Nov 17Arts Organizations Face Challenges in Wake of Pandemic, but Commitment to Providing Students Arts Education Remains Strong for CIS and its PartnersA report commissioned by Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) released last month confirmed what our Community Partnership Team has been reporting for some time: Chicago’s arts and cultural sector is facing major challenges. Since the pandemic darkened theaters and performance venues, people’s patronage of in-person arts…Arts And Culture4 min readArts And Culture4 min read
Oct 13School Partners Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with CIS’ SupportHispanic Heritage Month provides a time for our team at CIS of Chicago to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic Americans. We celebrate the tens of thousands of Hispanic American students and families we serve across 238 Chicago Public Schools. We celebrate our Hispanic American team members and…Hispanic Heritage Month3 min readHispanic Heritage Month3 min read
Sep 29Attendance: A Top Priority for CIS of Chicago’s TeamSeptember is Attendance Awareness Month, and Communities In Schools (CIS) of Chicago’s team of trained clinicians are working this fall to help students start the school year strong, come to school on time, and have the resources they need to succeed. CIS Student Supports Managers are master’s level professionals with…Public Schools3 min readPublic Schools3 min read
Aug 21CIS Helps Schools Maximize Partnership Through New School OrientationBy Katie Rankin, Communications Specialist, Communities In Schools of Chicago 238 Chicago Public Schools. 63 Chicago communities. Tens of thousands of students served. The stats are staggering. Communities In Schools (CIS) of Chicago is starting off the 2023–24 school year with its largest presence in organizational history. This school year…Education3 min readEducation3 min read
Aug 10Summer Institute Prepares CIS Community Partners for an Impactful School YearBy Katie Rankin, Communications Specialist, Communities In Schools of Chicago The back-to-school season is here, and while students, families, and teachers are preparing to return to the classroom, so are the community organizations who support them. This month, the Partnership Team at Communities In Schools (CIS) of Chicago hosted Summer…Chicago2 min readChicago2 min read
Aug 4Do the Write Thing Amplifies the Voices of Chicago’s Middle SchoolersEach year, young people across the city respond to the call to end youth violence through the Do the Write Thing challenge. — An initiative through the National Campaign to Stop Violence, Do the Write Thing is a national writing program that empowers middle-school students to examine the impact that youth violence has on their lives, communicate what they think should be done to reduce youth violence, and become catalysts for change.Writing4 min readWriting4 min read
Jun 27Recognizing Our Partners Who Go Above and BeyondUnsung heroes are those who work hard, achieve results, and make brave decisions without notice or praise. They are folks who go above and beyond, not because they will be rewarded but simply because it’s the right thing to do. …Education3 min readEducation3 min read
Jun 21The Importance of Exploring Career Options Early OnBy Katie Rankin, Communications Specialist, Communities In Schools of Chicago What are your plans after you graduate? It’s an anticipated (and sometimes dreaded) question for high school students. One that’s asked by family and strangers alike and one that can induce excitement or hesitancy. Having plans after graduation is important. Research shows young people who develop postsecondary…Education3 min readEducation3 min read
Jun 2Collaborating to Deepen Student Experiences and ImpactBy Katie Rankin, Communications Specialist, Communities In Schools of Chicago Relationships are at the heart of Communities In Schools (CIS) of Chicago. They are integral to CIS’ work with students, with families, with teachers and administrators, and with community organizations in our partner network. The relationships CIS’ team forms are…Education4 min readEducation4 min read
May 30Celebrate the First Graduating Class of Covid — and the Role Public Schools Played in Getting Them Through the PandemicBy B.E. St. John, Chief Innovation and Communications Officer, Communities In Schools of Chicago Starting this week, Chicago’s high school seniors will turn the tassels on their mortarboards and become official graduates. In any year, graduating from high school is cause for celebration. …Education4 min readEducation4 min read
