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Rustin Lewis: Tackling chronic absenteeism requires collective action

Posted on by Tom Hay
As someone with more than 20 years of experience in youth development in DC, I have witnessed firsthand the importance of collective action in driving positive student outcomes, especially for our most vulnerable populations. As students across the District return to school, our city must come together to deal with a crisis that, if left unaddressed, will have long-term consequences for our children and our community.

According to the D.C. Policy Center’s most recent “State of D.C. Schools” annual report, 44% of students were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, with absenteeism rates still significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, which stood at 29% during the 2018-19 school year. Among high school students, chronic absenteeism was especially alarming, reaching 60%.

As a resident of Ward 7, a father and a leader of a nonprofit organization that supports students across the city, particularly those in schools east of the Anacostia River, I understand the immense pressure on individual school leaders to address this issue. However, this is not a challenge that can be overcome within the confines of a single school building, a single system or even a single solution.

With the start of the 2024-25 school year, we have a unique opportunity to reimagine how we support our youth and address the barriers that have kept so many from the classroom. This is not just about getting students back into school buildings; it’s about creating an environment where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to learn. We have the chance to implement strategies that not only reduce absenteeism but also foster a culture of engagement and success.

This moment calls for bold action and a collective commitment to invest in our children’s futures. Together, we can turn the tide on chronic absenteeism and help every student achieve their full potential. We need to provide school leaders with the autonomy and funding necessary to implement proactive and positive strategies to combat absenteeism. These steps should include:

  • Offering rewards and recognition to students for regular attendance
  • Providing targeted support and interventions to students at risk of missing school
  • Creating a positive and engaging school environment that encourages attendance
  • Expanding wraparound services that address the various needs of students and their families
  • Conducting home visits to strengthen connections between schools and families
  • Fostering meaningful relationships between students and caring adults in the school community

I speak from experience because this is the work that I do every day, alongside my dedicated colleagues at Communities in Schools of the Nation’s Capital. This past school year alone, our team supported over 4,000 students and families, helping them overcome the obstacles that stood in the way of their academic and personal success.  And our outcomes speak for themselves:

  • 65% of our students improved attendance.
  • 100% stayed in school.
  • 100% graduated.
  • 79% improved academics.
  • 90% of our students improved behavior.

The solution to this crisis is not merely to compel students back to school but to understand and remove the barriers that keep them away. Whether it’s poverty, health issues, violence, transportation challenges, or family responsibilities, these obstacles must be addressed head-on. We have a unique opportunity to invest in proven strategies that can make a real difference.

By providing students with the necessary incentives, interventions and supportive relationships, we can help them overcome their challenges and see school as a safe and nurturing environment. Students who complete high school and pursue higher education or career opportunities are more likely to return to their communities and contribute positively to society.

This school year, we owe it to our students, to the residents of this city, and to the rich legacy and hopeful future of Washington, DC, to invest in strategies that reduce chronic absenteeism. Now is the time to act — let’s ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

 You may donate online at Donate – Communities in Schools – Nation’s Capital
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A Warm Solution to Chronic Absenteeism

Posted on by Tom Hay

(Pictured is Site Coordinator Aylin Reyes)

The Communities In Schools of the Nation’s Capital site coordinator at Cardozo Education Campus,  Aylin Reyes encountered numerous challenges affecting student attendance, including family responsibilities, work schedules, and transportation issues. However, as winter approached and temperatures began to drop, another significant barrier emerged: the lack of appropriate clothing for cold weather. Many students arrived at school without warm clothing, making it difficult for them to attend regularly and concentrate on their studies.

Determined to make a positive impact, Site Coordinator Reyes collaborated with Cardozo’s parent coordinator to initiate a coat drive. Together, they reached out to the community, encouraging them to donate jackets. Franklin Hall Restaurant and Whole Foods on Florida Avenue generously agreed to host donation boxes where local residents could contribute jackets, gloves, scarves, and hats.

The response was overwhelming. They collected 60 new jackets, 25 pairs of gloves, and 10 hats. On November 15th, a distribution event was held after school, allowing students to choose the items they needed to stay warm.

