Communities In Schools of Appalachian Highlands

07/23/2026

🎉 What a way to close out Back to School Summit 2026! 🎉

We couldn’t have asked for a better way to finish an amazing week together! 🥳

We kicked off the morning with a warm welcome from our Senior Director of Data & Special Projects, Ryane Terry, and our Senior Director of Program Operations, Meghan Groves.

We were then joined by our Director of Advancement, Brett Davis, and Director of Development, Major Grants, Kaitlynn Snider, who shared updates on the work happening behind the scenes to support our mission and prepare for another successful school year.

Following Brett and Kaitlynn, our Director of External Affairs, Olivia Bailey, took the stage and reminded us all of the importance of telling the stories of our students, schools, and communities, and sharing the impact happening every day across CIS-AH. 💙❤️🧡💚

Next, four of our own Student Support Coordinators took part in a panel discussion to share about their Mini-Grant projects and the incredible events they’ve brought to life for students through these special funding opportunities. Their passion and creativity were truly inspiring! We also heard from Marcus Carter with the Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition, who shared important information with our team on substance abuse awareness and Narcan training, providing valuable tools and resources that can help save lives.

Following our morning presentations, our team had the opportunity to participate in various learning sessions throughout the day! These breakout sessions were led by our own team members, spanning various topics such as social emotional learning (SEL), connecting for impact, and leading with impact.

To close out this year’s Summit, Ryane and Meghan took the stage again to share with our team a powerful story from author Brené Brown, and reminded us all that while the work we do has many layers, you can boil it all down to one simple statement: “we help kids.” ❤️

As we head back into our schools and communities, we’re taking with us new ideas, new connections, and a renewed excitement for the year ahead. This week reminded us exactly why this year’s theme, ‘Better Together,’ couldn’t have been more fitting! 🤝

Thank you to everyone who helped make Back to School Summit such an incredible week. We can’t wait to see the impact our team will make during the 2026-27 school year!

Day 4️⃣ down! Up next, back to school! ✏️🍎

07/22/2026

🎊 That’s a wrap on Day 3! 🎊

To say that today was a HUGE success is an understatement! Our team showed up this morning full of energy and enthusiasm! 🥳

We began the day with our Director of Strategic Partnerships, Dusty Duncan, on the main stage to kick off the 3rd Annual Partnership Pavilion.

More than 100 partners from across the CIS-AH footprint were in attendance to share resources and services with our Student Support Coordinators. In line with our theme this year, “Better Together,” the Partnership Pavilion provides opportunities to build relationships, make new connections, and strengthen existing partnerships!

🎉 The turnout this year was INCREDIBLE! 🎉

We cannot thank our partners enough for helping make today so very special for our team! 💙❤️🧡💚

Following the Partnership Pavilion, our team had the opportunity to participate in various learning sessions throughout rest of the day! These breakout sessions were led by our own team members and covered a variety of topics, including building relationships, addressing mental health crises, and navigating difficult conversations.

Our team left today with countless tools and resources for a successful 2026–27 school year, and we’re not even finished yet! ✏️🍎

Up next: Day 4️⃣—the grand finale! 🎆

We cannot wait to see everyone again tomorrow! ☀️

07/21/2026

🥳 Day 2 is in the books! 🥳

We started the day with our very own, Amy and Carlene, who shared the story of a CIS-AH alumni and how our alumni program can continue to provide support to students, even after graduation! 🎓

We were then joined by Avi Hopkins with The Spark Mill! He shared the message, “we carry what matters,” with our team and those words ring so true to our mission. 💙❤️🧡💚

Following Avi, our team learned more about the CIS Alumni program when Cecilia Lee and Patti Aldaz-Carassco from CIS National took the stage for a Q&A session! 🎤

Our final speaker of the day, principal Jason Roach from Clinch School in Hawkins County, TN, shared with our team ‘The Power of Relationships,’ and reiterated the impact our Student Support Coordinators have on students.

Our team once again ended the day with various breakout sessions including one led by a team from CIS National! We are so thankful they were able to present to our team today!

