Thank You, KCIS VISTAs!
Three outstanding Americorps VISTAs who held positions with KCIS are coming to the end of their service this year. We would like to take this opportunity to recognize the value they each brought to KCIS and to the students of KPS. You will all be greatly missed!
Laila Gourma has been with KCIS for 3 years. She has worked at King Westwood, Arcadia Elementary, and in the summer school program. One of Laila’s great strengths is her ability to speak Arabic. Arcadia has 25 Arabic-speaking students this school year, 13 of whom are in PEEP or kindergarten. “Laila serves as a liaison between students and teachers on one hand, and teachers and parents on the other,” said KCIS Arcadia Site Coordinator Gulnar Husain. “I don’t know what we are going to do when she leaves!” Although a traditional VISTA service term is 2 years, Laila was offered an extension in recognition of her invaluable link with Kalamazoo's Arabic community, and her term will end this December. “Laila is a great asset when it comes to working with second-language kids,” said Mr. Aleman, a kindergarten teacher at Arcadia. “They respond well to her, and she is always there to help out with a smile.”
Niki Richards has been with KCIS for 2 years. She began at Milwood Elementary and most recently worked at Edison Environmental Science Academy. Beyond her accomplishments in the school, Niki has also served as an important liaison between faith-based groups and KCIS. She has also actively worked with the Friday Food Pack program and has assisted in data reporting for the Edison School-Based Health Center. “It has been a pleasure to work with Niki,” said Deb Yarbrough, KCIS Edison Site Coordinator. “She is a dedicated worker and has made a difference in providing services to the families in our schools. Niki will be missed —her attitude about serving our families went far beyond the call of duty.”
Chris McGuire has been with KCIS for 1 year, at King-Westwood Elementary. She has a Master's degree in Social Work, and has brought great skills and caring to her work with students. Thanks to her leadership, the school has started a student-led recycling program. She also recently received a grant to create raised garden beds for students to grow food and create interactive science projects. "Chris has been instrumental in supporting the day-to-day needs of our students,” said KCIS King-Westwood Site Coordinator Jessica Chatman. “There are many individual children whose lives she has touched. Her kind smile, gentle words, and listening ear have helped many of our students make it through tough days. Chris is an incredible leader in our building. We are forever grateful for every minute she has contributed to King-Westwood. Things just won’t be the same without her!”
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