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CIS-HENRY NEWS M A R C H 2 0 1 3 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 4
W H A T ’ S I N S I D E
Parent Leadership Insti-
tute Launches
New Community Part-
ners Add Services for
Students
Stories From Our Ameri-
Corps Tutors
Volunteer Opportunities
Communities In Schools
of Henry’s New Office
Location
www.CIS-Henry.org
678 432 4499
70 Macon Street
McDonough, GA
Connect with
CIS-Henry
W H E R E T O F I N D I T
Community Partners 1
Parent Leadership
Institute 2
AmeriCorps Tutors 3
Volunteering 4
New Office 4
© 2013 Communities In Schools - Henry | 70 Macon Street | McDonough, GA 30253
L ocal parent leaders met
in January and February
to grow and learn as leaders in
themselves, their families, and
their children’s education at
the Vision and Voice Parent
Leadership Institute (PLI) here
in Henry County.
The Institute, hosted by Com-
munities In Schools of Henry
and funded by United Way of Metro-
politan Atlanta, is designed for promis-
ing parent leader who are already
involved in the schools as tutors, men-
tors, PTO members, and more to give
them the resources to share their skills
and passion with other parents in the
community.
Communities In Schools Hosts Parent Leadership Institute
To read more about our PLI,
see page 2 >>
F amily Support Circle, Inc. is a non-
profit organization based right
here in Henry County.
The mission of FSC is to provide the
type of support services that move
towards an ever-improving quality of
life centered in a healthy and diverse
community.
Two divisions contain the host of
services they provide: Youth Excel-
lence Program (afterschool & Summer
Enrichment Programs) and Home
Support Services (respite care, short-
term, and long-term support services).
Currently, FSC has implemented an
after-school program at Hampton
Middle School and with Communities
In Schools, with plans to expand the
program to reach more Henry County
students.
The program, which operates 3 after-
noons per week from 3:00 pm to 7:00
pm, provides students with homework
help and a rich social calendar for a fun
and productive after-school experi-
ence.
B rooke’s Closet helps families
displaced by fire. Staffed by
teens volunteering their time and
talents, Brooke’s Closet collects and
distributes clothing, toiletries and
school supplies to anyone in need
after a disaster.
Thanks to this new partnership, our
graduation coach Monique has al-
ready used Brooke’s Closet as a re-
source for a student who she had
identified as being in need of clothing
and other goods.
As a community partner with Commu-
nities In Schools, a new resource for
displaced, homeless, or other stu-
dents in need is now available.
Family Support Circle, Inc.
Brooke’s Closet / Brooke Butler Memorial Scholarship Foundation
New Community Partnerships to Aid Local Students
One PLI group shares their thoughts
on leadership at our first session.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.yourfsc.org
For more information, please visit:
http://www.fillbrookescloset.com/
Parent leaders in our community gather to learn and grow together as
leaders in themselves, their families, and their children’s education
© 2013 Communities In Schools - Henry | 70 Macon Street | McDonough, GA 30253
V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 4
understanding family support
principles and strategies
leadership techniques in diverse
settings
understanding and influencing
school systems
organizing for change.
The Henry County PLI is a collaborative
effort between Communities In
Schools of Henry and United Way
Smart Start Education, the early child-
hood division of United Way of Metro-
politan Atlanta, and the Partners Ad-
vancing Childhood Education (PACE)
initiative. It was developed by the Par-
ent Services Project (PSP), a national
nonprofit to integrate
family support and
early childhood pro-
grams. This collabora-
tion brings different
but congruous per-
spectives and goals to
Participants agreed to attend the sessions, to participate
fully, and to do their “homework” as part of an
opportunity to strengthen their skills and take greater
leadership roles.
Parent Leadership Institute
O ne Tuesday every month for
5 months, Communities In
Schools of Henry and United Way of
Metropolitan Atlanta will host par-
ent leaders from the community to
share ideas, help them grow as
leaders, and plan education-
centered service projects .
These parents, mostly affiliated
with the school system, were cho-
sen for exhibiting leadership quali-
ties within their families and
schools. They agreed to attend the
sessions, to participate fully, and to
do their “homework” as part of an
opportunity to strengthen their
skills, take greater leadership roles
in the systems serving their chil-
dren, and to build relationships with
other parents from their school and
community.
During the sessions, the parents will
learn topics including:
strategic planning for self and
family
the table, adding value
to experience of our PLI
parents.
Keep an eye out for up-
dates as our participants
plan their service pro-
jects regarding parent
involvement, technology
in schools, and understanding state
and local mandates on education.
