Noah’s New Perspective

Noah shows off his new glasses.

After Noah’s family moved to Tennessee last year, the kindergartener was enrolled at Cane Creek Elementary for the first time. Noah struggled academically and often missed school, causing his attendance rate to fall to 83%. Now considered chronically absent, he was referred to CISTN program manager Ms. Debbie for help improving his attendance.

Ms. Debbie focused on developing a relationship built on mutual trust and respect with Noah and his family. As she got to know the parents, she discovered that they struggled to have enough gas money to transport him to school and keep hunting for jobs. While they did live on a school bus route, the parents were hesitant to put Noah on a bus given his young age and significant sight impairments. Ms. Debbie was able to provide the family with gas money for short-term assistance and connected them to additional resources that could provide a more long-term solution.

Noah started coming to school more often, but his teacher and behavioral intervention specialist noticed that he still wasn’t participating in class or doing his homework, so they alerted Ms. Debbie. She spoke with his family again and discovered that Noah’s eyeglasses prescription was two years out of date, and his glasses had scratched lenses and the frames didn’t fit his face. Using CISTN discretionary funds, Ms. Debbie worked with the family and the school to get Noah’s prescription updated and purchase new glasses.

Now that Noah can see better, he’s able to participate more in class and complete his homework. His attendance rate improved from 83% to 89% in just six weeks, and he is on track to no longer be considered chronically absent soon–all thanks to the CIS model of community support.

Speaking of community support, we couldn’t help students like Noah without the generosity of readers like you. If you’d like to help more students get a new perspective on school and life, head to our donate page to make a gift to CISTN today.