reading and math skills. They've developed such a bond that Cullen wants to continue tutoring DeAndre as he goes to Cochrane Middle School this fall. "My chief desire and goal is to continue working with DeAndre until he graduates from high school," says Cullen. Thank you, Cullen, for your dedication to our students!
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 CIS Graduate Sean Dillenbeck
CIS recently heard from CIS graduate, Sean Dillenbeck. He sent an e-mail to staff, updating us on his graduation in May from the University of Georgia School of Law. In his e-mail, Sean was most complimentary of CIS and what the program meant to him when he was a student at Myers Park High School (Class of 2001).
"The brilliance of CIS, to me, is the smaller community within a community [larger school community] that CIS forms for students," said Sean. "It was like an extended family for me and there was lots of positive reinforcement, which was exactly what I needed at the time."
Sean received a scholarship for college through CIS as well, from the Patricia Fields Scholarship Fund supported by Myers Park Presbyterian Church. He attended Appalachian State University, graduating in 2005. Sean just sat for the N.C. Bar and is currently working at a law firm in Greensboro.
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Please re-link your Harris Teeter VIC Card to CIS!
 Every little bit helps! August is the month you should re-link your Harris Teeter VIC Card to the schools/organizations you wish to support - including CIS! Our Code is #5257. Remember, you can link up to five schools/organizations to your card. You can ask the cashier to re-link your card next time you're in the store, or you can re-link it yourself on the Harris Teeter website by clicking here. It's quick and easy! Again, the number for CIS is 5257, or you can find our name on the list in the dropdown box.
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 School Tools Campaign - Postal Collection Day is this Sat., August 22
The School Tools Campaign is in full swing! CIS, in partnership with Classroom Central and WSOC-TV, are collecting school supplies throughout August to give to students in need. This year, more families than ever before are finding it difficult to afford school supplies for their children. One of the easiest ways to donate supplies is through Postal Collection Day, which is this Saturday - just leave your bag of supplies by your mailbox and your letter carrier will pick them up! Thank you for helping our students have a great start to the school year!
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Thanks to all who supported Dine Out For KidsŪ this year!
CIS greatly appreciates everyone who supported Dine Out For KidsŪ on June 16, including our sponsors, participating restaurants, and those of YOU who dined out that day! Click here to see a slideshow of photos from this year's event!
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Welcome to new CIS Board Members
CIS would like to welcome the following new members to the CIS Board of Directors, as well as Dwight Jacobs (Duke Energy) as our incoming 2009-10 President of the Board. Click here to see a complete list of the CIS Board of Directors.
President, CIS Board of Diretors 2009-10
Dwight L. Jacobs, Duke Energy
New Members
Katherine R. Annas, K&L Gates LLP
Sarah Batista, WBTV
Edmund H. Driggs, Civic Leader
Todd Lanham, AT&T
Mike McNamara, Greer & Walker LLP
Glenda Wooten, Levine Children's Hospital | |
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Only selected schools in CMS offer the Communities In Schools (CIS) program. A student must attend one of these schools in order to participate in CIS. Click here to see a list of CIS schools.
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Contact Info
E-Connections Editor Executive Director Web Phone
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