Communities In Schools of New Mexico Gives Hope to Families By: Kelly Pope (published July 26, 2021)
I am honored to know of and tell the remarkable pandemic story of Communities in Schools of New Mexico and how this group provided hope and resilience to countless families over the unprecedented last 18 months. Since 2015, I have watched and admired the deep commitment Communities in Schools has to the local community. They help students through a variety of methods of support, ensuring no one falls through the cracks and that each graduates from high school. Modeled on foun

In Memoriam William C. Carson Founding Board President
The Board of Directors, Staff and entire Communities In Schools community mourn the death of William (Bill) C. Carson on October 30. Bill passed away in Maryland where he and his wife, Georgia have lived for the past several years. Bill and Georgia moved to Santa Fe in 1995 continuing his family's long-standing history in New Mexico - his grandfather, Will Carr Lane was the second territorial Governor of the state. Bill was the Founder of the Salazar Partnership and the Found


Communities In Schools at the35th Annual Piñon Awards!
"During the pandemic, Communities In Schools did the front-line work of providing critical basic needs to students and families. In doing so, they have been a model of resilience and grit, just like the one they are committed to developing in the students they serve. Post pandemic, Communities In Schools will continue to do this vital work quietly, earnestly, and authentically, serving as graceful attendants to the most needy in our community." The Piñon Award Nomination. We


Meet Brandon and Communities In Schools Site Coordinator, Adrian Sotelo
Last year, Brandon started his freshman year at Capital High School from home. It was a very challenging time until he met Adrian Sotelo with Communities In Schools! We hope you enjoy this story they created by filming themselves with the guidance of video producer, Mariana Price. Thank you, Mariana for your vision and support that made this video possible!


We LOVE our CIS Volunteers! Join Us!
Communities In School is actively recruiting new volunteers for tutoring positions! Our tutors primarily assist with English Language Arts, and math, but expertise in other subjects - especially at the middle and high school level--is welcome. While the minimum Santa Fe Public School (SFPS) requirement for tutors is one hour a week, many Communities In Schools tutors give two or more hours of their time each week. We are grateful for every minute ALL of our volunteers dedica


Communities In Schools to receive the Quiet Inspiration Piñon Award!
Dear Friend of Communities In Schools, Communities In Schools of New Mexico is delighted to share the great news that on Thursday, October 21, the Santa Fe Community Foundation will present our organization with the Quiet Inspiration Piñon Award. This is a great honor and we are humbled and grateful to receive this award. We do not do this work alone. We thank you for the support you have provided over the years that has helped us achieve important goals on behalf of children

School Coordinator Appreciation Week!
Thank you to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for the Proclamation that made last week the time to celebrate the incredible work of community school coordinators across the state! As you can see, we LOVE our team that shows up each day with heart - committed to making a difference for students and families in our community. Some Site Coordinators shared what motivates them to do this work. It was also a lot of fun to receive notes of appreciation from their students. Luis Burr


Back INside Schools!
Site Coordinators are so happy to be back inside schools to connect directly with students! The first weeks were challenging as everyone had to adjust to being on campus while following the new COVID-safe protocols. Yesi Bermejo, Site Coordinator at Nina Otero Community School comments, "It has been an adjustment to be back in a structured environment where there are specific times for snacks, bathroom breaks and down time. Students were easily overstimulated at first. Everyo


URGENT Shoe and Clothing Fund
CIS Shoe & Clothing Fund Responding to an URGENT need! As the first week of school comes to a close, CIS Site Coordinators
are reporting that a lot of students need SHOES and CLOTHES. Site Coordinator, Andel Trujillo from Salazar Elementary was so concerned with how many students need clothes that she initiated the Urgent Shoe & Clothing Fund.
Angelica Suarez from Sweeney Elementary School commented, "Yesterday I had a family with three siblings that needed shoes, and anoth


More than 8,400 Reasons to Help!
"Back to school supplies can cost more than $150 per child and for a family of four, that is hard to afford! Every year, students and families approach our Site Coordinators for help getting the basic materials they need Stephanie Morlino, Field Operations and former Site Coordinator; Aspen Community School HELP ensure kids have the school supplies they need to
start the year ready to engage

