Photos from Governor’s Volunteer Award Ceremony

Below are a couple photos from the Nov. 2 Medallion Award Ceremony at the State Capitol in Raleigh. Fran Herrell, volunteer at Communities in Schools of Mitchell County, received an award for her outstanding volunteer service. Only 20 North Carolinians receive this award each year. Congratulations Fran!

Gov. Bev Perdue and Fran Herrell

IBM Gives Grant to CISNC

CISNC received a grant from IBM to purchase 19 Young Explorer Learning Computer Units, valued at $2,600 each. Each unit has a desk and Lenovo computer, and is designed to help children familiarize themselves with technology at an early age. Thanks to IBM, CISNC was able to distribute these units to 14 local affiliates, which will use the units for after school programs, child development centers, teen parent programs, ESL programs and family resources centers.

Judy Younts, executive director of CIS of Thomasville, picks up her Young Explorer Units.

IBM grant provided CIS with Lenovo PCs.

Loading the truck

N.C. Youth Giving Summit

October 14 marked the fourth annual N.C. Youth Giving Summit, which lets high school students decide how and where to spend $60,000 to help their communities. Below is a summary from Leading to Change, a group that facilitated the event. Communities in Schools of N.C. co-sponsored the event.

The grand-finale of the Summit was a spell-binding closing ceremony that combined the Magic of Giving theme with the excitement and energy of a night-club and magic show. World renowned illusionist and performer Dorian Richardson (BET, MTV), brought his program of “Ninja Magik” to the Summit by captivating the audience with vanishing umbrellas, moving ropes, transforming playing cards, and even sword induced traps. At the end of the show, Dorian produced out of thin air a live dove, symbolizing the magic and energy of the North Carolina Youth Giving movement.

The 2009 Youth Giving Summit was much more than just a high-energy and inspirational convening of 200+ youth and adult philanthropists. It was also a celebration of the power of young people and the communities that have invested in their collective time, talent, & treasures. In many ways, the 2009 Youth Giving Summit was a powerful catalyst to maintain the momentum, propel the passion, and exhibit the Magic of Giving that is taking place throughout North Carolina!

CIS of Brunswick County

Communities in Schools of Brunswick County opened a CIS Thrift Shop in Sunset Beach last Thursday.

The CIS Thrift Shop in Sunset Beach

Communities in Schools Volunteer Receives Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service

Frances “Fran” Herrell was awarded the N.C. Medallion Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service in recognition of her service at Communities in Schools of Mitchell County. Gov. Bev Perdue presented the award to Fran and 19 other North Carolina recipients last night at a ceremony at the State Capitol in Raleigh.

“Like CIS’s mission, Fran is dedicated to making sure Mitchell County school children have the tools they need and deserve in order to stay in school and prepare for life,” said Lori Gilcrist, executive director of CIS Mitchell County. “Fran’s mission-driven dedication and commitment set her apart, making her truly worthy of this honor.”

As a tutor and mentor, Fran provides one-on-one academic assistance and encouragement to students in Mitchell County Schools, and communicates with teachers and principals about student progress and needs in grades K-8. She also develops and delivers activities for the CIS Summer Enrichment Program for K-2 students.

Fran connects with her students and can identify the type of academic or support intervention that will serve them best. She makes sure that students have the resources they need both in and out of the classroom to be successful and prepare for life.

The recognition is part of the N.C. Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service program, which honors individuals, groups, teams and businesses that make significant contributions to their communities through volunteer service. Since the program began in 1978, more than 16,000 individuals have been recognized for their service. County coordinators and local selection committees receive and evaluate the nominations. Medallion recipients are nominated at the county level then evaluated by a panel of community service leaders from across the state.

Restaurants Step up to the Plate for a Taste of Brunswick County

CIS Benefit Gala for Children – October 22nd

Friends and supporters in attendance at the 8th Annual Benefit Gala for Children held Thursday, October 22, at Sea Trail Golf Resort and Convention Center raised vital funding to support the programs and services of Communities In Schools of Brunswick County, Inc. (CIS) while enjoying a festive evening of wonderful Brunswick County cuisine, and dancing the night away!

The black tie occasion offered an array of fabulous food displayed and served by local chefs from Baked With Love, Bart’s BBQ (under new ownership), Bridge Pizza & Grill, Butcher of Brunswick (formerly Randy’s Meat Center), Charlie Macgrooders, Jane’s Seafood, Jumpin Java, Plaza Garibaldi, Provision Company at Holden Beach, Sugar Confections, Sunset Slush Italian Ice, SweeDeePie Cheesecakes, LLC, Taylor Cuisine Café & Catering, Inc., The Isles, The Purple Onion Cafe/ART Catering, and Twin Lakes Seafood Restaurant. The Boundary House not only provided delicious food, they wowed the attendees and took the award for the best interpretation of the table decorating theme “Kids Gone Coastal” by displaying a palm tree ornamented with live goldfish!

