Nevada Organization Tackling Issue Of School Absences

More and more, excessive school absences is becoming a big problem. Not just in Nevada, but nationwide. The growing epidemic of chronic absenteeism among students has raised red flags in schools across the country. And one Nevada nonprofit organization has a mission to tackle this issue head on.

Communities in Schools of Nevada (CIS) works with other local nonprofits in the Silver State to help students stay in school and on the path to success. CIS is the nation's leading evidence-based stay-in-school organization. They serve 118 Nevada schools and over 100,000 school-aged students.

CIS Nevada is being recognized on a national level for the Communities In School's nationwide "Being Present Matters" public service campaign. Which highlights the nationwide epidemic of chronic absenteeism, and the efforts CIS is making to stop it. For the campaign, hundreds of CIS affiliates were considered across the country. And two Nevada residents were chosen.

One of the chosen was Marco Mercado, a CIS of Nevada site coordinator at Canyon Springs High School. As a site coordinator, Mercado is a trained professional who works with school administrators and other support professionals to assess needs of each student. Then works within this circle to develop individualized school plans and build a culture of collaboration to help students succeed in school.

Whether the student needs schools supplies, clothing, emotional support or even help with paying the family's bills, the site coordinator finds necessary resources. And works to make connections with local organizations to meet those needs, so that each student can be in a position to do their best in school.

Another who was chosen for the national "Being Present Matters" campaign is Estéban Montoya-Mendoza, a former mentee of Mercado's. Mendoza struggled with chronic absenteeism while he was in school. Because of Mercado's help, Mendoza graduated with a 3.5 GPA, was named a scholar athlete on his varsity soccer team, and is working at his self-started car wash business to pay his college tuition.

According to CIS, there are many factors that contribute to increasing school absences. Some of the most common include a lack of reliable transportation, childcare needs for siblings, housing insecurity, financial insecurity, lack of mental health, anxiety, depression, and bullying. By identifying these needs and finding resources in the community to help, CIS provides a unique model with proven results.

Through the continued efforts of Communities In Schools of Nevada, our students don't have to fall through the cracks. Sometimes getting on the path of success is as simple as helping students find solutions. Visit CIS Nevada's website if you want to help by donating or volunteering.

Want more from this author? Check out her home page.

It's back-to-school time, and for many, that means it's time to say farewell to summer. Not ready for it? Here are five movies to get you in the back-to-school mood!

While the kids may be dreading going back to school, parents seem to be going through the opposite. Many are ready for a bit of independence and some quiet time. These are some of the best movies that fit the back-to-school theme that many of us are feeling right now.

Some kids are already back at school, and we're sorry we weren't there to give you this list ahead of time. However, many more are going to be going back to school this week or after Labor Day Weekend. Saying goodbye to summer and hello to the 2024-2025 school year doesn't have to be a sad thing. It can be exciting! You just have to be in the right mood and have the right perspective.

Just like there are many TV shows and movies that take place in an office setting, just as many probably take place at a school. It could be an elementary school, junior high, high school, a fictional wizarding school, college, boarding school, or even some sort of trade school! It doesn't matter! Whichever school you might be preparing to go back to, there's a movie or show that focuses on what you're about it. Sometimes, they can be fun experiences, and other times, they can be the school from Hell. No matter what you're looking for, you can find it.

To make the list of the best movies to get you in the mood for back-to-school, I couldn't just go with my favorites. They aren't all popular enough. Instead, I wanted to focus on movies we are all familiar with, and movies you can enjoy with the family! I also think these movies stand the test of time. Where Grease might have been a popular movie at one point, but I feel like it doesn't represent anybody's experience today. So, it will not be on the list. Neither will Fast Times At Ridgemont High or Accepted, which are both great movies (in my opinion) but I felt like there were more family-friendly movies out there that everyone can enjoy together.

What do you think are the best movies to get you in the mood for back-to-school? Did they make the list?

https://youtu.be/uMtkiS1SU_c?si=LXhXp2PjUT_CJnTm There's no way I'm the only one who had the "Back To School" song stuck in my head the whole week leading up to going back to school. Adam Sandler's singing will forever be stuck in my brain for that. Billy Madison is a great back-to-school movie because it brings us back and makes us wonder what it would be like going back to school as adults. It's nostalgic and it's hilarious. Definitely one of my favorite movies to get in that back-to-school mood.

https://youtu.be/oDU84nmSDZY?si=t_CMv7fQ5fpFtR0I Mean Girls is a national treasure. Sure, things went downhill for Lindsay Lohan shortly after, but the movie remains a gem! It's one of those movies where there's a laugh in every scene and it remains timeless today. Moving when you're in high school would be rough, and this showcases exactly why. I'm sure everyone in school has a Regina George in their life and this helps you feel like you are not alone.

https://youtu.be/VyHV0BRtdxo?si=LSHekJk68GlP9PSH Honestly, any Harry Potter movie would work as a back-to-school movie except for maybe the last two. Harry, Hermoine, and Ron opt not to return to Hogwarts in the 7th book (7th and 8th movies), so maybe don't go for those ones. However, the other movies are great! I picked the first one because of the anticipation of going to an unfamiliar school. I thought it best represented the feeling of going back to school. Sure, it would be great to get the kids to read the books during Summer Reading, but closing out the summer with a Harry Potter movie can be fun for the whole family. You can even make Butter Beer! It's delicious.

https://youtu.be/TExoc0MG4I4?si=SZIycZaVBr38BCki Jack Black is at his very best in School Of Rock. It's also a different take on going back-to-school. In the movie, Jack Black pretends to be something he's not so he can have a job at the school and can afford to pay rent. However, the students and their interesting personalities give the movie life. It's a great back-to-school movie that can inspire kids to follow their dreams. You can learn a lot more at school than just math and science. It is what you make it!

https://youtu.be/HNyxTUX-9_U?si=k7zxc7IVDKg2DLc5 Just like Jack Black is at his best in School Of Rock, Will Ferrell is at his best in Old School. To me, this is the best role he's had. He's so great as Frank as we watch him get married and slowly ruin it all. The "we've got to keep our composure" freak-out is peak Will Ferrell. Nobody gets angry like him. It's also a refreshing back-to-school take because it's about grown men who live like they're back in college for a bit. Who wouldn't want that? It would be glorious.

Follow us! Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.