Communities In Schools

Communities In Schools of Chesterfield (CIS), a public/private partnership established in 1993, enhances the potential for youth to complete school and become contributing members of society. CIS coordinates and delivers education, health, and social support services to promote academic achievement. Partnerships focus on prevention and intervention to serve at-risk youth and their families. CIS has raised over one million dollars to benefit Chesterfield County students.

Visit the CIS Chesterfield web site

Affiliation
• Communities In Schools, Inc., the nation's largest nonprofit dropout prevention program operating at more than 2,500 US sites
• CIS is a committee of the Chesterfield Public Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) corporation
  
  Awards
• Recognized in 1994 as an exemplary alternative school program by the National School Safety Center in Thousand Oaks, California
• Finalist in the 1994 Governor's School Business Partnership Awards
• Winner of 1998 Governor's Partnerships in Education Award
• Winner of Virginia Association of Partners in Education Award in 2000
• Achieved charter status from CIS National in 2000
• Winner of Virginia Mentoring Partnership statewide award 2004
  
  Milestones
• Over 1,000 graduates received high school diplomas with support from CIS since program began in 1993
  
  Sites
• Perrymont Middle School, countywide middle school program
• Chesterfield Community High School, countywide high school day program
• Chesterfield Community High School Evening Program, countywide high school program
• Schoolwide prevention programs at Bellwood, Chalkley and
  Ettrick Elementary Schools
  
  Governing Body
• The US Committee composed of members from the public and private sectors coordinates financial and inkind resources
• The overall goal of CIS is to promote academic achievement
  
  
• The CIS Committee is responsible for:
  • securing financial and inkind services to support programs advocated by CIS
  • developing and providing community resources to enrich programs for students and families
  • recruiting and training mentors and other volunteers
  • developing school to work opportunities including job shadowing, internships, and career days
  • developing service learning opportunities
  • providing appropriate and meaningful student recognition awards
    

  Funding

• Competitive Grants
• Businesses
• Foundations
  
• Individuals
  
  United Way
• Donor designation through Central Virginia Campaign, Local Government and Schools Campaign, Combined Federal Campaign, and Contributor Choice
  
  Mentor Program
  
• Approximately 150 community volunteers spend one hour weekly with an individual student, grades K-through 12
  
  Job Shadowing
  
• Local businesses and county government arrange for students to spend "A Day on the Job"
  
  Repositioned Staff
  Staff from Chesterfield County Public Schools, Chesterfield County Health Department, Department of Social Services, Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services
  

  Swimming lessons, fitness tests and lessons, PE credit, Bright Beginnings Program, and scholarships and after-school programs provided by YMCA.

  For additional information, Contact
  Debra Marlow, (804) 717-9305 (phone); (804) 717-1976 (fax).