Bethune Nursery School, Inc.Bethune Nursery School, Inc.

72 Years of Progress72 Years of Progress

1936 - 20101936 - 2010

MMararyy BBeetthhuunnee AAccaaddeemmyyformerly

Mary McLeod BethuneMary McLeod Bethuneour namesakeour namesake

July 10, 1875 - May 18, 1955 July 10, 1875 - May 18, 1955

Born into poverty, the fifteenth of Born into poverty, the fifteenth of seventeen children,seventeen children,

in Mayesville, SCin Mayesville, SC

"I had no furniture. I begged dry "I had no furniture. I begged dry goods boxes and made benches goods boxes and made benches

and stools; and stools; begged a basin and other things I begged a basin and other things I

needed and in 1904 needed and in 1904 five little girls here started five little girls here started

school."school." - - Mary McLeod BethuneMary McLeod Bethune

Daytona Educational and Industrial Training SchoolDaytona Educational and Industrial Training School

now now Bethune-Cookman CollegeBethune-Cookman College

Her Accomplishments Were Her Accomplishments Were ManyMany

Founded Bethune-Cookman College in Founded Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, FloridaDaytona Beach, Florida

Founded the National Council of Negro Founded the National Council of Negro Women Women

Advisor on African American affairs to Advisor on African American affairs to four presidents four presidents

Director of the Division of Negro Director of the Division of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Affairs of the National Youth Administration, appointed by Administration, appointed by President RooseveltPresident Roosevelt

She was the first African American She was the first African American woman to hold so high an office in woman to hold so high an office in the federal governmentthe federal government

A 17 foot bronze statue of Mary A 17 foot bronze statue of Mary McLeod Bethune resides in Lincoln McLeod Bethune resides in Lincoln Park, Washington D.C.Park, Washington D.C.

Lincoln Park, Washington D.C.Lincoln Park, Washington D.C.

The BeginningThe Beginning The first child care center in Lynchburg. The first child care center in Lynchburg. In February, 1936 the Work Progress In February, 1936 the Work Progress

Administration ("WPA") opened Bethune Administration ("WPA") opened Bethune Nursery School at 15Nursery School at 15 thth & Floyd Streets. & Floyd Streets.

In March, 1943, the WPA officially In March, 1943, the WPA officially withdrew from the project.withdrew from the project.

The Community Chest funded Bethune The Community Chest funded Bethune with $1,344.20 in 1943. with $1,344.20 in 1943.

The JourneyThe Journey In September, 1953 Bethune Nursery In September, 1953 Bethune Nursery

School relocated to the former South School relocated to the former South Lynchburg Public School Building at Lynchburg Public School Building at 2249 Halifax Street, where we are today.2249 Halifax Street, where we are today.

We target children from low-income, at-We target children from low-income, at-risk environments.risk environments.

In 1996 a severe storm swept through In 1996 a severe storm swept through Lynchburg causing a vast amount of Lynchburg causing a vast amount of damage to this building. damage to this building.

Like Mary Bethune, we have struggled Like Mary Bethune, we have struggled over the years.over the years.

And, like Mrs. Bethune we also have And, like Mrs. Bethune we also have persevered. persevered.

As We GrowAs We Grow We are a UNITED WAY of CENTRAL We are a UNITED WAY of CENTRAL

VIRGINIA partner agency.VIRGINIA partner agency. We are a Certified Success by Six We are a Certified Success by Six

program.program. We have grown and improved our We have grown and improved our

facilities.facilities. We have a history of accomplishment.We have a history of accomplishment. We are respected in the community.We are respected in the community. We have staff longevity.We have staff longevity. We are licensed by the State of Virginia.We are licensed by the State of Virginia.

““There are surface nuggets to be gathered There are surface nuggets to be gathered but the best of the gold is underneath, and but the best of the gold is underneath, and

it takes time and labor to secure it.“it takes time and labor to secure it.“ - - Mary McLeod BethuneMary McLeod Bethune

A more inviting and secure entrance A more inviting and secure entrance to MBAto MBA

Remodel Phase 1 2007

Our outside ClassroomOur outside Classroom....

Where we play..and laughWhere we play..and laugh

..and learn...and learn.

We Provide Transportation,We Provide Transportation,but we have improvedbut we have improved……

Lots of improvements in 2007Lots of improvements in 2007

Off Street parkingOff Street parkingfor the busfor the bus

Child safety and efficiency has Child safety and efficiency has improvedimproved

Transport trips have been decreasedTransport trips have been decreased Staff time is now better utilizedStaff time is now better utilized Transportation costs have improvedTransportation costs have improved Field trips are better organizedField trips are better organized High visibility in the communityHigh visibility in the community

Precious Cargo isPrecious Cargo isa little safer…a little safer…

As We Move ForwardAs We Move Forward

……We have made more changes, We have made more changes, and more are yet to come. and more are yet to come.

. . Like our identity. . Like our identity

ARE YOU READY?ARE YOU READY?

www.marybethuneacademy.org

Our LogoOur Logo

New Heating & Cooling New Heating & Cooling SystemSystem

Currently being installed by the city with Currently being installed by the city with grant funds secured by MBAgrant funds secured by MBA

More efficient:More efficient:

- eliminate oil bills- eliminate oil bills

- reduced electricity consumption- reduced electricity consumption

- better comfort zone per classroom- better comfort zone per classroom

Remodeling of office & kitchenRemodeling of office & kitchen

From outdated to efficientFrom outdated to efficient

NEW! Spring, 2009NEW! Spring, 2009

- Increased enrollment- Increased enrollment

- Accommodate families - Accommodate families w/younger childrenw/younger children

- Expand our services- Expand our services

ANDAND….….

SSchool chool AAge ge CCareare forfor KKidsids--Summer FunSummer Fun

Field Trips, Friends, Tutoring,Field Trips, Friends, Tutoring,

Hands on learningHands on learning

--Before/After CareBefore/After Care

--Holiday/School ClosingsHoliday/School ClosingsA safe, nurturing and entertaining environment when school is out.A safe, nurturing and entertaining environment when school is out.

Who is Invested?Who is Invested? The dedicated staff is invested.The dedicated staff is invested. Their years of service show it.Their years of service show it. The United Way of Central Virginia is The United Way of Central Virginia is

invested.invested. Our Board of Directors is invested.Our Board of Directors is invested. And we ask that you consider investing And we ask that you consider investing

some of your time and leadership ability.some of your time and leadership ability.

NOW WE ASK YOU….NOW WE ASK YOU….

Who is all of this for ?Who is all of this for ?

Mary Bethune once said…Mary Bethune once said…

"Invest in the human soul."Invest in the human soul.

Who knowsWho knows,,

it may be a diamond in the rough."it may be a diamond in the rough."

Our children are….Our children are….

““Our diamonds inOur diamonds in

the rough…..”the rough…..”

TTHHEE CCHHIILLDDRREENN

TTHHEE CCHHIILLDDRREENN

Thank youThank you

for your time for your time and interest in our and interest in our “ “ MMBBAA family” family”

Visit usVisit us on the on the WORLD WIDE WEBWORLD WIDE WEB

““www.MaryBethuneAcademy.orgwww.MaryBethuneAcademy.org””