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CISBA News


April 12, 2010
Bay Oaks Country Club

Lexus Of Clear Lake Underwrites Keep Kids in School Golf Tournament

Joey Dupuis (second from left), general manager of Lexus Of Clear Lake, presents the check that underwrites the Keep Kids in School Golf Tournament benefiting Communities In Schools-Bay Area, a dropout prevention program serving Clear Creek and Dickinson ISDs. The tournament will be held from noon to 5 p.m., April 12, at Bay Oaks Country Club.

Accepting the check are (from left) Rick Gornto, tournament chairman; Diane Gillebaard, tournament marketing, and Mike Divine, teams committee chairman.

In addition to underwriting the event, Lexus will provide one of the cars for the five hole-in-one opportunities and host the sponsor/donor appreciation after party April 15 at their dealership.

 

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CISBA Names New Resource Development Director

Margot Frye has been named the Resource Development Director of Communities In Schools-Bay Area (CISBA), a dropout prevention program serving Clear Creek and Dickinson Independent School Districts.

Frye will be responsible for raising funds to support the program which provides services to help keep students in school and prepare for life. Prior to joining CISBA, Frye was Development Officer in the Office of Annual Giving at the University of Houston.

"I joined CISBA because they provide needed support to 'at risk' students. It is extremely fulfilling to realize the program offers hope and guidance to students achieve the ultimate goal of graduation. I also find great satisfaction in being a part of such a respected and successful team," says Frye.

 

 

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Staples Aids "At Risk" Students


Janet Summers (left), program director for Communities In Schools-Bay Area, recently shopped for school supplies at the Staples store in Webster thanks to a $600 gift card donation from the office supply company. Helping her check out are Catharine Girouard, Staples general manager, and Kyle Zelesnikar, assistant manager.

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Ready to tee off for the Keep Kids in School Golf Tournament are (from left) Mike Divine, Teams Committee Chair; Rick Gornto, Tournament Chair, and Becky Reitz, Sponsorship Committee Chair, following a recent planning meeting.

“Keep Kids in School” is a mission for Communities In School-Bay Area (CISBA) and also the name of the group’s fund-raising golf tournament to be held April 12 at Bay Oaks Country Club. Golfers will play a round at the tournament and help fund a proven dropout prevention program – CISBA – serving 15 campuses in the Clear Creek and Dickinson Independent School Districts.

“This is CISBA‘s first golf tournament and we wanted every person involved to have a great time and to raise money to help these kids. A great golf format, five opportunities to win a car, wonderful food and extraordinary live auction items. Everyone involved is very excited about this being a major fundraising event which we think will be a record breaker in the Bay Area. Come out and join us on April 12 at Bay Oaks Country Club,” says Rick Gornto, chairman of the Keep Kids in School Golf Tournament.

5 Hole-in-One Opportunities

Golfers will drive for a hole-in-one on all four of the club’s Par 3 holes and putt competitively to win one of five automobiles from area dealerships. Dealers participating in the hole-in-one and putting contests are Advantage BMW, Infiniti, Lexus Of Clear Lake, Norman Frede Chevrolet, and Clear Lake Volkswagen.

Community Drives Fund-raising

An early outpouring of support by businesses and individuals has answered the call to help “at risk” children in Bay Area Houston at this tournament. Underwriters for the event are Lexus Of Clear Lake and Barbara and Dr. Greg Clariday.

Gold Sponsors to date are Clear Lake Volkswagen and friends of Tim Sims. Silver Sponsors are Clear Lake Regional Hospital, Rick and Janice Gornto, Amoco Federal Credit Union, Gay & Reitz Law Firm, Barrios Technology and Johnson, Bender & Co.

Early supporter of the “Keep Kids in School” Golf Tournament is Clear Lake Volkswagen represented by General Manager Brent Finch (left) shown presenting check to CISBA Executive Director Peter Wuenschel. Clear Lake Volkswagen, in addition to being a Gold Sponsor, is donating a car for one of the five Hole-In-One opportunities.


