March 13, 2008
CIS Student Achievement Month Winners To Be Honored
At Georgia Aquarium Luncheon
Atlanta—Communities In Schools (CIS) will host more than 150 guests, including students, parents, educators, business representatives, and other child advocates as it recognizes the state winners of the Student Achievement Month (SAM) contest at the Georgia Aquarium on Thursday, March 13. These at-risk students are sometimes overlooked and often expected to underachieve. The contest helps them develop the self-confidence needed to succeed in school and honors their achievements.
Over 500 students shared how CIS is making a difference in their lives through written expression, creative expression, public speaking, and computer technology entries. Students progressed through local, regional and state competition. Through the process students gained a better understanding of how to set and achieve new goals and assume responsibility for self-improvement and self-discipline. Key business leaders and media reviewed the 43 entries that moved to state competition and selected the eleven state winners.
WHO: CIS students
WHAT: SAM luncheon to honor state winners
WHERE: Georgia Aquarium
WHEN: March 13, 2008; 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Event highlights include:
- An elementary and high school speech presented by the state winners in the public speaking category.
- A short winning video produced by the high school creative expression winner.
- A congratulatory message by State Attorney General Thurbert Baker.
Find out how this dropout prevention organization is helping to make a difference in students’ lives and working with Georgia educators to increase the graduation rate. Interviews with students and parents can be arranged.
Following the luncheon, selected CIS students and parents will be providing members of the legislative education committee with testimonials regarding how CIS and the PLC program is helping kids succeed in school. Hear how many students attribute the PLC as a factor in preventing them from dropping out of high school and the parents’ concurring comments at the Legislative Office Building, Room 406 from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
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November 8, 2007
FIRST LADY LAURA BUSH KICKS OFF CIS NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Atlanta—First Lady Laura Bush kicked of Communities In Schools’ (CIS) national conference in Atlanta last week during a luncheon that hosted over 1,000 attendees from the education, corporate, public policy, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors. As a former educator, Mrs. Bush said she understands that CIS’ work is important and needed to ensure kids are successful in school. “Today, CIS is ingrained in the fiber of public education in my home state of Texas, as well as other states and the president and I have been supporters of CIS for many years, dating back to when the president was the governor of Texas. There is no organization quite like CIS. No one else has the broad reach, deep penetration and impressive research-based results,” said Mrs. Bush.
The four-day conference brought CIS staff from around the country, and as far as Alaska, together to share ideas and best practices. Experts participated in numerous panels and provided information to help increase the network’s effectiveness as they work with youth to increase the graduation rates and prepare students for life.
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September 25, 2007
AT&T Awards $150,000 to Communities In Schools of Georgia for Initiatives to Increase Graduation Rates: Program Will Bring the Nation's Leading Dropout-Prevention Organization to More Students in Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia- AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) has announced a $150,000 educational grant to Communities in Schools (CIS) of Georgia. The organization is the largest dropout-prevention organization and connects community resources to help students stay in school and prepare for life.
The grant from the AT&T Foundation, the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T Inc., will assist in the expansion of CIS's learning centers across Georgia. CIS of Georgia has 50 local affiliates and 29 performance learning centers (PLCs) in Georgia that provide services to nearly 100,000 students across 67 school systems. Key programs include the PLCs, mentoring, tutoring, parent education, literacy, youth leadership, after-school programs and training for the state's graduation coach programs.
"CIS of Georgia offers the business community a unique opportunity to work collaboratively with the state in addressing the specific needs of Georgia's kids within their own communities," said Sylvia Anderson, president of AT&T Georgia. "We are proud to be a part of that effort."
CIS and AT&T Georgia honored students, educators and businesses with an interest in public education at the inaugural CIS Georgia Education Ball: Broadway Salutes Georgia's Kids at the Georgia World Congress Center, which was held Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007.
"Communities in Schools plays an important role in partnership with the governor's office and the Georgia Department of Education to increase graduation rates in Georgia," said Gov. Sonny Perdue. "Meaningful initiatives such as our new middle school and high school graduation coaches and performance learning centers are helping thousands of families each year. We have made great strides in the past five years raising our graduation rates more than eight percentage points, but we can — and will — do even better. We have a moral obligation to see that our kids have every opportunity to graduate from high school, and this donation marks a distinct opportunity to come together and expand this effort to significantly raise Georgia's graduation rates."