The coat drive was a success! Students who were struggling to keep warm left with smiles, bundled up in their new winter gear. This simple act of kindness not only provided them with the warmth they needed but also helped remove a significant barrier to their education. With the cold weather no longer a concern, these students can now focus on what truly matters: their learning.

To donate to Communities in Schools of the Nation’s Capital, which surrounds students with a community of support and removes barriers, visit Donate – Communities in Schools – Nation’s Capital

  • Special thanks goes to Franklin Hall, Whole Foods and MGM Corporation.

Communities In Schools of the Nation’s Capital Reaching More Students!

Posted on by Tom Hay

Communities In Schools of the Nation’s Capital announces it will join the second cohort of grantees to receive funding for the Communities In Schools® (CIS®) national Scaling for Success initiative. CISNCAP will receive a grant to expand its reach to 1,000 new students for the 2024-2025 school year.

This investment enables Communities In Schools, in partnership with school districts and local schools, to provide critical coordinated resources to students through a trained professional who can help connect them to the supports and services needed to succeed in school.

“I am excited to announce that with the new funding, we are partnering with MacArthur High School’s Principal McCray and Sojourner Truth Public Charter School’s Executive Director Justin Lessek to open two new schools this school year,” said CISNCAP Executive Director Rustin Lewis. “We will also add two new site coordinators at Eastern and HD Woodson High Schools.  Our expansion and deepening underscore the importance of providing a full-time site coordinator who can assess the needs of the students, build relationships, and mobilize resources.  One of my priorities is to expand and collaborate with school leaders who value relationship-centered student case management.”

CISNCAP recognizes the importance of fully supporting students. When students begin the school year with adequate resources, support, and a caring adult, they are more likely to attend school and graduate.

In the 2024-2025 academic year, we anticipate serving 5,300 students and case-managing 500 students across our 11-school network. This growth is made possible by the addition of four new coordinators, which will significantly enhance our capacity to provide Tier 1, 2, and 3 services.

By bringing caring adults into the schools to address children’s unmet needs, we provide the link between educators and the community. The result: teachers are free to teach, and students – many in jeopardy of dropping out – have the opportunity to focus on learning. Support our mission by becoming a donor. Your contribution will provide students with essential wraparound services, helping them overcome barriers and stay in school.

Getting To Know You! Site Coordinator: Angeline Pino-Silva

Posted on by Tom Hay

Angeline Pino-Silva is the CISNCAP Site Coordinator at Stuart-Hobson Middle School in Ward 6.

 

Are you originally from DC? If not, where are you from, and how long have you lived in the area?

My name is Angeline Pino-Silva. I was born and raised in the Little Havana neighborhood in Miami, Florida. I first moved to Washington, D.C. seven years ago in 2017. I have lived and worked in the Columbia Heights, Petworth, Chinatown, and H Street neighborhoods.

What are your hobbies?

I love learning languages! I am proficient in English, Spanish, French and Italian, while working on trying to learn Arabic. I also enjoy traveling and spending time with my family and my dog, Yuna.

What motivates or inspires you?

When I was a teen, I met mentors through community service that empowered me to become engaged in my community, and to have a voice. They were able to see potential in me before I was able to see it in myself. Through my role as a site coordinator, I am motivated to work with our resilient families and brave youth to connect them to resources that can empower them in their own choices for the future.

Do you have a favorite quote? If so, what is it and who said it?

Yes! I actually have it on my wall for our students in my office.

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” –Benjamin Franklin

What’s going on at your school this summer, and how many kids are being supported?

Stuart-Hobson is currently hosting summer school for several schools in the area! It is actively filled with students for Summer school and enrichment from 9:00-4:00.

Only about four of my caseload students are in summer school. I have continued to check-in with them and to communicate with parents as they transition into a new school year. In the meantime, Summer has been the best time to connect with partnering organizations and school administration about possible partnerships and Tier 2 offerings for the upcoming school year.

What are you looking forward to doing in the upcoming school year?