Auction/Awards Dinner Follows Play

Following the 18 holes of golf, teams and other golfers will dine during the awards presentation. The live and silent auction donations so far are proving to be a varied and crowd-pleasing array of biddable items. Early auction items include full Lasik surgery by Dr. William Lipsky of Advanced Laser Vision, one week stay at any Interval International Resort in the United States, Southwest Airlines tickets, stay at a Breckenridge, Colo., condominium, dinner for 10 at your home, war bird plane rides followed by a dinner with veteran pilots, and a stay at a five-star bed and breakfast in Victoria, B.C., Canada.

Contacts and More Information

Businesses and individuals can participate in sponsorships by calling Communities In Schools-Bay Area Executive Director Peter Wuenschel at 281-486-6698 or by email to
peterw@cisba.org.  Teams and other golfers interested in joining the event can call Michael Divine at 832-632-2273 or email to visitingangelsCLC@sbcglobal.net.  The cost for teams is $700 and $175 for individuals.

 

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Golf Tournament: Save the Date & Call for Volunteers

The CISBA Golf Tournament "Keeping Kids in Schools" will be held on Monday, April 12 at Bay Oaks Country Club. Registration is around 10:30 and play beginning at noon. The tournament will end around 5:00 p.m. followed by dinner, an award ceremony and live auction. Many volunteers are needed the day of the tournament. If you are interested to volunteer the day of the tournament, please let us know by e-mailing your contact information to peterw@cisba.org

 

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CIS-Bay Area Case Managers Celebrate New School Year

Case managers from Communities In Schools-Bay Area (CIS-Bay Area) recently met to celebrate the new school year with the dropout prevention program's board of directors president Becky Reitz (second row, left). Program director Janet Summers is front and center.

CIS-Bay Area serves 15 campuses in Clear Creek and Dickinson Independent School Districts helping kids stay in school and prepare for life.

 

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Gulf Greyhound Park Event Benefits Dropout Prevention

Communities In Schools - Bay Area (CIS-Bay Area) recently benefited from a Charity Day at Gulf Greyhound Park in La Marque. A percentage of the bets on the races that night will go to CIS-Bay Area, a dropout prevention program serving Clear Creek and Dickinson Independent School Districts.

 

CIS-Bay Area Board President Becky Reitz of Gay & Reitz PC nuzzles Zapata, an adoptable retired greyhound, who visited the VIP party at Gulf Greyhound Park.   CIS-Bay Area Director Ron Swofford (center) joins wife Carole in welcoming Zapata, one of the adoptable retired greyhounds, attending the event benefiting the dropout prevention program. Julianne York of Gulf Greyhound Adoption Program is at left.

 

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Three Board Members Recognized

Executive Director Peter Wuenschel (left) thanks Jim Sweeney for his more than 15 years of service on the board of directors. Sweeney also served as president of the board. Board President Becky Reitz (left) thanks Jay Gurry for his service as 2008-09 board president. Jay Gurry (left), 2008-09 board president, recognizes Sandy Johnson for her presidency of the 2007-08 board.

 

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Greyhounds Race to Benefit Dropout Prevention Program

Communities In Schools-Bay Area (CIS-Bay Area) will benefit from a Gulf Greyhound Park Charity Day on Oct. 23, 2009. A percentage of monies bet on the greyhound races that day will go to the dropout prevention program serving Clear Creek and Dickinson ISDs.

Visiting Sara, one of the track's retired greyhounds up for adoption, are (from left) Maria Aguilar, student; Jo Gonzales, CIS-Bay Area program coordinator, and Sierra Martin, student, all of Dickinson High School, and Peter Wuenschel, executive director of CIS-Bay Area.

Gulf Greyhound Park is located off Exit 15, on I-45 South in La Marque. For more information, call 281-486-6698 or email judyc@cisba.org.

 

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Directors Meet in Retreat to Form Future Objectives

Members of the Board of Directors of Communities In Schools-Bay Area (CIS-Bay Area) met recently at Barrios Technology offices to form future objectives for the dropout prevention program. CIS-Bay Area serves 15 schools in Clear Creek and Dickinson ISDs to help kids stay in school and prepare for life.
Attending the CIS-Bay Area Board Retreat were (kneeling/seated from left) were Ron Swofford, Michael Divine, Dee Scott, Jane Sweeney, Peter Wuenschel, Jim Sweeney, Corey Magliolo, Becky Reitz, (standing from left) Randy Gross, Mike Duckworth, Rick Gornto, Norm Gookins, Suzanne Milby, Mike LaTouche, Patty Cooper, Alex Torrez, Sandy Johnson, Shawn Bailey, Diane Gillebaard, Bob Scott and Jay Gurry. Board members not pictured include Jim O'Malley and Manny Torres.