Through 50 local affiliate organizations, CIS of Georgia provides or coordinates services that address some of the reasons why students leave school without a diploma. CIS helps improve student achievement and implements a community-based, integrated student-services strategy to leverage community resources in the schools at which they are needed to improve student achievement. The design often includes a PLC, where students benefit from a 1-15 teacher-student ratio, increased attention to the students' academic and nonacademic needs, and a self-paced learning environment. Through strong partnerships with 27 local school systems and communities, more than 1,800 students have graduated since the inception of the program in 2002.
More than 1,000 child advocates from throughout the country will visit Atlanta in November to mark the 30th anniversary of CIS as a national organization. "We look forward to the conference and serving as the host city for CIS National," said Neil Shorthouse, president, CIS of Georgia. "Those who attend will have a chance to hear best practices and share the latest results from dropout-prevention research."
Note: This AT&T release and other news announcements are available as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss.
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September 17, 2007
CIS’S FIRST EDUCATION BALL BRINGS OUT HUNDREDS
FROM AROUND THE STATE
Atlanta—Communities In Schools and more than 600 guests, including students, parents, educators, business representatives, and graduation coaches enjoyed student and Broadway talent during the first statewide network fundraising event on Saturday, September 15 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
As the presenting sponsor representative, Sylvia Anderson, President of AT&T Georgia welcomed everyone to the inaugural event. Wanda Barrs, Chairperson of Georgia’s State Board of Education provided opening remarks, WSB-TV, Channel 2 anchor, Jovita Moore, was the Mistress of Ceremonies, Mike Garrett, President and CEO of Georgia Power, was Honorary Chair and helped present leadership awards to former CIS and Performance Learning Center (PLC) students and CIS affiliates.
In Georgia, 50 CIS local affiliates and 29 Performance Learning Centers® (PLCs) provide services to nearly 100,000 students in 66 school systems. Key programs include mentoring, tutoring, parent education, literacy, after-school programs, youth leadership, and PLCs. PLCs are geared toward high school students who are not succeeding in the traditional school setting. Communities sponsoring CIS programs have seen an increase in their school graduation rates, a decrease in violence and disruptions, and an increase in attendance and academic achievement. For more information, visit www.cisga.org or call 404-897-2955.
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September 3, 2007
CIS’s GALA AFFAIR CELEBRATES EDUCATIONAL SUCCESSES
Atlanta—Communities In Schools (CIS) is celebrating and honoring students, educators, businesses with an interest in public education, and CIS local affiliates and Performance Learning Centers® during the Georgia Education Ball: Broadway Salutes Georgia’s Kids on Saturday, September 15, 2007 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
There will be entertainment from acclaimed performers, direct from the stages of more than 30 hit Broadway musicals, and Georgia’s talented youth, including CIS students and the cast of High School Musical.
Communities In Schools is the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization helping kids succeed in school and prepare for life. In Georgia, CIS reaches nearly 100,000 students in 66 school systems. Key program areas include Performance Learning Centers®, mentoring, parent education, literacy, technology and youth leadership development. PLCs were created by CIS (through partnerships with public schools) and offer local communities another learning option for high school students who are not succeeding in the traditional school setting. Communities sponsoring CIS programs have seen an increase in their high school graduation rates, a decrease in violence and disruptions, and an increase in attendance and academic achievement. For more information on the Education Ball and how CIS is making a difference in students’ lives, visit www.cisga.org.
WHO: Communities In Schools
WHAT: Fundraising Event (Black Tie Optional)
WHEN: September 15, 2007
6:30 p.m. (Cocktail Buffet)
8:00 p.m. (Showtime & Dessert)
9:00 p.m. (Live Band-Dancing)
WHERE: Georgia World Congress Center
Thomas Murphy Ballroom
258 Andrew Young International Boulevard
Atlanta, GA 30313
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March 7, 2007
AT-RISK KIDS RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Student Contest Winners and Guests Celebrate Successes at Awards Luncheon
Atlanta-Corey Williams, Americus-Sumter Performance Learning Center® (PLC) Student Achievement Month contest winner, never thought he'd graduate from high school, much less win a statewide public speaking competition. Since attending a Communities In Schools PLC and winning the contest, he is now more determined than ever to get back on track academically and be a role model for his little brother and sister. Williams and ten other state winners will be honored at a luncheon on Thursday, March 8.
