My name is Olivia Craig, and I am the new site coordinator for Communities In Schools. I just started at Milwood Magnet last week and I am very excited to join the team!

I moved to Kalamazoo back in 2017 where I attended WMU for undergrad. I fell in love with Kalamazoo and all it has to offer. Eventually, I met my husband, we bought a house, and we became parents to a baby girl. I enjoy making sourdough, doing yoga, and spending time in my garden. 

I completed undergrad at WMU, where I graduated in 2020 with a degree in Child and Family Development. I continued my education at WMU and graduated with my masters in Family and Consumer Sciences with a certificate in Health and Wellness Coaching, last month. I am also a certified adult and children's yoga teacher. Currently, Kalamazoo Public Library hires me during school breaks to teach children's yoga classes. The classes are always a huge hit! I am also the founder of Raising Mindful Minis, a mindful parenting coaching service. I serve families nationwide and am looking forward to bringing my mindfulness techniques into our local schools. Eventually, my goal is to start a mindfulness lunch group where we will do yoga, mindfulness techniques, art, and self-reflection activities. I am unsure when that will begin but I am aiming for after spring break or fall 2024. 

Communities In Schools (CIS) helps students succeed by removing barriers and providing students with resources, supports, and opportunities they need to thrive. We offer mental health services and provide students with counseling. We also offer vision screening and health services. Kids Closet is a resource that allows every child to have clothing, hygiene, and school supplies. Our food pantry is sponsored by Loaves and Fishes and allows every child to have access to food support. CIS classifies our services into 3 categories or Tiers. Tier 1 is the entire school population. All students are able to receive our basic services (Kids Closet and food pantry). Tier 2 services are those provided to our enrolled/case managed students but in a group setting. Tier 3 consists of our enrolled/case managed students who receive one-on-one assistance from the CIS program. We continue to provide assistance with therapy, mobile dental and health clinics, vision assistance, and tutoring. These can be provided to the student population not just Tier 3 students.

Part of a Site Coordinator's job is to case manage Tier 3 students and track their progress. We conduct a needs assessment (45-60 min) at case management/enrollment onset and then prepare a support plan for each student that receives Tier 3 services (however, needs assessments have been completed for the year). Once that's completed, we will need to have check-ins with each student twice a month. These check-ins take about 20-25 minutes and are conducted in our office (Room 903). I understand letting a student out of your class for services can be cumbersome and am willing to work with you to make it less invasive if possible.

Fatima, who is our After School Coordinator who runs the after-school program (ASP). The ASP runs Monday-Thursday from 2:30-5:30pm. The program will start with a meal and an SEL activity.  Then 45 minutes of Homework/Academic assistance, followed by an Enrichment Club activity. Ending with about 20 minutes of structured free time. We offer transportation home if students meet KPS requirements. We will go on field trips throughout the year and have on-line recreational activities offered monthly throughout the year. 

I will have set times/rules for students to come into my office for snacks (see my posting outside my office). The rules are as follows;

1. MUST have a signed pass to my office.

2. NO snacks during lunch.

3. ONLY 3 students in my room at a time.

4. Preference for snacks to be given before/after school.

Below is a newly created video about CIS programming for your viewing. It is brief and very informational. 

https://youtu.be/2iayniBqIdQ

If you have any students who may need support in any of these areas, please reach out to me. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. My office hours are 7:30-3:30pm and I am in room 903. You can reach me at 269-261-0506 or extension 257. However, email is the best way to contact me. My email is: craigom@kalamazoopublicschools.net. 

I am looking forward to getting to know you and your students! Go Lancers!