P A G E 2
United Way and Communities In Schools banners at our Parent
Leadership Institute at Shiloh Baptist Church in January remind
parents that there are many resources available in our community.
For more information:
www.unitedwayatlanta.org www.parentservices.org
www.settingthePACE.org
© 2013 Communities In Schools - Henry | 70 Macon Street | McDonough, GA 30253
V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 4
Quotation from story here
O ur AmeriCorps tutor Katie, a
certified Zumba instructor,
has been teaching Zumba classes
for teachers at Dutchtown Middle
School. She hoped to not only
help the teachers relieve stress,
but saw the classes serve as a way
to connect with faculty members
she doesn’t get to work with on a
daily basis. The faculty benefits as
well, building relationships with
each other in a relaxed, fun envi-
ronment.
One of Lawanda’s students showed great
improvement in many of her courses
after struggling here in America.
P A G E 3
AmeriCorps Tutors Add To Student Success Stories, Engage
With Middle School Teachers
L awanda began working
with a 7th grade student
and native of Jamaica who
shared that she had problems
adjusting to living in America --
and it affected her grades.
When tutoring began in the
middle of the first semester,
the student was failing several
classes but after a few weeks
of one-on-one time with La-
wanda, she received her first
grade of 100 ever on an Eng-
lish assignment.
She has also shown gains in
her science class and contin-
ues to show improvements in
reading.
Lawanda also participated in
the annual Life 101 program at
Luella, implemented by
graduation coach Debbie Tow-
son, to help the program de-
velop life skills and problem
solving in 8th graders.
Katie helps teachers de-stress and
get moving after a long day at
work.
Fortunately, the school already
had an excellent fitness program
established for faculty and staff -
even a room with cardio and con-
ditioning equipment - and that
there was a collective interest in
wellness.
Katie says she enjoys watching
the class grow in size and seeing
teachers who appear to be re-
served really get into the class as
a way to de-stress after a long day
of work.
Katie’s Zumba class
Since their training and implementation in October of 2012, our AmeriCorps tutors have been
spending time helping our local middle school students with reading, math, study habits,
mentoring, and other matters to improve school performance. Here are some stories our
tutors have shared:
Our tutor Lawanda (left) with Luella Middle
School graduation coach Debbie Towson.
Lawanda Luella Middle School
P A G E 4
We’ve moved!
C ommunities In Schools of Henry County is proud to announce that
we have moved to a new location! Still conveniently located off the McDonough Square, we are excited to offer work space, meeting space, and a comfortable environment for our graduation coaches, tutors, and other community partners.
We share our new location with local lawyers and businesspeople, but the comfortable feel of a decades-old home provides a welcoming but professional atmosphere for CIS staff, supporters, and community partners to meet and share.
© 2013
Communities In
Schools of Henry
County
70 Macon Street
McDonough, GA
678 432 4499
To sign-up for our
email newsletter, visit
us at:
www.CIS-Henry.org
© 2013 Communities In Schools - Henry | 70 Macon Street | McDonough, GA 30253
V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 4
M any things can keep an individual from volunteering and giving
back to their community, but if you are looking for a simple and
meaningful way to serve Henry County, our volunteer program may be just
the right fit for you. Our tutors and mentors, with the help of our coordi-
nating graduation coaches, will create connections with students to im-
prove their academic performance and offer a friendly presence in stu-
dents’ lives to help them focus on school and reach academic success.
For more information, please call us or visit our website. It doesn’t take
much to change the life of a child - get started today!
Volunteer With Communities In Schools!
Stop by our new office to say hello!
Volunteer tutors and mentors give the gift of spending quality time
with a student to really make a difference.
C ommunity Service
and caring for
others is nothing new to
Emily Bigby. She has a
servant’s heart and jumps at every opportunity to help
others, especially when it comes to the welfare of
children and the elderly. Before joining Communities In
Schools of Henry in July 2012 she volunteered with
Longleaf Hospice where she gave her time as a patient
companion and assisted staff with respite care to pa-
tients at the facility.
As a full-time AmeriCorps VISTA Youth Success Strategies
Site Coordinator, she has been a tremendous asset to
our CIS Affiliate. Her primary responsibility is in support-
ing the implementation of all aspects of the annual site
operations plan designed by our affiliate.
Emily has contributed to volunteer recruitment, the CIS
Henry Newsletter, the Parent leadership Institute, coor-
dination with Middle School Graduation Coaches, and
managing of social media and other advocacy efforts.
Meet Emily Bigby, our AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteer
Meet Our AmeriCorps*VISTA Youth Success Strategies Site Coordinator
Emily at our MLK Day
of Service project.