Roswell High Program Gets $50K Donation From AT & T

Just released from the Fulton County School System:

Yesterday, Fulton County Schools accepted a $50,000 donation from AT&T to fund a Communities In Schools site coordinator at Roswell High School. The funds make it possible to have a specialized staff member at the school who focuses on improving students’ progress toward graduation.

The CIS coordinator will build relationships with students who are struggling, identify their unmet needs, and mobilize community support to meet those needs. The premise is that when students’ basic needs are met, whether it is eyeglasses, tutoring, or a reward for improved attendance, they can concentrate on learning.

“The partnerships with AT&T and Communities In Schools of Atlanta allow us to bring more community support into our schools and reach students’ needs in non-traditional ways,” said Superintendent Robert Avossa. “These relationships make a meaningful difference in students’ lives and have a powerful impact on our graduation outcomes.”

Dennis Boyden, regional director of AT&T’s external affairs, agreed. “AT&T places a high value on the education of students. They are our future business and community leaders,” he said. “It is the business community’s civic responsibility to support students and help them reach their goal of on-time graduation. It is AT&T’s honor to support the Communities In Schools program and Fulton County Schools.”

Accepting the donation on behalf of Roswell High School, Principal Jerome Huff said that the partnership will focus on supporting approximately 55 “freshmores” – students who should be sophomores but are still classified as freshmen due to their academic performance.

“Our CIS site coordinator will target these students and help get them back on track for graduation,” Huff said. “She’ll form relationships with them and talk to their teachers, visit their homes, and see what their academic and social needs are.”

According to Patricia Pflum, executive director of Communities In Schools of Atlanta, the program focuses community support on five important goals that are critical to students’ success in school: improving on-time attendance; improving student behavior; increasing parental engagement; providing support for struggling families to meet basic needs; and providing opportunities for career and academic enrichment.

Similar Communities In Schools programs and outreach are in place at Hamilton E. Holmes Elementary School, Paul D. West Middle School, Tri-Cities High School and Westlake High School.