Pictured: Site Coordinator LaTroy Bailey welcomes a student at Brookland Middle School  

As the sun rose over Washington, DC, on the first day of school, the streets buzzed with a familiar rhythm: buses humming, crosswalks filling, and backpacks slung over shoulders. For many students returning this year, there was more than just the usual first-day nerves. Uncertainty hung in the air, influenced by the broader community challenges facing the city and the well-being of its youth. Yet, inside the schools, a different atmosphere awaited—one filled with warmth, reassurance, and joy.

Across the city, with school staff, Communities In Schools (CIS) Site Coordinators stood ready, eager to welcome their students with open arms, friendly smiles, and a clear message: You belong here. You are safe. You are supported.

At Brookland Middle School, that message came to life through the care and presence of CISNCAP Site Coordinator LaTroy Bailey. Stationed right at the school’s entrance, LaTroy greeted each student by name. She handed every student a lanyard and card holder, a simple but thoughtful gesture. It was a small gesture with a significant impact—one rooted in understanding the everyday challenges her students face. “Many Brookland students rely on Metro to get to school, and too often, their Metro cards go missing in the shuffle of backpacks and lockers.  I knew a lot of them would forget or lose their Metro cards by next week,” she said with a laugh. “So we’re starting the year prepared.”

It wasn’t just the lanyards that stood out; it was LaTroy’s energy, her presence, and her words that made an impression. “Let’s start this year right,” LaTroy told them with a beaming smile. “You’ve got this, and if you need anything, you know where to find me.” And they did. New students were taken to her office personally, ensuring they felt comfortable seeking her out. Returning students gave her hugs or fist-bumps.

All across the city, CISNCAP Site Coordinators echoed that same spirit, offering affirmation, encouragement, and essential resources like school supplies, hygiene products, and uniforms. Whether a student needed help navigating their schedule, a quiet moment to breathe, or just a familiar face in a sea of new ones, CISNCAP Site Coordinators are there.

In a time when uncertainty can feel overwhelming for young people in Washington, DC, the first day of school reminds us of the profound power of presence. CISNCAP Site Coordinators, like LaTroy Bailey, are more than employees; they are anchors, mentors, and champions for our students. Thanks to their unwavering commitment, students across Washington, DC didn’t just walk back into school; they stepped into a community that sees their potential, believes in their dreams, and stands beside them every step of the way.