CIS of Montgomery – NC Board of Education Chairman Howard Lee Visits MCS

NC Board of Education Chairman Howard Lee Visits MCS

Howard Lee, Chairman of the North Carolina Board of Education, visited the county Friday. Lee spent the day learning about the progress of the Communities In Schools(CIS) program and Montgomery County Schools.

Lee has been a prominent figure in North Carolina government and a strong advocate for education. In addition to his current position as Chairman, Lee is a member of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, acted as Mayor of Chapel Hill, and served thirteen years as a North Carolina Senator.

Lee began his day here by attending a presentation by the Communities In Schools board members and staff. Don Piehl, Board Chair, welcomed Chairman Lee and gave the board a brief synopsis of his accomplishments throughout the years. CIS Executive Director, Heather Wallace, presented Lee with an overview of the CIS program; including details of the Golden Opportunity Mentoring Program and Backpack Pals program established by CIS. Also in her report, Wallace discussed the importance of CIS and the results and accomplishments from the first year of operation in Montgomery County.

Currently, CIS is working in five elementary and the two middle schools in the county, with plans of adding Green Ridge upon its opening later this year. CIS has close to 140 students enrolled in the Golden Opportunity Mentoring program and over 200 students served through the Backpack Pals program, along with approximately 200 community volunteers helping sustain the programs.

Lee praised the board members and staff on their efforts and great progress in such a short amount of time. “Don’t be surprised if you hear that I’m bragging about you,” Lee stated. He commended the one-on-one attention that the students receive through mentoring. “Kids need that trusting relationship more than they need tutoring,” Lee said.

The meeting was brought to a close with and Question and Answer session by board members to Chairman Lee. Issues addressed were strongly related to education, grants, and funding.

Chairman Lee’s day was concluded with an honorary luncheon at the Montgomery County Schools Central Office. Staff gave great appreciation to Lee for his work in education and for his time spent in Montgomery County.

CIS of Gaston County -York Chester Middle School pays tribute to the U.S. National Anthem

York Chester Middle School pays tribute to the U.S. National Anthem

Gaston Gazette

September 22, 2008 – 5:40PM

York Chester Middle School held an assembly recently for the National Anthem Project Day.

This event was coordinated by Monica Morgan, the chorus teacher and Lisa Bolding of Communities in Schools of York Chester, under the sponsorship of The Alliance for Children and Youth, a United Way Agency.

The program consisted of reciting the pledge, singing the National Anthem and a summary of what led Francis Scott Key to write the words that are known as our National Anthem.

Robert Becker, a representative from Congresswoman Sue Myrick’s office, spoke at the assembly and presented the school with 400 copies of the book, “Our Flag.” Colonel Crump and four members of Hunter Huss ROTC also participated.