2005-2006 News Archives
DeLay Middle School students are “Learning Beyond the Bell” by Stephanie Rose, Staff Writer, Lewisville Leader Star Community Newspapers About 50 students from the Lewisville Independent School District are involved in this summer program that encourages students to succeed academically by providing a free tutorial service. These students have organized two service learning projects in which they determine who will benefit from the projects and how to get the community involved. The first project is one to benefit Pedi Place. Click here to read more. |
 Communities In Schools of North Texas Celebrates Breakfast Buddies Mentoring Program CompletionLewisville, TX - May 19, 2006: The Breakfast Buddies Celebration at Central Elementary closed out the program for this school year. The Breakfast Buddies mentoring program was an idea created by Flower Mound High School student, Jacqueline Simpson. Flower Mound High School Spanish teacher, Jeanne Kenny and the Communities In Schools of North Texas staff at Central Elementary worked with Jacqueline to develop a mentoring program where the high school students taking Spanish came to Central Elementary every Friday morning to have breakfast with an English as a Second Language(ESL) elementary student. The breakfast meetings provided an opportunity for both sets of students to practice their second language skills. It was also a way for students to bond, share each others cultures, and have fun. At the Breakfast Buddies Celebration, the high school students received certificates of appreciation for their dedication to the program, and the students exchanged gifts, hugs, and promises to see each other next fall when they would return to school to start off the Friday Morning Breakfast Buddies! |
 Former University of North Texas Program Coordinator Joins Communities In Schools of North TexasLewisville , TX - May 18, 2006: Ms. Tena Burley, former University of North Texas College of Public Administration and Community Service (PACS) program coordinator, has joined Communities In Schools of North Texas. “In an effort to take our school-based mentoring programs in Denton ISD, Lewisville ISD, Little Elm ISD and Northwest ISD to the next level, we are pleased to add Ms. Burley's experience to our team”, said Gary Henderson, CISNT Executive Director. “We have a high need for more adults to commit one hour a week to meet with a child one-on-one who is at-risk of dropping out of school to provide academic help and supportive guidance, and we know that Tena is the right person to inspire adults to do just that!” Click here to read more... |
 The Allstate Foundation Awards $500 Grant to Communities In Schools of North Texas at Chisholm Trail Middle School in Northwest ISDRhome , TX - May 16, 2006: Communities In Schools of North Texas (CISNT) has been awarded a $500 grant from The Allstate Foundation for their dropout prevention program at Chisholm Trail Middle School in Northwest ISD. Allstate agent Clay Carpenter began mentoring in the CISNT program this year and wanted to do more. So, on behalf of CISNT, Clay wrote and submitted a grant to The Allstate Foundation’s “Agency Hands in the Community” program. Competing with grant applications across the country, Mr. Carpenter’s request was awarded in recognition of his volunteer efforts in the community. Click here to read more... |
 Communities In Schools of North Texas hosts Career Day at Roanoke Elementary Roanoke, TX, April 28, 2006: 18 guest presenters from varied professions spoke to student at Roanoke Elementary for the annual Career Day hosted by Communities In Schools of North Texas. This was an all day event that allowed the students an opportunity to learn about many new careers. We had 18 guest speakers representing a variety of professions. These professions included: Kung Fu instructor, Sports Coach, Auctioneer, Florist, Post Master, Private Investigator, Policeman, Fireman, Pilot, Dental Hygienist, Judge, Marine, FFA professor, Engineers, Author, Artist, and a Race Car Driver. This is the age that dreams are made and life is full of possibilities. It is our role to encourage those dreams to become a reality. Career Day is meant to bring reality to some of those dreams. The students were able to learn about the responsibilities of each career, the education and training requirements and what daily activities are like in that profession. Thank you to all our community volunteers who gave up a day to inspire our kids! |
 Communities In Schools of North Texas celebrates our mentors' work at Tomas Rivera Elementary School Denton, TX - 100 CIS students and approximately 40 CISNT mentors attended a CISNT Ice Cream Social at Tomas Rivera Elementary School on April 28, 2006. About 40 students were able to meet with their mentors, and their challenge was to create an Ice  Cream Sundae that looked like their mentor. The other CIS students were in a contest to make the most creative Ice Cream Sundae. The students and CIS mentors enjoyed themselves as they played a group game and ate ice cream. Cameron's (pictured) mentors have a team approach to mentoring. Each mentor comes every other week which allows for flexible schedules. This team approach works well with many of the mentors from the Denton District Attorney's office. CIS is blessed to have so many faithful and generous mentors. |
The Cost of Dropping Out by Ben Brudevold-Newman Excerpt from NPR’s Series “Fighting Poverty in America” “Over time, the cost of dropping out of high school can add up significantly for the individual and for society.” Does going to school pay off? In 2004, 22 percent of 18-to-24-year-olds in the United States had not completed high school, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the average annual income for individuals without a high school diploma or GED is $18,734. Compared to 1971, when average earnings were $35,087, today's dropouts face a bleak economic future. Educational attainment levels are usually mapped against earning potential to illustrate the point that more learning leads to more earning. But this measurement often ignores the broader costs to society of high-school dropouts. Click here to read more. |
Safe & Successful Students Forum
"Gang Influence & Our Children" Wednesday, May 10, 6:30 pm at DeLay Middle School, 136 Purnell Street, Lewisville Wednesday, May 17, 6:30 pm at Griffin Middle School, 5105 North Colony Blvd, The Colony FREE-Open to the Community Communities In Schools of North Texas, Si Se Puede Counseling, and members of the community recently completed an assessment of the current gang presence in our community. This event will share the results of this important work and strategies for helping our children succeed in school and prepare for life. Do not miss this important event! For more information contact Communities In Schools of North Texas at (972) 436-6377.