The contest is very competitive and gives students an opportunity to assume responsibility for self-improvement and self-discipline. Students progress through three levels of competition (local, regional, state). Colleges around the state do judging on the regional level and Atlanta media and key business leaders choose state winners. Elementary winners are Amanda Boydston, Fitzgerald/ Ben Hill County (public speaking); Jonah Hudson, Fitzgerald/ Ben Hill County (written expression); Emily Smith, Emanuel County (computer technology); and Eric Avila, Fitzgerald/ Ben Hill County (creative expression). Middle school winners include Ga’Miveya Dozier, Colquitt County (computer technology); Hailey Deloach, Emanuel County (written expression); and Iyonna Little, Atlanta - Fulton/Dekalb County (creative expression). At the high school level winners are Corey Williams, Americus-Sumter County (public speaking); Levi Goddard, Americus-Sumter County (computer technology); Jarvis Edmonds, Berrien County (written expression); and Arnulfo Junior Macias, Athens/Clarke County (creative expression). Each winner receives prizes valued up to $1,000.
The guest speaker will be Ron Frieson, former president of Georgia operations for BellSouth. Additional luncheon highlights include student speeches, awards for outstanding Communities In Schools programs and board members. A Marietta Performance Learning Center® student will present her artwork to an Education Reporter during a special segment between 1:15 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Event Details:
Student Achievement Month Luncheon | Thursday, March 8 | 12:15 p.m.– 1:45 p.m. | Downtown Atlanta, Sloppy Floyd Building, 20th floor, West Tower, 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
Communities In Schools is the nation’s leading community-based organization helping kids succeed in school and prepare for life. In Georgia, CIS reaches nearly 100,000 students in 66 school systems. Key program areas include Performance Learning Centers®, mentoring, parent education, literacy, technology and youth leadership development. Communities sponsoring CIS programs have seen an increase in their high school graduation rates, a decrease in violence and disruptions, and an increase in attendance and academic achievement. For more information about CIS, visit www.cisga.org.
For more information or to set up interviews with students, parent and/or mentors, call Dionne Turner at (404) 897-2391. To view local and regional student entries, visit www.cisga.org/donate/events_sam.htm.
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Graduation Coaches Ready to Get To Work
GaDOE, Communities in Schools collaborate on training, August 8-10For more information:
Dana Tofig, GaDOE, (404) 463-1487 | dtofig@doe.k12.ga.us
Catherine Broussard, Communities in Schools, (404) 897-2955 | cbroussar@cisga.org
ATLANTA — A new coach will be working in Georgia’s high schools this year –Graduation Coaches.
High School Graduation Coaches, championed by Governor Sonny Perdue, will work in each of Georgia’s high schools on ground-level strategies for keeping students in school until they receive their diploma. For three days, Aug. 8-10, the coaches will gather to discuss strategies and receive training on high school completion.
“Finishing high school, going to college and finding that first job are important milestones that every young Georgia should experience,” said Governor Perdue who will speak to the coaches on August 10 at 10 a.m. “High school graduation coaches will help at-risk students stay in school by working closely with them, their teachers, administrators and parents.”
The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) and Communities In Schools (CIS) are working together to provide comprehensive training to the Graduation Coaches, August 8-10 at the Westin Hotel, near the Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport. State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox, who will speak to the attendees on Tuesday, August 8, at 10:30 a.m., said the coaches are an invaluable part of the team that is tackling Georgia’s graduation rate.
“These are people who will be in the school, on the ground level, getting to know the students, the parents and the school community,” she said. “They will build those relationships that are crucial to keeping students in school and motivated.”
Under the program, approved by the General Assembly earlier this year, each of Georgia’s 385 public high schools can hire a Graduation Coach and send them to the training.
