PR | Eagle Academy, UPO & Bainun Family Foundation announce opening of early learning center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                            
April 26, 2018        
                                                                                                                 
CONTACT: Karen Alston
202-554-8500 ext. 501
Kalston@eagleacademypcs.org

 EAGLE ACADEMY, UNITED PLANNING ORGANIZATION, & BAINUM FAMILY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE OPENING OF EARLY LEARNING CENTER

Organizations to Host Ribbon Cutting Ceremony & Reception on April 27, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 26, 2018 – On Friday, April 27, 2018, Eagle Academy Public Charter School, the United Planning Organization (UPO), and The Bainum Family Foundation will host a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Reception from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Eagle Academy Early Learning Center located at 3425 10th Place, SE Washington, D.C., 20032. The Early Learning Center – located in a separate wing of the Eagle Academy Congress Heights campus – will provide Early Head Start comprehensive services for 56 infants and toddlers at the school. 

“Since opening the first exclusively early childhood public charter school in the District, our mission has been to build the foundation for a promising future for all students,” Eagle Academy Co-Founder and CEO Dr. Joe Smith stated. “Through the creation of the Early Learning Center, we can expand on this mission by providing the resources and support for children to grow socially, emotionally, and physically right from the start.”

The program was made possible by a partnership between UPO and The Bainum Family Foundation – two D.C.-area organizations that have joined forces in an effort to increase the availability of high-quality seats in Wards 7 and 8 for infants and toddlers by 2020. It will be the first of its kind in an early childhood public charter school, allowing for continued research of students as they move through grades in the early childhood continuum.

“We are honored to work with such selfless organizations to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed from the very beginning," Smith said. “We look forward to continuing to work with them in the future to serve the children and families living in the District.” 

At the ceremony and reception on April 27, guests will have the opportunity to tour the Early Learning Center and meet with other families.

About Eagle Academy Public Charter School
Eagle Academy Public Charter School, D.C.’s first exclusively early childhood public charter school, serves grades PreK-3. Eagle Academy Public Charter School’s mission is to build the foundation for a promising future for all students in a rich, robust learning environment that fosters creativity and problem-solving abilities, emphasizing cognitive, social and emotional growth by engaging children as active learners in an inclusive learning environment. For more information, please visit www.eagleacademypcs.org.

About The United Planning Organization (UPO)
The United Planning Organization (UPO) is the designated Community Action Agency for Washington, DC, and has served the residents of the District since 1962. Our Vision for the future is UPO’s Washington: A city of thriving communities and self-sufficient residents. Our Mission is Uniting People with Opportunities. Our Promise: Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other. 

About The Bainum Family Foundation
The Bainum Family Foundation combines proven expertise with a passion for supporting the whole child by providing integrated services to help them thrive. Our circle of collaboration includes investments and support in early learning, wrap-around services and knowledge building. Founded in 1968 by Stewart and Jane Bainum, it was originally known as The College Foundation, and later the Commonweal Foundation, and has helped children exit poverty through educational programs and services for 47 years. For more information, visit www.bainumfdn.org.