Communities in Schools
Empowering GISD students on a path to a brighter future
GISD listens to the needs of our families, and has contracted with Communities In Schools of North Texas to bring three staff into our district full-time. The mission of Communities In Schools of North Texas (CISNT) is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and to achieve in life. CISNT provides wraparound services during the school day to address students’ physical, social-emotional, and academic needs, ensuring that they have the tools to succeed in their education. Services are provided in one-to-one, small group, and school-wide settings. Other small groups work together to build valuable life and social skills, such as anti-bullying, self-confidence, emotional recognition, and friendship-building skills.
CIS Staff
Chalmers Elementary
Cinthia Rodriguez
crodriguez@gainesvilleisd.org
Gainesville Intermediate
Brandon Gordon
bgordon@gainesvilleisd.org
Gainesville Junior High
Maria Corona
mcorona@gainesvilleisd.org
Communities in Schools of North Texas
In the Fall of 2021, an additional layer of student support services was brought to our students when GISD contracted services for a full-time Communities in Schools of North Texas (CISNT) site coordinator at the Intermediate campus. The district felt the impact that CIS was making at GIS and opted to expand services to Gainesville Junior High the following year and Chalmers Elementary this Fall.
The mission of Communities In Schools of North Texas (CISNT) is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. CISNT provides wraparound services during the school day to address students’ physical, social, behavioral, and academic needs, ensuring they have the tools to succeed in their education. Services are provided in one-to-one, small group, and school-wide settings.
Each CISNT Site Coordinator provides ongoing support to a caseload of 80-100 students, as well as support to the whole school population. “You become invested in something you believe in, and I believe in these kids,” said Brandon Gordon, Site Coordinator at GIS.
When a student requires additional support, whether it basic needs resources, goal setting, or mental health support, they can be referred to the CIS program. Each Site Coordinator works with the student to determine what services will help them achieve their fullest potential. Some examples of services that CIS Site Coordinators provide include small groups to improve student’s social skills, self-esteem, or self-regulation; one-to-one supportive guidance; goal setting and academic progress monitoring; connections for families to resources in the community; and parent and family activities on the school campus. CIS also provides school-wide services, including holiday assistance and access to on-campus nutrition hubs.
CISNT and GISD are working together to ensure that all kids have the resources that they need to thrive in school and life. If you know a student or family who may benefit from the CIS program, or if you would like to donate basic needs items to the program, please contact Cinthia Rodriguez for Chalmers at crodriguez@gainesvilleisd.org, Brandon Gordon for Gainesville Intermediate at bgordon@gainesvilleisd.org, or Maria Corona for Gainesville Junior High at mcorona@gainesvilleisd.org.
There are also opportunities to engage the community in this work! If you would like to get involved as a volunteer mentor or tutor and help invest in student success, please contact volunteer@cisnt.org or visit cisnt.org/get-involved.