SMAS Student Cristina Guisa's Letter to Governor Newsom

With the COVID pandemic, we have many challenges - including economic problems. The Legislature and the Governor must agree on a new budget for our new situation. This is the time when we need to tell them what we need and want in the new budget.

San Mateo Adult School Student Cristina Guisa shares her letter on this topic to Governor Newsom:

Dear  Governor Newsom:

First of all, I want to thank you for all your great work during this pandemic keeping us safe.

My name is Cristina Guisa, and I am a student  at San Mateo Adult School. I am from Mexico and now I live in San Mateo County. I came to the United States of America with my husband to support him and to pursue his career. I had to leave my dream job as an Interior Designer, my friends, my family and all the things I worked for. Since I came to California I have been through a lot of changes in my life starting with a new home in a new country, far away from all the people I know and care about me, being a homemaker, when I was used to work  earning my own money and knowing nobody but my husband.  Adult Education helped me instantly to find an equilibrium in my new life here like Sequoia Adult School, where I began ,and now San Mateo Adult School.

I understand the difficulties that COVID19 has brought to the country and how hard everything is right now for all of us. I am aware that our economy is not in its best shape and that the state will need to develop a strategy to solve the economic crisis. Because of this, I decided to write you this letter. I want to thank you for all the support Adult Education has received in the past and now with the COVID19 pandemic. 

Sequoia Adult School and San Mateo Adult School have helped me to feel part of this country.The schools have provided me with a variety of tools such as: teaching me the right way to speak, write, read and skills to communicate not just with my household friends but also with all the people around me. They teach me how to perform in different environments. For example: in a doctor/patient appointment, in an interview, etc. San Mateo Adult School helped me find a place and give me a sense of belonging, so I could help my family with the daily duties. With all the things I learn each day at school, I participate better and become more involved in my community, so I can give back too. 

In addition, at school I have access to community information I need to thrive, and I truly believe if the community thrives the country will follow. Otherwise, I might be a burden to my family. All the education SMAS is providing me, even now remotely via zoom, prepares me to apply for jobs or create my own business in the future. 

For all these reasons and more, I, in the most respectful way, ask you to continue supporting our schools. I assure you, Adult Education has the power to help not just California but the country to bring back our economy. All the connections we make at school make us take actions outside of it. We help the country's economy by going to school every day. If we do not have Adult Education Schools like SMAS, we will not have the need to go out, so we will not have to spend money and give back to our community and instead of supporting the economy, we would reduce the economic flow.

Adult Education needs solid funding in the new budget. With this money, I will acquire the skills I lack to help more people in my community by volunteering and in the future finding  a job where I can give back more to the people. Thank you for your support to our school and Adult Education.

Sincerely,

Cristina Guisa.

Redwood City, CA

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SMAS Student Okran Je's Letter to Governor Newsom

With the COVID pandemic, we have many challenges - including economic problems. The Legislature and the Governor must agree on a new budget for our new situation. This is the time when we need to tell them what we need and want in the new budget.

San Mateo Adult School Student Okran Je shares her letter on this topic to Governor Newsom:

Dear Governor Gavin Newsom,

My name is Okran Je, from Japan. I am a student at San Mateo Adult School in California.

I deeply appreciate your support to protect us from being affected by COVID 19.

The reason why I am writing this letter is because there is one crucial concern that the budget of the adult education might be cut. It has a lot to do with my family’s life. Because of the pandemic, we are required to stay at home. So how to be connected with others and how not to be isolated, which sometimes might cause mental health problems, has drastically changed. Thanks to the online classes that have been provided by the great teachers of the school, even during this period, I don’t necessarily have to give up my goal that I will improve my English skills and eventually get a job in this country. Attending the online classes and feeling that I am a part of the community makes me so confident and think that I could overcome all the difficulties there are. Also, as a mother of a four years old child, I need to be mentally stable and be able to communicate with others in English with ease so that I can support my family. I am sure that it will lead us to contribute to society as a family.

