GET INVOLVED

GET CONNECTED

GET POWERFUL

DETROIT PARENT NETWORK

www. detroitparentnetwork.org

726 Lothrop Rd. Detroit, MI 48202

From the Chief Executive Officer

Detroit Families: Vacation, Staycation?
By Sharlonda Buckman, CEO, Detroit Parent Network
Michigan summers offer us 90 days of warmer weather and
with it, the choice of how to spend these days. Families need
to get away from the routine of the school year -- and after
our winters, we deserve it. The awesome thing about living in
Michigan is that the state becomes a vacation wonderland in
the summer. There is so much to learn about Michigan and
its great lakes and so much to see; you can create a great vacation no matter the
size of your budget. A simple weekend road trip Up North to fish, boat or hike, or a
planned weekend in downtown Detroit to enjoy the Riverwalk, the arts, and many
of the new restaurants around Campus Martius. But theres also the possibility of
staycations! Last year, my family embarked on a spontaneous camping trip in our
backyard. I have never seen my kids happier than putting up the tent while our
dog Pepper barked uncontrollably at the excitement. My husband helped the kids
make seats out of tree branches.
I am not an outdoorsy kind of girl so the best thing about our backyard camping,
including roasting hotdogs at the bonfire the kids helped build, was that I could
enjoy it all as I sat comfortably on the sofa. I know thats a little unfair but a vacation should have a good balance of comfort for all parties. After all that tent
building activity, mommy needed a sofa versus a wooden tree stump to snuggle
on. Ahhh the smell of Smores as I clicked through the channels and thought of
this as the best family camping I had ever experienced. I completely cheered
them on as they settled into sleeping bags to sleep. As I woke the next morning
and looked out on my family, I was happy to see them all there still sleeping
while my husband and 5-year-old daughter competed in a snoring competition.
When I asked them what they enjoyed most and what they learned, my daughter
commented on the hot dogs and the marshmallows, while my 13-year-old son
enjoyed staying up late outdoors, fresh air and learning the best way to make
s'mores. I think we will camp again this year and also visit the beaches in Saugatuck. My advice to any parent: GET AWAY, plan a vacation and create memories with your family, even if you camp in your own backyard. Through
these fun adventures, our children are
still learning and their imaginations make
the most memorable stories to be told for
years.

Sharlonda Buckman, CEO,

Detroit Parent Network

SAVE THE DATE!

AUGUST 27TH 2-7 PM
DPN FAMILY &
FRIENDS REUNION
(See page 5 for details.)

What do you believe is the

greatest challenge facing
Detroit families today? Join this
conversation by sharing your
story on our Facebook page or
tweet @DPNDetroit

FALL 2015
Detroit Families: Vacation,
Staycation?
By CEO, Sharlonda Buckman

Parent Centers, Parent Leadership

Training, and Parent and Community
Voice

Parent University and Parent- Teacher

Home Visitation Project

Learn more about . . . Pathways to

Literacy and our Youth Interns

Mark your Calendar for upcoming

events & Learn about Project
Graduation

1
2
3
4
5

Get Connected with DPN!

p.1

GET INVOLVED

GET CONNECTED

GET POWERFUL

Parents Supporting Parents

VISIT YOUR CENTER TODAY

During this years Parent Advisory Council on Student

Achievement (PACSA) elections, parents from Bunche
came to Blackwell to encourage their parents to take on
leadership roles at their childs school. When parent
Kirby Washington found out about DPNs healthy eating
classes at Osborn she remarked that she would not be
able to make it due to a lack of transportation.

PARENT
CENTERS
28,884
Parent Visits

Ms. Tankersly and Ms. Brown immediately offered to pick

her up to ensure she could take advantage of the
opportunity around nutrition and Kirby has been able to
attend classes ever since. Theyve even empowered her to
begin driving herself! Parents that go the extra mile, build
community, and ensure everyone can take advantage of
educational resources; they are Detroit Parent Network!

PARENT LEADERSHIP
TRAINING
Classes begin Tuesday,
September 15th
from 5-7 PM @ DPN,
726 Lothrop Rd.,
Detroit, 48202
7 week session, graduation
and Parent Leadership
Certificate!

