HOLIDAY SUPPORT
FEDERAL WAY CARES FOR KIDS
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On Saturday, December 17th, 250 community volunteers came out to support the Federal Way Cares For Kids Holiday Gift Giving Event. This year, we were able to serve almost 200 families, totaling over 1,000 students from every school in the Federal Way School District! Parents shopped for 2 gifts for each of their children, while the kids made ornaments for their parents. Families also took pictures with Santa and took home a Christmas ham and Christmas cookies.
SCHOOL SUPPORT
Our School Outreach Coordinators organized holiday support for an additional 60 families not served by the Federal Way Cares for Kids event. Donations from school staff, teachers and generous community members allowed them to help more families than ever before this holiday season!
At Todd Beamer High School, our School Outreach Coordinator, Sara Weir, coordinated Christmas gifts and food baskets for 10 families in need. One family in particular reminded us all what the holiday season is about. After only asking for a pair of jeans for his son, a father who recently lost his wife, was so grateful to be given not only the jeans, but much more, including enough food to last the two week holiday break. Unbeknownst to Sara, the father has several serious health issues, and rode his wheelchair four miles to the school to pick up what he thought was just a pair of jeans. This was a small sacrifice that he was willing to make to be able to provide his son with a small gift for Christmas, and mainly what is important he says is, "living in the moment, and enjoying my son while I can."
Read more and view photos here.
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2016 YEAR END GIFT
First and foremost, we would like to thank our supporters for all of the gifts you have given the students and families served by Communities In Schools of Federal Way this year. Whether it's your time, talent, or financial contribution, your support is important to us and our work with students.
As you spend time with your loved ones and reflect on all of the wonderful moments of the past year, we hope you will also take the time to reflect on the important work of Communities In Schools of Federal Way, and how you can be a part of changing the picture of education for children in need in our community.
For as little as $200 annually (or $15 a month) per student, Communities in Schools is able to provide a comprehensive range of services, proven effective in lowering dropout rates and increasing graduation rates. Last year, 100% of our seniors graduated! 81% of contributions, from donors like you, go directly to student services that help make that difference.
So we ask you this, will you join us for another year of success stories? The clock is ticking, and soon 2017 will be upon us. Please consider making a gift to Communities In Schools of Federal Way, and make this new year a success for a student in our community.
It only takes one person to make a difference in a student's life. Will it be you?
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PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
Improving School Attendance
Our School Outreach Coordinator, Anthony Cryer, at Totem Middle School, is working to support Totem's school-wide goal of 95% attendance. Anthony helped put together an attendance team to assess and address the underlying issues to student attendance. The team implemented an incentive program to encourage students to have good attendance. Any student at Totem who achieves at least 95% attendance each month is entered to win prizes. The prizes are located in the school's trophy case for students to see, and each month there is a theme (Harry Potter, for example).
Additionally, any student who falls under 90% attendance will receive individualized support from a Totem staff member to help resolve any barriers to attendance those students may be facing. After several months of this program, Totem has seen positive results! The overall school attendance went from 92% to 95%. One student in particular, went from missing 35 days of school from September through October, to missing just four days once the program was implemented. Similarly, another student went from missing 20 days, to not missing a single day!
Learn More Here. |
FUNDING SPOTLIGHT
Pride Foundation
Communities In Schools of Federal Way was recently awarded grant funding from the Pride Foundation, for a second year, to support GSA (Gay-Straight-Alliance) clubs at four middle schools in Federal Way (Kilo, Totem, Sequoyah, and Lakota). GSA's provide a safe place for students to meet, support each other, talk about issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, and work to end homophobia and transphobia. Funding from the Pride Foundation will largely support cross-school collaboration events in which students from all four schools will get together to meet each other, share ideas, and discuss issues they are facing.
It is our hope that we continue to make strides in promoting school environments that are safe, welcoming, and accepting of all students, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Through the presence of GSAs, and the cross-school collaborations, we hope to see our students feel supported in their self-discovery, empowered in their identity, and become champions and advocates for themselves and their peers.
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Communities In Schools of Federal Way
1825 S. 316th St. #101
Federal Way, WA 98003
253-529-7440
Surrounding students with a community of support,
empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
Connect. Donate. Volunteer.
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