Mission — Communities in Schools of Laredo, Inc.

Mission & Beliefs

Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

The Five Basic Principles of CIS

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• 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
• A chance to give back to peers and community

Communities In Schools is a Dropout Prevention Program

Through campus-based programs and special projects, Communities In Schools creates a network of volunteers, social services, businesses, and community resources that work together to break down barriers and help students succeed.

Six Components of the CIS Model

1. Supportive Guidance & Counseling

2. Health & Human Services

3. Parent & Family Engagement

4. College & Career Awareness

5. Enrichment Activities

6. Academic Support

Our History

In July of 1990, Gary Jacobs and Marcia Deutsch introduced the concept of Communities In Schools to community leaders. After the initial presentation, both school districts accepted and supported the program to enter into its schools. A Board of Directors was organized with Ms. Elvia Gonzalez elected as President, Vice-President Mr. Humberto Trevino (Laredo Independent School District), Vice-President Ms. Linda Mora (United Independent School District), Secretary Ms. Tina Trevino and Treasurer Mr. Gerardo Mejia. Upon establishing the Board of Directors the financial and incorporation status for Communities In Schools of Laredo was established.

In January of 1991 the first two high school campuses were opened for operations. Within the next year, funding was acquired through the D.D. Hachar Foundation and two additional middle schools were opened. Currently, the Communities In Schools of Laredo Program serves three elementary schools, five middle schools, nine high schools and three alternative schools.

CIS Laredo is about helping youth

Communities In Schools of Laredo is about helping young people to stay in school, successfully learn and prepare for life by coordinating the connection of needed community resources in the schools that we serve. CIS believes that keeping kids in school is more than a school problem. It’s a community problem involving parents, neighbors, health‐care providers, business leaders, social workers, counselors, mentors, tutors, and volunteers as part of the solution. Communities In Schools of Laredo brings resources, volunteers and service providers into the schools and enables them to work as one coordinated team.

CIS can help your child

• Improve their participation in class
• Feel more confident and better about themselves
• Deal with life issues
• Improve their grades and attendance
• Receive outside assistance
• Improve behavior and attitude toward school and life
• Stay in school
• Graduate
• Prepare for college
• Explore career opportunities

CIS offers the following to students

• Support to address personal issues
• After school activities
• Tutoring
• Homework support
• College and career preparation
• Mentoring
• Drug and gang prevention
• Peer pressure, self-esteem and anger management support
• Community agency referrals
• Volunteer hours

CIS Supports Parents

CIS understands that parental involvement is very important for a student’s success. CIS supports parents by:
• Helping parents become more involved and familiar with the school
• Connecting them to counselors, social workers, as well as other school and community resources
• Promoting parent-teacher relationships
• Hosting parent meetings
• Providing community agency referrals

Performance Student Outcomes

29 Partner Schools

95% Graduation Rate

99% Stayed in School

85% Met Attendance Goals

86% Met Academic Goals

89% Met Behavior Goals

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life of a child in need.

ADVOCATE

Raise your voice on behalf of millions of
children in danger of dropping out of school.

EVENTS

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See how you can work with us.