TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - s4story -- Communities In Schools of Northwest Michigan (CISNWMI) and Mancelona Middle School hosted a visit by State Representative John Roth on Monday, November 26. Representative Roth (R-Interlochen) spent the afternoon learning how CISNWMI surrounds local students and families with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve.

Roth is a vocal advocate for collaborative approaches to education that encourage parent involvement. Working together with school districts and educators in six school districts in northwest Michigan, CISNWMI brings in community resources and partners to meet the needs of K-12 students and their families.

Throughout the afternoon, Representative Roth learned how the organization accelerates positive outcomes in local schools, hearing from Mancelona Middle School students, CISNWMI team members, and Mancelona Public Schools Superintendent Tina Frollo. By placing a trained Site Coordinator in schools, CISNWMI's model exponentially improves behavior, school attendance, college readiness, and graduation rates.

Students involved in the Student Voices for Healthy Choices program, a CIS initiative that is funded by the Michigan Health Endowment, talked about their creative efforts to improve physical, mental, and nutritional health among their peers. This student-led call to action for better health is a collaboration between CIS and Mancelona Public Schools that improves leadership skills, wellness, and self esteem.

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Reflecting on the success of the day, CISNWMI Executive Director Amy Burk shared, "Representative Roth saw how we support the development of the whole child, and understands how our presence in schools benefits administrators, teachers, students, and families."

About Communities in Schools of Northwest Michigan

Communities In Schools® (CIS®) is a national organization that ensures every student, regardless of who they are, their ability, zip code or socioeconomic background, has what they need to realize their potential in school and beyond. Working directly inside more than 3,000 schools across the country, 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. To learn more, visit cisnwmi.org.