Comic Book Club Helps With Reading Skills at Carver Middle

Evil villains lurk around every corner, wreaking havoc on innocent citizens.  But, look!  There's a hero on the way, dashing through the city with superpowers to save us!


What could be more exciting to middle schoolers that the classic superhero story line?  Comic books, with their engaging plots, exciting action, brilliant art and suspenseful cliffhangers provide the motivation that students in the Communities In Schools Comic Book Club need to improve their reading skills.

"The kids think it is just for fun, but we have a very serious purpose,"  said CIS Site Coordinator Amy Hunnewell, who organized the group.  "Students need to be good readers in order to succeed in other subjects, so giving them an exciting way to build reading skills is very important."

Students gathered once a week to share their interest in certain characters, to talk about the plots and settings, to see how the characters would grow and change and to experience the excitement of the conflicts in each story.  They also tried their hands at drawing their own scenes and writing their own dialogue. 

"It's fun!" said one 7th grader.  "I love comic books and I think it is great to be able to come to the Comic Book Club and meet friends who like it, too."

What Works: Stanford Social Innovation Review Features Communities In Schools

We are pleased to share this powerful article from today’s Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR) profiling Communities In Schools in the “What Works” column: http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/keeping_kids_in_school




The SSIR is one of the most influential publications in the social service sector.

The article provides a concise and thorough overview of how CIS works to coordinate community resources to help students overcome their personal barriers so they can graduate on time and be prepared for success in life. 

Enduring Lesson

Last month, CIS presented Chris Sandy, author of Enduring Regret, a memoir chronicling a fatal crash resulting from his choice to drink and drive and the lasting consequences of the incident, including the death of two people and eight years he spent in the state penitentiary.   Students at Walnut Grove High School were riveted by his testimony and were challenged to compete in an essay contest expressing the lessons they learned from his story.

Lindsey White was awarded a scholarship of $250 for her entry, which offered her reflection on the tragedy and how she hoped all students would learn from the mistake Chris Sandy made.  

Lindsey White, winner of the Chris Sandy Inspired Scholarship
with CIS Site Coordinator Milisa Wise

Walton County to Celebrate Communities In Schools Day on May 3

May 3 is Communities In Schools Day in Walton County!  Proclamations have been issued by the Cities of Monroe, Loganville, Social Circle and Walnut Grove, and by the Walton County Board of Commissioners celebrating the importance of CIS of Walton County and encouraging support from the community.

To celebrate, students from each of our CIS school sites will be serving the community at each of four participating banks.  Customers at Athens First Bank and Trust in Monroe, Liberty First Bank in Monroe and Pinnacle Bank in Social Circle will be treated to a free windshield wash, and will receive information about how CIS is helping students stay in school and achieve in life.  Donations will be accepted at each location. 

College and Career Expo

More than 1000 juniors from six local high schools had the chance to explore careers and meet college recruiters during the 3rd Annual Walton County College and Career Expo on April 11.

The event, held at Meridian Park, is a cooperative effort among Communities In Schools, the Walton County Chamber of Commerce and the Walton County Board of Commissioners.

"This is a great way for students to get a broad view of the many different careers that are available in our community and to learn how the work they are doing now in high school can help them be prepared for those careers," said Bill Inabinet with Athens First Bank & Trust, chairman of the event.

More than 85 organizations  representing 8o careers and 15 colleges entered exhibits in the Expo.  "We are so grateful to the colleges, businesses and organizations who set aside their time to prepare and present an exhibit to benefit our local students,"  said Angela Yarman, executive director of Communities In Schools of Walton County.  "This is something that was purely to benefit students, and our exhibitors were very generous with their time and resources."

Career Fair at SCES

More than 30 business and community representatives came to Social Circle Elementary School to share their careers at the CIS Career Day on February 28.



"Even though our students are in elementary school, it is never too early for them to begin thinking about the future," said CIS Site Coordinator Debra Rakestraw, who organized the event.  "The kids did a great job asking questions and we are so grateful to all of the exhibitors who came out."

Enduring Regret

Students at Walnut Grove High School heard first-hand how a terrible choice made in the heat of the moment can lead to a lifetime of regret.

Chris Sandy, a former prison inmate who was incarcerated after causing the death of two people in an automobile crash while he was driving under the influence of alcohol, spoke to WGHS students about how his decision to drive just a few miles down a back road impacted him and everyone around him.

"Students just don't ever think it could happen to them," said CIS Site Coordinator Milisa Wise, who organized the event.  "He came here to tell everyone that it can happen and it did happen to him."

"One minute he was a 22-year-old kid having fun with his friends, and the next minute, his life was changed forever by a choice he made,"  Wise said.   "Our students were really listening to him, and I hope they will learn from what he told them and not make the same mistake."

Read more about Chris Sandy and his story here.