APRIL 27,

APRIL 27, 2011

2011
Dallasink. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
PAGE 1

Employee News
Welcome to the inaugural issue of CISDR’s e-newsletter, the first of our new monthly publications!
Our purpose is to provide you, our diverse group of readers, with interesting and useful information
on various issues and goings on related to education, CISDR and the terrific students we serve. Yes,
and without a doubt, to send a call to action that inspires you to consider becoming an advocate, a
volunteer, a donor or partner.

Each year CIS Dallas Region works on school campuses with struggling students who are failing,
giving up on school and are on the path to dropping out, changing that trajectory to academic success and
graduation. Consistently, 90% or more of our case managed students stay in school, improve in academics, behavior
and/or attendance, and those eligible to graduate – do. …No kidding!

This written effort to connect with you, intimately and regularly, invites and encourages you to email any content or
topic suggestions to Courtney Van Amburgh at Courtneyv@cisdallas.org. as CIS Dallasink. evolves into the periodical
you would miss if it didn’t reach you each month!

Warmest regards,
Sandra G. Chavarria
President & CEO
Marcus Walther – CISDR’s One Man Dallas Finalist
Proof that Not All Men Are Alike
Marcus Walther, great-grandson of Neiman Marcus co-founder, Herbert Marcus Sr., and his
wife Dayme have been volunteers with CISDR for several years. Marcus will be representing
CISDR as one of 20 semi-finalists for One Man Dallas, a unique project developed to
encourage more men and women to get involved in Dallas-Fort Worth charities and civic
projects so our communities can be better places to live and work.

Vote for Marcus EVERYDAY from now until May 15!!

How do you vote??
• Go to www.onemandallas.com/vote.aspx
• Enter your name and email, click “Begin Voting!”.
CLICK HERE TO • On the new page that opens, scroll to the bottom, and select Marcus Walther’s voting
profile on the last row on the far right. (Same photo as shown on the right)
VOTE NOW!! • Click “Vote!”

Join us TODAY, April 27, at Nest (4524 McKinney Ave. Dallas. TX) from 6-8 p.m. for the
second Meet the Men Happy Hour to meet Marcus, enjoy complimentary cocktails and
appetizers, and see what One Man Dallas is all about!

More information about Marcus can be found on CISDR’s Website at

www.cisdallas.org/OneManDallas and you can go to One Man Dallas’ Website,
www.onemandallas.com, for more about the One Man Project.

Click the following link to “like” our Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/MarcusForOneManDallas! Marcus Walther for One Man
Dallas! (CIS Dallas Region)

Marcus Walther – CISDR

One Man Dallas Candidate
 Dallasink. PAGE 2

http://twitter.com/CISDR
“Kids Come First!” Diamond Gala
Over the course of 25 years, our professional staff has provided campus-based academic support to more than
124,250 capable, but underachieving schoolchildren with consistently astounding results!

The 25th Birthday of Communities In Schools Dallas Region (CISDR), continuing through July 2011, will culminate
in the 10th Annual “Kids Come First” Diamond Gala on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at The Omni Mandalay Las Colinas.
CISDR’s 25th Birthday celebration shines brilliantly with this spectacular event set prominently as the 2011
showpiece.

CIS Dallas Region is thrilled to have Amy Turner serve as Gala Chair and Kathy Klingamen as Honorary Chair of
our 2011 “Kids Come First!” Diamond Gala! We are also privileged to have Barbara Hunt Crow, serve as Honorary
25th Birthday Chair for our entire 25th Birthday celebration. These community leaders are enthusiastic and articulate
advocates for CISDR and the struggling, yet capable young students CISDR tirelessly serves, and we are truly
appreciative of their active involvement and dedication.
If interested in purchasing a sponsorship or tickets to the gala, click the following link:
http://www.cisdallas.org/Events/Gala

Upcoming Events
Amy Turner, 2011 Gala Chair, with some of our
Maple Lawn Elementary students. April 27 – Meet the Men Happy Hour
6-8 PM @ Nest Dallas

May 4 – Meet the Men Happy Hour

6-8 PM@ Board Room Salon (Inwood Village)

