S3 sponsors annual career day at Clippert Academy

Local radio and TV personalities and many others joined the S3 staff as they spoke to students at Clippert Academy about their chosen career fields.

Guy Gordon talking about being a reporter and anchor to 8th graders

Guy Gordon talking about being a reporter and anchor to 8th graders

Vickie Thomas rewards a 6th grader will a blow-up ball

Vickie Thomas rewards a 6th grader will a blow-up ball

Guest speakers included WDIV’s Guy Gordon, WWJ News Radio 950’s Vickie Thomas, and Elise Ramsey from the Michigan Humane Society, to name a few.

This event was an opportunity for students to be exposed to different careers while witnessing what was required for each professional to obtain their position.

Students took notes as they listened attentively to the skills and classes needed to pursue each career.

“Career Day gives these young people building blocks upon which they can start developing their own careers,” said Cindy Pasky, S³ president and CEO. “Our hope is the careers these children choose will become a passion, not just a paycheck. Having people share their passion for the work they do will help achieve that goal and give these young people a look into what the future might hold for them.”

In 2013, Clippert Academy was recognized as one of the top Detroit schools by Excellent Schools Detroit.  Located in Southwest Detroit, this multi-cultural school offers a college-preparatory curriculum for grades 5-8.

ester Bryant listens to students questions about his position at the Michigan Chronicle

ester Bryant listens to students questions about his position at the Michigan Chronicle

Here’s how it worked.

The speakers went from class room to class room talking to small groups of middle schoolers about their profession, what they do, how they got started and what they did to prepare for a career in their chosen field.

Liz Blondy accompanied by her two dogs, Bunny and Argon, were a student favorite

Liz Blondy accompanied by her two dogs, Bunny and Argon, were a student favorite

One of the speakers included Lester Bryant of the Michigan Chronicle. Speaking on behalf of the career day, he said, “I’ve been going [to Clippert Academy] for the last 4-5 years.  The kids are always interested in the money I make, how it’s made and the process I used to get to where I’m at now.  It’s a good program.”

A student favorite was Canine to Five’s owner Liz Blondy.

Liz opened Canine to Five in 2005, which is now considered Metro Detroit Area’s finest dog daycare, boarding and grooming facility, to help pet owners and their dogs live a more balanced life together.  She spoke to the students about her love for dogs and her commitment to supporting small businesses.

S3 believes academic excellence is the foundation for a thriving community. Its people donate their time and resources to cater to the future of Detroit, starting with the youth.

 

 

S³ donates hundreds of books to Carver Elementary School

For more than 10 years, S³ has donated books for elementary school students to the Detroit Public Schools. This year Carl Bentley, executive vice president and Shalini Lawson, Detroit branch manager, were on-hand to deliver hundreds of these books to Carver Elementary School on Detroit’s west side.

arl Bentley and Shalini  Lawson presented books to Carver students

arl Bentley and Shalini Lawson presented books to Carver students

The books were donated by guests attending the S³ annual holiday party last December.

It was ideal timing for the delivery as a group of fourth and fifth grade girls of the LitWorld literacy program happily greeted Bentley and Lawson. Flanked by Principal Sabrina Evans and other Carver Elementary staff, the young hostesses of the LitWorld program listened intently to Bentley and Lawson as they spoke about the importance of literacy and S³’s role in helping promote that mission.

Bentley believes that S³’s continued dedication to improving literacy in students will be beneficial to the city of Detroit as a whole.

“Our commitment to academic excellence in the classroom helps instill discipline in our young people which in turn makes for better leaders in the community,” he said.

Principal Sabrina Evans and Carl Bentley

Principal Sabrina Evans and Carl Bentley

Principal Evans welcomed S³ executives with opened arms. “We are excited for the opportunity to have more books added to our accelerated readers’ inventory,” she said. She also spoke highly of the LitWorld program, “Our girls love it. I want the program to be extended to boys so they can also grow a love for reading.”

Detroit Public Schools teamed up with LitWorld, an international non-profit literacy organization, to enhance literacy in metro Detroit. LitWorld has established programs that encourage self-confidence and leadership in students. There are eight LitClubs in the district at Carver, Davison, Detroit International Academy for Young Women, Earhart, Garvey, Gompers, MacKenzie, and Palmer Park Academy.

Shalini Lawson helps stack books with students

Shalini Lawson helps stack books with students

Lawson was hands-on with the students. She shuffled through stacks of books as the girls looked on with excitement.

“This is what community service is all about,” said Lawson. “I love that I work for a place that can create this much enthusiasm for reading.”The program has positively impacted the girls at Carver.

“It’s great for kids my age,” said Adriana Smith, a fifth grader who loves the program. It teaches you about literature.”

The girl’s LitWorld group at Carver also helps organize the other students in the lunch room and auditorium. Because of this program Adriana says she wants to help more people in the future.S³ is committed to its mission in furthering culture, helping children succeed and giving back to the communities in which it does business. The company fulfilled a bit of that mission at Carver Elementary School.  With the company’s unwavering dedication to charity and community work, the S³ team looks to continue donating books to schools in the metro Detroit area.