Trenton, a CIS Story
Meet Trenton, an unmotivated, struggling 8th grader with poor grades and low self-esteem. Trenton eats lunch alone, keeps to himself, and refuses to engage in conversation with his peers and his teachers. He wears the same clothes daily because his parents struggle to make ends meet. Trenton feels life isn’t fair and anger is building within his heart daily. When asked, Trenton’s teachers claim he is a bright child with a promising future but feel he will not excel in a normal high school setting because of his awkwardness and lack of social skills. His peers often give him a hard time, which makes it more and more difficult for him to come out of his shell and shine. Trenton's counselor, Mrs. Baker, speaks with him at the end of the school year about an amazing opportunity to join other 9th graders next year at The Catoosa Performance Learning Center in their iFRESH classroom. Trenton was hesitant at first, but figures life at school could not get any worse so why not try something new.
Because of the opportunity to join the iFRESH classroom, Trenton is now a thriving 12th grader. He will graduate on time with his class. With the coordination of services and resources through Communities In Schools, Trenton has flourished into an exceptional student with high hopes and dreams, winning awards and prizes for most improved. He has joined clubs and leads, in his own way, activities among his fellow students. His peers have described him as “the kindest person they have ever met!” In a normal school setting, sometimes the “kindest” of people are the ones that struggle to fit in. This, however, was not Trenton's igh school experience. iFRESH changed his life.
“If it wasn’t for the iFRESH program, I wouldn’t be in school today. I hope iFRESH gets to continue so other kids like me will have the same opportunity. It has changed my opinion on the importance of staying in school.” Trenton
Because of the opportunity to join the iFRESH classroom, Trenton is now a thriving 12th grader. He will graduate on time with his class. With the coordination of services and resources through Communities In Schools, Trenton has flourished into an exceptional student with high hopes and dreams, winning awards and prizes for most improved. He has joined clubs and leads, in his own way, activities among his fellow students. His peers have described him as “the kindest person they have ever met!” In a normal school setting, sometimes the “kindest” of people are the ones that struggle to fit in. This, however, was not Trenton's igh school experience. iFRESH changed his life.
“If it wasn’t for the iFRESH program, I wouldn’t be in school today. I hope iFRESH gets to continue so other kids like me will have the same opportunity. It has changed my opinion on the importance of staying in school.” Trenton