*September 15th, 22nd,

29th, October 6th, 13th,
20th, 27th*

Become an Agent for Change Through DPNs

New Parent Leadership Training
Are you ready to start the change in your life that youve been waiting for? If you
have the desire to make a difference, let our newly enhanced Parent Leadership
Training equip you with the tools to do so. This 7 week course will include:
enhancing your communication skills, self-discovery, how to balance stress with
joy as you lead, how to use information (data) to create and manage projects that
can impact your home, schools, policies and community.

THE COALITION FOR

THE FUTURE OF DETROIT
SCHOOLCHILDREN

PARENT &
COMMUNITY
Voice
Matters Here
742 Parents
Involved

For more information or to

register for classes,
Call 313. 862. 0617

June 16th was a very important day for parents and

community members across the city of Detroit and
beyond. Two bus loads of Coalition members, parents,
and advocates traveled up to Lansing to inform
policymakers why we need to act now to change the
lives of all Michigan children. Parents greeted state
representatives in their office to share their story and
the challenges they face educating a child in a city that
lacks coordination across its educational landscape.
For more information on the Coalition, visit:
choiceisoursdetroit.tumblr.com/

p.2

GET INVOLVED

GET CONNECTED

GET POWERFUL

During the 2014-15 school year, Parent University held 286 classes in our parent
resource centers, in schools, in the community, and through the Learn and Earn DPS
Adult Education centers. 91 parents graduated from the program, receiving a
Parent University certificate to show for their commitment to furthering their education
and demonstrating the value of lifelong learning to their children.

Parent University
722 Parents

I didnt have the chance to

walk across stage when I was in
high school. I graduated and I
was drafted straight to the Vietnam War, so now I have the
chance to wear a cap and gown
and I feel honored.
Anthony King,
Parent University Graduate
Graduating from this program means a
lot ; it gives me momentum, it gives me
courage to move on and continue my
education and its just empowered me
to the fullest. Carolyn Davis, Parent
University Graduate

It enriches the community for

Parents! Dawn Pauling, Parent
University Graduate & Class facilitator

PARENT
TEACHER
HOME VISIT

274 Families
Served

Its good to know how to prepare

your children to learn to read at an
early age. PU parent

85% of Parents recommend

these workshops to other
parents!

Great learning workshops to keep

parents involved in their childrens
education. PU Parent

Bravo! Our
Community
needed this
program!
PU Parent

Teachers and Parents united at Nichols Elementary/ Middle

School to celebrate the Parent Teacher Home Visitation
Projects success over the 2014-2015 school year. Children
received backpacks filled with books, pens, markers, chalk,
notepads, pencils, crayons, and more to ensure their learning is not lost throughout the summer.

81% of Parents agreed

that they attend more

school activities
because of their
participation in the
Parent Teacher Home
Visitation Project.

It doesn't matter if your son/daughter can read up or

down, left or right because this program, this is it. Its
totally changed me and my son . . . and really the
whole family. My son is reading at 2nd grade level
now, where he should be and knocking out books at
the 3rd grade level. He even received an award! Its
been like a big boom. Earlonda Johnson

Parent Teacher Communication Makes a World of Difference

p.3

GET INVOLVED

GET CONNECTED

PATHWAYS
to LITERACY

GET POWERFUL

804 HOME VISITS

39 WORKSHOPS

157 Parents Served

1.5 - 2.5 Years Old

42 PLAYGROUPS

RAISE A READER . . .
The Pathways To Literacy program utilizes four assessments to gauge a child's literacy development and
overall comprehension.
While the program is a research study that compares
two groups, Pathways To Literacy was birthed out of
the need for parents to become equipped to best prepare their children for school. To date, we have identified significant preliminary findings regarding the effectiveness of the programs 10 week curriculum.

Snuggle up and
read with your
little one! DPN,
Barbara Bush
Foundation for
Family Literacy,
and Baby First
bring you a free,
fun iphone app!

Families that enroll in the PTL program receive weekly

home visits from a literacy coach that provides a learning curriculum, new books each week, and also the
opportunity to participate in workshops and playgroups.

