Most of us who live in this community are well aware of the crisis in education that many are now talking about. The Kent School District has been faced with cutbacks and many schools are struggling. What you may not know is that one organization highlighted in these conversations is quietly at work here in our community – Communities In Schools of Kent.
Communities In Schools of Kent (CISK) is part of a large nation-wide network of affiliates who aim to reduce drop-out rates. In Kent schools they run two programs: an Elementary Mentor Program that matches at-risk students with a mentor who spends time one-on-one with the student once a week; and the Kent Performance Learning Center (KPLC) in partnership with the Kent School District at the Kent Phoenix Academy. The Kent Phoenix Academy is home to several programs for high-school students who for various reasons will have a greater chance of graduating from a non-traditional school. The KPLC is one of these programs, and matches students with mentors, facilitates job shadows, internships and has various programs for post-graduation planning.
Communities In Schools is making a difference right here in Kent and Covington. Kent was recently named as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People and the Kent Performance Learning Center and other Kent Phoenix Academy programs were highlighted as one of the reasons. What kind of difference do these programs make? Students are staying in school; students are graduating. Last year 64 students graduated from the Kent Phoenix Academy, with 33 of those students graduating from the Kent Performance Learning Center. More than 75 students throughout the Kent School District were matched with mentors.
In an article entitled “Be a Superman in Your Community” John Koch asks each person to stop by their local school and ask how they can help. We are all part of the solution to the education crisis. Get involved! Contact CISK and volunteer to be a mentor, help to create a job shadow/internship, or simply make a donation. YOU can make a difference!
Dee Klem
Elementary Mentor Program
Communities In Schools of Kent
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