April 2018  
Monthly Update 
Pam Good met Barbara and Jeb Bush  at their Annual Celebration of Reading in Naples, Florida in 2014.  
Joy Road

Spring grows opportunity for Beyond Basics; remembering Barbara Bush's literacy legacy  

by Pamela Good

Spring seems to have finally arrived in Michigan! As I look back over a busy and productive April, I wanted to pause and add my condolences and deep appreciation to former First Lady Barbara Bush who passed away earlier this month. Known as the "First Lady of Literacy," she was an early, articulate and tireless advocate for childhood and family literacy in the United States and was a forerunner to bringing awareness to this important issue. 
 
As Barbara Bush said, "If every man, woman and child in America could read, write and comprehend, we could find easier answers to so many of our other social problems." She believed, as we do, that reading and with it the ability to learn and become educated "is a requisite for having an equal chance to succeed in life." Listen to this NPR story from April 17, 2018 to hear more about her life. Click on the arrow on the upper right of the page to listen to the All Things Considered segment on Barbara.    
Earlier in April I had the privilege of visiting El Paso, Texas where I shared our proven approach to literacy with a council of concerned business leaders and superintendents of school districts along the Borderplex region. Over three years ago, after hearing about Beyond Basics on a radio show, leaders of EduMobile, an El Paso literacy organization,  traveled to Detroit to see our program at work. We shared our literacy model and curriculum and they implemented a successful pilot. I was very impressed with all they accomplished and with the level of cooperation and collaboration shown by the business and education communities in El Paso. I look forward to sharing more details with you in the future.
Near the end of the month, we were also delighted to share a progress report with Impact100 Oakland County for our work at Pontiac's Whitman Elementary, thanks to a grant they gave us last fall.
 
We have much work to do, but we are grateful to see that the seeds we've been planting over the years continue to grow opportunities for us to reach more children.  We are committed to helping turn our nation into a country of readers... one child, one school, one neighborhood at a time.  
 
Joy Road is the journey I began that has led to Beyond Basics. It all started when I took Exit 9 to Joy Road years ago to help out at a school in Detroit.
 
Hyundai Mobis Visits Beyond Basics Bearing Gifts!
 
In late April, Hyundai Mobis delivered 300+ umbrellas to our students at Sampson Webber Elementary, Burton International  Academy and Thirkell Elementary! The umbrellas are engineered for safety and come equipped with reflecting lights, a whistle, and are see-through so the student's vision is not impaired while walking to and from school.
"We are happy to partner with Beyond Basics to deliver our Safe Move Transparent Umbrellas and traffic safety program to so many students," said Lisa Bastien, Hyundai Mobis.

Thank you, Hyundai Mobis, for your willingness to give back!

If you're interested in finding out how your organization can get involved to help mentor and provide opportunities for our students, please contact Kim Dundas at (248) 250-9304 or [email protected]. 
 
North American Bancard Holds an Enrichment Day for Sampson Webber Students!
North American Bancard held an enrichment day in April for Sa mp son Webber International students. Students enjoyed a tour of their offices and spent time interacting with mentors. We wouldn't be able to do the work we do without partners like you! Thank you from all of us at Beyond Basics!  
 
Our students are still talking about the new books they received during their visit!  

Students also participated in a fun activity creating art on a bag they took home.

In April 1983, the report "A Nation At Risk" Published 
 
This month marks the anniversary of the landmark 1983 education report  A Nation at Risk. This report sounded the alarm over the state of American schools.

There have been many debates over what the report got right and wrong, however, we know for certain that a child who does not learn to read is at risk for many perils. This is why we must redouble our efforts to teach all of our children to read.
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Contact Johanna Zwally at (248) 408-1735