Communities in Schools

SALISBURY — It seems like we just started summer and we are already talking about back to school. We are already seeing stores offering discounts on school supplies and are stocking up. Do not forget to buy some extra school supplies for the Communities in Schools “School Tools Campaign” which started July 21.

Your support means so much to our students, but another support that means so much to our scholars is volunteering. We are in need of mentors and tutors in the seven schools we serve: Hanford Dole, Isenberg, Koontz, North Rowan and Overton elementary schools and Knox and North Rowan middle schools.

Just 45 minutes to one hour a day has a great impact on our scholars. We have seen this first hand with the 80 volunteers that have volunteered at Overton this past school year with kindergartners. They have increased their reading levels, and that impacts their other grades as well. Do you have 45 minutes to an hour to spare during the week? Do you have a lunch break that for one day a week you could volunteer and tutor a student?

Over 63 percent of our Rowan-Salisbury students are eligible to receive free or reduced lunch. This means that nearly 10,000 students in our school system may start the school year without the needed supplies. Having school supplies available to children helps them feel equal to the rest of the children starting school. When students have the needed tools to succeed in school, they want to be there, they want to work and they are able to succeed. Please help Rowan-Salisbury students have a great school year, donate supplies today.

There are many ways to help. As you are shopping for your children or grandchildren, buy a little extra. If you don’t have children you buy for, help by purchasing items for a deserving child in your community. We have made it very easy for everyone to help.

See all drop off locations below:

July 21 until Aug. 1 — Belk Store in Salisbury

July 21 until Aug. 20 — Chick- Fil-a, Bank of North Carolina, First Bank, SunTrust Bank

Aug. 8 until Aug. 19 — The Gateway Building at 204 E. Innes St.

July 21 until Aug. 19 — All F&M Bank locations

School tools collection and distribution:

Aug. 20 is postal collection day. Leave your items at your mail box and your carrier will pick your donations up. If you need your items picked up or you would like to host a drop off location, call 704-797- 0210.

This is our 16th year of collecting supplies for our area children. A special thank you to United States Postal Service, City of Salisbury, Cornerstone Church, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Belk of Salisbury, Schneider Electric, Freightliner (Daimler), Food Lion, Chick-Fil-A, Novant-Rowan Medical Center, F&M Bank, First Bank, Elks Club of Salisbury, Bank of North Carolina, SunTrust Bank, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, ArtsCube and Church Women United for their continued support.

Last year alone, we provide services for over 3,400 students. Communities In Schools of Rowan County is a United Way Agency and receives support from Rowan-Salisbury Schools, Margaret C. Woodson Foundation, Salisbury Community Foundation, the Blanche and Julian Robertson Family Foundation, our state and national CIS organizations and donations from many community members to fulfill our mission to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. For more information visit our site at www.CISRowan.org or e-mail us at cisrowan@gmail.com.