“Our supporters, friends, and volunteers who donate their time and services have made this event successful through the years,” stated CIS Resource Development Director Mark Koval. “We raised between $95,000 and $100,000, including $9,000 which will go directly to graduating seniors in the form of scholarships,” he added.

Dr. Anna Blizzard, CIS Board Member, was recognized as this year’s Honorary Chair. She and her husband Dr. Daniel Blizzard of Ocean Isle Family Medicine were the Presenting Sponsors. There were 95 additional sponsors at various levels, 120 donors to the silent and live auctions, and 85 other supporters and volunteers who made the event so successful. Student volunteers from the Jr. ROTC and Teen Court attended the Gala to assist in greeting guests, clearing tables, and toting auction items.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Progress Energy Power of One Award. This award for dedication and commitment to the children and families of Brunswick County was given to the Shallotte Rotary and the South Brunswick Islands Rotary Clubs for their work with the CIS Peer Court program at Shallotte Middle School.

The Pat Carpenter Band played a variety of music into the night for the dancing and listening pleasure of the 500-550 attendees.

The live auction, conducted by Jon Evans, included a custom hand-made CIS quilt, homemade gourmet dinners, and cooking lessons by Chef Eric Masson of the Brentwood Restaurant in Little River.

Thanks to all who help Communities In Schools of Brunswick County continue to make a difference in the life of a child.

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Fast Facts on the Gala
Funds Raised: $95,000-100,000
Attendees: 500-550
Sponsors: 95
Volunteers and Other Supporters: 85
Auction Donors: 120
$1,000 Scholarships Donated: 9

Presenting Sponsors: Dr. Anna Blizzard, CIS Board Member and Dr. Daniel Blizzard, Ocean Isle Family Medicine

Emcee: Jon Evan WECT TV6/WFSX TV26 s, with his wife Sheila assisting in the live auction

Power of One Award: John Titrington, Progress Energy Engineering Superintendent presented award to Bob Stinson, President South Brunswick Island Rotary, Jerry Hiester, President Shallotte Rotary for commitment to Peer Court

Band: The Pat Carpenter Band

Decorations: Dr. Anna Blizzard

CIS of Carteret County

As featured in Carolina Coast Online on Oct. 25.

SMYRNA – Jonathon Rose, a fifth-grader at Smyrna School, admits he’s actually having fun staying late after school.

Maybe that’s because he’s been planting vegetables in a math garden, doing fun activities on computers and even getting help with his homework.

He’s one of about 90 students at three Down East schools taking part in an afterschool program designed to provide academic enrichment activities. Although they may not always realize it, the program is also designed to improve the students’ math and reading skills and help them with their homework.

It’s all part of the 21st Century Community Learning Center–Down East Afterschool Program, which is supported by a federal grant. Students stay from 3-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Smyrna, Harkers Island and Atlantic schools, where they receive assistance from paid and volunteer tutors.

Students also take part in academic enrichment activities that range from 4-H clubs, sewing, gardening and, in the near future, decoy carving.

To show off their accomplishments, the three schools conducted open houses Thursday afternoon in conjunction with the 10th annual Lights on Afterschool, a nationwide celebration of afterschool programs.

Dawn Simpson, director of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, said the Down East program was started thanks to Sandy Giacobbi, Executive Director of Communities In Schools, who wrote the afterschool grant.

The grant was awarded in March for $182,000 for the first two years and will decrease by 20 percent the third year and 40 percent the fourth year.

“This is considered our second year, so we now must have sustainability plans for grant reductions in the next two years. If funding is not secured, these afterschool programs will not be able to operate in the capacity they are now,” she said.

“Our program serves third- through eighth-graders at each of these three sites. We have about 120 students who qualify for our services this year.”

The program is geared to students who have not met state proficiency standards, or have scored at Levels I and II on state end-of-grade assessments.

“As well as providing homework assistance, we focus on reading and math remediation with hands on projects that incorporate all of these skills, such as the square foot gardening, heritage plantings and sewing projects at the sites,” said Ms. Simpson. “We also are partnering with the Decoy Guild in the future to provide some carving classes.”

Ms. Simpson said the program, which began in April, would not be a success if not for the help of parent volunteers who have stepped in to provide 4-H clubs at two of the sites. In addition, the art teacher for Down East schools will provide art lessons, and East Carteret High School has assisted by providing mentors through the Teacher Cadet program.

