First Week Wins at Stephens Elementary

Alyssa Cosby, AmeriCorps Member Team Leader September 16, 2025

The first week of school sets the tone for the year ahead, and at Stephens Elementary, City Year AmeriCorps members helped kick things off with energy, unity, and celebration.

Stephens serves 436 students in grades PK–5, with a student body that is 85% Black/African American, 5% Hispanic/Latino, and nearly 93% from low-income households. With 26% of students receiving special education services, the school community reflects both resilience and need.

For Alyssa Cosby, a second-year AmeriCorps member now serving as Team Leader, the highlight of the week was a powerful moment of connection:

“Starting my first year as a Team Leader with City Year has already been full of energy, learning, and celebration. In just our first week, our team hit an exciting milestone. We successfully launched our very first morning circle. Seeing everyone show up with enthusiasm, share their voices, and kick off the day together reminded me why this service matters.”

That first morning circle set the tone for the weeks ahead, proving that small wins—like starting the day in community—can spark confidence, joy, and belonging. At Stephens Elementary, these first-week wins remind us that when students and AmeriCorps members come together with positivity and purpose, the impact reaches far beyond the classroom.

First Week Wins at Stephens Elementary

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