The mission of Communities in Schools (CIS) is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

While the program was first initiated in New York City by Bill Milliken, Gov. Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice have allocated monies to expand the CIS program from an initial three counties to the current 31 of 55 in the state.

In Pendleton County, our five CIS Coordinators serve in each of the three elementary schools: Brandywine Elementary, Franklin Elementary, and North Fork Elementary, as well as the Pendleton County Middle/High School. The impact the coordinators and the program have had on our students and school community are invaluable and have come at a most crucial time.

Pendleton County Schools hosted a CIS Collaborative meeting on May 4, 2023 with Randolph, Grant, and Hardy County, and WVDE regional specialist Erin Boyd and Carla Snell led the meeting.

Buffalo Snow Catering Company volunteered to cater the lunch for the CIS county contacts and coordinators.

CIS coordinated an assembly at each Pendleton County School with John Buckland (Batman of WV). As an overcomer of terrible child abuse, bullying, addiction, depression and self-destruction John (Batman) brings a message of HOPE & empowerment which is fine tuned for all ages. Each grade level receives an age-appropriate message to impact them as they grow up. 

Community in Schools Coordinators (CIS) and County Contacts from Grant, Hardy, and Pocahontas County joined together in a collaborative meeting with WV Department of Education CIS Coordinators and Regional Specialists hosted by Pendleton County Schools.  Best practices, student services, community programs and supports, and several excellent ideas were shared with the goal of fostering on-going student and school support.

Mrs. Teter worked to give every student the opportunity to share a message with their teachers. With the video interviews collected, Mrs. Lambert created a surprise video for teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week this year. You can view the abbreviated version of the video below!