By far one of the most successful programs has been gardening activities that incorporate math and science.

“It’s called the Square Foot Garden,” said Ms. Simpson. “The garden is divided into grids and students actually helped to build it.”

Students are planting a variety of vegetables that will be sold in the future, with profits going to help sustain the program.

“It’s fun,” said Jonathon. “I had to measure how big each square would be and had to measure the box.”

Because Harkers Island School is emphasizing heritage, that school is putting a unique spin on the gardening project by planting vegetables and plants native to the area.

Smyrna sixth-grader Darby West said she, too, has enjoyed the afterschool program.

“It helps me a lot with my homework,” she said.

Ms. Simpson said she is always looking for more volunteers, especially those interested in promoting character education topics or teaching a skill.

“All of this has to be supported by our community and business sponsors,” she said.

The program is also in need of the following items: youth magazines and books, soaker hoses for gardens, treated lumber for planter boxes, outside storage boxes, rain barrels, gardening tools, sewing supplies, art framing materials, board games and digital cameras.

Anyone interested in volunteering or making a donation may call Ms. Simpson at Smyrna, 729-2301 or make checks payable to 21st CCLC- Down East Afterschool Program.

N.C. Graduation Summit Agenda

Pre-registration is required.

8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
Registration

10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
DVD “Turning the Tide, Charting a Course for Student Success”
Welcome – Lt. Governor Walter Dalton
Opening – State Superintendent June Atkinson
Remarks – Cynthia Marshall, President of AT&T N.C.
Plenary Session – Dr. Robert Balfanz
Closing Remarks – Linda Harrill, CISNC President & CEO

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Graduation Information Stations

1 p.m.-2:15 p.m.
Comments – Bill Shore, Community Partnership GlaxoSmithKline
Introduction – Omega McKinnon, CISNC Intern
Keynote – A Call to Action by Bill Milliken
Closing Remarks – Linda Harrill

2:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m.
Action Planning by County/Region – Danya Perry, Youth Development Director of CISNC

3:30 p.m.-4 p.m.
Comments – Chris Welborn, Market Manager for Walmart
Introduction – Danya Perry
Closing Session – Dr. Shelley Stewart

4 p.m.
Summit Conclusion – Linda Harrill

Communities In Schools to Host N.C. Graduation Summit

Statewide education, community and business leaders unite to increase graduation rates and prevent dropouts in N.C.

Communities In Schools of North Carolina (CISNC) tomorrow will be hosting the N.C. Graduation Summit, which will bring together nearly 400 business, education and community leaders from across the state to develop and discuss strategies to increase high school graduation rates in North Carolina. The summit starts at 10 a.m. at the McKimmon Center (1101 Gorman St.) at N.C. State University in Raleigh.

The N.C. Department of Public Instruction and America’s Promise are co-sponsoring the event. Summit speakers include Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton and State Superintendent Dr. June Atkinson; Dr. Bob Balfanz, a leading expert in the field of dropout prevention; Bill Milliken, founder of Communities In Schools; and Dr. Shelley Stewart, producer of Inside/Out and the CHOICE BUS. For the complete agenda, please see the attachment.

“We are proud to help lead the efforts in increasing North Carolina’s graduation rates along with our state’s education, community and business leaders,” said Linda Harrill, president of Communities in Schools of N.C. “By working together, we can determine the best methods for helping children to graduate and set them on the path for a successful future.”

“With the number of students currently dropping out of high school, North Carolina is losing a large amount of potential talent,” said State Superintendent June Atkinson. “We hope that this Summit will serve as a catalyst to help us improve graduation rates so all students gain the high level of knowledge and skills demanded by our global economy.”

Pre-registration for the summit is required. CISNC will host regional follow-up summits in the spring and summer of 2010. For more information, visit www.cisnc.org/code/graduation.htm.

Bill and Melinda Gates Visit Durham Performance Learning Center!

The Herald Sun

September 25, 2009

Students and staff at the Durham Performance Learning Center were surprised today by a visit from Bill and Melinda Gates. While a site visit was scheduled, only a handful of people knew that Bill and Melinda Gates themselves would also be visiting the school.

Bud Lavery, executive director of Communities In Schools of Durham, noted “I think it says a lot about the magic that is happening at this school that Bill and Melinda Gates chose to see it firsthand.”

The Gates Foundation has been funding the replication of many of the Performance Learning Centers and other alternatives models of education throughout the United States. The Durham Performance Learning Center, a nontraditional high school, offers a chance to turn academic failure into success for over 100 students who had dropped out or were at risk of dropping out.