High school graduation is a special ceremony, carrying great significance to each graduate and immense pride to those who supported them. It’s the closing of a chapter and the beginning of a fresh page. It denotes great accomplishment and hope for a long journey of successes ahead. For most, commencement means entering the workforce, college, technical school or the military. For the students of Communities in Schools (CIS) of Glynn, it may mean even more. These kids have made it to the stage to receive their diploma while hurdling adult-size problems and challenges that many other students may not have faced. Turning their tassels signifies a mighty achievement. For the staff, board of directors and supporters of CIS of Glynn, it marks another successful school year of changing lives.
CIS of Glynn works tirelessly to prevent students from dropping out of school by surrounding them with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Following this mission, CIS focuses on increasing the graduation rate by providing services and support to enable students to overcome those life challenges they face. CIS currently serves eight schools in Glynn County: Brunswick High School, Glynn Academy, Glynn Middle School, Needwood Middle School, Altama Elementary School, Burroughs-Molette Elementary School, Goodyear Elementary School, and Glynn Learning Center. McIntosh County Academy joined CIS of Glynn for the 2020-2021 school year thanks to the generous funding support from The Sapelo Foundation and diligent work by former active CIS program member and McIntosh County superintendent Dr. Jim Pulos. At each of the schools, CIS hires a site coordinator who works with school administrators to determine which students are in need of intervention. They meet with these students, their teachers, the CIS staff, and in some cases their parents and/or social workers to devise a plan and address the issues to improve academics and behavior. “A lot of our work is behind the scenes,” says Tonya Barbee, Clinical Program Manager for CIS. Tonya uses a specific training method with site coordinators and CIS staff, applying research-based language on a developmental framework of five levels. The first—just listen and be warm.
Chris Moncus
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Photos by Chris Moncus Photography
The support needed varies for each student, as all have individualized needs. From providing eyeglasses to a child strugglingto make out words or numbers to finding the right tutor for after-school help or more intensive approaches to provide therapy for a child in need, CIS gathers the resources required to find solutions. By working alongside the Glynn County School System, CIS of Glynn case manages those students most at-risk of dropping out of school by tracking academic, behavior and attendance data and providing the support they need to stay focused on the goal of graduation and success in life. They believe that every child needs and deserves the “Five Basic Needs”: a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult, a safe place to learn and grow, a healthy start and a healthy future, a marketable skill to use upon graduation, and a chance to give back to peers and the community.
While successful promotion to the next grade level is the goal for all students, high school caseloads remain the largest among all levels of CIS’ nine schools. CIS served more than 531 students in the Glynn County School System during the 2019-2020 school year. For the third consecutive year, 100% of students at Brunswick High School and Glynn Academy who received CIS services graduated from high school. Promotion rates from last school year reached 97.7% among all levels. When CIS of Glynn was formed in the mid-2000s, Glynn County’s overall graduation rate was just above 50%. CIS has become an integral partner in helping to increase graduation rates by more than 40% over the past 15 years by providing a community-wide focus on a systemic problem. The organization is proud to have grown from two high schools to nine schools of all levels, but they won’t be stopping there.
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Communities in Schools BHS grad
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Communities in Schools GA grad
CIS of Glynn is dynamic in its approach to problem solving, providing distinct support to each student throughout their school career as well as changing needs and resources during the school year. 2020 was a year marked with new challenges for all, and certainly for those in education. Glynn County Schools have seen school closings through hurricanes and severe weather advisories for unknown amounts of time in the past, but nothing like the impact of the global pandemic starting in March of last year. CIS of Glynn’s team sprang to action to overcome students’ academic obstacles faced by transitioning to virtual learning, to provide basic needs students normally would receive attending school, and went beyond the call of duty to be sure these kids had what they needed to stay in school and achieve in life.
CIS of Glynn is indescribably proud of the 47 students at Brunswick High School and Glynn Academy that received their diplomas after the 2019-2020 school year, socially distanced in masks at the Glynn County stadium with plans to continue their education with a bachelor’s (37 graduates) or associate degree (3 students), attend a technical school (5 students), or join the military (2 students). CIS also congratulates the 175 elementary school students, 158 middle school students and 139 undergraduate high school students in the program that were promoted to the next grade level after the 2019-2020 school year. 2021 has brought great promise for three CIS graduates that signed letters of intent to receive college football scholarships, as well as four seniors that graduated early in January.
Brunswick High School, Glynn Academy and McIntosh County Academy seniors in the CIS program will finish well in 2021. Despite the shift to virtual learning, distress generated from increasing needs, uncertainties of the days to come in education and in life, and all the emotions and personal strife that ambiguity caused these developing children, the CIS of Glynn seniors and underclassmen have worked with profound diligence to overcome their circumstances. CIS of Glynn’s staff and Board of Directors are immensely proud of these students and thankful to the Glynn and McIntosh County School Systems, business community, foundations, government entities, and individual partners that dedicate their time, talents and resources to the CIS mission.
Communities In Schools of Glynn invites you to join them in celebrating student successes and supporting the mission to continue promoting all students while rockin’ out under the stars at their eighth annual fundraising event: Junebalaya! A summer spin on past favorites Shamrockin’ and Jambalaya, this event will be one you won’t want to miss! Mark your calendars and come support the kids on Sunday, June 6th, at the scenic Village Creek Landing on St. Simons Island. Nashville-by-way-of-Athens duo The Tuten Brothers will perform, blending classic country with soulful rock ‘n roll. Check out more about them at tutenbrothers.com and find their music on Apple Music, Spotify or YouTube. Tickets are $100 and include beverages and delicious Mexican food from Jefecitas Mobile Kitchen, a family partner of Gnat’s Landing (SSI) and The Place (Athens). Visit jefecitasmobilekitchen.com to “follow [their] road trip” and view the incredible menu options.
Junebalaya poster
Ticket purchases can easily be made via Venmo to @CIS-Glynn38. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for businesses, restaurants and individuals looking to make a lasting impact to the organization. Sponsorship packages range from $250 to $5,000 and include tickets, print and banner ad placement and recognition on CIS’ social media pages. Contact Casey Cate at ccate@cisglynn.org or 912.223.4641 to purchase tickets, reserve your sponsorship, or any other inquiries. Tickets are limited, so don’t wait!
Unable to attend? Donations can made via Venmo (@CIS-Glynn38), online at glynncounty.communitiesinschools.org or made payable to Communities In Schools of Glynn County and mailed to P.O. Box 2318, Brunswick, GA 31521. Items always in need include backpacks, general school supplies, non-perishable snacks, socks, undergarments, coats and personal hygiene items. 100 percent of donations go directly toward student support and are 100% tax deductible. Contact Casey to arrange item drop-offs.
Follow CIS of Glynn on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on ways you can be a part of the CIS organization. Together we can ensure that all our Glynn and McIntosh County students are able to stay in school, graduate and achieve in life. As CIS continues to expand, serving more students and their families, the impact grows and influences why Coastal Georgia is an incredible place to live, work, and raise a family. Join CIS of Glynn today in keeping their mission alive for the betterment of the community we all call home.