Adult Education is so important for those of us who don’t have enough English skills to make our futures bright in this country. It will definitely let us have a chance to return the favor to society. 

Please understand our situations and don’t cut the budget. Thank you very much for your support of our school and Adult Education.

Sincerely,

Okran Je

Foster City, CA

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SMAS Student Haruka Isobe Chen's Letter to Governor Newsom

With the COVID pandemic, we have many challenges - including economic problems. The Legislature and the Governor must agree on a new budget for our new situation. This is the time when we need to tell them what we need and want in the new budget.

San Mateo Adult School Student Haruka Isobe Chen shares her letter on this topic to Governor Newsom:

Dear Governor Newsom

My name is Haruka Isobe Chen, and I am a student at San Mateo Adult School who resides in your district. I am from Japan. I moved to California last year to get married to my husband who is a citizen of the United States.

First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to give my gratitude to you for representing the state.

The reason I am writing this letter is to request that the state maintain similar levels of funding for our school. The school is essential for us to build a foundation in English, understand American culture and learn how to apply for jobs. The school is not only teaching those skills, but it also gives us opportunities to make friends, be involved with local volunteer societies and be confident about ourselves so that we can expand our potential to contribute to the community.

I understand this pandemic is making our lives extremely difficult. COVID19 is affecting my ability to start volunteering at the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, and applying for jobs. Even in this critical situation, San Mateo Adult school continues providing us classes via zoom and binds all of us together in this crisis. They never stopped helping us to try and achieve our goals.

When I moved here, I had no clue how to adapt myself to the local community. I was frustrated with my English communication skills and it always made me feel like a foreigner. Since I started to go to San Mateo Adult School, my life in the state has dramatically changed. Our considerate teachers are very passionate about teaching us. All my classmates are enthusiastic about exceeding our English abilities. Both my teachers and classmates, who always motivate each other, made me feel at home. I am also involved with the green team at school helping with reducing the plastic usage and spreading sustainability knowledge at school.

For immigrants to be in a local society, we need to have a proper education. Adult Education needs stable money in the new budget. Thank you for your support of our school and Adult Education.  

Sincerely,

Haruka Isobe Chen

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SMAS Student Evgeniia Kondrat's Letter to Governor Newsom

With the COVID pandemic, we have many challenges - including economic problems. The Legislature and the Governor must agree on a new budget for our new situation. This is the time when we need to tell them what we need and want in the new budget.

San Mateo Adult School Student Shelley Evgeniia Kondrat shares her letter on this topic to Governor Newsom:

Dear Governor Gavin Newsom,

First of all, I want to thank you for the great work that you are doing for our safety. 

My name is Evgeniia Kondrat, I live in San Mateo, originally I’m from Russia. I'm a student at San Mateo Adult School in California, US. 

The reason why I am writing this letter is that there is a budget for adult education that might be cut. I understand that this situation has caused enormous damage to the economy and the state is forced to make sacrifices. I want to let you know that school for us is not only a means for learning a language, but also helps to socialize in this country.  This is the place where we learn to understand the culture of the country and also gain new experience and knowledge for further life in the US. I'm married to an American citizen. My future now in this country. There are 11 million immigrants in California, who also will live in the US for many years. We all have one goal: to improve our English skills and get a job. So we will support the state in the future and pay taxes. Also, the school provides an opportunity to volunteer and helps people who need it.

In such critical time, San Mateo Adult school continues to conduct online lessons and connect all of us together.  They never stopped helping us to try and achieve our goals. They strongly support us in every way in such a difficult time when we don't know who we can ask for help or to help people who need it.

For all these reasons and more, I, in the most respectful way, ask you to continue supporting our schools. With the help of the school, we will achieve our goals. We will get a job and will support the country’s economy. Together we will make the county stronger and the economy more stable. 

