East Palo Alto Kids Foundation
December 19, 2011
I am a brand new teacher in East Palo Alto and was given $250 to start building my classroom in the beginning of the year. This grant is specificly for new teachers in the district. This was an amazing gift from EPAK that allowed me to start gathering materials that my students and I needed to begin my year. I am so appreciative that I was able to get enough journals for reading and writing that students use on a daily basis as well as many other key classroom items. With so much going on your first year, EPAK gave me the extra help I needed to feel more prepared in starting my career.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
June 5, 2011
EPAK (East Palo Alto Kids Foundation) provides $500 grants for classroom teachers twice yearly (Fall and Spring). Each year I have been able to purchase $1000 worth of books and hands-on enrichment materials for my first graders. EPAK requires that the materials bought have to stay in the classroom, even if the teacher leaves, so they are able to enrich our students year after year. I have been able to buy enough books for all of my students to have guided reading books (books just at their level to help them incrementally learn how to read). In the past two years that I have been using these books, I have seen such an impact on my students' reading. This year, I had 85% of my students far below grade level at the begining of the year (did not know letter names or sounds or sightwords such as "the"). After using these guided reading books with my students, now (in June) 80% of my students are reading at or above grade level! EPAK has also furnished my classroom with hands-on math and science materials. Many of my students have never visited a zoo or museum, so it is important for me to provide them with those opportunities within the classroom. EPAK has allowed me to purchase fossils, x-rays of animals, magnifying glasses, and thermometers, as well as materials to do hands-on experiments. This kind of exposure starts to close the gap between the "haves" and "have-nots" in our society. EPAK can really be classified as a social justice organization because of the many opportunities and experiences that it provides our kids in East Palo Alto
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my classroom and in my school, Costano Elementary School in East Palo Alto. The grants that EPAK has shared with our school site have helped to create an academically rigorous and compassionate school environment.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
create 3 cycles of grants per year (Fall, Winter, Spring) because the funds are so closely tied with our students' acaemdic success and involvement.
May 31, 2011
EPAK is an awesome grant provided to teachers who work in the East Palo Alto district. It provides an opportunity to teachers to purchase necessary supplies, tools, and even field trips for all their students and to help them learn and grow as people in society. EPAK has given my students the chance to participate and attend field trips outside of East Palo Alto. I love it and most importantly, my students LOVE it!! Thank you EPAK!!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My students have hands-on experience they could only get by experiencing it on a field trip.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
It would be great to have more money to buy the expensive technology, such as IPADs, Smartboards, etc
December 13, 2010
Thanks to EPAK students in 8th grade have been able to go on field trips to the court in San Jose. Visiting the court and being able to observe arraingments for traffic violations, misdemeanors and some times non violence trials have helped students comprehend why we need laws in society and school. Why it is better to avoid getting in trouble, to stay in school and to pursue a higher education.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have experienced the commitment of EPAK to the community. The eagerness to provide support for programs that can contribute to change the lives of our youth.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I can't think of any right now.
December 10, 2010
Last year was my first year of teaching. I knew I was beginning the year with little and was in need of much. I was, therefore, very excited to learn about EPAK. With the generous grants I have received from EPAK, I have been able to support my students need in a far greater capacity. I was able to take them on a field trip to the Discovery Musuem, buy materials for a class project, and enhance their independent learning time with various activities purchased with the grant. I am so grateful to benefit from a foundation that cares so much about its community and the teachers that are in it. Thank you EPAK!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in my classroom and the joy it brings to my students.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would want even more people to support it!
My Role: Professional with expertise in this field & I was able to purchase items and activities to promote and encourage cooperative play and learning through movement and gross motor activities.Some of the items I I purchased included items for relay races, music and props for dancing, balls, and a large.
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December 9, 2010
EPAK is an wonderful organization that provides funds to public educators in East Palo Alto to purchase items and/or materials for learning.
