Dear Parent/Guardian,

Thank you for your interest in Lamar’s Communities In Schools Program.  We are very excited about this school year, and are pleased to work with Lamar’s students.  Our program is offered every school day and is free of charge.  It is open to ALL students.  All that is required to join is a completed permission packet, which is available in the CIS room, #103.

Communities In Schools (known by the students as CIS), offers many services for students and their families.  Examples of these services include:

Ø  Supportive Guidance (Mentoring, lunch groups)

Ø  Health and Human Services (School supplies, health-related assistance)

Ø  Educational Enhancement (Tutoring, grade monitoring)

Ø  Career/College Awareness (Career and college information and planning)

Ø  Parental Support (Parent contacts)

Ø  Enrichment Activities (Games, crafts, fundraising)

Our purpose is to assist and guide students and educate them about social and educational issues, either through group activities or one-on-one involvement.  We are not an after school program.  Our program is offered during school hours, and occasionally weekend activities will be planned.  Parent s are always welcome and encouraged to participate.  Students will be divided into groups and each group will eat lunch with us one day a week.  During those lunches, they will participate in fun and educational activities provided by the CIS staff and professional guest speakers.  Topics of discussion include:  bullying, violence and suicide prevention, drug/alcohol abuse, sexual abstinence, sexual assault and harassment, peer and family relationships, nutrition, hygiene, career and college awareness and games such as Math and Social Studies Bingo, and Madlibs.  We also award prizes for student participation and organizational skills.

Another service we offer is an internet resource for parents and students.  We assist students with school projects through internet research, and assist parents with establishing an e-mail account and a Gradespeed account.  Gradespeed is offered through TISD to help parents monitor their children’s grades.

Please feel free to contact me at anytime with questions or concerns.  My room is #103, and again thank you for your interest in CIS, and for your continuing support of Lamar Middle School.

Catherine Smith, Site Director

Office:  215-6422

E-mail:  catherine.smith@tisd.org