The Coach’s primary responsibility will be to identify and work with at-risk students, and help them get back on the graduation track before they drop out. They will also identify, recruit and engage concerned organizations and agencies to serve in a variety of ancillary roles in their respective communities. Throughout the student/coach relationship, the coaches will work with faculty, administrators, parents and Communities in Schools to provide training opportunities. The community organizations and government agencies will help provide applicable resources and programs to connect to the students.
Demand for Change Grows Nationally for Better High Schools
For More Information:Contact: Catherine Broussard 404-897-2955; cbroussard@cisgeorgia.org
"Oprah" to Report on American Schools in Crisis on Tuesday, April 11 and Wednesday, April 12
ATLANTA-America is facing a crisis: too many young people do not graduate from high school and are not prepared for college and the ever changing workplace and global economy. The first day of the program will focus on the crisis in our public high schools and the risks our nation faces. The second program will profile several Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funded schools that are leading the way in innovative improvements.
CIS of Georgia received Gates foundation funding several years ago to help launch Performance Learning Centers® (PLCs) and provide a solution to reduce the dropout rate in Georgia. PLCs are small, non-traditional high schools geared toward students who are not succeeding in the traditional school setting. The PLCs create a business-like environment and emphasize personal support with a rigorous academic program. There are 22 operational PLCs in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Education during the last legislative session received funds for five additional PLCs through CIS. Hundreds of high school students who had dropped out of high school or were on their way to dropping out have graduated from the PLCs.
During her show, she will talk about the need for Americans to get involved in education in order to increase our high school graduation rate in this country and prepare kids for the challenges of an increasingly competitive global economy. A new coalition, STAND UP, has been formed as one solution and is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. STAND UP is the first national grassroots campaign aimed at mobilizing communities to ensure all kids graduate from high school with the skills they need to succeed. CIS of Georgia has signed on as an inaugural member of the STAND UP coalition. STAND UP will bring together partners from education organizations, government, philanthropy, business, and community organizations to meet the challenge that lies before us.
Communities In Schools is the nation's leading community-based organization helping kids succeed in school and prepare for life. In Georgia, CIS reaches nearly 100,000 students in 68 school systems. Key program areas include Performance Learning Centers®, mentoring, parent education, literacy, technology and youth leadership development. Communities sponsoring CIS programs have seen an increase in their high school graduation rates, a decrease in violence and disruptions, and an increase in attendance and academic achievement. For more information, on how CIS is helping make a difference in students' lives and working with Georgia educators to increase the graduation rate, visit www.cisga.org
Hundreds of Students from Across the State Will Attend The 6th Annual Leadership Institute
Atlanta -Each year Communities In Schools conducts a Leadership Institute for high school students. For the past few years the event has been held at Emory University. Students stay on campus for a week and participate in activities and workshops not traditionally covered in high school curriculums.
Who: CIS of Georgia
What: Leadership Institute
When: Monday, June 5th-Friday, June 9th
Where: Emory University, Registration Area, Turman Deli, 404-712-4560
Event highlights include:
Turning Points workshops on Wednesday, June 7th (8:00 a.m.-3:15 p.m.) covers four basic areas: habits of highly effective teens, goal setting, dress for success, and building relationships.
The Chartering for Success workshops on Thursday, June 8th (8:30 a.m.-2:10 p.m.) help students strategically map out a plan to achieve their personal, academic and career goals. Immediately following this workshop will be our acclaimed career fair (2:15-3:45 p.m.). Over 40 businesses and colleges participate in the career fair and help students understand the educational requirements and skills needed to be successful.
The Leadership Dinner on Thursday, June 8th will be from 8-9:45 p.m. and Kathy Cox, State School Superintendent, will be the guest speaker.
CIS is the nation's leading community-based organization helping kids succeed in school and prepare for life. In Georgia, CIS reaches nearly 100,000 students in 67 school systems. Key program areas include Performance Learning Centers®, mentoring, parent education, literacy, technology and youth leadership development. Communities sponsoring CIS programs have seen an increase in their high school graduation rates, a decrease in violence and disruptions, and an increase in attendance and academic achievement.
