What's ahead in our October newsletter:

• Thanks for being All In For Kids!
• Stories from our schools
• A room built for connection at Paragon Mills
• Donor Spotlight: Creative Artists Agency
• CISTN in the news
• Upcoming volunteer opportunities

Thank you to everyone who joined us at our All in for Kids Fundraising Breakfast! Your presence and support are instrumental in helping us continue our work with more than 28,000 students across Tennessee, filling every seat. If you didn’t get the opportunity to donate, there’s still time to make a difference. Please consider donating here to help us continue this incredible work, ensuring that every child has the support they need to thrive. We couldn’t do it without you!

Together, we were able to raise more than $85,000 to help fill every seat!

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.

A Helping Hand

When Paul transferred to Chadwell Elementary, he was facing his own challenges—but that didn’t stop him from showing compassion to others.

Paul noticed a younger student struggling to settle in and quietly stepped up to help—guiding him through the lunch line, sitting with him so he wasn’t alone, and making sure he got safely on the bus each day.

Those small acts of kindness have made a big impact, helping the student feel more confident and connected at school.

Click here to read more.

Abigail's Wake Up Calls

Sometimes the smallest acts make the biggest difference. When kindergartner Abigail’s attendance dropped to 81%, her Program Manager, Ms. Debbie, stepped in to support her and her dad. For a week, Ms. Debbie made daily 6:15 a.m. wake-up calls until Dad was ready to handle mornings on his own.

The result? Abigail’s attendance jumped from 81% to 91% in just four weeks. 

Click here to read more about Abigail's story.

Gateway Food Pantry

Gateway Elementary has launched a new food pantry to serve both school families and the Goodlettsville/Rivergate community. Families can easily access the pantry by filling out the Pantry Request Form (on the school website or in the weekly newsletter), reaching out to Program Manager Ms. Tiffany, or walking in. “These community pantries are important because they help to remove barriers to academic success for students and ensure that they have access to nutritious food so that they can thrive both physically and mentally,” said Tiffany.

For eight years, Communities In Schools of Tennessee (CISTN) has been part of the Paragon Mills Elementary community—supporting students, families, and staff every step of the way. This year, that connection became even more tangible. In the school’s recent renovation, Principal Andy Lyons and his team built something never done before: a dedicated room designed specifically for the CISTN program manager.

For Abby Conner, who once worked out of a portable classroom outside the main building, the new space has been transformative. “Before, it was harder for students to find me, and I wasn’t part of the everyday flow of the school,” Abby explained. “Now, I’m right in the heart of the building—students wave as they pass by, and parents can easily stop in when they come through the front office.” The new CISTN room even includes a washer and dryer, a shower, a changing table, and a large closet filled with essentials like clothing, food, shoes, and household items for families in need.

The space—complete with windows that look out into the hallway, a cozy couch and chairs, a big meeting table, and even a tent for students who need a quiet reset—was designed to be more than an office. It’s a safe, welcoming place where students can take a breather, families can have private conversations, and staff can collaborate to meet student needs. Just next door, a new Community Room provides an area for meetings, events, and volunteer activities that bring the school and community closer together.



The new CISTN room was unveiled at Paragon Mills’ ribbon-cutting on August 12, celebrating not only the school’s transformation into a Spanish Immersion Magnet and Tennessee Reward School, but also its deep commitment to student support. “This room represents what CISTN is all about—meeting students where they are and giving them what they need to succeed,” Abby said. “Now we have a space that truly reflects that mission.”

This fall, Communities In Schools of Tennessee (CISTN) welcomed community leaders, government officials, and partners from across the state for a series of site visits highlighting our impact in schools. These visits caught the attention of local media, helping share the stories of our students and program managers with even more communities.

Herald Citizen

"A nonprofit organization that provides wraparound services for students to address what they call "non-academic barriers," made a visit to Cookeville Thursday. Communities In Schools of Tennessee hosted a discussion at Park View School to talk about their efforts. In partnership with the Putnam County School System, CISTN placed a program manager in three county schools — Park View, Cane Creek and Cornerstone elementary schools — to provide support to students who need it most."

Read the full article here.

Mountain Free Press

"Almost every school in the Morgan County School System benefits from a partnership with Communities in Schools — Tennessee.

The non-profit organization works in schools in 16 Tennessee counties, including several schools in Morgan County. Representatives from the organization visited Wartburg Central Elementary School last week to update the community on the work they do in the schools."

Read the full article here.

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

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Neely's Bend Elementary Fall Festival: Thursday, October 30, 2025  From 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Fall has fallen! Volunteer at Neely's Bend Elementary to help set up, run, and tear down their fall festival. Please wear comfortable clothing that will allow you to easily help with tasks that may include light lifting, cleaning, and moving through crowds. Click here to register.

• Gifts Galore at Hattie Cotton Elementary: Monday, December 15, 2025 from 8:15 AM - 11:15 AM: Gifts Galore is Hattie Cotton's annual holiday event where students are invited to shop for gifts for loved ones. Volunteers are needed to help guide students as they make decisions on what to gift their loved ones as well as assist them in wrapping the items they choose. Click here to register.

In-Kind Donations:

• Winter Warmth Drive: As temperature drop, our Program Managers have identified an urgent need for winter coats for K–8th grade students(youth XS–adult M) and plain black hoodies for high school students (adult XS–XXL). We kindly ask that all donated items arrive clean and gently used or new, and without large logos, brand names, or wording — some school dress codes prohibit them. Your generosity helps ensure that every student can show up to school warm, confident, and ready to learn this winter. We will be accepting donations until December 12th. Email kwallace@cistn.org to donate and learn more.

• Stratford High Holiday Items Needed: Our program manager at Stratford High needs help securing small holiday items such as candy, phone chargers, and hair accessories. These items are used as student incentives and small holiday gifts. If donations exceed Stratford’s needs, we’ll be sure to share them with other high schools that often have a harder time accessing items like these for their students. Email kwallace@cistn.org to donate and learn more.

Support CISTN at the Nashville Predators Game – November 24

• Cheer on the Nashville Predators as they face off against the Florida Panthers on Monday, November 24, and support CISTN while you’re at it! When you purchase your tickets through our exclusive link below, a portion of the proceeds will directly benefit Communities In Schools of Tennessee. Click here to purchase tickets.