Whether it was 5 years or 50 years ago, we bet you can still recall the excitement, the anticipation, or perhaps the nervous anxiety you felt on that first day of school every year. Teachers, parents, and our CIS team members feel that same mixture of emotions... it is an exciting time, but can also be stressful and exhausting for everyone!
This year we asked our Site Coordinators to share their "first day of school" experiences – what was the day like for them and their students? What were the highs, or the lows? These first-hand accounts from three of our Site Coordinators (below) give us a unique window into the "lived experiences" of our students – and they remind us that not every child comes to school with the same anticipation and excitement we may recall from our own childhood. Many students and families face challenges and barriers not of their own making, but that stem from unjust and inequitable policies ingrained in our educational and social systems.
Our Site Coordinators are in school on the first day – and every day – to provide students and parents with a warm welcome, caring support and solutions, while also building a foundation of trust and connection to the school. For many families, our CIS Site Coordinators are their "everyday heroes" and most trusted resource at the school.
THANK YOU for your support of CIS, which allows us to be in schools every day, serving as "everyday heroes" to the kids and families who need us most.