Lindsay Cavin of Clarke Middle School and Leo Cotlar of Clarke Central High School in Athens established good relationships with their students, parent and volunteer organizations, local agencies, businesses and health care providers. The types of integrated services and resources that Lindsay and Leo developed allow them to better tailor individual student success plans. The goal is to help students stay on track so they can succeed in school, graduate and prepare for the global workplace.
Lindsay, who is in her fourth year at Clarke Middle, has a caseload of 35 students and anticipates it will increase to about 62 students throughout the year. She works part-time as the CIS site coordinator and the other half as Clarke’s social worker. This helps her build on relationships and identify students who are struggling and in need of mentors and tutors. She seeks volunteers through churches, the local university, volunteer events and friends/family.
For the past four years, Leo has been working with students, families and the community to ensure his students succeed in school and prepare for college and careers. Currently he has 65 high school students on his caseload.
Clarke Central High School’s principal appreciates the valuable work Leo provides. “Our Communities In Schools site coordinator is an integral part of our school and a huge part of our school improvement plan,” said Dr. Robbie Hooker. “Leo works with the most at-risk students, helps instructional wise, contacts parents, provides community outreach, and the students and parents love him.”