Get Involved! May 12 – CISDR Board Meeting

7:30 – 9 AM
Volunteer:
http://www.cisdallas.org/Volunteer May 12 – Meet the Men Happy Hour
6-8 PM @ Aloft Hotel (Downtown Dallas)
Donate Online:
http://www.cisdallas.org/Donate%20Cash May 19 – One Man Dallas Final Show
7:30 PM @ Dallas Contemporary
Donate Gala Auction Items:
http://www.cisdallas.org/Events/Gala June 4 – “Kids Come First!” Diamond Gala
6:30 PM @ Omni Mandalay in Las Colinas
Email E-newsletter content suggestions to Courtney Van Amburgh:
courtneyv@cisdallas.org
 Dallasink. PAGE 3

Did you know?

• The Texas Education Agency

reports that 178,450 students in
the current school districts
served by CISDR are at risk of
dropping out. CISDR case
managed 12,250 of these
students during the 2009-2010
school year.

What is CISDR??
Since its inception in 1985, CISDR has worked in partnership with
principals, teachers, school staff and volunteers to provide campus-
based academic support to more than 124,250 capable, but
underachieving Dallas region students.

As the largest dropout prevention program in the nation, CIS creates

measurable results by utilizing comprehensive community-based,
integrated student services to help students improve in academics,
behavior and attendance.

The central means by which CISDR professionals impact the lives of

children, youth, and their families is easily summed up in the “CIS
case management model”—a comprehensive asset-based approach
focused on strengthening youth by incorporating the following six
service components:
CISDR Deal of the Century!
1) Academic enhancement
2) Supportive guidance
• Shop for jewelry this Thursday and
3) Parental and family involvement
Friday at Stephanie Anne in Highland
4) College and career readiness
Park Village, and 10% of your
5) Enrichment and
purchase will go to CISDR!
6) Health and human services
 Dallasink. PAGE 4

Volunteer Profile
• Volunteer:
o Paul Haynes (Students call him “Mr. Paul”.)
• How long has the volunteer been part of the organization?
o Mr. Paul, a resident of Mesquite, TX, has volunteered at Forest Lane Academy since December 2007.
• What does Mr. Paul do?
o Mr. Paul volunteers weekly during his lunch break at International Truck & Engine Company, to provide
supportive guidance and academic assistance to 1st, 4th and 6th grade boys participating in CISDR’s lunch buddy
program at Forest Lane Academy. When he first began with CISDR, he mentored 5th and 6th grade boys, but
upon realizing how his time was generating a profound impact on his students; he wanted to work with younger
students in order to develop their academic and behavior potential at an earlier age.
• Specific actions he accomplishes above and beyond the call of duty
o He gives spelling homework assignments to his students and follows through with them to ensure
completion. CISDR’s campus staff maintain open lines of communication with Forest Lane Academy teachers
and administration in order to track academic progress and areas needing improvement. As a result of his
efforts, instructors state that the students he works with have improved their spelling grades significantly.
o Mr. Paul also promotes CISDR volunteer opportunities through his job with International Truck & Engine
Company, and has even recruited a fellow female colleague to work with CISDR female students.
o He often chaperones summer and after school field trips.
o Each year, Mr. Paul also plays in the 6th graders vs. staff end of year basketball game.
o Many CISDR male students at Forest Lane Academy are raised in single-mother homes, which makes Mr. Paul
a great role model for the boys.

Board Leadership Staff Leadership

Karl Schmalz, Chair Sandra G. Chavarria

Exxon Mobil Corporation President & CEO

Charles A. Fernandez, Vice Chair Dr. Judith Allen

Banking and Finance Consultant Chief Program Officer

William H. Wallace, Vice Chair Adrienne Simmons

The University of North Texas Director of Finance

Antonio Pecina, Sec/Treas
El Centro Community College
Jeff Morris, Endowment President
Alon USA
Linda Norman
Director of Human Resources & Business Operations
Lisa Loy Laughlin
Director of Gifts & Donor Relations
Betsy Amos-Holland
Director of Grants & Donor Database

Sara Stephens
Director of Corporate Development & Campaign
Connect with CISDR on…

Communities In Schools Dallas Region, Inc. * 8700 N. Stemmons Fwy. * Ste. 125 * Dallas, TX 75247-3729