FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:      Patrick Rausch
Founder, Rochester Matters Academy
East High School
Phone: 585-747-6393
Patrick.Rausch@rcsdk12.org

Rochester, NY – November 17, 2007 – Rochester Matters, an alternative middle-school academy at East High School, is recruiting volunteers to work with students in seventh-grade classrooms.

Volunteers are needed to assist with a variety of activities. They can choose to serve as general classroom assistants, tutor students in core subjects – math, science, English/language arts, and social students, chaperone field trips, or assist with special projects.

The Rochester Matters Academy offers a hands-on, interdisciplinary educational experience designed to engage students in their community and make school relevant to their lives by connecting academic lessons to students’ personal experience. The academy curriculum focuses on building students’ skills in civic responsibility, literacy, and critical thinking as a means of preparing students to meet or exceed New York State educational standards in core subjects.
Academy Founder Patrick Rausch says that volunteers provide positive role models for city school students and make it possible for struggling students to get the kind of support that can make the difference between success and failure.
“These kids are starved for positive role models,” Rausch says. “If we’re ever going to break the culture of failure in the city, teachers need help. When you’re outnumbered 25 to one, you can’t possibly give the kids the individual attention they need. The more adults in the room, the more individual attention each student can get.”

Volunteers can easily register online using East High School’s new Community Connection. Visit http://easthighschool.net/programs/rochester_matters/ and click on East High Community Connection to see a list of volunteer opportunities and sign up.