What's ahead in our June newsletter:

• A letter from our CEO
• Stories from our schools
• Register now: All In For Kids Breakfast Fundraiser on September 24th
• Donor Spotlight: Journey For Good Foundation
• Partner Spotlight: TikTok and Whataburger
• We've refreshed our website!
• Upcoming volunteer opportunities

Dear Friends,

Welcome back to school! There’s nothing quite like the energy of a new school year - the buzz in the hallways, the fresh notebooks, and the optimism that comes with new beginnings. Here at Communities In Schools of Tennessee (CISTN), that energy is contagious, and our team is already hard at work helping students feel supported, confident, and ready to thrive.

Looking back at the 2024 - 2025 school year, we have so much to celebrate. Thanks to the dedication of our program managers and the support of our partners, we connected more than 26,000 students with the resources they needed to succeed across the state of Tennessee. 95% of our seniors graduated, 95% of the students we served were promoted to the next grade level, 76% improved their attendance, and 91% met or made progress toward their life and social skills goal. These results are more than just numbers - they represent students overcoming challenges and achieving their goals.

This year, we are building on that momentum in exciting ways. We’ve expanded into two new schools in Davidson County, one new school in Bedford County, and - our biggest step yet - a brand-new county, Hamilton County, where we now serve five additional schools. With these additions, our reach is greater than ever, and our ability to make a difference for students across Tennessee has never been stronger.

Here’s to a school year filled with growth, resilience, and opportunity - for every student, in every community we serve.

Meredith Benton

CEO

Stories From Our Schools

#BeingPresentMatters

Here are just a few examples of how our Program Managers are making an impact by being present for our students across the state.

Back-to-Backpacks!

Back-to-school excitement was in full swing at Whiteville Elementary’s Meet & Greet!

Program Manager, Ms. Shannon, raffled off two backpacks stocked with items on the school supply list - and every student who attended got a chance to win. One of the lucky winners was Ryan, a case-managed student who’s now starting the year prepared and ready to shine. Here’s to a great school year ahead for Ryan and all Whiteville students!

Amazing Things Happen Here

Back-to-school inspiration is on full display at Bledsoe County High School. Program Manager, Ms. Rachel, created this “Amazing Things Happen Here Because” bulletin board as a daily reminder that BCHS students are resilient, supportive, and deeply loved. Ms. Rachel said of her students that, “Every day, they show up for each other and push forward, no matter the challenges. With that kind of strength and heart, there’s nothing they can’t overcome.”

Sonic + Smiles

Cascade Middle School is kicking off the school year with a positive behavior program - powered by Sonic! Students earn tokens for showing good behavior, which they can turn in for a chance to win a refreshing Sonic drink. And it’s not just the students who benefit - staff members are also part of the rotation, receiving a drink every seven weeks to keep spirits high and smiles wide.

Thanks to Program Manager, Mr. Austin, and Sonic, this school year is off to a great start for both students and staff!

Register Now: Sept. 24th All in For Kids Breakfast

Chronic absenteeism is a growing challenge in Tennessee and the nation - and at Communities In Schools of Tennessee, we're committed to doing something about it. Our top priority this school year is to see every seat filled. Students are facing significant challenges that are keeping them from coming to school and succeeding. There are 15 million students across the country who are chronically absent from school, preventing them from reaching their potential. Nearly 250,000 of those students live in Tennessee. We are here to change that. 



We invite you to help us fill every seat at our annual All In For Kids Breakfast where you'll hear about how we are breaking down the barriers that keep students out of school and how you can stand alongside us in that work. This year’s program will also celebrate two outstanding honorees: CAA, recipient of the All In For Kids Award, and the Scarlett Family Foundation, recipients of the Alice Chapman Advocacy Award.

Seats are limited and we intend to fill each one, so RSVP today to ensure you get your opportunity to learn about and invest in our evidence-based program. 

Wednesday, September 24th

7:30 am coffee and networking | 8-9 am program

14TENN, 1410 51st Avenue North

Last week, CISTN hosted a Ready, Set, Learn! event at Park Avenue Elementary in partnership with CIS National, TikTok, and Whataburger. Every student received a brand-new TikTok-branded backpack filled with school supplies and toys, took a pledge to be present at school, and joined in a celebration complete with games and Whatabuger refreshments.

The energy in the room was contagious as students proudly walked the stage to collect their backpacks and showing their commitment to showing up this school year. Teachers and volunteers cheered them on, creating a true sense of community support.

This event was part of a CIS national effort to ensure thousands of students start the year confident and prepared, and we are deeply grateful to TikTok and Whataburger for their partnership and generosity in making this possible for our Nashville students.

Exciting News! We’re thrilled to unveil the new and improved Communities In Schools of Tennessee website at cistn.org.

With our refreshed site, you can easily explore how we support over 28,000 students across 15 counties through community-powered wraparound services and celebrate powerful outcomes - like improved attendance, increased promotions, and boosted graduation and mental well-being rates - right at your fingertips.

Whether you're a longtime supporter or learning about CISTN for the first time, this is the perfect place to see our impact, discover inspiring student stories, and find new ways to get involved. Head over to the new website today and see what’s new!

Our schools are always looking for volunteers to support a variety of upcoming events. Click here to see all of our volunteer opportunities.

Gateway Elementary School Clothing Closet: Thursday, October 23rd from 8:45 AM - 12:00 PM 

• Help our Program Manager at Gateway Elementary organize the school's clothing closet! Gateway students and families are invited to "shop" from the school's portable of shoes, clothes, and hygiene items, but it routinely needs upkeep. Sign up with your friends and family who love all things organization and tidying! Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you do not mind getting dirty. Click here to register.

Gateway Elementary Classroom and Lunchroom Support: Volunteers needed until November 28th, 2025

• Gateway Elementary School in Madison, TN is seeking dedicated monthly volunteers to support classroom and lunchroom operations. Volunteers will be positive role models for Gateway's students and will jump in to provide a much-needed extra set of hands and eyes for class tasks and lunch time monitoring. Volunteers will be required to undergo a background check before supporting students in this role. We can customize your schedule on a monthly basis! Click here to register.