Bill Hodges (Director of SEP), MaryAnn Foster (Site Coordinator FHP), and Jon Heymann (CEO)

Emotions are running high as the end of the school year inches closer for students at Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology. In celebration of the end of the year, Maryann Foster (Communities In Schools Site Coordinator for Peterson) hosted a celebration banquet to award the students for their hard work. The celebration included door prizes, individual awards, dinner prepared by students in the culinary program at Peterson, captivating performances and testimonies by students and memories that will last a life time.

MaryAnn Foster (Site Coordinator) with a few of her students

“We were made to be courageous, and it starts with us tonight!” sang a group of students. Throughout the year with Mrs. Foster, the students were taught to be “courageous”, to cast aside their fears and strive for what they wanted in life. Jon Heymann (CEO of CIS Jacksonville) supported this statement by telling the students to be the best at what they want to do. That “doing enough is NOT enough” claiming that he doesn’t want to get on a plane with a pilot that made C’s or get surgery done by a surgeon that made anything short of straight A’s.

The evening began with a heart-felt testimony of the change that Communities In Schools has brought to graduating senior Phillip, leaving some people in tears and ending with a standing ovation. “I have overcome my social awkwardness and started to enjoy life” explained Phillip.  “I thought I had no purpose in life”.

Culinary Arts students from FHP prepared the meal

Up next was “Oreo Cypher”, a student made rap group with a motivational piece to inspire their peers to “push past your limits, give 100% from the start to the finish”.  However, for students like Andre, motivation is nothing new-“Stand up and rise to the occasion so the world can feel the empowerment of one person that establishes a footprint for a million” (From Andre’s poem “Footprints for the sand”).

Students enjoy the evening

Then, the 2012 FHP Cup Line performed in unison, clapping their hands and passing along plastic cups  as they showed the crowd what can be accomplished through team work.  Even in a tight space, the finished with a perfect performance.

In closing, Donald and Kayla, showed their appreciation of the year by reciting their poem “How can we say thanks?” expressively stating “we love you Mrs. Foster”.

The end of the year banquet showcased aspirations, motivations, leadership, teamwork, gratitude and courage in the quest for greatness of these youth. This is just a sample of the work Communities In Schools of Jacksonville has done and a precedent to what we will continue doing in the future.

Many youth today specifically in low income housing areas are not eating healthy or getting a healthy amount of exercise.  Healthy eating is associated with reduced risks for many diseases, including several of the leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. Healthy eating in childhood and adolescence is important for proper growth and development and can prevent health problems such as obesity, dental caries, iron deficiency, and osteoporosis.

Schools play a critical role in creating a safe environmental that supports healthy eating and exercise.  Communities In Schools and the TEAM UP program are doing their part in making sure students learn healthy habits and are active. 

TEAM UP is a free after-school program that provides a safe environment where students are encouraged and motivated to succeed in both their academic and enrichment activities.  The program focuses on six core areas, including sports and recreation and life skills. 

TEAM UP serves a nutritious snack and dinner, Monday through Friday.  There is also the opportunity to become physical through sports and intramural programs.  Students are able to take part in track, cheerleading, basketball, dance, and step team.  In these activities they practice and create routines that they get to showcase in competition with the other TEAM UP schools.

Make sure to check out the upcoming TEAM UP Cheerleading Competition on May 19^th at the Ed Waters College Sports and Music Complex starting at 9:00am.  Admission is FREE!

The program was started with grants from The Jim Moran Foundation and the Jacksonville Children’s Commission and is currently funded by the Jacksonville Children’s Commission and  J SYM.  It’s a musical education program led by Peggy Toussant and string members of the J SYM. 

The Spring Concert included performances by S.A. Hull, Pickett, Pinedale, Reynolds Lane and Woodland Acres Elementary. This event was made possible with the assistance of the J SYM.

The show began with a collaborated musical piece by the instructors of each school, a faculty quintet playing “Scherzo”.  Each school then performed independently leading into a harmonized finale that deserved nothing less than the standing ovation that resulted.

“Yes!” the students exclaimed when Reynolds Lane instructor, Andrew Bruck said that “one day they (the students) will take my job”.