Sincerely,

Evgeniia Kondrat

San Mateo, CA

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SMAS Student Rie Kinoshita's Letter to Governor Newsom

With the COVID pandemic, we have many challenges - including economic problems. The Legislature and the Governor must agree on a new budget for our new situation. This is the time when we need to tell them what we need and want in the new budget.


San Mateo Adult School Student Rie Kinoshita shares her letter on this topic to Governor Newsom:

May 22 2020

The Honorable Gavin Newson

RE: Funding for Adult Education

Dear Governor Newson:

My name is Rei Kinoshita who lives in San Mateo county. I am from Japan and moved here last October due to my husband’s work. It is the first time for me to live in a foerign country, so I am a student at San Mateo Adult School learning English and the culture of the United States.

First of all, I appreciate all your hard work and support for COVID-19. Thanks to your adequate information and administrative treatment, I believe we can overcome this situation. However, I am writing this letter to inform you how Adult School is also helping me and those who are alike. Adult School is not only teaching us vocabulary and grammar, but they have been guiding us on how we will live in this country. For example, In one of my classes, I learned about how to communicate with doctors. It is very helpful especially for people who have moved from different countries and are not familiar yet with this area. In addition, Adult School has a school counselor who helps students with any problem. We can talk to her anytime about college, jobs, or any small concern. Moreover, after shelter in place has become effective, Adult School has been giving students online learning classes and updates about COVID-19. Teachers always encourage and keep us connected to the community. 

To sum up, Adult School is an essential place for me and all students, and we hope Adult School can continue classes. For that, Adult School needs a suitable budget. I understand these difficult situations, but Investing in adult education helps immigrants survive and develop society. Thank you for your understanding and supporting our school and adult education.

Sincerely,

Rei Kinoshita

Foster City, CA

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SMAS Student Shirley Pinheiro's Letter to Assembly Member Mullin

With the COVID pandemic, we have many challenges - including economic problems. The Legislature and the Governor must agree on a new budget for our new situation. This is the time when we need to tell them what we need and want in the new budget.

San Mateo Adult School Student Shirley Pinheiro shares her letter on this topic to Assembly Member Mullin:

Dear Assemblymember Mullin

I am Shirley Pinheiro and I have studied at San Mateo Adult School (SMAS) to learn and to improve my English as a second language. More than teaching English, SMAS has provided me with special classes and support that helped me to work as a volunteer in the community. I am volunteering as an ambassador for the Census 2020 as well as volunteer as a mediator for the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center. 

I share my experience because I am worried about the possible budget cut for our adult school. I understand the financial difficulty of the current moment caused by the Covid 19 pandemic, but I would like to call your attention to SMAS because its work is essential for immigrants like me in this quarantine time. SMAS offers virtual classes and support for us to manage this crisis as well as the commitment to the community.

As immigrants, we represent 35% of the over 766,000 people who live in San Mateo County. We are part of this community, and we are here working to improve the quality of life in California for ourselves as well as to the community as a whole. In order to maintain a high quality of life in San Mateo, it is essential to provide the necessary resources to support SMAS to continue to do its job of teaching English and supporting adult students to work, study, volunteer, and be part of the community. A strong community, state, country, and school are only possible with everyone living, working, and producing in physical and financial health.

Thank you for your support of our school and Adult Education. 

Sincerely,

Shirley Pinheiro

Community
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SMAS Student Yiqun Zou's Letter to Governor Newsom

With the COVID pandemic, we have many challenges - including economic problems. The Legislature and the Governor must agree on a new budget for our new situation. This is the time when we need to tell them what we need and want in the new budget.

San Mateo Adult School Student Yiqun Zou shares her letter on this topic to Governor Newsom:

Dear Governor Newsom,

My name is Yiqun Zou, a student at San Mateo Adult School. My family comes to California in 2018 and has been living in Foster City since that time.

Because of your excellent work in protecting the California residents from the spread of COVID-19, most of us can stay safe. All my family and lots of my friends do deeply appreciate your impressive efforts.  