Incoming board president Becky Reitz explained to old and new board members the challenges ahead and explained the mission of the organization. Frank McGrath of Executive Service Corps of Houston (ESCH) facilitated the retreat.

New board members welcomed to the group were Mike Duckworth, Jane Sweeney, Corey Magliolo and Michael Divine. Other new board member Manny Torres was unable to attend.

 

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Campus Wish List For CISBA Schools

Communities In Schools-Bay Area (CISBA) is now serving 15 schools in Clear Creek ISD and Dickinson ISD. This dropout prevention program helps students stay in school and prepare for life.

Case managers in these schools have prepared a “wish list” of items members of the community could donate to assist them in their work with “at risk” students.

The wish list includes: polo shirts (no logos, sizes for elementary through high school), belts of all sizes (elementary through high school), shoe vouchers for Payless ShoeSource, backpacks, boxed greeting cards (birthdays, Christmas, etc.) for kids to use for special occasions, drawing notebooks, a flat screen monitor, a fax machine, and storage cabinet for school supplies and clothing.

Gift cards are always appreciated. Gift cards for stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, Academy, and Barnes & Noble can be used to reward good attendance and behavior and grade improvement. Also appreciated would be one-time credit cards for iPod music downloads and gift cards for movies, nail salons, meals pizzas and fast-food restaurants.

For incentives, CISBA could use small toys, Legos (loose or small $5 kits), nail polish, and clear or pink lip-gloss.

Wish list donations may be sent to CISBA, P.O. Box 580096, Houston, TX 77258. For more information, contact Janet Summers at 281-486-6698 or visit the CISBA website, www.cisba.org. All donations are tax deductible.

 

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Banker Joins Board of Dropout Prevention Program

Mike Duckworth (center), senior vice president of HomeTown Bank of League City, has joined the board of directors of Communities In Schools-Bay Area, a dropout prevention program serving Clear Creek and Dickinson Independent School Districts.

Welcoming Duckworth to the board are Executive Director Peter Wuenschel (left) and Board President Jay Gurry. Communities In Schools-Bay Area works on campus in 15 schools in the districts to help kids stay in school and prepare for life.

 

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Texas Legislature Fights School Dropout Problem

AUSTIN, TX – Several Texas Legislators are working diligently to fight the epidemic of school dropouts by supporting Communities In Schools (CIS), an evidenced-based school dropout program that has operated in Texas for 30 years. Twenty State Senators and 24 State Representatives are co-authoring bills to increase funding to Communities In Schools. SB 817 and HB 1673 request that the state of Texas increase funding to Communities In Schools programs throughout the state by $14.3 million per year.

“I am supporting the Communities In Schools of Texas Bill because CIS has proven to be effective in reducing dropouts” said Representative John Davis, who represents the 129th District in the Texas House. The academic effectiveness and cost efficiency of Communities In Schools has been validated by a recent ICF International evaluation called for by the Texas Legislature and commissioned by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The study determined that the CIS program delivers documented, meaningful effects in reducing school dropouts and increasing graduation rates. The bottom line is that the CIS program increases high school graduation rates, the most fundamental measure of public school student success.


Representative John Davis visits with Dr. Peter Wuenschel, Executive Director of Communities In Schools - Bay Area and Linda Gail White, Former First Lady of Texas at a reception held in the Lieutenant Governor’s Reception Room at the State Capitol


Throughout the state, volunteers, parents and business people have been visiting their legislators in Austin to show their support for CIS. Former First Lady of Texas Linda Gail White recently met with the Governor Rick Perry and Robert Scott, Commissioner of Education, to discuss the most efficient way to fund the expansion of Communities In Schools. “I believe in CIS because I have seen first hand how they change the lives of at-risk children and give them hope for the future,” said White.