Mentoring Makes A Difference In Students' Lives
"There is no greater gift you can give than the gift of time. With the start of a new year, please consider being a mentor,"Reginald Beaty
By: Reginald Beaty
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Communities In Schools of Georgia
High school student Robert Ector from the CIS Performance Learning Center® (PLC) in Cobb County knows the impact that one caring adult can have in a young person's life. He graduates in December from the Marietta City Schools Performance Leaning Center and will attend Chattahoochee Technical College in the spring. His success is directly tied to the relationship and the positive role model of his adult mentor.
Ector recently entered into the annual CIS Student Achievement Month contest and talked about how the Performance Learning Center's smaller classroom sizes and tremendous support changed his life. He explained how the PLC staff matched him up with a mentor who believes, encourages, and provides him with guidance and tremendous support.
This January is National Mentoring Month, spearheaded by the Harvard Mentoring Project and MENTOR. The month-long outreach campaign focuses on the need for mentors and provides an opportunity to work in partnership with others to increase the number of mentors for our aspiring young students. Generally when you talk to someone who is successful in life, they attribute their success to the help of a mentor or mentors.
Communities In Schools (CIS) has one of the strongest mentoring programs in the country. In Georgia, mentoring is a key component in helping at-risk youth at our 54 local affiliate programs.
CIS serves as the facilitator for the Georgia Mentoring Partnership (GMP). It's an organization that provides information regarding how you can make a difference through mentoring. The GMP developed a statewide mentoring process that provides support and guidance to mentoring programs. The organization's goal is to increase the number of qualified mentors in Georgia. The GMP worked successfully with the Governor's office to proclaim January 2006 as Mentoring Month in Georgia.
As you consider your New Year's resolution consider making a difference in the future by helping a child today. There is no greater gift you can give than the gift of time. With the start of a new year, please consider being a mentor.
A training session for mentors, people seeking to become mentors and youth serving programs will be conducted in Macon, Georgia on January 23. For more information on the training session and how to become involved in mentoring in Georgia, visit www.cisga.org or www.georgiamentoring.org.
Communities In Schools is the nation's leading dropout prevention organization helping kids succeed in school and prepare for life. In Georgia, CIS has 54 local affiliates, serves 68 schools systems and nearly 90,000 students. Key program areas include Performance Learning Centers®, mentoring, parent education, literacy, technology and youth leadership development. Communities sponsoring CIS programs have seen an increase in their school completion rates, a decrease in violence and disruptions, and an increase in attendance and academic achievement.
Media Note: For more information, please contact Wesley Hyatt, Exec. Asst. for Development & Communications for CISGA at 404-897-2972 or whyatt@cisga.org
From Troubled Teen, To High School Dropout, To Vice President of Georgia's Largest Dropout Prevention Network
Reginald Beaty Talks About His Personal Mission to Rescue Troubled Youth
"I want to give kids hope where there is none and a vision for a great future when their eyes cannot see beyond their current circumstance."
Reginald Beaty
Executive Vice President
Communities In Schools of Georgia
- One in four Georgia high school students do not graduate on time (Kids Count, 2004).
- More than 88% of all adult prison inmates in Georgia are high school dropouts (Georgia Department of Corrections, 2003).
- Only 60.8% of Georgia children graduate from high school (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2001).
The statistics say it all. Reginald Beaty has his work cut out for him. As the new Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Communities in Schools of Georgia (CISGA) he now heads up Georgia's largest dropout prevention network. The new position gives him the opportunity to help save troubled youth from a life a crime and a life that leads to a dead end.
"Often I share my own past personal struggles. I can honestly tell a troubled teenager I know what you are going through because I have been there, but because of Communities in Schools, I had caring adults who showed me a way out," explained Beaty.
Today Beaty is leading kids out of failure and onto the road to success. He was formerly the Executive Director of CISGA's Performance Learning Centers® (PLCs). In his new position, he will help lead CISGA and local affiliates to strengthen capability and capacity and work in partnership with school districts to reduce the dropout rate among at-risk kids in Georgia.
