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Featured Image: Gina Abrusico, Keyanna Dunn, and Lynne Woodard.
The local nonprofit promoted internal staff to serve in restorative practices roles.
Allentown, PA (August 22, 2022)—Earlier this year, Communities in Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania (CISEasternPA) promoted Lynne Woodard to Manager of Restorative Practices. Lynne was able to grow her team this summer by adding both Gina Abrusico and Keyanna Dunn as Project Restorative Practices coaches. CISEasternPA is an agency that ensures every student, regardless of race, zip code, or background, has what they need to succeed in school and beyond. Through their partnership with Allentown School District (ASD), CISEasternPA supports and coaches the students and adults within the school community, like teachers and administrators, to implement and incorporate restorative practices into their daily curriculum, practice, and overall school culture.
As Restorative Practices Project Manager, Lynne Woodard is responsible for collaborating with CISEasternPA and its partners’ staff to apply restorative practices—an area of social sciences that studies improving relationships and deepening bonds—to daily instruction and routines. Having led restorative practices workshops and circles in the past, her experience has prepared her for the new role. Lynne encourages the reinforcement of meaningful bonds through trust, social-emotional learning, and conflict resolution skills. She currently aids ASD in establishing an atmosphere that promotes healthy connections and enhances student achievement outcomes.
After holding various roles with CISEasternPA over the past ten years, Gina Ambrusico began her present role as restorative practices coach on July 1, 2022. She is excited to continue leading restorative practice initiatives in ASD. “I’ve loved working at CIS over the years and am grateful I’ve gotten to explore many different positions,” Gina said. “It’s been a privilege to work with our team, especially knowing the positive impact we have on families and schools. I can’t wait to see what comes next.”
Keyanna Dunn has served with CISEasternPA for about a year as the site coordinator at Mosser Elementary in Allentown School District. Prior to joining CISEasternPA, she worked in schools in New York City.
“The leadership of Lynne, Gina, and Keyanna’s promotions will greatly benefit CISEasternPA’s restorative practices initiatives,” expressed Tim Mulligan, President & CEO of CISEasternPA. “Both positions will create new opportunities to positively impact more students in the Allentown School District.”
By encouraging the community to utilize restorative practices at home, in academic settings, and in the workplace, Lynne, Gina, and Keyanna believe there is an opportunity for each person to come together and create a community where everyone is viewed through a non-judgmental and unbiased lens. They are excited to continue their services in CISEasternPA by continually adding restorative practices within ASD and beyond.
To learn more about CISEasternPA and restorative practices, visit their website here: https://www.ciseasternpa.org/restorative-practices
About Communities In Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania
Communities in Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania is part of the Communities In Schools national network, which consists of independent 501(c)(3) organizations serving over 1.72 million students in 25 states and the District of Columbia. With caring adults serving over 37,000 students in 40 schools throughout Allentown, Bethlehem Area, Brandywine Heights Area, East Penn, Easton Area, Fleetwood Area, Kutztown Area, Reading, Whitehall-Coplay, and Wilson (Berks) School Districts, CIS’ mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. We ensure every student, regardless of race, zip code, or socioeconomic background has what they need to succeed in school and beyond. ciseasternpa.org
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