Communities In Schools (CIS) works on school campuses to organize community resources and volunteers to support students’ success in school and parents’ involvement in education. CIS connects kids from pre-K to 12th grade with the help they need so kids can learn and teachers can teach and leverages millions of dollars in private contributions onto campuses. CIS staff works for private non-profit organizations not the state or school districts. In Texas, Communities In Schools provided services to over 78,000 students in 2007-2008.

Peter Wuenschel, Executive Director of Communities In Schools-Bay Area, is encouraged by the overwhelming support for CIS by the Legislature. “I am pleased to say that both John Davis and Rep. Larry Taylor, our local Representatives as well as State Senator Mike Jackson, have been long time supporters of CIS. We have operated our program in this community for 20 years with great success.”

 

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CIS-Bay Area Celebrates 20 Years, Honors Stastny

Communities In Schools-Bay Area (CIS- Bay Area) recently celebrated 20 years of their dropout prevention program service in Clear Creek and Dickinson Independent School Districts with a breakfast at Bailey's American Grille in Seabrook.

Special honoree for the event was Blanche Stastny, who was a founding board member of the organization. In addition to CIS-Bay Area's tribute, Stastny was recognized by her hometown, Clear Lake Shores, with a proclamation naming March 12, 2009, as Blanche Stastny Day in the city.

 
Dr. Peter Wuenschel (center), executive director of CIS-Bay Area, and Capt. Jay Gurry, board president, thank Brad Bailey, owner of Bailey's American Grille, for underwriting the 20th anniversary breakfast.

Joining the 20th anniversary celebration were (from left) Dr. Leland Williams, superintendents of Dickinson ISD; Bob Scott, CIS-Bay Area board treasurer, and Judge Louie Ditta, who served as master of ceremonies.

Stastny came to Bay Area Houston in 1962 and opened the area's first Sylvan Learning Canter in 1984.
She served on CIS-Bay Area's first board of directors, reflecting her compassion and special in "at risk" children. She has served on the boards of Friends of Freeman Library, the Houston Symphony League Bay Area and the Clear Lake Symphony.

Last year, CIS-Bay Area served more than 1,400 students with a graduation success of 88 percent for eligible seniors and 96 percent stayed in school. In addition to the 1,400 students receiving one-on-one service, 10,000 other students are enriched by special events on the campuses of 15 schools in the districts.

CIS-Bay Area is affiliated with the national Communities in Schools, the nation's fifth largest youth service agency in number of children served.


Blanche Stastny (second from left) was honored to have three Clear Creek ISD superintendents attend her tribute. From left are Dr. Greg Smith, current superintendent, and former superintendents Sandra Mossman and John Wilson.

 

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United Space Alliance Supports CISBA

Norm Gookins (center), vice president of United Space Alliance (USA), is thanked for USA's recent $5,000 donation by Communities In Schools-Bay Area (CIS-Bay Area) Executive Director Peter Wuenschel (left) and Capt. Jay Gurry, president of the CIS-Bay Area Board of Directors.

Norm Gookins (center), Vice President of United Space Alliance, is thanked by Communities In Schools-Bay Area (CIS-Bay Area) Executive Director Dr. Peter Wuenschel (left) and Capt. Jay Gurry, president of the board of directors of CIS-Bay Area and president of Gurry Mechanical, L.P., for a recent $5,000 donation.

Gookins is also a member of CIS-Bay Area's board of directors.

The donation supports the dropout prevention program led by CIS-Bay Area in 15 schools in Clear Creek and Dickinson Independent School Districts. CIS-Bay Area is part of the national Communities In Schools, the nation's fifth largest youth agency in number of children served.

 

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Communities In Schools-Bay Area Celebrates 20 Years of Service to "At Risk" Students

For 20 years, Communities In Schools-Bay Area (CIS-Bay Area) has helped kids stay in school and prepare for life. The dropout prevention program serves "at risk" students in Clear Creek and Dickinson Independent School Districts.

To celebrate their 20th anniversary, CIS-Bay Area will hold a breakfast at Bailey's American Grille in Seabrook from 7:30-9 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2009. Blanche Stastny, a founding board member, will be honored for her years of board service. Judge Louie Ditta will serve as master of ceremonies.