Listen and see for yourself the great performance the students put on!

S.A. Hull (Violins): “Bile ‘Em Cabbage Down”

Pickett (Violins): “Mary Had a Little Lamb”

Pinedale & Reynolds Lane (Violin & Cello): “Suzuki Allegro”

Woodland Acres (Basses): “Old MacDonald”

Woodland Acres (Violin): “See Saw Song”

Grand Finale: “Ode to Joy”

Communities In Schools of Jacksonville congratulates AmeriCorps Literacy Director Carolyn Lynn on her nomination for the 2012 National Service Impact Awards. Lynn has been nominated by Volunteer Florida as an individual under the education category for the impact she’s had on the community of Jacksonville.

 The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service, seeks the best and brightest national service participants from around the country that are making an impact in their communities to receive National Service Impact Awards.

 “Under Carolyn’s leadership, the AmeriCorps program has grown exponentially in its success,” said CEO of Communities In Schools of Jacksonville, Jon Heymann. “She has the passion and numbers to prove that AmeriCorps is going the distance for these kids.”

 According to Duval County School statistics, 81 percent of students that have been aided by AmeriCorps have increased their reading scores by at least one letter grade, 89.5 percent have been promoted to the next grade, and 91 percent have shown overall improvement.

 The Service Impact Awards provide an opportunity to examine best practices and learn about innovative programs within the national service community while recognizing the contributions made through service and volunteering.

 Recipients will be announced and recognized at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service, June 18-20, 2012, in Chicago. This prize includes conference registration, round trip airfare, lodging, ground transportation, and a per diem.

Carolyn Lynn with some of her current AmeriCorps members

 Successful nominations are from current national service members and volunteers, as well as alumni and program directors. Programs and initiatives include Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, Learn & Serve America, Social Innovation Fund, Non-profit Capacity Building Fund, Volunteer Generation Fund, MLK Day of Service, September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance.

 Lynn attended Paxon High School and graduated from Florida Southern College with a bachelor’s degree in business marketing and a minor in psychology. She has been the director of the AmeriCorps program for over ten years.

 Communities In Schools is extremely proud and honored to have such a high caliber director working on our team.

To view Lynn’s nomination video click here: http://bit.ly/IAM6Pd

 The CIS AmeriCorps program operates on a matching grant.  Every dollar given pulls down 3 federal dollars.  To support this dynamic program, please donate today and become a part of the literacy effort in Jacksonville.

Terry Parker seniors with Terra Harold-Jackson

Communities In Schools of Jacksonville proudly celebrated the upcoming graduation of 225 Duval County Public School students who have partaken in the Student Enrichment Program.  This is the largest group of seniors to graduate in the 20 years of the program’s existence.  Students from Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technologies, Andrew Jackson, Asa Philip Randolph Academies of Technologies, Nathan B. Forrest, and Terry Parker High School were in attendance.

Asa Phillip Randolph Academies of Technology seniors with Ingrid Thomas

After being led in the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance by the Terry Parker High School color guard, Jon Heymann, CEO of CIS Jacksonville, kicked off the ceremonies inspiring the students with his words of wisdom.  He spoke directly to the students about their past and what is to come in their future, symbolized life to basketball and why they should not stray away from the pressures they will encounter.

Introduced next was former student Co’Relous Bryant, a graduate of Stanton Preparatory High School, and more recently, New York University.  Co’Relous was introduced to CIS’ Achievers For Life program over ten years ago when he was a student at Darnell Cookman Middle School.  He is a true success story of CIS, he was heading down the wrong path until his involvement in the mentorship program. 

Nathan B. Forrest seniors with Renata Hannans

He inspired the room as he moved from side to side, telling the students to live by the phrase: “Watch Me!” When disbelievers and antagonists told them they would never graduate, they should respond with nothing short of “Watch Me!”

Each school got its own moment to shine, students gave their testimonials of the impact CIS had made in their life and graduation success.  These testimonials were followed by presentations that ranged from the 2012 Cup Line of Frank H. Peterson to singing and lyrical dancing.