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Communities In Schools of North Texas Conducts Volunteer Training on 40 Developmental Assets When: Tuesday May 2 from 7-8:00 pm, Wednesday May 4 from 12-1:00 pm Where: Communities In Schools of North Texas Office, 1597 S Edmonds Ln, Building B, Lewisville 40 Developmental Assets are positive experiences and qualities essential to raising successful young people. Research has proven that these assets have the power to influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults. Volunteers learned how to incorporate these into their relationships with the student(s) they are working with. |
Communities In Schools Conducts Volunteer/Mentor Trainings, April 18 and April 19 Topic-40 Developmental Assets: According to the Search Institute, The more developmental assets young people experience, the less likely they are to engage in alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use and the more likely they will have greater success in school and life. Come see what the developmental assets are and how you can add them to your mentoring relationship. The first training was held on Tuesday, April 18 from 7:00-8:30 pm at the University of North Texas at the General Academic Building (GAB), Room 310. The second training was held on Wednesday, April 19 from 10:00-11:30 am at the University of North Texas at the ART Building, Room 223. Additional dates and locations to follow. |
 FC Dallas Provides an Exciting Night of Soccer for Communities In Schools of North Texas On Saturday, April 8, 2006, the FC Dallas Soccer Team provided a night of fun and enjoyment for many of our Communities In Schools of North Texas kids. FC Dallas had adopted Central Elementary and provided community tickets to our CISNT kids to their Saturday, March 31 home game at Pizza Hut Park. 37 kids from Central Elementary, Hedrick Elementary, and DeLay Middle School attended the game that night, as well many teachers and parents. Jeff White of FC Dallas said he realized that most of our students come from economically disadvantaged families and wanted to give back to the community. He started the “Get a Kick Out of Reading ” program at Central Elementary to reward the kids for all their hard work at school. Thanks again to FC Dallas for supporting Communities In Schools of North Texas. |
 Friday, March 31, 2006 at Celebrations Thank you to all who attended Celebrating Successes and made it a wonderful event. The night was highlighted with a silent auction, casino games, awards, live music, a wonderful dinner and lots of dancing. Click here to see pictures of the event. |
Changing Lives One Mentor at a Time By Lowell Brown / Staff Writer, Denton Record-Chronicle Ask Milidtza Guerrero about the impact mentoring can have on a child, and one girl in particular comes to her mind. The girl’s case seemed dire. Experiencing significant behavioral problems at school, she was sent to alternative school and spent time with a mentor. Click here to read more |
January Is National Mentoring Month In recognition of National Mentoring Month, Communities In Schools of North Texas staff want to thank all 325 caring adults, currently serving as Mentors and Tutors to at-risk students in our program. Through their generous donation of time, energy and effort these remarkable people, are helping to strengthen our community one child at a time. Thank you! Anyone interested in Serving as a Mentor or Tutor at one of our 18 dropout prevention school programs, across four school districts should contact our Volunteer Recruiter, Yvonne Kyle by phone at 972-436-6377 or by email at ykyle@cisnt.org or simply complete an on-line volunteer application by clicking here. We have several opportunities for Mentors and Tutors to volunteer during the school day, Saturdays 9-11am, and from 3:00pm until 4:30pm or 4:30pm until 6:00pm at our after school programs in Lewisville ISD. |
 Communities In Schools of North Texas and FC Dallas Kick Off Reading Program at Central Elementary Lewisville, TX-Jeff Cassar (00), goalie for FC Dallas, helped kick off Central Elementary School's reading program "Get a Kick Out of Reading" on Friday, January 6. Cassar spoke to students about how reading plays a fundemental role in his life, while demonstrating some of his soccer skills for the students. Students who participate in the reading program will be awarded prizes for each level of reading achievement. The goal is to receive a ticket to an FC Dallas game, which Central students will attend in May. Students also have a chance to win tickets for family members. |
 Communities In Schools of North Texas Is Awarded Five Young Explorer Computers Lewisville, TX-Through a grant from United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Communities In Schools of North Texas received five Young Explorer Computer Workstations. These computers have educational software that both entertains and educates. "This tool is a great educational and fun way to introduce kids as young as 3 years old to technology," said John Nguyen of CISNT's department of Information Management, Training and Quality Assurance. The CISNT campuses that were awarded these computers are Central Elementary, Hedrick Elementary, Lakeland Elementary, and Peters Colony Elementary. |
