Latest News from CISGG | Winter 2022
THE ED Corner
Do you have only a vague idea of what emotional intelligence (EI) and social and emotional learning (SEL) mean, and why they matter so much now? You are not alone. Put simply, EI is the ability to identify and manage your emotion and the emotions of others. SEL refers to a process in which children acquire emotional intelligence, develop empathy for others, and learn problem-solving skills.

Before the pandemic, SEL was gaining ground in schools, especially as research has shown that students who manage their emotions perform better academically and have fewer disciplinary issues. As COVID-19 continues, SEL is vital in helping students to manage.

Anxiety, worry, concern, etc. all appear to be spreading with the virus. No one seems immune, especially our young. During a visit with one of our donors, the donor commented that nothing has gone untouched by the pandemic. That everything is different. If an 80-plus year old feels that way, is it any wonder that our children are uneasy?

My belief is that all of the fancy EI and SEL stuff begins with a very simple premise. That we spend more time at school and at home doing quality check-ins, first asking our students and children how they’re feeling, and then listening, actively listening, to what they say. We may want to start with the adults.
Katrinka Brown Principal Jackson Middle School
GCS Principal of the Year (TWICE)! ⭐
Ms. KaTrinka Brown serves as the principal of the great Jackson Middle School, home of two CIS projects, the AAMI and the SAS afterschool program. She is a tireless advocate for the full potential of students and securing resources to meet students academic and non-academic needs, even digging into her own pockets if necessary. The District chose to honor her outstanding support of student social and emotional well-being especially the mental health needs of students and staff as highlighted by the pandemic. She dedicated the honor to students, parents and teachers as they pushed through the challenges of the pandemic. In addition, GCS district leadership presented her with the Piedmont-Triad Region Principal of the Year award. She is now one of nine finalists for the NC Principal of the Year Award, going up against principals from across the state.

Ms. Brown is currently pursuing her doctorate at UNCG.

Congratulations, Ms. Brown! We salute you every day.
Celebrating our Alumni! πŸ†πŸ†πŸ†
Felton Foushee was apart of the CIS of Greater Greensboro program at Dudley HS from 1990 - 1994. Currently, Foushee works with youth through many ventures, including a Rockingham County based nonprofit. Read more about his story and his success with CISGG below!
Community Partner Shout-Out!
Since 1988-89, the Dept. of Social Services (DSS), and later the Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS), has walked with CIS every step of the way. Starting with three social workers, DHHS has stayed the course in our campaign to keep kids in school, successfully. In 2004, the Board of County Commissioners voted to convert the social workers into a performance-based contract allowing CIS in High Point and Greensboro to use the funding however CIS thought best. With the funding, CISGG expanded the number of schools served, added a school- to- career strategy as well as fortified our case management system by adding a full-time social worker. According to Karen Willliamson, the relationship with CIS provides an additional level of care for school-aged children who are in the care of DHHS and attend CIS-served schools.
We Couldn't Do It Without People Like - Cathy Jenkins!
The youngest member of our staff in terms of years served, Cathy Jenkins joined the CIS staff in 2019 as the director of the Success at School Afterschool (SAS) program. Prior to, Cathy served as the SAS afterschool coordinator at Archer Elementary for five years and substitute teacher for Guilford County Schools. Cathy brings an abundance of knowledge and experience with her master’s in counseling from NC Central University and BS in child development and family systems from NCA&TSU. In her current role, Cathy develops critical relationships with coordinators, principals, service providers, students and families as she works with the school and the community to organize and deliver the program annually.
Restorative Justice Program!
The restorative justice PE program is back at Dudley under the leadership of our very own Dr. Michael Hemphill! After spending a year on the sideline due to Covid, the program returned to Dudley in October to 30 eager students ready to integrate life skills and learn martial arts skills. Dr. Hemphill is joined by Dr. Jeremy Rinker and several excellent graduate students. This is a critical component in helping our schools to provide social emotional learning to students. We look forward to expanding the opportunity to Smith High School and beyond in the very near future thanks to a very generous grant from Edward M.Armfield, Jr. Foundation!
Other News:
Recently, we agreed to participate in a study, by UNCG, regarding kinship care, specifically in African American families.

The School of Health and Human Services is conducting research and providing services to improve the well-being of African American families. The African American Families and Kinship Care Lab is conducting two National Institute of Health funded studies. One study examines the strengths and resources of African American kinship care families (e.g., grandparents raising grandchildren) that influence the development of children's social, academic, and behavioral outcomes. The second study examines African American kinship caregivers' health outcomes...
FYI: Vaccination Information
Help keep our students in the classroom this year. More information about #StrongSchoolsNC, Covid-19 testing at school, and other FAQs!
Your Donation Now Is More Important Than Ever!
Head to Communities In Schools of Greater Greensboro today to help students succeed!

Donations may also be made by sending a check to Communities In Schools of Greater Greensboro, P.O. Box 1347, Greensboro, NC 27402-1347. 
Like, Comment, Share πŸ‘
Share this email newsletter with friends! Share on social media!! Sign up to receive our monthly email newsletter! Also, don't forget to whitelist our email address so you don't miss out on important updates and information!