CIS-Bay Area is part of the national Communities In Schools program. Communities In Schools is the nation's fifth largest youth service agency in number of children served.

CIS-Bay Area's dropout prevention program started in 1989 under the name of Bridgeport. The first school served by the program was League City Intermediate. One year later, the program was serving two more schools in Clear Creek ISD.

In 1995, two schools in Dickinson ISD were added to the campuses served. The name of the program was changed to Communities In Schools-Bay Area in 2003. From 1996-2006, campuses were added for a total of 13 schools in the two districts.

In 2007, the schools served by CIS-Bay Area totaled 15 campuses. Clear Creek ISD schools in the program are League City Intermediate, Clear Creek High, Clear Lake High, Clear Brook High, Clear View High, Clear Path Alternative Education Program, Clear Springs High, Victory Lakes Intermediate, Brookside Elementary and McWhirter Elementary.

Dickinson ISD schools served are Dickinson High, Dunbar Middle, Barber Middle, McAdams Junior High and K.E. Little Elementary.

Each campus has a program coordinator who works one-on-one with "at risk"students. The program offers mentoring, tutoring, counseling, career awareness, social services, parental involvement and enrichment programs.

Last year, CIS-Bay Area served more than 1,400 students with a graduation success of 88 percent for eligible seniors and 96 percent stayed in school. Improvement in attendance, academics and behavior resulted in a promotion rate of 79 percent by students in the program. In addition to the 1,400 students receiving one-on-one service, 10,000 other students are enriched by special events on campus.

 

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Dr. King Gives "Possibilities" To Clear Brook High Boys

Two years before joining the board of directors of Communities In Schools-Bay Area (CIS-Bay Area), Dr. William H. King already recognized the need to show "at risk" students that they have the ability to succeed and can afford college. CIS-Bay Area is a dropout prevention program serving Clear Creek and Dickinson Independent School Districts.

Dr. King and his fraternity brothers in the Zeta Tau Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. started "Possibilities," a self esteem and career awareness program. Twice a month, Dr. King mentors about 25 boys at Clear Brook High School in Clear Creek ISD. The fraternity chose Clear Brook because of the number of minority students in the school's population.

"Students don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. We show we care by investing our lives on a continuing basis," says Dr. King, an anesthesiologist retired from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Working with Dr. King are Sandra Finley, Smaller Learning Community campus leader at Clear Brook, and Frieda Shafer, campus coordinator for CIS-Bay Area.

Dr. William H. King (third from left) visits with Clear Brook High students (from left) Quinton Johnson, Demario Ricks, Brian Adegbenro, Justin Glover, and Jarred Spencer.

Each meeting Dr. King brings men, primarily minorities, with successful careers into the school to speak to the boys in the program. Many member of the fraternity have spoken to the these students. The most recent speaker was Chris McKinley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, who later took the group on a tour of the National Weather Service office in League City.

Upcoming speakers for the program include Rucks Russell, reporter for KHOU-TV; J. C. Jackson, pharmacist, and Chris Washington, accountant and former football player.

"There is a real need for this type of program in every high school and intermediate school in our districts. I would love to see men come forward to coordinate programs in other schools," Dr. King commented. Agreeing with Dr.King is CIS-Bay Area Program Director Janet Summers, "There is a continuous need for positive adult role models who are wiling to share their time and life experience with students in need of encouragement and supportive guidance."

Teachers and counselors at Clear Brook report positive changes in attitude toward school, and several students have improved their Grade Point Average since attending the presentations. Of those students in the Communities In School's program, 50 have attended the "Possibilities" meetings.

Mentoring comes naturally for Dr. King and his wife Rose Marie. They have raised three sons - one is a security officer at NASA, one is a Clear Creek ISD teacher, and one is a physician scientist at Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Dr. King retired from UTMB's Anesthesiology Department in 1997 but remains an Adjunct Associate Professor at the medical school. He does volunteer work with Bay Area Baptist Church in League City. He served on the board of directors of Boy & Girls Club of Galveston County from 2001 to 2004.

Clear Brook High educates students in five "small learning communities." They are seeking men who can speak of careers in Engineering, Agriculture and Technology; Business and Applied Technologies; Public Service and Communication; Medical and Health Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts.

