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What's ahead in our June newsletter:
- A letter from our CEO
- Updates from our team
- Stories From Our Schools
- Partner Spotlight: The Healing Trust
- Thank you to our Board Members
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Save the Date: All in For Kids Breakfast Fundraiser on September 24th
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Dear friends,
As we enjoy summer and begin getting excited for a brand-new school year, I'm looking back on the incredible growth we’ve witnessed from so many of our students this past year. Students like Carson, who overcame his anxiety and increased his attendance from just over 54% in Q1 to 90% in Q3, and Sierra who completed her first full school year since fourth grade and was able to walk across the stage and graduate! These are just two of the many stories we’ve highlighted in our Yearbook 2025 campaign.
But we still have work to do. We have a $20,000 match goal, and we are in reach!
Our students and families need your help to close the gap before the new school year begins. Every gift, no matter the size, helps us continue the one-on-one support that makes stories like Carson’s and Sierra’s possible.
Invest in our work, students, and families by making a donation today - and forward this message to someone else who believes in the power of students and the communities that lift them up.
Let’s start this school year even stronger - for every student who needs someone in their corner.
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#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.
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Amanda's Amazing Journey
Amanda, a senior at Sunbright School, faced major loss this year - but with the support of #CISTN, she stayed focused and resilient. Her attendance improved from 82.76% to 90.7%, she was accepted to two colleges, completed her FAFSA, and placed 3rd in a state cooking competition - all while balancing school, work, and grief. She’s also making progress in her life and social skills and looking forward to a fresh start now that she has graduated.
“Sometimes you just have to get up and do it,” she says.
Click here to read more about Amanda's journey
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Showing up for Zara
After a devastating house fire at the start of the school year, Zara and her family lost nearly everything. But they didn’t lose their support system. Thanks to Program Manager Keyara Nunn at Taylor Stratton Elementary, the family received clothing, furniture, school supplies, job search help, and even Christmas gifts through the Angel Tree program. Because of that support, Zara had what she needed to stay on track - with no attendance issues despite all she’d faced.
This is what it means to show up.
Click here to read more about Zara's story.
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Warner Limo and Dj Party
Each week at Warner Arts Elementary, classes vied for the coveted Attendance Trophy and Belt. And when a class hit 100% attendance ten days in a row? They earned a classroom celebration to keep the momentum going.By the end of the year, one second grade class stood out - earning the highest attendance eleven times and racking up the most 100% attendance streaks. Their prize? A stretch limo ride and a glow party DJed by program manager, Jessica Malenga herself! The result was more than just improved attendance - it built community, created joy, and reminded everyone that showing up matters.
| | We’re proud to share that our CEO, Meredith Benton, has been elected to serve on the Community Action Council for the Tennessee Nonprofit Network! The Council plays a vital role in advising and guiding the statewide network’s efforts to support and advocate for Tennessee’s nonprofit sector. Meredith’s deep commitment to student success and her leadership across the state will be a valuable asset in this work. | | Jessica Malenga, Program Manager at Warner Arts Elementary, received the Social Service and Adult Development Award at the MNPS Family and Community Partnership Awards for her outstanding support of basic needs, crisis assistance for families, and efforts to build adult skills through accessible resources. | | Our Maplewood Cluster schools, in partnership with Community Achieves, were named Cluster of the Year at the MNPS Family and Community Partnership Awards, recognizing the strong collaboration and shared commitment to student success across the cluster. We’re grateful to MNPS for honoring the work of our team and partners - and for celebrating what it means to be truly present for kids and families. | | Partner Spotlight: Healing Trust | | |
We’re proud to partner with organizations that share our belief in addressing the root causes that impact student success - and The Healing Trust is one of them.
The Healing Trust believes that communities thrive in places where health outcomes are not predicted by race or where they live. To build stronger, healthier communities, residents must have access to housing, quality education and healthcare, economic opportunities, and social connections, which all play a critical role in improving overall well-being. In support of that, The Healing Trust invests in place-based initiatives, including our expansion in Bedford County. We are grateful for this partnership in Bedford County and for The Healing Trust's commitment to supporting the whole child, because when communities are healthy, students can thrive.
One of the students we have been able to support through Bedford County in partnership with The Healing Trust is eighth-grader Carson at Community Middle School in Unionville. Click here to read more about his story!
| | As we look ahead to a new year of growth and impact, we want to take a moment to thank the dedicated leaders who have served on our Board of Directors. We’re incredibly grateful to our outgoing board members - Tara Scarlett, Sara Morrison, Barry Olhausen, Brent Clark, and Andy Gattas - for their service and steadfast belief in the potential of every student across Tennessee. A special thank you to Tara Scarlett, our outgoing Board Chair, whose compassionate leadership, strategic vision, and commitment to our students have shaped the future of our organization in lasting ways. To each of you: thank you for showing up, speaking out, and standing with Tennessee’s students. We are deeply grateful. | | Welcome Our 2025 New Board Members! | | |
We’re also excited to welcome our newest board members, whose insights and leadership will help guide our next chapter.
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Chris Bellamy, Fisher Phillips
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Ellen O’Neal, HCA Healthcare
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Melissa Huschke, Delta Dental of Tennessee
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Shaina Castillo, Legal Aide Society of Middle TN and The Cumberlands
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Sithandazile Ntuka, Alliance Bernstein
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Michael Deurlein, TN State Board of Education
We’re grateful for their willingness to lead and to be All In for Kids!
| | Save The Date: September 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 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. 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.
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Wednesday, September 24th
7:30 am coffee and networking | 8-9 am program
14TENN, 1410 51st Avenue North
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| Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities | | |
Our schools are looking for volunteers to support a variety of upcoming events.
Maplewood Cluster's Back to School Bash: Thursday, July 31st from 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
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This event will convene families from Shwab Elementary, Tom Joy Elementary, Ida B. Wells Elementary, Hattie Cotton Elementary, Jere Baxter Middle, and Maplewood High to celebrate the start of the coming school year. Volunteers are needed for set up, tear down, and helping to serve food and tidy up throughout the event. Click here to register.
Gateway Elementary Workday: Thursday, July 17, 2025 From 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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Kids will be back in school before you know it - and Gateway Elementary needs your help getting things ready! Help Gateway staff move classroom furniture and books, clean headsets, and sand and paint picnic tables. Make sure to bring some water and wear clothes you wouldn't mind getting dirty. Click here to register.
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