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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

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.

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.

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.

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.

CISNCAP Site Coordinators: Asyja Smith, Vickie Freemen, Dextina Nebo and Yeabii Abebe

As Black History Month drew to a close and Women’s History Month began, the site coordinator for Communities in School at HD Woodson High School, Vickie Freeman, organized the Sister-Sister Vibes: Women Empowerment Brunch for approximately 40 students. The brunch was designed to introduce Black female students to the critical Divine Nine organizations, a group of nine historically African American fraternities and sororities that comprise the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and instill in them a strong sense of self-worth and empowerment in young black women, a goal Ms. Freeman is particularly passionate about. While the brunch focused on exposing Black female students to the four major Divine Nine organizations, Ms. Freeman also wanted the event to communicate to students a sense of self-worth and empowerment as young Black women. This message was echoed throughout the event as guest speakers Tia Brumsted, Education Assistant Superintendent for Health and Wellness Division of Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), and Dr. Faith Gibson-Hubbard, CISNCAP board member, emphasized the importance of sisterhood, community, and leadership as students prepared to embark on their journey after high school.

Ms. Brumsted shared with the students that she graduated from Spelman College [in Atlanta, Georgia], “I always knew that I was going to be a leader in some way. I always had those characteristics and had people in my life who told me that, but I didn’t fully understand it until I was in a safe environment. And so, seeing you all here today, from first-year students up to seniors to the amazing staff and community staff for this school, it is so amazing to know that you have this healing transformative space right in front of you every day already in high school.” Dr. Gibson-Hubbard noted in her comments to the students that the brunch itself was a reflection of the sisterhood that students could enjoy in sororities beyond HD Woodson. She stated, “…And know that there is plenty more sisterhood coming for you. This is just the beginning. There is so much more greatness.”

Following the event, Executive Director Rustin Lewis addressed a smaller group, highlighting that CISNCAP serves nearly 4,000 students across the District. Kudos to Vickie for her visionary approach to positively impacting female HD Woodson High School students. Thanks to H.D. Woodson High School leadership and staff for collaborating with CISNCAP on this successful event. The site coordinators tailor events and programming to meet the specific needs of their school community. He also expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support provided to our students by Ms. Brumsted and Dr. Gibson Hubbard through their inspiring words.

Please see the YouTube links for Ms. Tia Brumsted and Dr. Faith Gibson Hubbard’s inspiring presentations.

Dr. Gibson Hubbard: https://youtu.be/NSlPaZFQONc

Ms. Tia Brumsted: https://youtu.be/_fCLbWFOg0w

On Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Communities In Schools Executive Director, Dr. Rustin Lewis, participated in a panel on chronic absenteeism and truancy before the DC State Board of Education. Chronic absenteeism is defined as a student missing more than 10% of all school days, whether the absence is excused or unexcused. Over the course of a school year, that equates to over three weeks of missing classes. Dr. Lewis commented, “students are eager to attend and learn, and we are responsible for removing any obstacles that hinder them. Our Coordinators employ various successful methods to reduce chronic absenteeism: they provide incentives and recognition, offer support and intervention for students at risk of missing school, and create a positive and engaging environment.”    7News covered the event.

On Thursday, December 21st, Communities In Schools of the Nation’s Capital (CISNCAP) will host the 2nd Annual COMMUNITY WINTERLAND Holiday Party at Brookland Middle School. This festive event will celebrate the holiday season with 20 CISNCAP caseload students and 18 CISNCAP/Children’s Inc. sponsored students. The children will enjoy a pizza, punch, and cupcake feast and express their gratitude by writing “Thank You” cards and letters to their Children’s Inc. sponsors and other supporters. They will also spread holiday cheer by creating cards for the young residents of the Ronald McDonald House of Greater Washington, DC.
We are excited to announce that Mrs. Sharae Long, Sr. Director of People from Class Inc., will be our honored guest. Class Inc. has generously pledged to donate $1,000 in gift cards for our students. We also look forward to donating gift cards and sponsorships from our collaborative partner, Angel Tree.
“I believe it’s essential for my caseload students to understand the value of giving back and sharing joy with others, especially during the holiday season,” says Ms. LaTroy Bailey, CISNCAP/Brookland Middle School Coordinator.
Support CISNCAP by donating at Donate – Communities in Schools – Nation’s Capital (cisnationscapital.org).

Burrville Elementary Principal Dr. Chunita Pilgrim, DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson, and Adeola Lawal

What an amazing evening! A group of passionate and dedicated individuals came together to support DC students. The event recognized Dr. Chunita Pilgrim, Principal of Burrville Elementary School, who was awarded the Principal of the Year Award. Kim Lawal and Adeola Lawal accepted the Partner of the Year Award on behalf of the Children’s Gift Foundation.

Burrville Elementary School, also known as the Ville on the Hill, is located in Ward 7 and serves 278 students in grades PK3-5. According to the DCPS School Profiles Home website, the school’s PARCC Math Student Performance for the academic year 2022-23 is 22-23%.

CISNCAP has been in partnership with Burrville Elementary School since 2018. The relationship between CISNCAP and Burrville Elementary has been successful partly due to the close and trusting relationship that Principal Pilgrim created with her CISNCAP Site Coordinator, Asja Smith. Ms. Smith said, “Principal Pilgrim’s vision for Burrville is truly remarkable. She inspires and motivates everyone around her to become the best version of themselves. Under her leadership, the school has grown significantly each year, and it’s no surprise that the Ville on the Hill is on top. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and passion for education are truly inspiring.”

The Children’s Gift Foundation was also honored at the event. The Foundation has partnered with CISNCAP since 2004 and provides resources such as clothing, shoes, canned food, and hygiene products to students enrolled in our ten partner schools.

The Children’s Gift Foundation’s mission is to provide underserved, at-risk, and homeless children with new educational supplies, apparel, and other resources, free of charge from infanthood to age eighteen.

“The Foundation provides CISNCAP with essential resources that help students overcome barriers that impede their focus and success,” said Dr. Lewis. 

The Honorable DC Councilman Chairman Phil Mendelson opened the reception by sharing his excitement and reassurance that he was familiar with the critical needs of DC students and clearly understood how the partnership between CISNCAP, Burrville Elementary School, and the Children’s Gift Foundation all work seamlessly together to create a community of support for DC Students.