Up next, day 3️⃣ and our Partnership Pavilion! We are so excited for our team to have the opportunity to connect with over 100+ partner organizations tomorrow! ☀️

07/20/2026

☀️ Back to School Summit Day 1 ☀️

The moment we’ve all been waiting for finally arrived! Back to School Summit is HERE! 🥳

We began the day with our president and CEO, Dr. Chase Stewart taking the stage to welcome our team and affirmed how this year’s theme for Summit couldn’t be more fitting for CIS-AH: we truly are ‘Better Together’ 💙❤️🧡💚

Dr. Brenda White Wright also joined us today and reminded us of the importance of relationships and how to tend to them in meaningful ways.

Following Dr. White Wright, our team had the opportunity to participate in various learning sessions throughout the day. These breakout sessions were led by our own team members and spanned various topics from managing workloads, leadership sessions, and even some improv fun! 🎉

Next up, day 2️⃣! We are so excited to see you all again tomorrow!

06/05/2026

As the semester winds down, we want to talk about our All-Senior Signing Day!

The CIS-AH All-Senior Signing Day is a school-wide event where all seniors are able to share their future plans. Whether that’s continuing their education at a college, joining the military, or immediately entering into the workforce. Inspired by athletic signing days, this event allows all students an opportunity to show how far they have come!

We are so proud of each and every single one of our graduating seniors across the region. Their determination will be on full display as they walk across the stage to receive their high school diploma!



Communities In Schools of Virginia | Communities In Schools

05/15/2026

While a lot of what we do takes place between bells, did you know CIS-AH also operates five different after-school programs, across the Highlands, in partnership with our friends at 21st Century Community Learning Center?

These programs aim to address the limited availability of evening child-care in the region while providing various learning opportunities for students. Students enrolled in our afterschool programs have access to tutoring/homework assistance, hands-on activities, clubs, field trips, evening meals, and bus transportation back home. These afterschool programs emphasize how our student support doesn't end when the bell rings!



Communities In Schools of Virginia | Communities In Schools

04/27/2026

04/24/2026

🎉It's Student Support Coordinator Appreciation Week! 🎉

We would like to shine the spotlight on our amazing Student Support Coordinators who never fail to go above and beyond every day, ensuring that students have all the resources, support, and encouragement they need to succeed! 🍎✏️🏆

The dedication and passion that drives our team is the reason our footprint has expanded to cover 17 School Districts and 115 Schools across the two states!! 🤩

To cap off the week-long celebration, our admin team hit the road today to surprise each of our SSCs with the 2nd annual ✨PRIZE PATROL✨ where they got the chance to spin-the-wheel for some awesome prizes!

Once again, we want to thank each and every Student Support Coordinator for what you do! Your compassion, effort, and unwavering commitment to all of the students we serve does not go unnoticed! You truly are the heart of CIS-AH! ❤️

If you see your SSC this week, give them a shout-out and tell them THANK YOU! 🥳🤩🎉



Communities In Schools of Virginia | Communities In Schools

04/17/2026

Did you know: Family engagement in schools contributes to positive student outcomes, including improved child and student achievement, decreased disciplinary issues, improved parent-teacher and teacher-student relationships, and improved school environment? 🍎✏️

Our Family Honor Roll programing recognizes families who are heavily involved in their student’s education inside and outside of the classroom. Throughout the year, parents/guardians are encouraged to participate in activities such as attending parent-teacher conferences, turning in signed report cards, prioritizing school attendance, participating in school-related events, and providing support for the student’s homework. This program, which emphasizes strong family engagement, is not about communicating to families, but instead about building relationships WITH families!



Communities In Schools of Virginia | Communities In Schools

04/10/2026

🎉 We're so excited to share about our attendance winners! 🎉

March Madness is one of our Attendance Programs that Student Support Coordinators implement through the month of March, where classrooms are placed into a bracket-based (Class vs Class or Grade vs Grade) tournament and face-off weekly against each other based on attendance until there is only one remaining: the Attendance Champions! 🏆

Our Attendance Madness program is designed to reduce chronic absenteeism in our schools by creating excitement and enthusiasm about coming to school. Congratulations to these students on having their 'One Shining Moment' this March!



Communities In Schools | Communities In Schools of Virginia