Communities In Schools Strengthens Its Presence in Dallas During Leadership Town Hall Conference

CONTACT: Whitney Faison, faisonw@cisnet.org, 315-420-6049

Communities In Schools® (CIS®), the nation’s leading provider of K-12 school-based integrated student supports (ISS), hosted its 2024 Leadership Town Hall in Dallas Wednesday, September 18 through Friday, September 20. 

The theme of this year’s convening - Strengthening Our Presence to Fuel Student Success, served as an opportunity for the CIS network to connect with education thought leaders, policy makers and school practitioners to discuss solutions that address both the academic and nonacademic needs of students.   

Leadership Town Hall kicked off with a special activation in downtown Dallas celebrating Attendance Awareness Month and the launch of Communities In Schools’ new national public service campaign “Being Present Matters” starring CIS students and site coordinators who help highlight the nationwide chronic absenteeism epidemic.  

The unveiling of this larger-than-life display brought the campaign back to Dallas where the PSA was filmed earlier this summer. Guests including staff and administrators from CIS of the Dallas Region and CIS of Southern Neveda, had the opportunity to meet the stars of the new campaign and hear remarks from representatives, CIS President and CEO Rey Saldaña, CIS of the Dallas Region Board Chair Luisa M. del Rosal, and Marco Mercado – the featured site coordinator in the campaign ad.  

In my role as a site coordinator, I do my best to establish a relationship and rapport with students. Once students see they are capable of doing things, it gives me confirmation that I’m making an impact. I know that one of my purposes has been to help other people and help youth. 

-Marco Mercado, Site Coordinator, CIS of Southern Nevada  

During the three days, the conference delivered mainstage moments featuring student performances, keynote speeches, captivating panels and appearances by local and national thought leaders including: 

• Dr. Angelica Ramsey, Superintendent, Fort Worth ISD  
• Mike Morath, Commissioner of Education, Texas Education Agency  
• Dr. Michael F. Rice, State Superintendent Michigan Department of Education  
• Michele L. Blatt, State Superintendent of Schools in West Virginia  
• Tasha Moore, Chief Executive Officer, Communities In Schools of North Texas  
• Adam Powell, President & CEO of Communities In Schools of the Dallas Region 
• Lindsey Garner, President and CEO, Communities In Schools of Greater Tarrant County 
   

“That’s what we need in our schools, every single day. People to champion for kids. To believe in them on days when they don’t believe in themselves. And for them to see that there is a future where they’re in a position where they can do the same for those that come behind them. That’s the power of public education. That’s the power of what CIS does.”

-Dr. Angelica Ramsey, Superintendent, Fort Worth ISD     

Leadership Town Hall concluded with the All In for Students Awards, an annual national recognition and celebration of the individuals and partners working to make a significant impact in schools and communities across the country.    

The ceremony featured keynote remarks from Dr. Amy Ellis, Superintendent of Bridgeport ISD and appearances by the CIS National Board of Directors, and CIS Vice Chair and Founder Bill Milliken.  

CIS Alumni Rosaura Martinez and Jerron Wheeler hosted this year’s conference, which welcomed more than 400 attendees representing the 3,460 schools and community sites Communities In Schools serves nationwide.  

About Communities In Schools 
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. Follow us for news @cisnational on X, formerly Twitter, or with the hashtag #AllinforKids.