Children can participate in

finger play and rhymes such as
Itsy Bitsy Spider or Peek-A
Boo
Children are able to carry a
board book.
Children pretend to read.

2.5 - 3.5 Years Old

Children can recognize some
books by the cover.
Children can hold and turn
pages of a book.
Children like to hear the same
story repeatedly.
Children are interested in the
pictures of the book.

This year, DPN partnered with the Barbara Bush

Foundation for Family Literacy to provide parents
with practical ways to help their child foster a love
for reading throughout their life. 400 Parents
became reading mentors to their children and
received literacy packets!

Investing in Youth
And their Future
Through our partnership with JP Morgan Chase
Bank, we served 1,241 youth through employability/ job training. Participants learned how to
develop their resumes, align career pathways,
conduct job searches, and sharpen their interview
skills for future professional opportunities.

NEW YOUTH
INTERNS
Detroit Parent Network welcomes
12 youth interns this summer who
are committed to making an impact
in their community. They started
with a gardening service project!

p.4

GET INVOLVED

GET CONNECTED

GET POWERFUL

SUMMER
OUTREACH
& EVENTS

Youre Invited
DPN Family &
Friends Reunion
August 27th
@DPN, 2-7 PM
726 LOTHROP RD. DETROIT, MI 48202
FOOD. GAMES. FITNESS. MUSIC. RAFFLES.
PRIZES. SLAM POET. FREE LITERACY IPHONEAPP. COMMUNITY RESOURCES. & MORE.

Melinda Smith and Mattie

Morgan connect at
DEPSAs Hip 2B FIT event!
Detroit Parent Network
supporting young readers
at Highland Parks,
Literacy in the Park event
in July.

College is Ready for You

PROJECT
GRADUATION
Serving 2,858 Students

This summer, Detroit Parent Networks Project Graduation (PG) coaches provided students
with the opportunity to see college life up close. PG students attended several college tours to
observe the atmosphere in which they will continue their studies and pursue a higher
education degree. These eager teens get to interact with college students, step into dorm
rooms, libraries, lecture halls, cafeterias, and athletic buildings and visualize their success at a
university or community college. College is not one size fits all and our youth need to explore a
variety of options for their life after high school. Many of our students and parents have never
been to a college campus, so this serves as an eye-opening experience that will help them
determine the best fit for their future. What are you doing to get your kid to the campus?

"Project Graduation helps me in many ways. The whole team gives me advice on things I
should do in college. They guide me in the right direction, and make sure Im on track. I
can also talk with Ms. Ray, Ms. Parker, and Ms. Lanier about personal issues. The PG
coaches furthermore help me apply for colleges and FAFSA. They give me information
that will help me in my present and future. Thank you guys for all the help you provide me
with. I love you all!
Mikayla Holland, Henry Ford High School
"Project Graduation is a very helpful program at my school. Their
team touches base with the students something that the teachers sometimes cant and wont do. They bring a positive energy to
the school and to lots of students life. Project Graduation made
me feel confident in my dreams of going to college by putting
together a plan that accents my wants and needs. I love the team
that works at my school and I see the difference theyre making.
Project Graduation shows students ways to obtain their life goals
and to be successful in whatever their plans are after high school.
I believe Project Graduation should be a program in all high
schools nationwide." Travonte King, Henry Ford High School

PG students show off

their Cap & Gown
Around Town

p.5

COMING SOON: DPN Parent Leadership Summit . OCTOBER 2015 .

DETROIT
PARENT
NETWORK
726 Lothrop Rd. Detroit, MI 48202
313.832.0617

Are you a DPN member?

To become a member or renew
your membership with DPN
today . . .
Call 313. 832. 0617

Listen in to

MISSION
To develop powerful parents (and primary
caregivers) who are equipped to get the best
education possible for their children.

Education Today for

Academic Tips from
DPN

VISION
Detroit Parent Network is a premier parent
organization that transforms parents to
make the Detroit area a better place to
raise and educate children

Are you seeking

volunteer
opportunities?
Call 313. 832.0617