Nonprofit encourages healthy habits for student success across all grade levels
Houston, August 5, 2026 – Communities In Schools (CIS) of Houston, a leading nonprofit supporting students and families across multiple Houston-area school districts, encourages parents and guardians to help students begin the 2026–2027 school year with healthy routines that support academic success. Serving students from Pre-K through Alumni, CIS provides comprehensive services that help young people overcome barriers and thrive in school and life.
CIS places at least one full-time CIS Student Support Manager (SSM) on each partner campus to deliver direct services and provide students and families with tailored referrals to community partners. SSMs provide students and families in need with services including academic support, supportive guidance and mental health counseling, health and social services, and college and career readiness resources.
“With the new school year beginning, our campus-based professionals, which could include licensed mental health staff, are ready to help students and families navigate challenges, build resilience, and take advantage of opportunities for success,” says Shubhra Endley, Director of Mental Health & Wellness for Communities In Schools of Houston. “The first few weeks of school are critical.”
“Students who miss even a few days early on are more likely to become chronically absent and fall behind academically,” Endley continues. “We want families to have the tools and support they need to start the year strong.”
Endley recommends the following strategies to help students establish healthy routines and begin the school year with confidence.
CIS of Houston’s Five Steps For Starting the School Year Strong
1) Establish sleep and wake times that are sustainable for both weekdays and weekends.
2) Power down devices and replace them with a book before bedtime, which is a healthy move for all ages.
Free book resources:
- Houston Public Library (HPL): Free library cards for residents, plus books, e-books, audiobooks, and reading programs. Go to https://houstonlibrary.org/home to learn more.
- Harris County Public Library (HCPL): Free books, digital resources, and family reading programs. https://hcpl.net/
3) Pack backpacks before bedtime to ensure a smooth start the next morning.
4) Choose water and nutritious foods over highly processed snacks and sugary drinks for snacking. Great choices include Greek yogurt with berries, apple slices with peanut butter, cheese sticks with whole-grain crackers, veggie sticks, and hard-boiled eggs. Resources for nutritional eating:
- Brighter Bites: https://www.brighterbites.org/tips-tools/
- Nourish: Information from the Michael & Susan Dell Center or Healthy Living and UTHealth Houston School of Public Health; link here.
5) Check in daily by asking open-ended questions about your student’s day, reinforcing a sense of connection and safety for them. Examples of open‑ended questions for parents to ask:
- “What was something that made you smile today?”
- “Tell me about a moment when you felt proud.”
- “Was there anything challenging today that you want to talk through?”
Families interested in CIS services should contact their school principal, teacher, or school counselor to find out whether CIS serves their campus and how to enroll.
Communities In Schools of Houston serves Pre-K through Alumni across five area districts—Alief, Cy-Fair, Houston, Spring, and Spring Branch—as well as local charter schools.
For more information, visit www.cishouston.org.
Photos Courtesy of Communities In Schools of Houston
