EPATT in the News
San Jose Mercury News, July 20, 2016
Bank of the West Classic: Local boys and girls meet Atherthon's CiCi Bellis
"I think we try to strike a balance between the rigorous academic stuff and the fun stuff like today. So what we try to do is use some short-term incentives and some long-term incentives to keep them focused on what's important when they don't feel like doing it and when it's hard."
Palo Alto Weekly, October 30, 2015
Closing the Achievement Gap, One Student at a Time
"This group of children will receive individualized attention three days a week for the entire year, with some time also dedicated to social-emotional learning and developing skills like how to listen to instructions and how to deal with disappointment or conflict in the classroom."
Palo Alto Online, October 1, 2015
EPATT Serves Aces While Raising Funds for Literacy Program
"The Kids Cup fundraiser was hoping to raise $100,000 for Project Rally, EPATT's new early literacy pilot program for at-risk students in the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD)."
Palo Alto Online, September 30, 2015
Achievement gap persists in new state test scores
"In May, the minority committee issued its set of recommendations, some of which the district has already begun implementing this fall. (This includes a new early literacy program the school district is launching next month in partnership with the East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring, or EPATT, program.)"
Palo Alto Online, September 23, 2015
Davenport, Gilbert at Stanford on Saturday
"Former tennis stars Lindsay Davenport and Brad Gilbert will help the East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring (EPATT) after-school program for underserved kids in the local community host its second EPATT Kids Cup Pro-Am Tennis Tournament at Stanford's Taube Family Tennis Center on Saturday."
Palo Alto Online, May 12, 2015
Menlo School boys acing more than just the season
"While the Menlo School boys are out to defend their Central Coast Section and NorCal tennis titles, the Knights are playing for even more this postseason.
Expanding on their effort from last season, Menlo players reached out to a neighbor and CCS foes for Aces4Kidz, a season-long, fund-raising effort to help send youth from under-resourced communities to camp at East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring."
San Jose Mercury News, September 26, 2014
Charity tennis: Kids cup brings pros, amateurs together
"I tell ya, we have a really strong crew coming out on Saturday," said Paul Goldstein, the new Stanford men's tennis coach and one of the pros scheduled to play. "We've got Alex O'Brien, Jeff Salzenstein, Brad Gilbert, Tracy Austin, Jonathan Stark, Jeff Tarango. I mean, that's a really, really solid crew. There's some good tennis to be played. I expect it will be fun."
Stanford Athletics, September 26, 2014
EPATT Kid's Cup ProAm
“I am constantly humbled and amazed by the impact EPATT has achieved over the years, and we’re very excited to bring an on-site program to the Ravenswood City School District,” said Dave Higaki, EPATT Executive Director. “We’re wowed by the enthusiastic and generous support for Kids Cup by so many great tennis stars and the entire community – this tournament promises to be a lot of fun for everyone.”
Palo Alto Online, September 23, 2014
Former tennis greats highlight EPATT Pro-Am tournament
"The inaugural EPATT Kids Cup Pro-Am Tennis Tournament, benefiting the after-school tennis and tutoring program for underserved kids in East Palo Alto, will be held Saturday at Stanford's Taube Family Tennis Center."
Gentry magazine, September 2014
A Smashing Success, p. 134
"Through a perfect blend of tennis, tutoring, and parental advocacy, students and parents are given the opportunity to be the best they can be."
Bay Area Focus, August 17, 2014
EPATT Academic Director Kesha Weekes and Elementary School Group Coordinator Christina Erwin were interviewed on CBS' Bay Area Focus show.
SFGate, March 24, 2014
Acclaimed tennis and tutoring program for East Palo Alto youth focuses on parental involvement
“If I could say that there’s one thing that’s really changed about our academic focus, it’s changing who we’ve focused on,” explained Kesha Weekes, EPATT’s academic director. “At this point in our 25 years we understand tutoring … but parents, and helping them to be effective has been our new charge.” Check out the excellent video and article about EPATT here.
San Jose Mercury News, March 14, 2014
Menlo tennis counting aces for good cause
"The Menlo School-Atherton boys tennis team plans on having a few aces up its sleeve this year. The brainchild of team member Lane Leschly, the Knights started an "Ace-athon," a season-long benefit for East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring (EPATT). Leschly approached Menlo coach Bill Shine about the idea before the season." Read the articlehere.
Palo Alto Weekly, February 2, 2014
New supe serves dinner, links funders and programs
"The transparency and the willingness to reach out and leverage resources is really impressive," said Dave Higaki, executive director of East Palo Alto Tennis & Tutoring (EPATT), which is in its 26th year of offering tennis lessons and academic tutoring to Ravenswood students. Read the article here.
San Francisco Chronicle, December 17, 2013
Tipping Point hosts breakfast of champs
High School Group Coordinator Franklin Matthews was a featured speaker at the Tipping Point's awards breakfast. Describing his experience at Eastside Prep in East Palo Alto, Franklin said: "Eastside has changed the entire lineage of my family...And Chris inspired me to see beyond the 2.5 square miles of East Palo Alto and persevere." Read more here.
EPATT Selected for Touchdowns for Kids
EPATT is thrilled to announce that it will be a 2013 beneficiary of an exciting fundraiser, Touchdowns for Kids! A collaboration between the Koret Foundation, Taube Philanthropies, and the 49ers Foundation, Touchdowns for Kids raises money for six local youth organizations. To support Touchdowns for Kids, please visit this page. Go 49ers!!!
San Francisco Chronicle, July 2013
Tennis, tutors -- net gain to kids
"Tennis fans at the Bank of the West Classic, July 22-28, will want to root for an ace regardless of who is serving. Each whiff rings ups a donation to East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring (EPATT), a youth program for the underserved."
Palo Alto Weekly, May 24, 2013
Tennis and Tutoring, Anyone?
Check out this terrific piece, which describes EPATT as a "beehive of activity."