For more information on mentoring in the "Possibilities" program, contact wkingmd@comcast.net or on Communities In Schools-Bay Area at www.cisba.org.

"Many young men have no sense of direction for their future," says Dr. King, also quoting "Where there is no vision, the people perish...", Proverbs 29:18.

 

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Lexus of Clear Lake Supports Dropout Prevention Program

Lexus of Clear Lake recently supported Communities In Schools-Bay Area (CIS-Bay Area) with a $5,000 check to help the dropout prevention program's "at risk" students in Clear Creek and Dickinson Independent School Districts.

Posing at the check presentation were (from left) Jerry Foyt, general sales manager of Lexus of Clear Lake; Bob Scott, CIS-Bay Area board member; Peter Wuenschel, executive director of CIS-Bay Area, and Joey Dupuis, general manager of Lexus of Clear Lake.

 

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National President Visits Local Dropout Prevention Program

Dan Cardinali (left), president of Communities In Schools' national dropout prevention program, recently visited the Bay Area program to review effects of Hurricane Ike on students of Clear Creek and Dickinson Independent School Districts.

Leading his tour of the area were Janet Summers (center), program director of Communities In Schools-Bay Area, and Kenya Washington, coordinator of the program at K.E. Little Elementary School in Bacliff.

 

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 Lockheed Martin Aids "At Risk" Students

Dorothy Lorence, community affairs manager for Lockheed Martin Space Operations, unloads 60 bags of snacks for "at risk" students at McAdams Junior High School in Dickinson Independent School District. Snacks will go to students served by Communities In Schools-Bay Area's dropout prevention program. These students, who receive breakfast and lunch at school, will use the snack packs during holiday breaks.

 

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TEA Austin Employees Send Snack Packs for Holiday Break

When Clear Creek and Dickinson ISD students in the Communities In Schools-Bay Area (CIS-Bay Area)
dropout prevention program, leave school for the holiday break, they do not receive the breakfast and lunch provided at school. To help Hurricane Ike-affected students, employees of the Austin office of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) donated snack packs for the children take home with them.

Sharon Boudreaux from McAdams Junior High School in Dickinson sorts snack pack items donated by TEA employees in Austin for students affected by Hurricane Ike.

 

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Dickinson Students Thank Florida School for Hurricane Donations


Students from McAdams Junior High School in the Dickinson Independent School District recently sent a "thank you" poster to students at Coral Springs (Florida) Charter School.

Coral Springs students searched the Internet to find an organization helping students affected by Hurricane Ike. They found Communities In Schools-Bay Area (CIS-Bay Area), a dropout prevention program serving Clear Creek and Dickinson ISDs. The Florida students donated $2,100 worth of gift cards to the organization to distribute to storm-affected children.

In turn, CIS-Bay Area donated $500 to its counterpart Communities In Schools-Galveston.

 

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Boeing Holds Coat Drive For "At Risk" Students

The Boeing Company's Dayni Alba delivers more than 50 coats to Communities In Schools-Bay Area (CIS-Bay Area), that serves "at risk" students in Clear Creek and Dickinson Independent School Districts.

Boeing employees' recent coat drive is to help CIS-Bay Area's mission of keeping kids in school and prepare for life.

 

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 Scott Steel Supports Dropout Prevention Program


Scott Steel (left), owner of My Flooring America, is thanked by Communities In Schools-Bay Area Executive Director Peter Wuenschel for his $5,000 donation to support the organization's dropout prevention program.

Steel is a member of the Board of Directors and a long-time advocate of education in the Bay Area.

 

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Board Members Support Dropout Prevention Program's Fundraiser

Communities In Schools-Bay Area board directors showed their support at the dropout prevention program's recent Masked Magic fundraiser. From left, directors are Norm Gookins, Director of Human Resources, United Space Alliance; Dee Scott, Owner, Dee Scott Insurance Agency; Peter Wuenschel, Executive Director, Communities In Schools-Bay Area; Jim Sweeney, Owner, Minuteman Press-Bay Area; Becky Reitz, Gay & Reitz, Attorneys; Jay Gurry, President, Gurry Mechanical, L.P.; and Patty Cooper, Moores School of Music, University of Houston.

