First lady Michelle Obama received a warm welcome from Communities In Schools (CIS) national board members during a recent visit to Ferebee-Hope Elementary, a CIS partner school in Southeast Washington, D.C.

The Communities In Schools (CIS) network, like many other organizations across the country, has felt the “ripple effect” of our nation’s economic downturn. Budgets are leaner and grant opportunities more competitive. Now there is a ripple effect taking place that benefits CIS affiliates – funding from the $787 billion economic stimulus package signed into law by President Obama on February 17.

Rock the Dance was the theme of the 7th Annual Communities In Schools (CIS) of North Carolina Education Ball, which celebrates and recognizes education and student achievement across the state. New to this year’s event, former CIS student (now CIS of North Carolina board member) Acton Archie joined five other local personalities from the Triangle area who put on their dancing shoes to raise money for the organization.

Judging by statistics alone, Kami Hunt should have dropped out of school long ago. The serious obstacles she faced – including homelessness and substance abuse – are among the leading risk factors for dropout and reason enough for any young person to falter or lose hope altogether.

A few months ago, Communities In Schools (CIS) longtime board member Anne Cox Chambers announced her retirement from the national board of directors and transitioned to the CIS Leadership Council. Her son, James (Jim) Cox Chambers was elected to the board in her place.

CIS of the Charleston Area, S.C., was awarded a substantial grant in June from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of South Carolina to improve health awareness and access to health care among uninsured and underinsured youth in the Charleston area.

New national board members have brought their strong management skills and philanthropic spirit to the helm of Communities In Schools (CIS). The following new directors attended their first board meeting in May at the CIS national office in Northern Virginia:

Communities In Schools (CIS) is involved in two new national initiatives designed to raise visibility for the network, attract more interest in our work and increase our capacity to serve more students