Better Funding for Adult Education Means Better Preparedness for Emergencies

Long Chan, a student in Distance Learning and the afternoon Advanced ESL Conversation Class, had a great idea.  She engaged in direct democracy by sharing her idea with Governor Brown and our elected representatives so that they can consider it and possibly take action on it.  

She will mail the letter to California Governor Jerry Brown and she will deliver the letter in person to the offices of State Senator Jerry Hill, California Assembly Member Kevin Mullin, and Congress Member Jackie Speier.  Their offices are all in San Mateo, very close to each other, which makes it easy to talk with one of their aides, and deliver letters or ideas in this way.  Here is the letter Long will deliver:

November 1, 2017

Dear Governor and Legislators:

North Bay Fire

In democracy, government makes a budget plan based on the majority of the people’s opinions as expressed through their elected representatives. In the wake of the Las Vegas gun shooting massacre, and the wildfires that damaged the North Bay, public safety is the big issue for Californians. People want to learn how to protect their lives and properties in the best way possible. It has become the main current issue now.

Loma Prieta Earthquake 1989

For Californians, guns and wildfire are not the only two issues that threaten people’s safety.  Earthquake is probably the biggest threat to people in a couple of decades. I affirm that government has prepared people well. Earthquake preparation planning by Adult Schools and the K12 system helps people to know what to do during earthquakes. This is especially effective in Adult Schools, because the students are adults. They can influence their neighbors and others after the training.

 I’m a student of San Mateo Adult School.  I highly recommend that California make more emergency preparation funding available for Adult Schools. When you provide training through Adult Education, you are training the larger community, because those students teach and share the information with friends, families, co-workers, neighbors, etc.

This is especially important and effective because many Adult School students are immigrants.  They can teach this information in other languages to immigrants who need the training.

When Adult Schools get more funding for any emergency preparation planning, they will do more to prepare training for people. In this way, the government is truly responsive to the people which I know is your goal.

Sincerely,

Long  Chang    

Long shared this about engaging in direct democracy, "Since I read American history and constitution, I'm interested in knowing the real democracy situation in USA.  Jackie Speier's town meeting in last February opened my eyes.  It helped to know the situation."

You, too, can share your ideas with our elected representatives.  Ask your teacher for help in writing a letter or sending an email or preparing for a visit to their offices.  We are lucky to be in a location where it is easy to visit their offices and speak to one of their aides.  

#studentvoicematters  #adultedmatters  #adultedu