Fuller PLC students learn about college programs.

by Dr. Dawn Holt, counselor at the Fuller Performance Learning Center

Cumberland County College Tech Prep enables high school students to earn college credits and gain work-based learning experiences. An articulation agreement between Cumberland County Schools and Fayetteville Technical Community College ensures a seamless transition from high school to post-secondary education.

Recently, several Fuller Performance Learning Center students met with FTCC recruiter Reade Rizzolo to view different programs.

Students interested in Culinary Arts were invited to a Classical Cuisine dining experience provided by the Culinary Technology class at FTCC. Graduates of this program can qualify for the American Culinary Federation certification and advance to positions such as sous-chef, executive chef, or food service managers.

FTCC also offered Fuller students a tour of the Salon and Spa Services Education Center. While learning about the necessary curriculum for cosmetology students, several perks were enjoyed, such as haircuts and manicures!

CISNC Staff Member Selected for Baldwin Fellowship

Maxine Elliot, CISNC consultant

Maxine Elliot has been selected for the Robert H.B. Baldwin Fellowship, a CIS program dedicated to retaining leaders in the CIS network, developing the skills of emerging leaders and strengthening relationships with key national partners.

Maxine is a consultant for CISNC. She has worked in nonprofits for more than 20 years, even serving as executive director for Communities in Schools of Robeson County. In her 12 years consulting for nonprofits, she has provided services to CISNC, CIS National, UNC-Pembroke and the Kettering Foundation.

Maxine received her bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Redlands in California. She is a graduate of Leadership McAllen, Lumberton Area Leadership Institute and N.C. Rural Economic Development Institute. Maxine also received her certificate in nonprofit management from Duke University.

The 2009-2010 Baldwin Fellowship focuses on talent pipeline, leadership development and succession planning. Maxine has been selected for the executive leadership development portion. In this role, she will assess the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for CIS executive directors to possess. As she studies the needs of CIS executive directors, she also will assess the needs of leaders of other nonprofits.

Ultimately, Maxine will develop a potential learning agenda for new and veteran CIS executive directors and propose a framework for content delivery to CIS executive directors.

The official launch of the 2009-2010 Fellows Program took place December 2-4 at the CIS national office in Arlington, Vir., where new fellows met with national staff and former fellows.

For more information about the fellowship, please visit www.cisnet.net.

“Even though they are tough kids, we cannot let go of them”

Danya Perry, CISNC staff

On Thursday night, I had the incredible opportunity to speak to concerned parents and communities members about gang prevention and student success. The event was coordinated by Cindy Kowal, executive director of Communities In School of Cumberland County and dedicated staff members Charlie Horman and Njeri Fikes.

Parents from the area convened in the gym of Lewis Chapel Middle School, where they enthusiastically discussed opportunities to change the lives of youth.

My seminar focused on the psychology of street gang culture and early warning signs for parents. The theme of the night was looking out for red flags and detecting opportunities to intervene. I recall one parent commenting, “Even though they are tough kids, we cannot let go of them.” This is so true and needs to be the sentiments of all parents, educators and youth-serving professionals.

Principal Kevin Coleman – along with the support of CIS of Cumberland County – are continuing efforts to reach out to more parents. This seminar is just one of many to be offered. After the presentation, Cindy Kowal said, “Last time we had 10 parents, tonight we have 25, and we are not going to stop until we have 100.”

Way to go Cindy and staff – that’s the kind of thinking that changes lives!

December Tennis Social to Benefit Cabarrus Performance Learning Center

When: Weather permitting – Saturday, December 5, from 3PM – 6PM

• Doubles play from 3 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.
• Food and beverages served from 4:30 – 6 P.M.

Where: 9300 Browne Road, Charlotte

RSVP: The Charlotte Racquet Club North at crcn@bellsouth.net or call 704-947-7770

There is no charge to attend the social. The PLC is requesting tax deductible cash donations to the Performance Learning Center PTSO for this event. Funds will be used for school activities, supplies, equipment and the yearbook.

Food provided by Hawthorne’s and the PLC PTSO.

IBM donates 19 “Young Explorer” computer centers to Communities in Schools affiliates across North Carolina

RALEIGH – Communities in Schools of North Carolina (CISNC) has received a grant from IBM that will benefit 14 CISNC affiliates across the state. The grant allowed CISNC to purchase 19 Young Explorer™ centers, each valued at $2,600.

“IBM is committed to breaking down the digital divide and helping all children to have access to technology,” said Tina Wilson, Manager of Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs. “Through our partnership with Communities in Schools of North Carolina we can help young children at an early age use technology as a learning tool to begin developing early literacy and computer skills needed to succeed in school.”

The computer centers are part of IBM’s KidSmart program, a global early learning technology initiative to support the early childhood education of children internationally. The Young Explorer™ is a computer housed in brightly-colored, kid-friendly Little Tikes™ furniture. The center comes with award-winning educational software to help children learn and explore concepts in math, science and language. Children also learn important socialization skills such as how to work together and share. To learn more about the Young Explorer™ learning center and the KidSmart program, please visit www.kidsmartearlylearning.org.

“IBM has been a wonderful partner and a model of corporate leadership in North Carolina,” said Linda Harrill, President and CEO of CISNC. “Children need support from the entire community to learn successfully and help them achieve their dreams. IBM’s continued support is a testament to that strategy and an important step toward creating healthy and successful students.”

For the past 20 years, CISNC has been helping communities connect resources with schools and other sites to help young people learn, stay in school and prepare for life. As a result, CISNC is a leading statewide dropout prevention organization. Corporate partnerships, like those with IBM, are a key part of that strategy.

The CISNC affiliates that are receiving the Young Explorer™ centers are:

• Brunswick County
• Caldwell County
• Clay County
• Forsyth County
• Lee County
• Montgomery County
• Moore County
• Perquimans County
• Pitt County
• Robeson County
• Rowan County
• Rutherford County
• Thomasville City
• Wilkes County

# # #

Communities In Schools (CIS) of North Carolina is part of the national CIS organization, the largest and most successful dropout prevention non-profit in America. Last year, the CIS network in North Carolina worked with more than 163,000 children and youth across the state, empowering 98 percent of its high school students to remain in school. For more information, please visit www.cisnc.org or call 1-800-849-8881.

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.