Prior to joining CISGA, Beaty had a twenty-year career in the U. S. Army and retired as a Lt. Colonel. As a Lt. Col., Beaty was involved in managing multi-million dollar budgets and thousands of troops as well as conducting extensive professional development and technical training. He received numerous honors including being named National Instructor of the Year for all colleges and universities in the country and the Civic Man of the Year award for his work with youth in Oklahoma.
Media note: To schedule an interview with Reginald Beaty, the new Executive Vice President for Communities In Schools of Georgia, please contact Catherine Broussard at 404-897-2955 or cbroussard@cisga.org.
About Communities in Schools Communities in Schools is the nation's leading community-based organization helping kids succeed in school and prepare for life. In Georgia, CIS has 54 local affiliates, serves 68 schools systems and nearly 90,000 students. Key program areas include mentoring, parent education, alternative education, literacy, technology and youth leadership development. Communities sponsoring CIS programs have seen an increase in their school completion rates, a decrease in violence and disruptions, and an increase in attendance and academic achievement.
Public Education Needs Everyone's Support
For More Information:Contact: Catherine Broussard 404-897-2955; cbroussard@cisga.org
ATLANTA- During a recent Oprah Winfrey Show, she and Bill & Melinda Gates talked about the plight of public schools in this country. According to them and statistics, we are facing an education crisis in our public school systems. Additionally, a new Time/The Oprah Winfrey Show poll reveals Americans are increasingly troubled by the state of the nation's public high schools. Nine in ten adults in the survey called the dropout rate a serious problem. Across the country, one in three students does not graduate from high school. Only one in three ninth-graders leaves high school in four years ready for the rigors of college and the working world. And in Georgia, about 24,000 high school students drop out yearly and are not prepared for today's global workplace. Although more money is greatly needed, we need people to go beyond just making a financial contribution as a solution. This is not an urban or an African American or Latino problem. It's an American problem, and everyone needs to get involved.
As we know, today's children enter school with a vast range of experiences and living situations. And schools need additional support to achieve today's academic goals. Individuals, community agencies, businesses, faith-based organizations, government leaders, and parents must come together to support our schools' efforts to increase the graduation rate. Here's how you can help. Get involved in kids' education, volunteer at a local school, send an e-mail or letter urging your local legislators and the governor to continue increasing education funding, or consider mentoring or tutoring students.
Some of the needs that impede student and school success include medical problems, low self-esteem, negative peer pressure, family crisis, gangs and drug abuse. In Georgia, successful models addressing these needs include Communities In Schools (CIS) and the CIS Performance Learning Centers® (PLCs). CIS identifies community resources and services and links them to students who need them. PLCs are collaborations between local school districts, the local CIS program and community. PLCs are small, non-traditional high schools geared toward students who are not succeeding in the traditional school setting. The PLCs emphasize personal support and an intense academic program anchored by an online instructional system and a project-based curriculum. The program also connects students to community service learning opportunities, internships, dual enrollment at a local college, and job shadowing experiences.
Unlikely Winners Receive Recognition Through Statewide Contest
For More Information:Contact: Catherine Broussard 404-897-2955; cbroussard@cisga.org
ATLANTA- Many of Georgia's Communities In Schools (CIS) students are often overlooked and expected to underachieve. The annual Student Achievement Month (SAM) contest and other CIS programs give students an opportunity to understand the importance of staying in school and preparing for life, as well as assume responsibility for self-improvement and self-discipline. The ten state winners will be recognized by State School Superintendent Kathy Cox at the State Board of Education meeting and honored at a luncheon on March 9th. High school public speaking winner Rhonnett Merriweather will give her speech during the luncheon. J. Robert Flores, an administrator from the DC Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency, will be the luncheon speaker and provide congratulatory remarks.
Some of Atlanta's top media representatives and business leaders selected the ten winners. Students depicted how CIS made a difference in their lives through four categories: written expression, create expression, public speaking, and computer technology. At the elementary school level, the winners are Carlando Marshall, Burke County (creative expression); Keonia Harvey, Colquitt County (written expression); and Jakovia Williams, Jenkins County (computer technology). Middle school winners are Anna Hutcheson, Emanuel County (written expression); Jeffrey Weaver, Troup County (creative expression); and Candace Allen, Troup County (computer technology). High school winners are Rhonnett Merriweather, Albany/Doughtery County (public speaking); Chris Register, Athens/Clarke County (creative expression); Khadijah Lutz, Colquitt County (computer technology); and Brandon Mable, Sumter County (written expression).