I felt like a kid at Christmas time opening presents when I began to receive the items I was able to purchase through EPAK. The anticipation of using these items to help the students I work with learn to initiate and interact in cooperative play with their peers had building up the moment I found out I have been awarded the EPAK grant. Year after year, EPAK provides the opportunity to the students I work with to have an enriched and multifaceted learning experience through materials and items I am able to purchase.
I work as an early childhood special education teacher in a full inclusion setting. This means I work with children with and without special needs in general education placement. I work with children between the ages of 3 and 5.
For many of the students I work with), one of their greatest challenges lies in their ability to participate in cooperative play. Many students have difficulty initiating cooperative play or understanding how to sustain cooperative play with peers. I also have students that do not show a great interested in play with peers and it can take a lot of motivation from both peers and adults to have them engage.
The main idea of my project proposed to EPAK was to try and encourage cooperative play and learning through movement and gross motor activities. Preschoolers naturally love music, to move around constantly and are constantly learning through tactile and kinesthetic activities. For most preschoolers anything that involves being outside and/or moving around is a high interest for them. I thought this was a natural way to try and encourage peer interaction. Some of the items I I purchased included items for relay races, music and props for dancing, balls, and a large bubble kit.
I can’t even begin to describe how it feels to see a child that usually prefers to play by themselves being drawn into the activity and interacting with his peers. A few days ago we organized a relay race outside using a egg and spoon race kit I had purchased. Children try to balance the egg on the spoon while walking; if the egg drops it cracks open to reveal a yolk. One of students that tends to play by himself outside, came over to the game of his own accord and participated in the relay. Later that day when his mother picked him up, she asked him what he had done today and he replied “eggs”. I was ecstatic to see a group cooperative game had made such an impression on him.
Each year, as budget cuts increase, the more and more EPAK becomes a valuable resource to the public school system and educators. I can not put into words how invaluable their organization is. Their generosity and passion to help the children in this community to become capable learners.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
in being provided the opportunity to give the students I work with to have an enriched and multifaceted learning experience through materials and items I am able to purchase
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not make any.
December 9, 2010
EPAK has been helping me deliver quality service to my students. Through my grants I have been able to purchase specialized materials that have allowed me to promote the motor skills of many students (both general ed students and students with individualized education plans) in the Ravenswood School District. Thank you EPAK!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Providing grant money to provide me with specialized materials to enhance my sessions and allow me to serve many students.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Allow occupational therapists to apply for this grant as often as teachers.
November 14, 2010
Epak has been benifiting my students for the past four years.It has been wonderful to get these grants twice a year. I have been able to take my students on different field trips. Last year we were able to go to a childrens museum, and CPK. This year I was having trouble challenging my higher students during workshop, so I got centers that are geared toward the star test to not only challenge the students, but help them on the star test. With out EPAK I would not be able to do these wonderful things for my students. It is a great organization.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have personally experience seeing smiles on my students faces by going on field trips. I have also see my students gain knowledge by being able to have hands on centers.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
There are not any changes that I would make.
November 2, 2010
EPAK has given my students a chance to learn and explore through the use of technology and allowing us to go on field trips. This year we have used our funding to provide science videos for all of third grade. Last year, I was able to provide an awesome listening center for my students and take them to the S.F. Exploratorium. I really think that students can benefit from this organization.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
being able to watch my students broaden their learning.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
nothing.
November 17, 2009
The East Palo Alto Kids Foundation enriched my classroom through a grant for a field trip. All year we had studied California History and I was able to take my students to Sacramento to see Sutter's Fort, The Railroad Museum, The Old School House, and the Capitol Building. It is an event that 5 years later, my students still come back and talk about. I now serve on the Board of EPAK and it is my pleasure to read through the incredible projects and plans that teachers have for their students. The EPAK donors make these plans a reality. The Board is an incredibly generous group of volunteers dedicated to equality in education. It is a fantastic organization.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my classroom.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the ease of filling out the application and using the funds in the classroom.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
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