FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ellenda M. Ward
cabellcis@gmail.com
Backyard Pizza Supports Communities In Schools of Cabell County in Dropout Prevention Efforts

Huntington, WV November 18, 2013 – Backyard Pizza owner, Drew Hetzer, realizes that it is important for the community to support efforts aimed at helping students stay in school and graduate. On Saturday, November 23, 2013, from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, Backyard Pizza, located at 841 Fourth Avenue in Huntington, WV, will be making a donation to Communities In Schools (CIS) of Cabell County for every pizza purchased.
The mission of Communities In Schools of Cabell County is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. An affiliate of the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization, CIS works collaboratively with a diverse array of social service agencies, higher education, and individuals within Cabell County to address the unique needs of students.
Currently, the organization is working with the Graduation Coaches at Cabell Midland and Huntington High Schools to connect them with agency and community resources and provide them with tools to track student success and identify gaps in services. At the elementary level, CIS is working with Peyton Elementary to coordinate an academic mentoring program. Fifteen Classroom Champions meet with students each week to work on academic challenges. Recently, CIS awarded $250 to Highlawn Elementary in support of their after-school program, “Making it Possible”, that involves mathematics, writing and reading.
“We appreciate the support of Backyard Pizza and invite members of our community to try one of their unique pizzas. With everyone in the community doing their part, together we can make a difference and reduce the number of students dropping out to a future without hope,” says Ellenda Ward, Executive Director of Communities In Schools of Cabell County. “Donations by businesses and individuals in our community enable our organization to devote more time and effort to addressing needs of students in our schools,” says Ward.
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About Communities In Schools
Communities In Schools (CIS) is the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization, and is the only one proven to increase graduation rates and decrease dropout rates. CIS surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Through a school-based coordinator, CIS connects students and their families to critical community resources, tailored to local needs. Working in more than 3,400 schools in the most challenged communities, in 27 states and the District of Columbia, CIS focuses its activities in the most disadvantaged districts, serving nearly 1.3 million young people and their families every year. Please visit www.communitiesinschools.org to learn more about CIS, or www.cabell.communitiesinschools.org to find out more about CIS of Cabell County.

Backyard Pizza Supports Communities In Schools of Cabell County