2024 GivingTuesday at CIS of Kalamazoo
Thank you for your commitment to kids!
This is our sixth year of our team GivingBack on GivingTuesday. Every year on GivingTuesday, we surprise an individual who has gone above and beyond for students in each school building with CIS of Kalamazoo presence.
#GivingTuesday is a special reminder of how acts of kindness can create a chain reaction that is ongoing and unmeasurable. Some of our CIS team created a quick video reflecting what it means to us to be able to give. We hope you will enjoy it! Here is a YouTube video link.
Each CIS site team has selected a partner staff member who has demonstrated a commitment to working with CIS to help students succeed and making sure students’ needs are met. On this special day, we are delivering a special gift to each person. Check out the descriptions below to learn about the inspiring work being done by school staff.
Arcadia Elementary, Lauren Fron – Physical Education Teacher
Miss Fron works hard to always show up for students. She is co-chair of the MTSS team, deejays for our no referral party. She has donated to the CIS Kids’ Closet to see students have their basic needs met, allowing them to succeed in the classroom. And she is always inviting CIS into the classroom to encourage students in their physical education. Overall, she is a great light in the school, who wants to work with CIS to see students reach their full potential. She does her part every day to see students improve in and outside of the classroom and I am excited to encourage her as an educator with this recognition.
Edison Academy, Joy Luchies-Rose – PEEP Paraprofessional
Mrs. Rose is an excellent, loving, caring and dialed in PEEP paraprofessional. She knows how to introduce the concept of being at school to our youngest students and instills the concept of school as being a good and safe place to be. Year after year, Joy shows that compassion is the Edison way, and makes new students feel at ease and at home. She is a strong and stable presence at the school, one that older students can revisit to remind them of their strong start at Edison. We love and appreciate you, Ms. Rose!
El Sol Elementary, Kira Griggs – Speech Therapist
Mrs. Griggs works diligently to create individualized lessons to meet students’ needs. She also has great communication with teachers and staff to make sure everyone is on the same page and working toward the same goal.
Hillside Middle, Sally DeVisser – Assistant Principal, Samantha Alverez – Spanish Teacher, and April James – Paraprofessional
Both Sally DeVisser and Samantha Alverez are involved with the CIS through donations and helping with CIS. They go out of their way to make sure the needs of the students are met.
Mrs. April always shows extra care to all of the students. She has immense patience and understands their needs. I see her connect to their level in a positive way every day. I’ve seen the students confide in her and lean on her when they need it. She is a great colleague to have around.
Kalamazoo Central High, Sygnett Swann – Math Teacher
Ms. Swann is a wonderful teacher and often goes above and beyond for her students. From running an after-school math tutoring program and working with CIS volunteers, to allowing our math push-in tutors into 3 class periods 5 days each week, Ms. Swann demonstrates that she shares CIS’ commitment to students’ success.
KILP, Phylecia DaSilva – School Counselor
Phylecia is always willing to help me whenever needed. She makes sure to answer all of my questions about the school and always supports me with tools to help ensure our students success. She is a great asset to me. I appreciate all that she has helped me.
King-Westwood Elementary, Ethel Hughes – Behavioral Specialist
Ethel is one of a kind and works so well with the children. She has been working extra hard this year, also serving as the homeless liaison at King-Westwood, and makes sure she is communicating effectively with CIS. Since I am a new site coordinator at King-Westwood, she helps a lot when I am unable to reach the students’ parents. She is one team member that goes above and beyond.
Lincoln Elementary, Barbara Burry – School Secretary and Prajakta Apte – Newcomer ESL Teacher
Barbara Burry handles parent issues everyday with grace. She makes sure internal communications are not missed between all Lincoln staff and students. She takes the good with the bad and still keeps going!
Mrs. Apte, or as the students call her Mrs. P, took over a new classroom this year with students who speak a variety of languages, which is no easy task. She has been an advocate for them by making sure that they don’t miss getting new shoes (FDSF) and winter clothing (CIS Warm Kids) by sending me the names of new students in need as they arrive at Lincoln School. She’s the best!
Linden Grove Middle, Jamie Korinek – Culture and Climate Coach and Leo Gray – Behavior Interventionist
Jamie provides consistent support to staff and students every day as he intentionally meets needs in a caring and authentic manner. He provides daily management of the mood meter, sending out vital info to those interacting with students in need of care. He personally works with students to address peer conflicts and help those struggling with emotional regulation. He has provided excellent referrals for CIS case management this year as well as organized a fund raiser to build a food pantry in our school. His genuine care for our students and myself as new staff in the building has been a great source of encouragement. Linden Grove is a better place because of Jamie Korinek.
Mr. Gray goes above and beyond for the kids. He wears multiple hats in our building and is always on the move. He is a positive role model for our students and staff in the building. He is always at work with a smile on his face and in a good mood with the kids.
Loy Norrix High, Tia Brooks – Campus Safety
She is loving, supportive, and always looks after kids by building relationships with them. She is also always proactive by providing tier-1 support for kids when we are not available and making sure that she leaves a note for data purposes.