 

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Gurry Named President of Dropout Prevention Program Board


Jay Gurry (right) is congratulated on his selection as president of Communities In Schools-Bay Area board of directors by the dropout prevention program's executive director Peter Wuenschel.
Jay Gurry has been named president of the board of directors of Communities In Schools-Bay Area (CIS-Bay Area), a dropout prevention program serving Clear Creek and Dickinson Independent School Districts.

Gurry is president of Gurry Mechanical, L.P. and has been an active board member for three years.

Other new CIS-Bay Area board officers are Vice President Becky Reitz of Gay & Reitz, P.C., Secretary Diane Gillebaard, Treasurer Bob Scott, Past Board President Sandy Johnson of Barrios Technology, and CIS-Bay Area Executive Director Peter Wuenschel.

CIS-Bay Area has helped students stay in school and prepare for life for more than 17 years and currently has on-campus programs at 15 schools in CCISD and Dickinson ISD.

 

 

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Communities In Schools-Bay Area Welcomes New Board Members

Jay Gurry, president of the board of directors of Communities In Schools-Bay Area, (standing) welcomes new board members (left to right) Mike LaTouche of Dickinson ISD; William King, retired physician, and Rick Gornto of First Financial. Other new board members not pictured are Norm Gookins of United Space Alliance and Randy Gross of Clear Lake Regional Medical Center.
Communities In Schools-Bay Area is a dropout prevention program serving Clear Creek ISD and Dickinson ISD.

 

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Operation Now

The Communities In Schools - Bay Area Board of Directors has launched 'Operation Now' in response to at-risk students who were effected by Hurricane Ike. We are in need of the items below. Please contact Judy at (281) 486-6698 if you would like to make a donation.

OUR GREATEST NEEDS
Nonperishable, ready to eat food
Air Mattresses with air pumps
Diapers
Washing Detergent
Lowes & Home Depot Gift Cards
Gas Cards
Phone Cards
Gift Cards (Walmart, HEB, Kroger, etc.)
Tokens for Washateria
Small Appliances
Clothes - Standardized Dress
Shoes - Adult & Children
Bedding
Furniture
OTHER NEEDS:
School Supplies
Cleaning products (including bleach)
Toilet Paper
Soap/Shampoo
Undergarments
Band Aids
Maternity Clothes
Cleats
Assistance with Utilities
Industrial Trash Bags
Furniture
Hygiene Products
$25 Gift cards (phone cards, gas cards, Wal-mart, Kroger's, HEB)

 

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Masked Magic Gala

Check out event photos courtesy of Wiredin.cc [photos]

Communities In Schools - Bay Area is pleased to announce that the “Masked Magic – Bay Area Idol Fundraiser & Gala” was held as scheduled, on Saturday, October 25th at the Nassau Bay Hilton Inn, located at 3000 Nasa Rd 1. Now, more than ever, CIS-BA is experiencing an urgent need for additional funds to help at-risk students. Due to Hurricane Ike, CIS-BA has been notified of the increase of need to help current students as well as new students who have enrolled in the Clear Creek and Dickinson Independent School Districts where their programs are operated.

Peter Wuenschel, PHD., CIS - BA Director, Sue Ferguson, Masked Magic Chairman, and the Friends of CIS-BA Committee Volunteers worked hard to make this year’s event even more memorable than last years. The night featured an evening of dining and entertainment; opened with cocktails at 6:30 pm and program began at 7 pm. Entertainment included Hypnotist David Dean, “Peter, Paul & Mary”, and Magician Don Billings, as well as strolling entertainment. The Second Annual Bay Area Idol Competition crowned the 2008 winner from competing local talent. A silent and live auction was held throughout the evening.

Attendees were welcomed to come in costume (optional) and enjoyed an evening of fun while supporting this fundraiser.

 

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© COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS BAY AREA         HELPING KIDS STAY IN SCHOOL AND PREPARE FOR LIFE

Our Mission: To champion the connection of needed community resources with schools to help young people stay in school, successfully learn, and prepare for life.

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PO Box 580096 Houston, TX 77258
Phone: 281-486-6698 Fax: 281-486-0405