This upcoming school year, the Assistant Principal and I are working on a Cosmetology club for our young girls and students who are interested in participating. We are very excited to bring in different professionals to speak with and teach our young girls how they might be able to be entrepreneurs.

 

WTOP News: Kids were missing school because their clothes were dirty. A DC group stepped in to help.

Posted on by Tom Hay

Site Coordinator Phoebee Jean and Stanton Elementary School Principal Richardson.

WTOP news reporter Scott Gelman recently interviewed two CISNCAP Site Coordinators about their efforts to address chronic absenteeism at their school.

Kids were missing school because their clothes were dirty. A DC group stepped in to help

CISNCAP Joins Rally to Save Community Schools

Posted on by Tom Hay

The Bowser Administration has proposed to cut funding for Community Schools in the 2025 budget plan. This decision has been met with concern by a coalition of organizations, including Mary’s Center, the Latin American Youth Center, the Washington Teachers Union, EmpowerEd, and School Talk (see picture). Collectively we visited several councilmember offices in the Wilson Building: Chairman Mendelson, Councilmembers R. White (At-Large), Bonds (At-Large), Henderson (At-Large), McDuffie (At-Large), Nadeau (Ward 1), Pinto (Ward 2), Frumin (Ward 3), George (Ward 4), Parker (Ward 5), Allen (Ward 6), Gray (Ward 7), Parker and T. White (Ward 8), urging them to reverse the proposed elimination of the Community Schools funding.
The proposed cuts are particularly alarming in light of the high truancy rates recorded during the last academic year. Six out of ten high school students in the District missed more than 10% of school days during the 2023-2024 academic year. The potential loss of this funding would have dire implications for students, families, and the community who rely on Community School coordinators for support. For instance, students would be deprived of crucial information about school and community resources, and assistance with navigating health services and promoting family involvement in school activities could also become more challenging. The withdrawal of Community Schools funding could exacerbate truancy rates, further complicating our community’s educational and social issues.
Therefore, we respectfully ask that the Mayor and Council reinstate funding for Community Schools next year. The future of our children depends on it.

Many Hands Celebrates 20 Years

Posted on by Tom Hay

Communities In Schools of the Nation’s Capital congratulates Many Hands for 20 years of supporting non-profits in the DC area. In a video highlighting their work, CISNCAP Executive Director, Dr. Rustin Lewis, comments on how support from Many Hands has helped CISNCAP support Washington, DC students. In 2023 CISNCAP was awarded the Many Hands Impact Grant.

CISNCAP Students Attend DC Youth Health Summit

Posted on by Tom Hay

Site Coordinators from Communities in Schools of the Nation’s Capital (CISNCAP) recently accompanied nearly 50 students from Eastern High School, Cardozo Education Campus, and HD Woodson High School to the HAHSTA (The HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Administration) Youth Summit. The event, organized by DC Health, was held at the MLK Public Library and aimed to promote sexual health awareness and encourage early detection of STIs/HIV among high school students. During the Summit, students participated in physical activities, received STI/HIV screenings, and attended educational sessions. This strategic partnership between CISNCAP and DC Health broadened the support network for CISNCAP students, providing them with a community of support to help them stay in school and succeed.

 

Breaking News!

Posted on by Tom Hay

CISNCAP has been awarded the 2024 fiscal year (FY) DC Community Schools Incentive Initiative Grant, totaling $316,535.82. This grant is aimed at enhancing the community school programs at Stuart Hobson Middle School and Stanton Elementary School. CISNCAP Director Dr. Lewis expressed excitement about receiving the grant and collaborating with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Principals Allen Richardson (Stanton Elementary School) and Eric Fraser (Stuart Hobson Middle School) to ensure that their students can receive case management support and a range of wraparound services offered by CISNCAP. Over the past five years, 65% of the students under our case management have shown improvement in attendance, 97% have improved their behavior, and 78% have improved their academics. Moreover, 95% of our case-managed students in grades K-11 progress to the next grade each year, while 99% of our seniors graduate. This collaborative approach has resulted in transformational outcomes for students enrolled in our ten partnering DCPS schools.