Your branch can do this too!
Torrance Branch
The Torrance Branch every year provides an very noteworthy program for 6th grade middle school girls. It is entitled “Power & Promise”.
Power and Promise is an 8-10 week lunch-time Speaker’s Program for 6th grade girls conducted at middle schools in the South Bay. One day a week during their lunch hour, the girls come voluntarily to hear about, ask questions and discuss issues
relevant to their lives. The topics vary between middle school campuses. Listed below are sample topics that have been previously addressed:
- Emotional, social and physical changes during adolescence
- Sexual harassment
- Bullying and teasing
- Images of girls and women in the media
- Friendships and relationships
- School and neighborhood safety
- Nutrition
- Community service
- Negotiation and setting boundaries
- Women in history
The Torrance Branch also has “Girls in Gear” in January. This is a Science/Technology Career Fair.
Willits Branch
Every March, the Willits Branch schedules “Women in History” presenters in 13 schools – that includes middle schools and high schools. They often write their own scripts, but sometimes use the Thousand Oaks scripts as well. The presenters dress in period costumes and bring a myriad of props to enhance their presentations. They are often filmed by their public access television station, and are also interviewed on their local radio station.
Thousand Oaks Branch
The Thousand Oaks Branch continues their legacy of writing the “Profiles of Women” scripts yearly. The portrayals of these women are presented by students from One Spark Academy. These performances are held at the Thousand Oaks Library.
San Ramon Branch
The San Ramon Branch joins with the Soroptomist Club every February to provide a program entitled “She’s All That”. “‘The She’s All That!’ Conference started as a way to help middle school girls address issues most affecting their lives,” said Soroptimist Conference Marketing Chair Robyn Forman, a San Ramon resident. Ms. Forman believes this event makes a difference in the lives of middle-school girls. She says, “If we wait until high school to reach these girls, it’s too late. They need to feel comfortable in their own skin and we believe ‘She’s All That!’ will help them get them there.”
Tri-Valley Branch
March brings “Expanding Your Horizons – Motivating Young Women in Science & Mathematics”. The Tri-Valley Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) is an annual conference specially designed for 6th- through 9th- grade girls to encourage them to consider education and career options in science and mathematics. About 300 girls from the Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, Sunol, and San Ramon school districts attend. Girls from other school districts may also register.
San Jose Branch
The San Jose Branch provided a January program called “Investing in Girls – Women Leading the Way”. The question was asked “How Can We Provide Emotional Support for Children”. This program was put on by Project Cornerstone. Project Cornerstone has been collecting valuable information about students in Silicon Valley for several years and has provided programs to address identified needs of our students in our community. A 2010 survey measured developmental assets, which are positive values, skills, relationships and experiences that help young people grow up to be healthy, caring and responsible