A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Stepping into the new year, our mission at Communities In Schools of Chesterfield remains the same: showing up for students with the support, care, and connections they need to succeed. What does change is how we continue to grow, engage our community, and find new ways to support that work.
In this edition of the newsletter, you’ll find updates on what’s ahead in the coming months—including a CIS Bus Tour and our Inaugural Adult Spelling Bee fundraiser, which we’re super excited to host this spring.
You’ll also find ways to get involved as we celebrate Mentor Appreciation Month, honoring the dedicated mentors who make a meaningful difference in students’ lives every day.
As we begin this new year, I invite you to stay connected, get involved, and join us in celebrating both what’s new and what remains at the heart of our work. Together, we can continue to show up for students—this year and beyond.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Ashley Hall
Executive Director
THANK YOU FOR SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER!
We are incredibly thankful for the generosity of our community this holiday season. Because of your Angel Tree donations, volunteer support, and heartfelt giving, more than 500 students across the 16 schools we serve experienced the joy of receiving meaningful gifts—from new clothes to toys and more.
Your kindness helped bring comfort, excitement, and hope to students and families throughout Chesterfield. We are so grateful for your support and for the role you play in making this work possible.
HENSHAW GRANTS: BRINGING HANDS-ON LEARNING TO LIFE
January is Mentor Appreciation Month, and we’re celebrating the dedicated mentors who make a difference in the lives of CIS of Chesterfield students every day. Through encouragement, consistency, and care, our mentors help students build confidence, strengthen social-emotional skills, and stay connected to school.
Want to get involved?
There are several meaningful ways to support our mentoring programs:
Become a mentor: Commit just a small amount of time each month to make a lasting impact in a student’s life.
Support our mentors: Help us recognize and celebrate mentors through in-kind donations or making a financial gift.
Spread the word: Share our mentoring opportunities with friends, coworkers, or community groups who may be looking for a way to give back.
👉 Learn more or get involved: https://www.cisofchesterfield.org/engage/
HOP ON THE BUS: JANUARY CIS BUS TOUR
Ever wondered what Communities In Schools of Chesterfield looks like in action? Join us for a CIS Bus Tour on Friday, January 16, 2026, and go inside three partner schools: Marguerite Christian Elementary, Carver Middle, and L.C. Bird High.
You’ll meet our Site Coordinators, learn how CIS supports students and families, and see firsthand how relationships and resources make a difference.
Seats are limited—reserve your spot today!
Questions? Contact Wendy Lively at [email protected].
SAVE THE DATE: CIS-C ADULT SPELLING BEE
Can you spell F-U-N? 🐝
Save the date for our Inaugural Adult Spelling Bee fundraiser—a fun & fresh twist on a school-day favorite!
📅 Saturday, May 2, 2026
📍 Wrexham Hall
⏰ 6–9 PM
Get ready for friendly competition, lots of laughs, and community impact—all in support of local students. More details buzzing your way soon!
CIS RESOURCE CORNER
January brings fresh beginnings! A strong start to the year begins with showing up. Consistent school attendance helps students stay connected, build confidence, and succeed both academically and socially.
If your student is struggling with attendance, it’s not too late to get back on track. Here are some resources to help get them started!
Attendance Information and Resources for Parents: Partnerships between families and teachers are important for helping children arrive on time, every day. By having frequent communication with your child’s teacher, you can gain information that will help you help your child arrive at school, every day, ready to learn.
3 Tips for Improving Student Attendance With Parents’ Help: Experts say that encouraging good attendance starts early by involving parents before absences become frequent, partnering with families to understand and address barriers, and communicating in ways that meet each family’s needs.
CCPS in the Know: Importance of Attendance: It’s a fact: student success is directly tied to attendance. When you show up to school, you achieve. This episode of CCPS in the Know covers the importance of attendance, the impacts of missing days and some practical tips to keep your attendance up so that you can have the best school year possible.