 Clothe-A-Child Benefits 20 Communities In Schools of North Texas FamiliesIrving, TX-The 17th annual Clothe-A-Child event was held November 12, 2005 at KOHL's in IrvingTX This event is sponsored by The North Church and has provided much needed winter clothing to over 5,000 area children. This year, 20 CISNT families from Central Elementary, Hedrick Elementary, Lakeland Elementary, and DeLay Middle School participated in the shopping spree. Each child in the family was able to purchase $100 worth of new clothes. |
 Communities In Schools of North Texas and Christian Community Action Partner to Provide Free Dental Screenings and Sealants to Hedrick Elementary Lewisville, TX-Communities In Schools of North Texas would like to thank Christian Community Action for providing Hedrick Elementary School's second grade students with a free dental clinic. CCA visited Hedrick Elementary on three Fridays to provide students who qualified for free dental sealants, coating the pits and grooves of teeth so bacteria cannot multiply. No injections or x-rays were used in this project. Through coordination with the CISNT Campus Manager, over 45 second graders received up to four sealants. On an average sealants are $50 per tooth plus the cost of office visits. By having this service provided at the school for no cost to the students, CISNT and CCA saved the students up to $10,000! |
Communities In Schools of North Texas Receives Grants from the Federal Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act fund Lewisville , TX - October 4, 2005: Communities In Schools of North Texas (CISNT) is pleased to announce they have received new and renewal funding for critical programs at several area schools. These grants are awarded under the federal Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Fund and are distributed by the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division (CJD). Click here to read more. |
 Third Annual Building Healthy Homes Health Fair Serves Students and Family Members Lewisville, Texas-Communities In Schools of North Texas at Hedrick Elementary, Central Elementary, Lakeland Elementary, Delay Middle School, and Hedrick Middle School held their third annual Building Healthy Homes Health Fair on September 29, 2005. The health fair provided services such as immunizations, financial assistance information, healthcare information, and community outreach programs. |
 Levi Strauss Employees Support Communities In Schools of North Texas Employees of Levi Strauss generously donate to Communities In Schools through an employee technology purchase program that allows the sale of PCs and Printers to turn into dropout prevention program support. Levi's contacted Seven Hills Campus Manager, Lara Varcoe saying "we want to make a difference and help the children who benefit from CISNT programs." Levi's also donated surplus laptops and printers to CISNT for deployment to campus staff across Denton and Wise counties. |
 Communities In Schools of North Texas Annual Golf TournamentCongratulations to the Curtain Wall Design & Consulting group for being our first place winners of the Communities In Schools of North Texas Annual Golf Tournament, presented by Hibernia National Bank. CISNT would like to thank our sponsors, participants, and volunteers who helped make this a successful event. Click here to see pictures from the golf tournament. |
 Share your passion of reading this holiday season!If you are wondering what to give the person "who has everything," give them a gift of reading. Communities In Schools of North Texas has been selected as the non-profit agency that will benefit from Denton Barnes and Noble Bookstore, which will be held through December 31. Give a gift that gives twice-an "Honor" or "Memory" gift card for your friends, family members, or colleagues and a book to an economically disadvantaged student living in the local area, served by CISNT. A donation receipt will be available upon request for your tax records. |
 Office Depot supports Communities In Schools of North Texas with "Stuff the Bus" school supply drive from Aug. 1-20. |
 21st Century Learning Center Volunteers Needed!Communities In Schools of North Texas and Lewisville ISD have opened five school-based after school programs that are in need of volunteers to work with elementary school and middle school students who are at-risk of failure. This program is the result of a collaboration that provides free of charge to 600 students who will benefit from the extension of academic and enrichment time, the opportunity for students to participate in enrichment activities, CISNT supportive guidance & case management services, and innovative instruction from Lewisville ISD staff. Volunteers are needed to assist students in academic activities and build  one-on-one mentoring relationships. Volunteers are needed from 4:30pm to 6:00pm Monday through Friday at Central Elementary, Hedrick Elementary, Lakeland Elementary, Peters Colony Elementary, and DeLay Middle School. To volunteer, call Correne Lynch at 972-436-6377 or complete our online volunteer application. |