Frank H. Peterson seniors with MaryAnn Foster

Students were then presented, one by one, with a congratulatory hand shake from Jon Heymann, a graduation cord and hug from their respective site coordinator, and a CIS diploma, handed to them by Bill Hodges, Director of the Student Enrichment Program.

Andrew Jackson High School seniors with Theresa Tippins

Before lunch was served, students were presented with an opportunity to stay involved with Communities In Schools even after their new chapter in life has begun.  Dominic Cummings, another former CIS student and now a graduate of the University of North Florida, introduced the students to a project he himself played a big part in creating, the Communities In Schools Alumni Group.  The CIS Alumni Group is a great way for students to connect and share their past struggles as well as their success stories.

Bryant Says Communities In Schools Mentoring Program Key to His Success

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. – Co’Relous Bryant knows that, as a so-called “at-risk” student 10 years ago at Darnell Cookman Middle School, his life could have taken a different path. That knowledge inspires him as he prepares to speak next Tuesday to hundreds of local seniors getting ready to choose their own paths in life.

Bryant, now 23 and getting ready for law school, recently won the National Oratorical Championship. He will speak to 225 seniors graduating high school after completing Communities In Schools of Jacksonville’s Student Enrichment Program. The program uses achievement advocates to help students identified as in danger of dropping out.  The program, Bryant says, made the difference for him.

“The success I have now could not be possible without the kind of support and nurture that Communities In Schools provides,” Bryant said.

Bryant discovered Communities In Schools in seventh grade at Darnell Cookman. He said from the minute he received his first mentor, the support and encouragement he gained created a domino effect of opportunities.

“The Communities In Schools formula is one that I exemplify,” Bryant said. “I felt like I had a cheerleader and no reason to fail all through my journey because my mentors, and of course my mother, believed in me.”

In 2007, Bryant placed first in the American Legion National Oratorical Contest, advancing past 53 public speakers from across the World. He was the first National Oratorical Champion to win for the state of Florida since 1968.

During his collegiate career at NYU, Bryant competed on the mock trial team where he won a total of 25 Outstanding Attorney Awards. In 2010, his NYU team was crowned national champions. Bryant was the only college attorney on the national championship team to hold two speaker positions making him a five-time All American Attorney.

WHAT:                 Senior Celebration honoring 225 seniors in CIS Jacksonville’s Student Enrichment Program

 WHO:                   High school seniors from Andrew Jackson High School, Asa Philip Randolph Academies

of Technology, Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology, Nathan B. Forrest High

School and Terry Parker High School

WHERE:               Jacksonville Public Library, 303 N. Laura Street

 WHEN:                 April 24, 2012 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

 WHY:                    Motivate Senior High School Students to Continue Success post graduation

Communities In Schools operates America’s most successful dropout prevention program. Established in 1989, the Jacksonville affiliate serves more than 6,600 students in 45 schools annually with nationally recognized mentoring, scholarship, literacy, enrichment and after-school programs.

Click here to view the Florida Times Union article on Co’Relous Bryant http://bit.ly/IlqmVe 

The following article came out in yesterday’s paper and is linked below.   This is a wonderful description of the work we do!

http://m.jacksonville.com/opinion/editorials/2012-04-22/story/success-kids-under-radar

“May I never get too busy in my own affairs that I fail to respond to the needs of others with kindness and compassion.”–Thomas Jefferson 

It truly takes a generous person to offer his time and effort to make the lives of our students better. The difference that our volunteers make never goes unnoticed. The changes they make in the lives of our students will never be forgotten and Communities In Schools of Jacksonville will always be grateful to them. During Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 15-21), Communities In Schools of Jacksonville is showing our gratitude by highlighting all of our volunteers for their contributions.

Communities In Schools of Jacksonville’s volunteers make a commitmentto their children and provide them with the tools to build a brighter future. As Bill Milliken, founder of Communities In Schools, says, “It’s relationships, not programs, that change children.”  Many CIS volunteers are involved in the Achievers For Life mentor program, where they are partnered with a sixth grade student exhibiting risk factors with attendance and grades, to help guide the student through the school year.

