Elks Tower
BEYOND UMBRELLAS
Beyond Umbrellas
No matter the weather, we learn together.
MISSION STATEMENT
To provide resources to school-age children aiding in the prevention of absences due to weather conditions, while increasing their opportunity to achieve successful academic outcomes.
Girls and boys who learn to read, write, and count will provide a better future for their families. With improved education, several other areas are positively affected. Education is key, and has the power to make the world a better place, because knowledge is power.
The level of impact on students’ educational performance is relative to the length of time in which a student is absent from school, and how often this occurs.
Research shows that being absent from school on a regular basis can have a negative impact on numeracy, reading, and writing performance. Students who miss more than 10% of school days in a school year or 10 days per term are at risk of poor academic achievement.
To get the most out of education, students should go to school daily. In cases of inclement weather, underprivileged students don’t always have the option to attend due to a lack resources. Beyond Umbrellas, Inc. can help provide resources to students in order to prevent unnecessary absences.
Beyond Umbrellas, Inc. would like to thank our sponsors and community partners for their valuable contributions, which will help us change the community one umbrella at a time.
Sponsors
Community Partners
Bayside
Harris Center
ABout
The Founder
Alana I. Smith is a junior at Natomas Charter School Performing Fine Arts Academy and maintains over a 4.0 GPA. She was recently inducted into the National Honor Society and received the Sophomore Imagination Award, which is given to students who are original, creative thinkers. Alana demonstrates leadership in her school and local community. She was selected as a student liaison to the Natomas Charter School Board of Directors.
In addition, Alana made Natomas Charter High School history by being the first student to be elected into 4 consecutive Associated Student Body positions: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. In 2019, she was selected as the Northern California Amazing Kids Award Recipient and was featured in the July issue of N Magazine as an exceptional youth. In 2018, Alana was selected as the Young Exceptional Woman of Color Scholarship Award Recipient. In Jack and Jill of America, Inc, she served as Sacramento Chapter Teen Vice President, Far West Regional Teen Treasurer, and was recently elected Far West Regional Teen President, where she will be the leader of 27 chapters in 5 states. In addition, she has received two volunteer awards. For the past few years, Alana has volunteered her time as a Teacher’s Assistant to Pre-K students at Bayside Midtown Church. As many of these children come from disadvantaged communities, she enjoys being a positive role model in their lives. She has also volunteered her time at the Sacramento Food Bank, The Harris Center for the Arts, St. John’s Program for Real Change and various other organizations.
Due to Alana’s passion to help the underserved community, she was devastated when she learned of students missing school due to inclement weather at a school where her mother volunteers. At this particular school, the following statistics were provided for students who walk to school:
- 54% of students walk to or from school
- 81% of students live within a mile of the school
- 62% of parents reported their students do not walk to school due to weather conditions
The following demographic statistics were provided:
- Hispanic/Latino 53%
- Asian 23%
- African American 12%
- Free and Reduced Lunch 100%
- English Learners 41%
This is when the light bulb went off. It was a no-brainer that Alana wanted to make a difference in the underserved, and Beyond Umbrellas was born!
Alana founded Beyond Umbrellas, Inc. as an advocate for education and a voice for her generation through motivation. She believes that children from all backgrounds should be granted the same opportunity as her to learn, engage and succeed within school, and weather conditions should not be a factor.
Beyond Umbrellas
School Recipients
Pacific Elementary School
Beyond Umbrellas, Inc. had its first umbrella give-away at Pacific Elementary on March 1, 2019. We joined them on their Community Reading Day to not only read to the students but to also donate 150 umbrellas, which was the requested amount from the school to meet the needs of their student population. Good Day Sacramento was on site to cover the story. What an amazing first event! We are helping the community one umbrella at a time.
Leataata Floyd Elementary School
Beyond Umbrellas, Inc. had an umbrella give-away at Leataata Floyd Elementary on November 1, 2019. We joined them on their pajama day to not only read to the students but to also donate 350 umbrellas, which was the requested amount from the school to meet the needs of their student population. In addition, teachers performed a creative skit to discuss umbrella safety. What a fun-filled event! We are helping the community one umbrella at a time.
Isador cohen Elementary School
Beyond Umbrellas, Inc. had an umbrella give-away at Isador Cohen Elementary on November 4, 2019. We joined them at their student award's ceremony to donate 100 umbrellas, which was the requested amount from the school to meet the needs of their student population. What a joyous event! We are helping the community one umbrella at a time.
