Transitional kindergarten teacher Andrea Quezada plays with her students at Los Robles Ronald McNair Academy in East Palo Alto on April 30, 2026. Photo by Seeger Gray. (click to read the article online)
“Thank you EPAK for giving our kids the opportunity to learn about our circulatory system in a more hands-on way. They benefitted tremendously from your generous EPAK grant. The grant allowed my students to be able to dissect the hearts in a safe fashion. they had a great time doing so and they learned so much more than if I had them just do worksheets! ”
— Jaime V., East Palo Alto Charter School
EPAK awarded 224 regular educator grants, 60 new teacher grants, and 24 special grants for a record-breaking total of $289,735 given out this September!
August means back to school for students in East Palo Alto and eastern Menlo Park. EPAK board member Mary Ruth Leen is visiting our EPAK schools to introduce the grant program to eager teachers applying for basic classroom needs and more. Teachers are eligible for up to $750 in regular grants. A team of teachers may apply for special grants up to $5000 for wide scope, high impact projects.
Current grant recipient Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School teacher Ryan B. wrote:
I see every day how critical it is to provide targeted, engaging, and appropriately leveled learning materials. Our classroom is rich in determination and resilience, but our resources do not fully meet the needs of our learners. By equipping Room 53 with the tools to meet learners at their level—whether in reading or math—we can create a learning environment where all students have the opportunity to thrive.
East Palo Alto Charter School teacher Valerie M. writes:
Our school serves a vibrant and diverse community, many of whom face financial and logistical barriers to access enrichment opportunities outside of the classroom. I am applying for a grant to fund a field trip to the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley. Exposure to environments like this can spark curiosity, build confidence, and ignite a lifelong interest in STEM fields, an educational experience many students would not have otherwise.
Meeting the needs of these two highly motivated teachers is only possible thanks to the continued generosity of our supporters. Thank you so much for caring for EPAK students.
Thank you to all our EPAK supporters!
East Palo Alto Community Archives honored EPAK in a community celebration at Cooley Landing Education Center recently. An enthusiastic gathering of EPA dignitaries, community leaders and residents gathered to recognize a small group of dedicated non-profits who have worked in East Palo Alto for 25 years or more. The celebration coincided with East Palo Alto 42nd anniversary as a city. The award cited East Palo Alto Kids Foundation’s “unwavering commitment to uplifting the community” through its grant program to teachers. A sincere “thank you” to the EPA Community Archive program for this public recognition. The importance of helping teachers and students in East Palo Alto and eastern Menlo Park is central to EPAK’s mission.
Thank you to all our EPAK supporters!
One of these educators, a recipient of an EPAK grant in 2024-25, spoke at EPAK’s April “Meet the Teachers” event at Bloomhouse in East Palo Alto.
Becky Z. inspires students to read at EPACS as a volunteer librarian (pictured above). Thanks to her, the K-8 students at East Palo Alto Charter School have access to books on their campus, including a new selection of Spanish language books. She spoke passionately about her search for “just the right books” for students. Becky reaffirmed her gratitude for her EPAK grants which allow her to purchase books for a wide variety of student interests. Becky wrote recently, “With the grant money we have really been able to upgrade the quality and quantity of books which has led to increased use of the library by both staff and students.”
Fourth grade teacher Misa Y., shown here with below counselor Michelle G. from EPACS, purchased additional classroom books and started a book club to encourage students to transition to longer chapter books. This EPAK supported mission resulted in a colorful student “thank you” poster brought to Bloomhouse.
East Palo Alto Kids Foundation thanks, in turn, our supporters who contributed to more than 400 teacher grants for hard-working educators this school year!
With the help of our supporters, EPAK makes grants that enrich the education of students ranging from preschool to high school in East Palo Alto and eastern Menlo Park. Two recent EPAK grants use building-based activities to promote foundational learning. All Five preschool’s mission provides a high-quality essential education for young children, often through intentional play. In the words of teacher Austreberta G., “Great minds can create great things with great materials.”
