Boonville, MO – Communities In Schools of Mid-America (CIS of Mid-America) and Boonville R-1 School District are pleased to announce that two Boonville schools, Hannah Cole Primary School and Laura Speed Elliott Middle School, will be the first two schools to have Communities In Schools programs as part of a new Communities In Schools Missouri Small and Rural Schools Project pilot for the 2019-2020 school year. Both CIS of Mid-America and Boonville R-1 School District would like to thank the Missouri General Assembly and Governor Mike Parson for providing funding in this year’s state budget that, combined with local school district funds, is making this important pilot project possible.
“CIS of Mid-America is excited to partner with Boonville schools on this important pilot project aimed at meeting the needs of students and families in small communities and rural parts of Missouri. We have an excellent record of significant impact in similar communities in our region and are confident we can do the same in Missouri.”
Malissa Martin, President and CEO at CIS of Mid-America.
CIS of Mid-America focuses its work exclusively inside PreK-12 schools, connecting at-risk students with critical community resources – such as food, clothing, school supplies, and medical care – to help remove barriers preventing them from achieving academic success. A full-time CIS of Mid-America staff member, known as a Site Coordinator, will be placed at each one of the schools in the project. The estimated start date for this new position is late September, and will continue to work through the rest of the school year.
The Communities In Schools Missouri Small and Rural Schools Project is a new effort by CIS of Mid-America to partner with local school districts to meet the growing and diverse needs for student supports existing in smaller communities across the state. Once the initial pilot programs have been established, the hope is for other districts in the area to partner with CIS of Mid-America to bring in their proven effective model of student supports as a way to meet the student and family needs facing schools at increasing rates.
Boonville school leaders recognize the growing needs for student supports in their schools and the potential this pilot project holds for helping them face these needs effectively.
“The Boonville R-1 School District is excited to participate in the Missouri Small and Rural Schools Pilot Project in collaboration with Communities in Schools. This project will provide opportunities for our school district to leverage community resources and assets to meet the needs of our students. Our hope is to identify barriers to student success and then find avenues to provide ongoing student support. Our school district is extremely fortunate to engage in this needed opportunity.”
Sarah Marriott, Superintendent at Boonville R-1 School District
“As a member of the Boonville R1 School District Board of Education, I am most excited that Communities In Schools will become a partner with the Boonville R1 School District. Over the past several years, I have seen great difficulty with our district in sustaining, much less increasing, revenue to support the needs (educational and personal) of our students. Integrating Communities In Schools into our school district will provide additional/necessary resources to students and families in need. The result of such will be kids staying in school and becoming successful students and adults. This is truly a win – win for all.”
Charlie Melkersman, President at Boonville R-1 School District
Principals in the two Boonville schools receiving the Communities In Schools program are also looking forward to the additional support.
“We are thrilled to be making Communities In Schools a part of our LSE Middle School Pirate Family. This partnership provides an opportunity to fulfill the needs of more of our students and to build a community of support for our families. With the addition of Communities in Schools, we have another layer of care for our students and will have access to more outreach and resources for families.”
Stephanie Green, Principal at Laura Speed Elliott Middle School
“Hannah Cole will be adding another system of support for students and families this fall. Communities In School will be placing a Site Coordinator at HCP. Providing additional support and resources for students and their families is extremely important. This program will allow us to support families early on as we build the foundation of learning. Being able to be a pilot school for this adventure is amazing and HCP!”
Leslie Reardon, Principal at Hannah Cole Primary School
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About Communities In Schools of Mid-America
Communities In Schools (CIS) is the nation’s largest and most effective organization dedicated to helping students be in school every day in the best condition they can to learn and grow. Communities In Schools of Mid-America is part of this organization, working in over 50 schools across Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Oklahoma. We do whatever it takes to ensure that the more than 35,000 students we serve – regardless of the challenges they face – have what they need to realize and reach their potential.
About Boonville R-1 School District
The mission of the Boonville R-I School District is to provide all students with the opportunity to receive a quality education, become responsible individuals, competent workers and contributing citizens. Boonville R-1 School District serves 1,600 students in grades Preschool through 12.