A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
After the busyness of back-to-school, September offers a return to rhythms, routines, and regularly scheduled programming. Across the county, our Site Coordinators have welcomed students back inside 17 schools, reminding young people that there is someone in their corner.
As the school year gets into full swing, our Site Coordinators are getting to know students and families, building trusted relationships, and helping connect young people with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. It’s this consistent, day-to-day presence that allows us to understand what students need and help address barriers before they become bigger obstacles.
We’re grateful for the many ways you continue to be part of this work. Whether that’s joining us on an upcoming Bus Tour, volunteering your time, sharing a resource or simply staying connected, we appreciate having you alongside us throughout the year ahead.
With gratitude,
Ashley Hall, Executive Director
YOUR IMPACT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
The results from the 2025–26 school year tell an important story. Across our schools, students receiving individualized support made progress in attendance, academics, behavior, and social-emotional learning.
Behind every number is a student working toward a goal, navigating a challenge and building on their strengths. We’re proud to share what our students accomplished last year and the meaningful progress reflected in these results.
SEPTEMBER IS ATTENDANCE AWARENESS MONTH
You’ve heard us say it before: being present matters. One of the strongest indicators of academic achievement and graduation is simply being in the classroom. But for many students, barriers can make getting to school — and staying engaged once they’re there — difficult.
Through our tiered model of support, CIS-C works alongside students and families to understand those barriers and connect them with the relationships, resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Here are just a few ways that support comes to life across our schools:
- Building relationships with caring adults: This school year, 20 Site Coordinators are embedded in 17 CIS-C schools, building trusted relationships with students and providing consistent encouragement, guidance and support.
- Creating a school community where students feel connected: Site Coordinators, mentors, volunteers and school staff help students build a sense of belonging and know they have people in their corner. When students feel connected to their school community, they have another reason to keep showing up.
- Setting goals and celebrating progress: Site Coordinators work one-on-one with students to identify their individual strengths and challenges and set goals around attendance, academics, behavior and social-emotional learning. Along the way, they track progress, celebrate wins and help students navigate obstacles when they arise.
This individualized support helps us meet students where they are, address barriers, and make progress toward the goals that matter most to them. Because sometimes, helping a student be present starts with making sure they know someone will notice when they’re not.
SEE CIS-C IN ACTION
There’s no better way to understand the impact of CIS-C than to see it firsthand. Our Bus Tours take you inside three CIS-C partner schools, where you’ll hear directly from Site Coordinators, learn what support looks like at the elementary, middle and high school levels, and see how relationships and resources come together to help students overcome barriers and thrive.
Curious what a Bus Tour is really like? Check out the video below for a quick look at what to expect and a glimpse inside the CIS-C experience.
We’d love to have you join us and see the work for yourself!
SUPPORT CIS-C THROUGH TARGET CIRCLE
Don’t forget to cast your vote! If you’re a Target shopper, you can support CIS-C at no cost through the Target app.
Through September 30, Target Circle members can direct their votes to participating nonprofits in their community. The more votes CIS-C receives, the greater our share of Target’s available funding! This support helps us continue connecting Chesterfield students with the relationships, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed.
Voting is quick and free. Simply open the Target app, select Target Circle, and cast your votes for CIS-C. It’s an easy way to help make a difference for local students!
CIS-C RESOURCE CORNER
Sept. 18 from 11 am to 1 pm: Kinship Families Resource Fair
At this free event, Melissa Ackley from Chesterfield Mental Health Support Services will present about navigating stress. In addition to CCPS, other community support organizations will be present, like the Chesterfield Food Bank, Juvenile Justice Services and the SPAN Center.
Sept. 22 from 6 to 8 pm: More Than Sad – a Suicide Prevention Education Program
The Family and Community Engagement team is hosting events this month covering topics around teen mental health struggles. More Than Sad is a program from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for teens, their parents, caregivers and other supportive adults. This program offers conversations around mental health, plus practical ways to connect with resources.
After summer break, it can be hard to return to a routine. This episode of CCPS in the Know shares tips and tricks for settling back into school-year rhythms.
Support Local Families This Thanksgiving
It may only be September, but we’re already looking ahead to the holidays! Each year, CIS-C helps connect students and families across our schools with Thanksgiving support. If you or your organization would like to help make the holiday a little brighter for local families, please reach out to Wendy Lively, Director of Program Operations, at [email protected].