Communities In Schools of Peninsula, an affiliate of the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization, has extended its services to two elementary schools in the South Kitsap School District.
The schools involved are East Port Orchard and Sidney Glen Elementary. This initiative marks the organization’s first venture into elementary education within the district, aiming to provide comprehensive support to younger students facing various challenges.
CISP’s mission is to surround students with support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. The organization places coordinators within schools to assess student needs and coordinate services ranging from academic assistance to basic necessities like food and clothing.
“We provide all kinds of support and resources,” said Wendy Wojtanowicz, a site coordinator with CISP. “If students need any forms of ID, healthcare, food, benefits, eyeglasses—attendance support is a big one right now for a lot of the schools.”
The expansion is part of a broader partnership with the SKSD, now in its third year. CISP operates in the high school and two middle schools within the district.
A key component of the new initiative at East Port Orchard is a mentoring reading program set to begin Tuesdays. The program will involve community mentors reading with 17 students for one hour each week, aiming to bolster academic performance and provide emotional support.
South Kitsap Fire and Rescue is one of the program’s newest partners, contributing volunteer mentors to assist in the reading sessions. Fire Chief Jeff Faucett shared that the partnership was born out of a desire to connect with students beyond traditional fire prevention activities.
“We wanted to build rapport with the kids and show them that we care about their future,” Faucett said. “Reading is one of the key areas where many kids struggle, and if we can help them improve in that area, we know they will be better prepared for life.”
Division Chief Cody Baker added that SKFR volunteers are excited. “We’ve got about five to seven volunteers from within our department who are eager to participate, and we’re looking forward to continuing this partnership with the school district,” Baker said.
CISP collaborates with approximately 70 community partners in the Port Orchard area to provide a range of services. The organization also facilitates a monthly Community Resource Gathering, bringing together for-profit businesses, nonprofits, faith-based groups and other community resources to address broader issues such as transportation, recreation and car repair.
“We share support with each other in the community and work on bigger things like how, as a group, we can benefit the community,” Wojtanowicz said.
By embedding full-time site coordinators in schools, CISP emphasizes building trust and genuine relationships with students and families. That approach enables the organization to effectively identify and address barriers to student success, ensuring that each child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
“We believe that when we work together as a community, we can make a lasting difference in a child’s life,” Wojtanowicz concluded.
For details, go to peninsula.ciswa.org/
