Schertz Elementary Selected As Recipient of Thecommunities in Schools School of Excellence

News Release

For Immediate ReleaseContact:Christine Watson

August 8, 2013

Schertz Elementary Selected as Recipient of theCommunities In Schools “School of Excellence”Award

The winner of this national honor, Schertz Elementary, partners with Communities In Schools of South Central Texas

Schertz, Texas - Communities In Schools, one of the leading organizations dedicated to empowering students to stay in school and achieve in life, has selected Schertz Elementary as one of five recipients of the “School of Excellence” award, a newly established national honor that highlights the successful implementation of the proven Communities In Schools model in a partner school. Schertz Elementary has worked closely with Communities In Schools of South Central Texas for the past five years.

Christine Douglas, Executive Director of the local Communities In Schools of South Texas affiliate commented,“We are delighted to recognize the work of Schertz Elementary and its dedicated staff with the “School of Excellence” award. Our affiliate is fortunate to partner with excellent schools, giving us the opportunity to work together to ensure that students have the high level of support they need to achieve.”

Communities In Schools of South Central Texaswill closely support2800 students at26 schools campuses in 4 school districts including: Comal, New Braunfels, Marion, and Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD during the 2013-14 school year.

“We are very proud of Schertz Elementary School being chosen as a School of Excellence. We appreciate greatly our partnership with CIS and the synergy that is created when we combine our efforts towards ensuring every child has excellence in education every day”, commented Dr. Greg Gibson, Superintendent of Schertz-Cibolo Universal City ISD.

The Communities In Schools model places site coordinators inside partner schools to work with school staff to identify students at risk of not graduating. By assessing school and student needs, and establishing relationships with local businesses, social service agencies, health care providers and other organizations, site coordinators then can harness needed resources to help students achieve their full potential.

Representatives from Schertz Elementary and three other Communities In Schools partner schools from around the country will be presented with their awards during a special ceremony in Charlotte, N.C., in January.

About Communities In Schools of South Central Texas

Communities In Schools of South Central Texasis part of the national Communities In Schools network, one of the nation’s leading dropout prevention organizations. The mission of Communities In Schools is tosurround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Through a school-based site coordinator, Communities In Schools of South Central Texasconnects students and their families to critical community resources, tailored to local needs.Last school year, Communities In Schools of South Central Texas served2,160 students, empowering 100% to graduate. It has been shown through an independent evaluation that Communities In Schools is the nation’s only dropout prevention organization proven to both increase graduation rates and reduce dropout rates.Visit our website at