Ready, Set, Learn Back-to-School Tour Full of Surprises, Supplies and Memorable Moments

For many, a haircut is a routine task, but for one mother, it was a deeply moving moment. As her son settled into the chair at Forest Brook Middle School in Houston, surrounded by compassionate volunteers, tears welled up in her eyes. That’s because this particular trim not only symbolized a fresh start to the school year, but it also demonstrated the power of presence.   

That was the sentiment of Communities In Schools® (CIS®) “Ready, Set, Learn” Back-to-School Tour, hosted in partnership with Whataburger.  

With stops in Houston, Nashville, Jacksonville and Charlotte, the tour aimed to remove barriers to learning, address chronic absenteeism and ensure students and families started the school year with the resources they needed. 

The Houston kickoff event on August 9 was filled with community spirit as families gathered to receive school supplies, uniforms, shoes and hygiene products provided by Whataburger and local partners like H-E-B and Soles4Souls. Students also enjoyed free haircuts, storytelling and other interactive activities.  

These moments sent a clear message to students that they matter, and they belong.

-Kevin Lei, Principal of Events and External Engagement, CIS National 

Reflecting on the impact of the tour, Lei shared several touching moments, including a surprise visit by CIS National President and CEO Rey Saldaña, who greeted and engaged with students and their families, listening to their stories and offering encouragement.  

The initiative went beyond supplies for case-managed students. Entire schools benefited as principals and site coordinators identified needs and distributed backpacks, books and more. TikTok, Whataburger, and other partners helped ensure wide-reaching support for students at all grade levels. The effort even extended to 10 college freshmen who received care packages to help them start their academic journeys. 

What stands out to me about Whataburger’s support is the ripple effect it creates. By investing in students and families at such a critical moment, we’re not only meeting immediate needs, but also reinforcing the belief that every child deserves to feel prepared and supported. That sense of belonging can change the way a student shows up for learning.

-Alyssa Jones, Program Manager, Corporate Giving, CIS National 

Cecilia Lee, Principal of Alumni Relations at CIS National, shared her experience at the Jacksonville stop where she helped assemble and distribute care packages filled with college essentials to six alumni. Three of these young women attended a special breakfast where they reflected on their journeys and expressed deep gratitude for their CIS site coordinator, who had retired after more than 20 years of service. These alumni (including a political science major, a communications major and a science major) had all graduated from the same high school and continued to receive support from CIS of Jacksonville even after graduation.  

Cecilia praised the strong alumni network in Jacksonville, led by Leila Zefri, with key contributions from Jerron Wheeler and Dominic Cummings, and emphasized the importance of expanding this work in future years. 

While the 2025 tour has concluded, its impact is far-reaching. Whataburger has already committed to returning in 2026, with plans to expand the initiative to every state with a CIS affiliate and involve more partners like Hooked on Phonics. 

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Ready, Set, Learn Back-to-School Tour Impact 

With a generous $25,000 gift from Whataburger, Communities In Schools was able to bring essential resources to students and their families. 

Impact at a Glance: 

• 1,000 backpacks distributed filled with school supplies and essentials 
• 1,000 students served across multiple communities nationwide 
• 75–100 volunteers (including CIS staff, alumni and partners) helped bring the events to life 

See highlights from the tour in the slideshow below.