Monthly Archives: June 2010

Orting residents are about to enjoy another lunch option in their charming downtown – one that will not only satisfy their hunger but also fill their hearts knowing their patronization will lead to better opportunities for Orting youth.

Set to open July 7th the CISO Café will feature a staff comprised entirely of Orting high school students. Students aged 16 and up will volunteer to work at the café (and earn community service hours required for graduation) and, with the help of adult mentors, learn first-hand how business operates, and how to interact with fellow staff, supervisors and customers. On a rotating basis, students will work each and every restaurant position, from cook to dishwasher, server to book keeper, marketing promotion to IT support – including supervisor.

The café is the brainchild of Communities In Schools of Orting director, Kim Farnes, who, along with her husband also owns and operates the Around The Corner café, an Orting favorite for years. “It is our belief that by experiencing all facets of the business, the student will have a better understanding of how their education really DOES prepare them for real life.”

If you want to help get the CISO Café off to a running start why not show up for their grand opening!

When: July 7th at 10:00am

Where: 109 Van Scoyoc Ave – Orting, WA 98360

Last week 30 seniors graduated with diplomas from the Kent Performance Learning Center, a non-traditional high school jointly operated by Communities In Schools in partnership with the Kent School District. To the applause of parents and friends students filed into the gymnasium, listened politely to the obligatory speeches and one-by-one received their diplomas.

One class of 2010 graduating senior, Tania Tenery, was the winner of an $8000 scholarship from the Walmart Foundation. Tania plans to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in photography at the Art Institute of Seattle. She begins classes this summer. Across the country twelve other Performance Learning Center students won Walmart scholarships as well.

The Performance Learning Center was created three years ago as an alternative to the traditional high school model. The center stresses self-paced learning that includes a business focus with job shadows, internships and dual college enrollment. All this is supported by Communities In Schools wrap-around support and gives a strong second chance to students on the verge of dropping out.

Learn more about the Performance Learning Center by viewing this video.