Greensville County students and families will benefit from increased services and support as Greensville County Public Schools (GCPS) and Communities In Schools of Virginia (CIS-VA) launch a new partnership to elevate the ability for schools to serve as a hub of access to community resources and promote student attendance, engagement and success.
CIS-VA is the Commonwealth’s leading implementer of the community school framework which helps level the playing field for high-need schools by organizing programs and services in one central place for students and families. With a mission of surrounding students with a community of support and empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life, CIS-VA’s evidence-driven model is centered on providing relationship-driven wraparound supports for students while serving as a point of connection and collaboration for schools, students, families and the community.
CIS-VA provides a dedicated student support coordinator who links families to resources to provide a safer, healthier and more stable learning environment. Student support coordinators establish supports to provide tailored services including academic assistance, life and social skill development, basic need support, physical and emotional health, social-emotional learning, family engagement and college and workforce readiness.
“We are thrilled to be bringing CIS-VA’s evidence-based community school approach to Southside Virginia,” says Mark Emblidge, president and founder of CIS-VA. “Vibrant schools are integral to vibrant communities, and this partnership is a win-win for students, families and the entire Greensville/Emporia community.”
The partnership between CIS-VA and GCPS will launch in August at Greensville County High School, where more than 700 students will have access to school-wide, small group and individual supports. The partnership is expected to expand to Edward W. Wyatt Middle School and Greensville Elementary School for the 2024-25 school year.
“We are excited for this collaborative partnership with Communities In Schools,” says Dr. Kelvin Edwards, Superintendent of Greensville County Public Schools. “The community school model supports the coordination of critical services and resources that will be a game-changer for many of our students and their families. Partnering with Communities in Schools will assist us in serving the whole child as we continue to move to the next degree.”
Communities In Schools of Virginia in Greensville County is made possible in part by the Virginia Department of Education’s Community School Fund which supports the statewide development and implementation of the community schools.
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About Communities In Schools of Virginia
Communities In Schools of Virginia is an affiliate of Communities In Schools® (CIS™), is a national organization that ensures every student has what they need to realize their potential in school and beyond. Working directly inside schools across the Commonwealth, we connect students to caring adults and community resources that help them see, confront, and overcome the barriers that stand between them and a brighter future. Together, we build a powerful change movement made up of peers, students, and alumni committed to building an equitable path to education for future generations. www.cisofva.org
About Greensville County Public Schools
Founded in 1953, the Greensville County Public Schools is a Region VIII school division under the esteemed leadership of Dr. Kelvin Edwards. We proudly serve 2,049 students across three schools. United with families and our community, GCPS is committed to offering a safe, rigorous, and student-centric learning environment. We’re focused on our mission to empower learners, with a vision centered on Cultivating Excellence, Transforming Lives, and Impacting Futures.