Over 300 students (K-12) from 21 CIS programs throughout Georgia competed in the state competition. Nearly 100 students moved on to regional competition judged by faculty and staff at Augusta State University, Georgia State University, Mercer University (Macon), Ogeechee Technical College, and Valdosta State University. Thirty-five students advanced from the regional competition to the state level.
Thanks to support of our sponsors, Georgia Natural Gas, U. S. Dept. of Health & Human Services - Maternal Child Health Bureau, AGL Resources, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, AlphaSkills, IBM and THP Printing, each student will receive a new computer, educational software applicable to their grade level, and a digital camera. High school seniors can opt for a $1,000 scholarship in stead of the computer and printer.
Communities In Schools is the nation's leading community-based organization helping kids succeed in school and prepare for life. In Georgia, CIS reaches nearly 100,000 students in 68 school systems. Key program areas include Performance Learning Centers®, mentoring, parent education, literacy, technology and youth leadership development. Communities sponsoring CIS programs have seen an increase in their high school graduation rates, a decrease in violence and disruptions, and an increase in attendance and academic achievement. For more information, visit www.cisga.org or call 404-897-2955.
It's Right Under Our Noses: The High School Dropout Solution
Communities In Schools Performance Learning Center Milledgeville StudentBy Christa Ballard
Lately there have been a number of editorials written recently regarding the plight of public education. Oprah Winfrey even did a show about it and interviewed Bill and Melinda Gates about this growing issue. The people of this country want to know what the government, communities and educators should do to fix the problem of high school dropouts. The answer is right under our noses.provide smaller schools, nurturing relationships with caring adults, a safe place to learn and grow and a chance to give back to peers and community.
My name is Christa Ballard and I began attending a small non-traditional high school in August 2005. We work at our own-pace and receive one-on-one attention, when needed. This is my second semester. To be honest, when I came to this school, I didn't expect it to be that great. I was surprised that it was better than I ever imagined. I was two credits behind and was frequently getting into trouble for things I thought were petty. I was suspended on more than one occasion and this caused me to fall further behind. Before I came to this school, I was convinced that I would barely make it through high school and college was the furthest thing from my mind. Now since being in a small school setting, I haven't been suspended, I've earned eight credits, and only have two more to go before I graduate. Now I know I will go to college. I can't wait to begin and I know I will be successful in life. When I do go away to college, I hope to find a similar school near by so I can tutor, mentor and donate money. I want to return the favor.
Fights are rare as opposed to my other high school and I feel much safer. I feel like we are all family. I'm not worried if my fellow students are talking about me behind my back or saying I'm not smart. I actually feel quite intelligent and am learning new things every day. I have learned leadership qualities like leading our student body in morning motivation. Morning motivation is a student-led activity held after breakfast to get everyone motivated to work. Every morning a different group of students lead the faculty and us in the pledge of allegiance, a moment of silence, and an inspirational thought of the day.
At our school, we give back to the community. We have cookouts and festivals for the kids in the nearby neighborhoods. We visit with the senior citizens in the community and local nursing homes. We beautify our surroundings by picking up trash, planting vegetation, and we even developed a nature trail behind our school. Students volunteer their time at our county elementary schools and day cares. I have really enjoyed giving back to the community.
The mentoring program at our school is very important. By the end of the first semester each student is supposed to have a mentor. Mentors are volunteers from the community. Due to the perception of our non-traditional high school in the community, those who are qualified to mentor tend not to volunteer. Many of our students end up sharing mentors or sometimes not having one. With the dropout rate steadily increasing, it seems as if the community would want to help as much as possible. Research states that Georgia will not attract high tech industries if our dropout rate continues to soar. I hope that more people volunteer in our community to help our students and others prepare for the future and strengthen our job market. Together we can make a difference.