Maple Street Middle, Jamie Miller – Climate Culture Coach and Elizabeth Weaver – 7th grade Math Teacher
Jamie collaborates with CIS to identify students who would work well with CIS, as well as letting the school know about the different services that CIS provides. She is always bringing students down to the CIS office who have never met the CIS staff to explain to them everything that the Maple St. team provides. She is a positive person who is always willing to sit with CIS staff to come up with a plan for students as well as different approaches to connect with them. She is very supportive of the CIS Maple St. team and ensuring they have the best approaches when working with different teams within the school.
Mrs. Weaver is always working CIS to try to get the best supports for her students. She is always willing to call or email the CIS team to see if there is anything within the community to help support. She constantly checks in with site team staff to make sure that our mental and physical health are in check and gives suggestions to help everyone as a whole.
Milwood Elementary, Germaine Milliner – 4th grade Teacher
Germaine Milliner makes sure that students have the packets they need for homework in order to build the students’ skill set and communicates students’ progress with us on a regular basis.
Milwood Middle, Julia Perry – Dance Teacher
Ms. Perry is a dedicated and hardworking teacher. She makes sure the girls have the resources they need for class and goes above and beyond for all students.
Northeastern Elementary, Marlene Katz – Homeless Liaison
Mrs. Katz works with me one-on-one to make sure our students’ needs are met. We often collaborate to ensure student success. Mrs. Katz is always extremely helpful and is always willing to take on and tackle projects with me.
Northglade Montessori Magnet, Christy Roth – Reading Recovery/Intervention Teacher
Christy goes above and beyond to connect with students and advocate for students who would benefit from the services CIS offers. She has helped me identify many potential caseload students and donated to the Basic Needs Closet often. She is a great encouragement and support to me as I do my job.
Paramount Charter Academy, Dawn Munos – Bus Liaison
Dawn works tirelessly to coordinate getting students to and from school. She quickly and clearly communicates with staff and families about changes in bussing. Her flexibility, problem-solving skills and ability to form relationships with Paramount families helps keep Paramount running smoothly.
Parkwood Upjohn Elementary, Brooke Strasser – Home Support Specialist
Brooke works hand-in-hand with CIS at Parkwood-Upjohn to make sure that students are present, motivated to learn, and inspired to be their best selves. She leads with compassion, and I am so grateful that she is a part of the PUJ team.
Phoenix High, Talisha Bridges – Athletic Director and Character Development Coach
All the staff at Phoenix High School have a deep passion for the success of their students and Ms. Bridges is no different. Ms. Bridges is kind and is quick to help a student in need. We always see Ms. Bridges assisting and comforting students. In addition to helping students succeed in the classroom, Ms. Bridges also makes sure the students are invited to join school groups where they can be a part of something great.
Prairie Ridge Elementary, Christina Conway – Activity Helper
I can count on Ms. Conway to help with anything that I request from her. She helps with FDSF and Warm Kids. She looks out for my caseload kiddos during lunch and recess. Ms. Conway is such a loving person. I appreciate her support for Communities In Schools.
Spring Valley Center for Exploration, Kathreen Fahey – Upper Elementary Resource Room
We appreciate Mrs. Fahey at Spring Valley! Among her many roles at the school, she supports all students by providing an additional safe space for students to help manage their emotions, improve their behavior, and thrive academically and socially. We thank Mrs. Fahey for going above and beyond to support students at Spring Valley; her patience and kindness is extraordinary.
Washington Writers’ Academy, Hollie Sutton – Home Support Specialist and Homeless Liaison
Hollie is brand new to Washington this year, but she is making a big difference already while working with daytime and after school CIS site coordinators. During the day she is either subbing, helping with attendance, serving families, helping staff, running back to school events, open house, and/or attendance incentives. She even supported an event for Thanksgiving Literacy by serving our students and their families a Thanksgiving meal. She set up an extra space for the on-site CIS Kids’ Closet; while working on a care closet so activity helpers can grab winter gear as needed. She is always seeking what she can do to help staff and even students when in need and communicating with staff to make sure students and family’s needs are met. It is not an easy job she does, but she does it and could not be more thankful for her. Thank you, Hollie!
Woods Lake Elementary, Chris Strays and Mason Scott – Night custodians
Mr. Chris and Mr. Mason do a fantastic job of keeping our school safe and clean for students and CIS both. They are always ready and willing to help with a variety of things, from cleaning to moving items to organizing, and do it with a smile on their face. They are also always kind to students and engage them when the opportunity arises and are just all-around deserving of being recognized for their hard work in our school and for CIS.
Woodward School, Andreea Frew – School Psychologist
Andreea goes above and beyond every day, and many days after hours to make sure that each student and family’s needs are met and cared for in a complete and loving way. She seamlessly brings teams together with her warmth, humor, attention to detail and follow-up, making sure everyone is on the same page, and has the information needed to move forward. Andreea is loved by every student and staff here at Woodward and has her fingers in many pies—the Attendance team, of course leading CST’s, the Positive Behavior Support team, Social Emotional Learning team, School Improvement Team, and the Leadership team at Woodward. She also balances working in more than one building and serving hundreds of students with grace. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to celebrate her!
From all of us at Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo, thank you. We are proud to partner with you.
Tags: #GivingTuesday, Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo, GivingBack, GivingTuesday, Kalamazoo Public Schools, Paramount
