County Spotlights

Kendra Sparks is a dedicated Communities In Schools (CIS) Site Coordinator (also referred to as a CIS Facilitator) serving in Wyoming County Schools, West Virginia.  She has been with Wyoming County Schools for many years, and her work focuses on supporting students through the Communities In Schools program, which helps remove barriers to learning by connecting kids and families to community resources, mentoring, attendance initiatives, and more.  Examples of her impact incl

If you are looking for a small place with a big heart and an even bigger impact on students and families, Tyler County never falls short. The Communities In Schools Coordinators of Tyler County go far beyond meeting basic needs; they provide safe spaces, open hearts, and listening ears for students who need to know that someone truly cares. Their presence in the schools creates an environment where students feel supported, valued, and understood. Sometimes at moments when tha

Taylor County is grateful to have a CIS Site Coordinator at all five schools supporting students and families in their most vulnerable moments. The Site Coordinators work tirelessly to fill in the gaps and ensure that all students have access to the supports and items they need.     One highlight of their work is their annual Back-to-School Bash started in 2022. This event, hosted at Grafton High School, invites families to an evening of fun and connection. Community partners

Monongalia County Communities In Schools serves three schools—University High School, Westwood Middle School, and Skyview Elementary School. While they may be a small team, they are truly a mighty one! The Monongalia County CIS team consistently demonstrates what strong collaboration and student-centered support can look like across their schools.  One powerful example of this work took place at University High School. With the support of Communities In Schools, MedEd student

Hampshire County continues to shine thanks to the dedication and heart of its six incredible Site Coordinators, who work tirelessly every day to support students and families. Hampshire County experienced an outstanding example of community collaboration through a generous donation from Lifted Hands Food Pantry. Their support went above and beyond, providing a substantial supply of essential items including body wash, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, feminine hygiene product

We are incredibly proud of the Calhoun Middle High School Changemakers group for turning compassion into action. With a shared goal of supporting every student in our district, they came up with the wonderful idea to send home bags of food to each student in Calhoun schools during Christmas break helping ensure families felt supported while school was out. This effort became a true team accomplishment. Our student services staff came together with dedication and heart to help

When it comes to supporting families, there are few places quite like this one. In Ohio County, Communities In Schools site coordinators have created something truly special for students and families who find themselves in need. They call it The Giving Tree —a once-ordinary building that has been lovingly transformed into a welcoming space filled with clothing, hygiene items, school supplies, and food.    But The Giving Tree is so much more than a storage area. It offers fami

Communities In Schools Site Coordinator Kristy Mullins is placing a strong emphasis on improving student attendance at Coalfield Elementary School while ensuring each child’s individual needs are met.  Through daily check-ins, relationship-building, and collaboration with families and teachers, Kristy works to identify the underlying barriers that keep students from coming to school consistently. Whether those challenges are academic, social, emotional, or related to basic ne

Marion County continues to experience the positive impact of Communities In Schools, strengthening its commitment to student success each year. CIS first launched in the 2023–24 school year at West Fairmont Middle School, Fairmont Senior High School, and Watson Elementary. Building on that strong foundation, the program expanded in 2024–25 to North Marion High School, Mannington Middle School, and Blackshere Elementary. This year, the momentum grows once again with the additi

I am Mrs. Jenna, and I am the Communities In Schools Site Coordinator at Horace Mann Middle School. This is my second year as a Site Coordinator at this school. Working in a middle school is a very unique population of students, and when I began this journey I knew I had to build trust with my students for them to be honest about their needs.   In this area of Charleston, there are families who live very close to the school and some who reside across the river, over a mountai

Grant County Communities In Schools, in partnership with the Child Nutrition Program, was honored to share Thanksgiving food boxes with 56 families across Grant County Schools. This incredible effort was made even more meaningful thanks to the generous support of Pilgrim's Prepared Foods, whose contribution allowed families to experience a little extra holiday warmth and gratitude.  What truly stands out about Grant County is their unwavering commitment to caring for their co

In Clay County—one of West Virginia’s most rural and economically challenged counties—Communities In Schools (CIS) isn’t just a program; it’s the difference between a child staying in school or slipping through the cracks. With poverty rates consistently above the state average, limited access to transportation, and families stretched thin, CIS site coordinators are embedded inside every Clay County school, working tirelessly to remove the barriers that too often push kids ou

For the 2025–2026 school year, Raleigh County Communities In Schools (CIS) is prioritizing two key areas of impact: improving student attendance and strengthening family engagement.  CIS recognizes that consistent school attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success and long-term student outcomes. To address barriers that keep students from attending regularly, CIS site coordinators will continue working closely with school staff, families, and community p

Putnam County, West Virginia, is a dynamic community recognized for its spirit of collaboration and pride in education. Serving more than 9,000 students, Putnam County Schools is consistently ranked among the top districts in the state, earning recognition as West Virginia’s #1 academic district. Communities In Schools (CIS) partners with the district to build on this tradition of success by addressing barriers to learning, supporting student well-being, and ensuring every ch

Pocahontas County Communities In Schools Coordinators—Lois Wilfong, Jillian Lacasse, and Marsha Grimes—were thrilled to organize a county-wide visit from the WVU Mountaineer Cade Kincaid, bringing excitement and inspiration to all five Pocahontas County Schools. Cade spent the day traveling across the county, meeting students from every grade level—from curious preschoolers to graduating seniors—sharing a powerful message about the importance of showing up, staying engaged, a

Mineral County site coordinators are making attendance a priority—and they’re doing it with creativity, collaboration, and a whole lot of heart. Across the district, staff and students are embracing the message that being present matters.    At Keyser Middle School (KMS), the “Pledge to be Present” video has been a powerful tool in reinforcing the importance of attendance. What makes it especially impactful is that it features both students and staff, sending a clear message:

In the heart of Gilmer County, Communities In Schools (CIS) continues to prove why it’s a cornerstone of student support and family engagement. This month’s spotlight shines brightly on their recent Boo Bash, a spooktacular fall festival co-hosted with the PTA that brought the entire community together for an evening of free, family-friendly fun.  The Boo Bash transformed Gilmer Elementary School into a Halloween wonderland. They generously provided free popcorn and cotton ca

The incredible women of  Brooke County Communities In Schools go above and beyond every single day to make sure students feel supported, valued, and cared for. Through unwavering dedication, teamwork, and creativity, they not only meet students’ needs — they bring joy and compassion to everything they do.  Each site coordinator leads with heart — showing empathy, energy, and genuine love for their students. They create safe, welcoming spaces where kids know they have someone

Braxton County Communities In Schools (CIS) has played a key role in strengthening the sense of community across the county. Since its implementation in all Braxton County schools in January 2020, CIS has continued to foster meaningful partnerships through shared success, open communication, and ongoing collaboration.  In October, Braxton County CIS Site Coordinators presented an overview of their program to the Braxton County Rotary Club. They highlighted the organization’s

Nicholas County Communities In Schools is proud to serve students at Panther Creek Elementary, Richwood Middle School, and Richwood High School. At each of these schools, our site coordinators work diligently to ensure that every student’s needs are met — whether academic, emotional, hygienic, or attendance-related. Our mission is to remove barriers to learning so that students can thrive. Thanks to the generosity of our community partners and donors, we’ve been able to provi