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Category Archives: CIS Blog
Teen Trendsetters Award Recipients: Sherman Bentley & Alicia Devine
Communities In Schools would like to congratulate Alicia Devine and Sherman Bentley for receiving The Excellence in Leadership & Service award from the Barbara Bush for Family Literacy Teen Trendsetters program for their commitment as reading mentors to second grade … Continue reading
Intern Blog: More Than Just a Job
Joining the Communities In Schools team as a work-study intern was a life changing experience. When I applied for a job through my school’s work-study program, I never contemplated working off campus. At first I was apprehensive about my interview … Continue reading
J.E.B Stuart Middle explores the Tuskegee Airmen
The three day Salute to the Tuskegee Airmen event took place April 23rd-25th at J.E.B. Stuart Middle School, in part of the CIS AmeriCorps DREAM Project. Each day, the event began with TEAM UP students watching a continual viewing of … Continue reading
Staff Blog: Crossing Bridges
Felita Tutt is the parent of a student at Jacksonville Beach Elementary but grew up on the Northwest side of Jacksonville. She knows firsthand the struggles of her childhood neighborhood. Students go to school without appropriate clothing, having eaten a … Continue reading
Posted in CIS Blog, Making a difference, Recognition, Uncategorized
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Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service
More than 120 volunteers, community leaders, and City of Jacksonville employees participated in the first annual Mayor’s Day of Recognition for National Service. The event kicked off with a proclamation by Mayor Brown declaring April 9, 2013 as the Mayors … Continue reading
TEAM UP Step & Dance Extravaganza!
The gymnasium at Edward Waters College (EWC) was filled with the sounds of popular music, powerful stomps and cheering fans for the annual TEAM UP Step & Dance Extravaganza on Saturday, April 20th. The event featured 12 elementary and middle … Continue reading
Board of Directors Welcome Betty Burney
At the April 11th, 2013, CIS Board Meeting, the Board of Directors welcomed Betty Burney as the newest Board Member. Burney is the founder and Executive Director of the “I’M A STAR” Foundation, a foundation committed to empowering and equipping … Continue reading
Posted in Board of Directors, CIS Blog, Community Leaders, Literacy, Making a difference, Performance, Recognition, Uncategorized
Tagged "I'm a star" Foundation, Betty Burney, Board of Directors, Calvin Burney, Communities In Schools, Duval County School Board, Jacksonville, Raines High School, “If These Chains Could Talk”
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TEAM UP Shows Creativity through Science!
On April 10, 2013, Woodland Acres Elementary TEAM UP after school program invited to their school nine other TEAM UP programs to participate in the TEAM UP Science Fair. Gwen Collins, site coordinator at Woodland Acres, assigned judges to pick … Continue reading
Posted in After School Program, CIS Blog, TEAM UP, Uncategorized
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Staff Blog: 9th Grader Knows the Meaning of Success!
Darian Hills is the epitome of realized potential. Prior to the 2012-2013 school year Mr. Hills lacked concern for the acquisition of knowledge and the importance of attending school. Darian withdrew from school and embarked on a journey that resulted … Continue reading
New project connecting local military to elementary and middle school students
The DREAM Project, part of the Duval Reads literacy tutoring program, has begun to build a connection between Duval County students and local military through two multi-day events that put active duty military volunteers in front of elementary and middle … Continue reading




