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Communities In Schools reports improved attendance and case‑management outcomes at Emmaus High and Iyer Middle
Summary
Communities In Schools (CIS) of Eastern Pennsylvania presented its annual report to the East Penn board, highlighting a 92.28% average daily attendance at Emmaus High, exceeded case‑management targets and expansions of school‑based programs; the presentation was informational only and will return for contract action at a later meeting.
Representatives from Communities In Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania presented an annual update to the East Penn School District Board on Aug. 11, outlining program activity at Emmaus High School and Iyer Middle School.
Phil Paris, regional director of operations for Communities In Schools, summarized the affiliate’s evidence‑based, integrated student‑supports model and said the organization’s five “basics” center on one‑to‑one relationships, safe places, healthy starts and futures, marketable skills and giving back. "Everything that we believe in, everything that we do starts and ends with relationships," Paris said.
Key outcomes presented: Emmaus High School’s average daily attendance progressed to 92.28 percent; site coordinator Amy Williams exceeded the CIS case‑management target by supporting 65 students (CIS affiliate benchmark: 60); Iyer Middle School case management reached 64 students; and small‑group and whole‑school interventions showed reported gains in academics and social‑emotional learning.
Paris and staff discussed program focus areas: attendance efforts tied to family engagement; school‑climate work including student clubs and a mental‑health symposium; small‑group social‑emotional learning; and targeted case management. At Iyer, CIS highlighted an Angel Network providing basic‑needs supports and new wellness groups that combined discussion and physical‑fitness activities.
Board members asked for more granular data. Board member Nolik and Miss Ward asked how CIS tracks student demographics and how effectiveness is measured; Paris said CIS maintains an in‑house data management system and can pull demographic and case‑management reports on request. Paris acknowledged behavior incidents at Iyer rose from 38 to 59 year‑over‑year but noted the organization will refine metrics to measure whether supports implemented after incidents were effective.
The presentation was informational only. Doctor Campbell told the board administration expects to return at a future meeting with a contract extension or agreement to continue the partnership; the board will consider a contract item at a subsequent meeting. The board offered positive feedback and asked CIS to refine outcome measures for future reports.
