FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, contact:

Jacqueline Vo (408) 930-3326

president@sjpiphi.org www.sjpiphi.org

Fraternity Day of Service and Champions are Readers® CAR Program 2013 SAN JOSE, CA. -- April 9, 2013 -- The San Jose Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi today announces the success of their Fraternity Day of Service and Champions are Readers® CAR three month program with Blackford Elementary School, San Jose, CA on Thursday, March 28, 2013. The project from January to March 2013 included activities with First Book Speed ReadTM, Speed Write, Book Drive, and Sponsor a Reader / Classroom Fundraiser. San Jose Pi Phis dedicated 267 hours with students from the 4th grade classes in one-to-one reading sessions. The enthusiasm to “pick up a book and read” generated through the classes when the volunteers came each Tuesday and Thursday. The opening ceremony on February 28, 2013 (Fraternity Day of Service) had 110 students participate with a First Book Speed ReadTM and Speed Write activities. The First Book Speed ReadTM challenge had Pi Phis, students, teachers and staff members compete for the top speed-read prize, and the Speed Write challenge had groups of students create words that rhyme with READ and LEAD within a ten minute period. The exercise promoted teamwork and encouraged students to assist their peers if they had difficulty recalling and creating words that rhyme. Students were encouraged to read daily and to track their reading progress on their CAR calendar everyday during the month of March. The CAR closing and award ceremony on Thursday, March 28, 2013 recognized students who showed that they are dedicated learners by completing their reading calendars. Seventy-four 4th graders received their medals and certificates for their reading success. At this culminating event, students gathered into group to discuss books based on their favorite genre: i.e. historical fiction, non-fiction, biography, fantasy, poetry, mythology, and fables. The discussion groups facilitated by Pi Phis generated interactions about books that continued between students even after the event was over . The librarian at Blackford will use these literary interests generated in the group discussions as valid recommendations for books to purchase for the new school library. To enhance the classroom libraries, Pi Phis conducted a book drive in January, a Sponsor a Reader / Classroom fundraiser in February, and received donations from generous supporters raising over $780 to purchase books from First Book and other local book vendors. The Pi Phi Club received thank you letters and creative posters from students and teachers thanking them for their time and donations. “This is one of the best programs for our students,” stated a 4th grade teacher. Another teacher added, “All the students want to read with the Pi Phis!” Every year, Pi Beta Phi sponsors a Fraternity-wide event in order to achieve maximum impact in literacy awareness and fundraising. Pi Beta Phi will celebrate Fraternity Day of Service in an effort to advance literacy on or around March 2 in honor of Dr. Seuss’® birthday. Fraternity Day of Service is a Read. Lead. Achieve. initiative supporting the Fraternity’s 100-Year Literacy Vision: “Pi Beta Phi leads the way to a more literate society.” The Fraternity’s commitment to literacy dates back 100 years to the founding of a settlement school in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Pi Phi was solely responsible for all education in Gatlinburg from 1912–1969. Now Pi Beta Phi members support literacy in their communities and through Read. Lead. Achieve. literacy initiatives such as the Fraternity Day of Service, Champion’s are Readers® (CAR) program, partnership with First Book® and Arrow in the Arctic. About Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women: Founded at Monmouth College in Illinois in 1867, Pi Beta Phi has 135 chapters and more than 300 alumnae organizations worldwide. The Fraternity leads the way to a more literate society through its Read. Lead. Achieve. literacy initiatives, including its reading enrichment program Champions are Readers®, its Canadian philanthropy Arrow in the Arctic and its partnership with First Book®. Pi Beta Phi promotes friendship, develops women of intellect and integrity, cultivates leadership potential and enriches the lives of members and their communities. For more information, visit www.pibetaphi.org or follow Pi Phi on Twitter and Facebook.

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1154 TOWN AND COUNTRY COMMONS DRIVE

TOWN AND COUNTRY, MISSOURI 63017

www.pibetaphi.org (636) 256–0680

Fraternity Day of Service and Champions are Readers® CAR Program 2013

SAN JOSE, CA. -- April 9, 2013 -- The San Jose Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi today announces the success of their Fraternity Day of Service and Champions are Readers® CAR program with Blackford Elementary School, San Jose, CA on Thursday, March 28, 2013. The project from January to March 2013 included First Book Speed ReadTM, Speed Write, Book Drive, and Sponsor a Reader Fundraiser.

(1) "You Make the Difference" certificate presented to San Jose Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi on Monday, April 22, 2013 from Santa Clara County Office of Education, Xavier De La Torre, Ed.D., County Superintendent of Schools

(2) Pictured are Blackford Elementary School "Champions are Readers®" with their CAR medal and certificates at the CAR award ceremony on Thursday, March 28, 2013.