Whether it is assistance with academics, moral support, or friendship, our volunteers are there. In 2011, over 700 individuals gave their time to help change the lives of 6,600 students. Even with hundreds of volunteers making an impact in our community, there are still over 50,000 “at-risk” students in our Jacksonville community. To lower this number and make Jacksonville a better place tomorrow, please consider getting involved with any of the following volunteer opportunities:

• Tutoring
• Mentor
• Speak at a school
• Spread the word
• Perform for our students
• Host a luncheon
• Coach
• Assist in the main office
• Participate in summer camp
• Donate
• Cater at an event
• Collect and distribute crafts, goods, food
• Assist in fundraising events

Principal Simpson at Reynolds Lane Elementary with TEAM UP students reading their new books

On Tuesday, April 10th, a large moving truck delivered numerous boxes containing 15,000 books, workbooks, educational CDs, and posters from Principle Woods, Inc., to Reynolds Lane Elementary School to be disbursed among those schools involved in Communities In Schools’ TEAM UP program. 

With 20 Duval County schools a part of the after-school program, elementary and middle school students will be able to take multiple books home to start up their own at home library.  “This is a great opportunity to put something positive in the homes of our youth,” proclaimed Eric Johnson, Director of TEAM UP.  “Giving out these books will be a celebration of literacy!”

Kindergarten students from Reynolds Lane Elementary with thier new books

The Principle Woods books are a collection of stories that address nine principles, including courage, work, and honesty.  Students will be able to follow lively characters as they learn the virtues necessary for living a principle-centered life while at the same time, build and enhance their reading skills.  

Delivery of the books was coordinated by TEAM UP site coordinators who sorted the books by grade level and then piled boxes upon boxes into their cars.  They each left prepared to make a difference in a student’s life by the end of the day. 

Communities In Schools and TEAM UP are excited to provide this opportunity for the students to enhance their enrichment after-school and during the summer.  TEAM UP is funded by the Jacksonville Children’s Commission in partnership with Duval County Public Schools and provides academic and enrichment activities Monday through Friday for three hours after school.

“It’s relationships, not programs, that change children.” – Bill Milliken

Jump Start Strings students from Reynolds Lane Elementary welcomed guests from all over Jacksonville with beautiful tunes flowing from their violins. The “Spotlight on Excellence” luncheon was organized to honor the Founder and Vice Chairman of Communities In Schools, Bill Milliken, the National Chairperson of Communities In Schools, Elaine Wynn, and all those who have given their support to make our community a better place.

Jon Heymann, CEO of Communities In Schools of Jacksonville, started the festivities with describing the core of what we do: build relationships with the children. Mr. Heymann went on to say, “We don’t build buildings, we build relationships”. 

Mr. Milliken reiterated the importance of relationships between students and staff as a catalyst for success. Communities In Schools, as he described, is comprised of three parts. The first being the stable relationships we build and grow each and every day. Second is how well the community comes together. Third is an equal delivery system. In some instances children may go to school but they are not treated equally or taught the same things.

Communities In Schools of Jacksonville provides both of these factors. We have a community that is willing to give back by building and maintaining student and staff relationships, and by giving and treating our students with equality and the utmost respect regardless of their home life.

“CIS is the best kept secret in America” stated Elaine Wynn, Director of Wynn Resorts. In response to the economic downturn, there has been a drop in donations and “we have had to do more with less” she explained.  CIS is the ONLY dropout prevention organization that has reduced dropouts, increased graduation rates, and shown improvements in math and reading.

Finally, Sachelle Cuffy, a senior at Terry Parker High School, shared her struggles and triumphs. She explained how Communities In Schools student advocate for Terry Parker High School, Terra Harold-Jackson, helped her get through obstacles and become who she is today, “a strong black woman”. Ms. Cuffy’stestimony and poetry brought tears to the eyes of both men and women and resulted in a roaring applause and standing ovation.

The effectiveness of Communities In Schools has been proven time and time again. We have and will continue to make our community a better place. As Mr. Milliken claimed, “we planted a seed and there is no telling how much influence will grow”.

For more pictures on this elegant event, Click here