Communities In Schools of the Blue Mountain Region

Communities In Schools of the Blue Mountain Region CIS of the Blue Mountain Region is dedicated to our mission to empowering students to stay in school and achieve in life.

We partner with local communities to do whatever it takes to ensure that all kids have what they need to realize their potential.

Today, Communities In Schools joins communities across the nation in commemorating Juneteenth — a day that marks the end...
06/19/2026

Today, Communities In Schools joins communities across the nation in commemorating Juneteenth — a day that marks the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates freedom, perseverance, and progress.

Juneteenth reminds us that opportunity and justice are strengthened when communities come together to support one another. It also serves as a call to continue creating pathways that help young people succeed, regardless of their circumstances.

As we honor this important day in our nation's history, we celebrate the contributions, achievements, and enduring impact of Black Americans while reaffirming our commitment to ensuring every student has the support they need to thrive in school and in life.

Happy Juneteenth.

Daisy Alvarez didn't go far from home.She grew up in Milton-Freewater, played soccer at Mac-Hi, and somewhere along the ...
06/18/2026

Daisy Alvarez didn't go far from home.

She grew up in Milton-Freewater, played soccer at Mac-Hi, and somewhere along the way — working at Freewater School through the YMCA — figured out what she wanted to do with her life. Today she's the CIS advocate at Gib Olinger Elementary, showing up for kids in the same town that raised her.

This year, two third graders landed on her caseload missing three or more days of school every week. Both were navigating a lot at home, and both were learning English — which can make walking into a classroom feel like a much bigger ask than it should.

Daisy met them where they were. Attendance trackers, monthly goals, every small win celebrated. By the end of the year, both were missing a day or two a month instead of three a week. And one of them — a girl who'd started the year doubting herself — independently wrote an English essay for a class project. Her own words, on her own paper, in her second language.

That's not luck. That's Daisy — and this year, we were proud to honor her with our CIS of the Blue Mountain Region Innovation Award.

Stories like this are exactly what we share in our quarterly newsletter. If you'd like the next one in your inbox, sign up here 👉 https://bluemountainregion.ciswa.org/news/stay-in-touch/

“A space to come and breathe.” This is how one student described their class at Pioneer Middle School created to help st...
06/11/2026

“A space to come and breathe.”

This is how one student described their class at Pioneer Middle School created to help students reconnect with school, each other, and their future.

Led by Communities In Schools of the Blue Mountain Region Student and Community Advocate Helen Freer, the class gives students a place to set goals, journal, catch up on assignments, explore careers, and build confidence.

Sometimes belonging starts with having a safe place to walk into each day. 💙

Read the full story to learn how this class is helping students feel supported, connected, and ready for what comes next: https://bluemountainregion.ciswa.org/news/

This school year, our community showed up in a big way. 💙As the 2025–2026 year wraps up, we're celebrating the 378 volun...
06/09/2026

This school year, our community showed up in a big way. 💙

As the 2025–2026 year wraps up, we're celebrating the 378 volunteers who gave 7,602 hours of their time across all 12 Walla Walla Public Schools sites—that's 340 more hours than last year! They showed up as classroom helpers, field trip chaperones, food backpack delivery drivers, afterschool assistants, and so much more.

None of this happens without Beth Swanson, our Volunteer In Person Coordinator. For years, Beth has led this district program with heart and tenacity—rebuilding a culture of volunteering after COVID and inspiring more than 20,000 volunteer hours across the district during her time with CIS. 👏

"All our schools found important and unique ways to get parents and the community involved, and we are grateful that our volunteers answered by surpassing all our expectations," said Beth.

To Beth and every volunteer who gave their time this year: thank you. Our students are better for it. 🍎

✨Communities in Schools of the Blue Mountain Region is hiring for next school year! ✨Come join our team and make an impa...
06/08/2026

✨Communities in Schools of the Blue Mountain Region is hiring for next school year! ✨

Come join our team and make an impact at Walla Walla High School in Walla Walla or Gib Olinger Elementary School in Milton Freewater as the Student & Community Advocate for the fall of 2026.

Apply here: https://bluemountainregion.ciswa.org/jobs/ - application review begins next week!

🎷 A sweet end-of-year surprise in our schools, courtesy of the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival! 🎶During the last week...
06/05/2026

🎷 A sweet end-of-year surprise in our schools, courtesy of the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival! 🎶

During the last week of school, the Synchrony Quartet of saxophone players visited elementary schools across Walla Walla, College Place, and Milton-Freewater to bring live music straight to our students. And these weren't just any songs—students lit up to favorites like "Golden" from K-Pop Demon Hunters and the theme from Super Mario! 🎮

Founded in 2007, the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival presents more than 40 public performances each year, with a mission to deepen appreciation for chamber music and build connections across our community. Our team has been proud to coordinate this experience with the Festival and our schools since the pandemic—and this year, we were thrilled to extend it to Milton-Freewater and the Walla Walla Center for Children and Families for the very first time! 🎉

A huge thank-you to the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival for sharing the gift of live music with our students. The Festival's main season takes place in June—be sure to check it out! 🎻

06/04/2026

🍪 Milk & Cookies with Family at Edison Elementary! 🥛
What a sweet way to close out the school year! Families were invited to join their students at Edison for a cookie, a glass of milk, and a little end-of-year celebration together and the turnout was wonderful.

Huge thanks to our CIS Student and Community Advocate, Nikki, who coordinated the whole event and even managed to recruit a very special guest… the one and only Cookie Monster! 🍪😄

By the end of the day, more than 500 cookies had been handed out and countless memories were made. Moments like these are what family engagement is all about, bringing families into the school community and celebrating our students.

Thank you to every family who came out. Here's to a great summer! ☀️

06/03/2026

✨Communities in Schools of the Blue Mountain Region is hiring for next school year! ✨

Come join our team and make an impact at Gib Olinger Elementary School in Milton Freewater as the Student & Community Advocate for the fall of 2026.

Apply here: https://bluemountainregion.ciswa.org/jobs/ - application review begins in mid June.

This Pride Month, we're celebrating something at the heart of our work: every young person deserves to feel like they be...
06/02/2026

This Pride Month, we're celebrating something at the heart of our work: every young person deserves to feel like they belong.

🏳️‍🌈 When students feel seen and supported for exactly who they are, they show up, they stay in school, and they thrive.

To every student in the Blue Mountain Region, we see you, we're proud of you, and we're in your corner.

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5 W Alder Street
Walla Walla, WA
99326

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