She continues,
We are so thankful for all the blocks and planks we added to our outdoor area for cooperative playing. Using cognitive skills, children are learning problem solving and how to share space and materials.
The EPAK grant provided bristle blocks which strengthen the children’s fine motor skills when using the connectors. These blocks encourage imagination and both independent play and working in a group to advance social and emotional learning.
Thank you for your continued dedication to support all educators through these grants! -Austreberta G., All Five
Hands-on learning and a building-based approach also happen thanks to EPAK grants for higher level students. Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School students were excited to receive the EPAK-funded Spintronics Act One and Act Two to build mechanical circuit puzzles and Turing Tumble, which allows students to construct marble-powered computers.
Teacher Tina C noted:
I enjoyed watching the intrigue and wonder on student faces while they collaborated on how to solve each puzzle or task so they can move on to the next step. It was amazing! -Tina C., Cesar Chavez Middle School
Teachers understand that a building-based kinesthetic approach to learning promotes critical thinking, creativity, and social skills. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the students get extra opportunities to grow in these areas.
We all have heard about post-pandemic student reading loss in California and throughout the country. The good news is that EPAK grants are already hard at work as EPAK teachers step up their efforts to combat this problem. Costaño reading specialist Kristina T. explains in her Fall 2024 post-project report:
“What a joy and privilege to watch our students have a safe, colorful, meaningful environment! I asked for materials to help our classroom environment feel a part of our student’s community. As a reading specialist I am helping reading become more than just a slide presentation. I want my students to feel connected that reading is all around them. I want them to know that many people they know struggled in reading and overcame many obstacles. That is why I created the “What Our Community Says About Reading!” As you see in the picture, there are staff, coaches, barbers, musicians from our community families that gave me quotes and great pictures to display. This bulletin board is being added to every month. All the materials were purchased by this grant.Thank you so much, EPAK!”
A new semester and a new round of EPAK grant opportunities begin for our teachers in East Palo Alto and eastern Menlo Park. As we mark the new year, we celebrate the creativity and dedication of our teachers. A recent testimonial from one such teacher notes the high impact of the EPAK classroom grants:
“My EPAK grant had a profound impact on learning in my classroom. Funding to purchase supplies, books, and materials made learning more accessible, relatable, and joyful for my students. EPAK support aided a creative, dynamic learning environment that catered to the diverse needs of my students, including those with IEPs.
Several EPAK funded science labs were a highlight for many students. The labs promoted understanding of complex topics like plate motion, the rock cycle, and states of matter. In one lab students constructed structures out of popsicle sticks to simulate buildings. These structures were then tested on a shake table to determine their ability to withstand an earthquake. Students learned that plate motion is a continuous process.
Another engaging lab focused on modeling the rock cycle. Students used potato peelers to “weather” crayons into tiny pieces that represented sediment. These pieces were then compacted and cemented using foil to mimic the process of forming sedimentary rocks. Next, students used candles to heat the crayon fragments until they melted, simulating the formation of magma. The melted crayons represented igneous rocks. This activity helped students understand the processes of weathering, erosion, compaction, cementation, and cooling within the rock cycle.
Overall, the EPAK grant money provided essential funding in my classroom. The labs, in particular, helped students make connections between theoretical concepts and real-world applications. These experiences fostered a love of learning that I hope will stay with them throughout their academic journey.”
– Francisco B., Kipp Valiant Community Prep (Dec 2)
Dear East Palo Alto Kids Foundation,
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your recent donation to my class. With the current grant, I was able to buy math manipulatives as well as add to the class’ building centers. I have found that both additions to my classroom activities have increased social interaction as well as helped children gain a better understanding of math concepts such as addition and number quantities. I cannot thank you enough for your generous donation.
Alice B.
Kindergarten Teacher
Green Oaks Academy
East Palo Alto Kids Foundation
P.O. Box 50542
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Tel: (650) 241-8999
Email: info@epak.org
EPAK is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Federal Tax ID:
77-0359913
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