East Palo Alto Charter School (EPACS) & Character Development The NEW Junior League Community Project Presented by: Nick Romagnolo, EPACS Natala Menezes, Project Co-Chair

Overview  About EPACS  About the Junior League Project  How can advocacy help EPACS?  Q & A

EPACS Mission EPA Charter strives to equip students in an under-served community with the skills necessary to read, write, speak, and calculate with clarity and confidence while fostering the desire to participate responsibly in the community.

Unique Aspects of EPACS  Longer school day  Longer school year  Smaller class sizes  Mandatory Parent participation  Spanish classes for all students

Who are EPACS students? 350 Students  72% Latino  26% African- American  2% Other  70% English language learners  78% Qualify for free/reduced-price lunch

EPACS Students are Achievers EPA Charter Scores Relative to Ravenswood District (2002 SAT 9)

The Junior League & EPACS The NEW Community Project

What is Character Education? Junior League members participate in an innovative education program designed to provide a framework for student individual growth and self-awareness. This program was designed by EPACS staff with the following 5 core principals in mind:  Unique Potential  Consience  Truth  Integrity  Team

What will Committee Members do?  Members facilitate discussions with a small-group (10-13) of middle school students  Discussions are held about once a week and last 50 minutes  Each discussion will involve leading an activity, journaling and reflection  League members are a core component of the character education program at EPACS Notes: This is a day committee.

How can the Advocacy Committee help the East Palo Alto Charter School? Support after school and before school programs.

Support funding for After & Before School Programs Drama Club Organic Garden Science BusBasketball

Q & A  Questions?  To learn more about EPACS visit  To learn about our committee visit:  Thank you for taking the time to hear about this new community project!