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| Success Stories |
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Blake - A Middle School Success Story
Blake has always been a hands-on learner so his mom was looking for a school that would recognize and build on his strengths. She chose a unique small middle school at which Communities In Schools of Seattle was there to help students succeed.
At the school it was the role of Communities In Schools of Seattle to ensure the kids were cared for throughout the year. The organization provided each student with a backpack and worked with the Seahawks to host a back to school event. Throughout the year CISS would make sure families had turkeys for Thanksgiving and warm coats in the winter.
CISS worked with school staff to create a family setting which was important because most of the kids, like Blake, came from single parent homes or were being raised by a grandparent. Ultimately, what made the difference for Blake? Personal attention, eye-opening opportunities, and caring adults.
Teachers had him write out a learning plan that both he and his mom signed and small classes provided more attention to remove stumbling blocks. The CISS Site Coordinator was a positive male role model, filling a void in Blake’s life. Field trips to the University of Washington challenged him to think about going to college. Blake is now a sophomore in high school and is very focused on a career in computer technology. He understands the importance of giving back and reads 1 hour a day to younger children at the YMCA. Perhaps one of the most important life lessons that Blake learned through CISS is that there are people who are willing to help students like him succeed. According to his mother, “Communities In Schools gave Blake experiences that were life changing and helped him decide what he wants to do in the future.”
Anthony (7th Grade)
Bullying is all too prevalent in our public schools. If it is left unmanaged, it can ruin a child's school experience and interfere with their learning.
Anthony was a good-natured kid who tried his best to fit in with his classmates and stay out of trouble. The problem was that he was noticed by the other students. He had become the object of bullying and teasing at school. The other students would poke him with their pencils and turn off his computer so he would lose his assignments. Feeling alone and sad, he refused to speak out against the bullies out of fear. He had come to believe that the bullies were his only "friends".
Teachers referred Anthony to the CISS Intervention Specialist at the school and she worked with him to create a plan to address the bullying. She taught him how to confront the bullies and tell them how his feelings were hurt. She also raised the awareness of of his teachers so they could monitor his interactions with other students. Since this intervention, the bullying has subsided and Anthony is much happier at school.
Jeremy (6th Grade)
Many students are first noticed because they stand out. Some wear the same clothes every day or have poor personal hygiene. These are often just symptoms of larger issues that schools are not set up to address.
Jeremy first came to the attention of school staff because his clothes were worn and too small, and he was failing all of his courses. At 12 years old, he was reading at a 2nd grade level. His family was homeless and his mom was unemployed.
Jeremy was connected to Communities In Schools of Seattle, who ensured that he had new clothes that fit and was given permission to use the school bathroom to shower daily. A CISS coordinator, Karen, began to monitor his academic progress and with her support, he started to do more school work during his classes.
Given the difficulties of his home situation, Karen and Jeremy worked out a plan for him to study at the local library and use the community center for help with homework. Although Jeremy has a long way to go, he is on the road to success. By the end of the year, he was participating in after school sports, which requires maintaining a B average and he continued to meet with Karen weekly. Karen also maintained contact with Jeremy’s mother weekly to help her navigate her housing and employment options and provide emotional support.
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