Page 25 - Walton Living

Education
Communities In Schools Opens

Program at Social Circle Middle
and High Schools

hen students returned to school last fall at Social Circle Mid- Walton County
Wdle and High Schools, they were greeted by some friendly
new faces. Lisa Callahan and Kaitlynn Mockett serve as the new Communities in Schools surrounds students
Communities In Schools site coordinators for the two schools, with a community of support, empowering
rounding out CIS services in every middle and high school in Wal- them to stay in school and achieve in life.
ton County.
“We are delighted to be able to serve these new schools, and so Communities in Schools provides school-wide
grateful to the school administrators and board members for mak- drop-out prevention services, serving more than
ing it possible,” said Angela Yarman, executive director of CIS. 8,500 students in schools across Walton County.
Communities In Schools of Walton County is the local affiliate of We work one-on-one with more than 350
the nation’s largest dropout prevention network. The organization students helping them overcome their
places a sta member inside local schools to help students overcome personal barriers to success.
their personal barriers to success. The program employs a unique
model that has been tested and developed over 40 years and is prov-
en to help students stay in school, graduate and become successful SOCIAL CIRCLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
CARVER MIDDLE SCHOOL
adults. LOGANVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Students are served in three tiers based on their needs. Tier 1 YOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL
services like career fairs and field trips, life skills training, college SOCIAL CIRCLE MIDDLE SCHOOL
access programs along with basic resources like school supplies, LOGANVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
clothing and food, are available to all students in the school. Tier MONROE AREA HIGH SCHOOL
2 programs address small groups of students who have a common WALNUT GROVE HIGH SCHOOL
need like attendance support or behavior interventions. Students SOCIAL CIRCLE HIGH SCHOOL
who need one-on-one support to develop and reach specific goals
are served at Tier 3.
CIS site coordinators are working each school day in nine schools We believe every child needs and
across Walton County. In addition to all middle and high schools, deserves these five basics:
the program serves the elementary school in Social Circle. More
than 8500 students receive school-wide services and more than 350 • A one-on-one relationship with a caring adult
receive one-on-one support. • A safe place to learn and grow
• A healthy start and a healthy future
“We know these programs make a di erence to the individual • A marketable skill to use upon graduation
students we serve and to the performance of their schools as a • A chance to give back to peers and community
whole,” said Keith Prather, chairman of the CIS board of direc-
tors. “It is important to have the whole community involved in Contact us and follow our blog at
helping students succeed. When more students graduate, everyone www.CISWalton.org
wins.”

Walton Living Magazine 25