Today I am writing this letter to you to express my concern about the budget of Adult Education. I understand that the outbreak of COVID-19 imposes huge economic impact on all over the country including our California, and the government needs budget balance in this hard time. However, I have to say that Adult schools are very important to the stability of the whole state because they are the bridge between the ready-to-contribute residents and our whole community. The adult schools not only give those unemployed people a chance to refresh technical skills and power on, but also create a community for the immigrant to become familiar with the American language and culture. Our state economy needs quick recovery now,  and the adult school can do a big help, because most of the students of adult school can soon contribute their power for the state, who can educate the next generation in a better way or work directly to empower our economy which can promote the consuming and can rebate more tax to our state budget.

As my personal experience, San Mateo Adult School is an essential part of my life, because  I can learn English, make friends and get used to the culture and habits here. Teachers always encourage and keep us connected to each other and to the community, even during the Shelter In Place order effective period, they keep in touch with us through the online class, not only teaching our language skills ,but also helping us stay mental healthy. They did a really good job during the pandemic, we thank the school a lot. We truly hope Adult schools can keep a stable budget , and I kindly ask you not to cut  the budget for adult schools.

Thank you again for your charming leadership during the pandemic , and thank you for your support of Adult Education.

San Mateo Bridge

Sincerely,

Yiqun Zou

Foster City, CA

SMAS Student Olena Babych's Letter to Asm Mullin about Adult Education

With the COVID pandemic, we have many challenges - including economic problems. The Legislature and the Governor must agree on a new budget for our new situation. This is the time when we need to tell them what we need and want in the new budget.

San Mateo Adult School Student Shelley Olena Babych shares her letter on this topic to Assembly Member Mullin:

To Honorable Kevin Mullin

RE: Funding for Adult Education

Dear Assemblymember Kevin Mullin,

 I am Olena Babych, from Ukraine, I am a student and Vice President at San Mateo Adult School who lives in your district. 

Olena Babych

When I came to the USA I could barely understand people and did not know anything about local culture. After less than one year of studying, I can communicate with people. The Adult School has given me not just speaking and writing skills, but also, the amazing teachers have given me knowledge about life in the US and helped me to adapt to a new life here. In Ukraine, I worked as a psychologist, and communication skills are necessary for my job. Now, I continue studying to have the possibility to find a job here and serve people.

With all due respect, I am writing this letter to you to thank you for your job. I understand this a difficult time for the state, and I am concerned about cutting the budget for Adult Education. As a volunteer who helped the teacher with very beginning students, I can see how important Adult School is for people who came to the country and do not know English to adapt and find a job.  

Our school has tried to do the best for the community - our students participate in such important events as a beach cleaning, fundraising for fire victims, and more.

Adult Education needs stable money in the new budget. With this money, we can learn more and help our community. 

Thank you for your support of our school and Adult Education.  

Sincerely,

Olena Babych

SMAS Student Edy Vasquez' Letter To Governor Newsom

Edy Vasquez

Edy Vasquez is a student at San Mateo Adult School. He is a pre-GED student now. He was in the ESL program. You can read more of his story here.

With the COVID pandemic, we have some economy problems. If we want to keep strong Adult Education, we must tell Governor Newsom and our legislators why Adult School is important.

Here is some information to help you write your own letter.

Read Edy's letter to Governor Newsom:

Governor Gavin Newsom

1303 10th St., #1173

Sacramento, CA. 95814

April 23, 2020

Dear Governor Gavin Newsom,

I am Edy Vasquez,  from Guatemala. I’m  a student at  San Mateo Adult School in
California, United States of America.  

With all due respect, I am writing this letter to you. thanking you for the
effort made in the state of California, keeping everyone safe from COVID 19,
looking after our health and coming to town.  This was an excellent job done
as a governor.  From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for everything.  '

The reason for this letter is because I understand there may be possible budget
cutting for some public institutions and agencies. To continue to function properly,
we need balanced budgets. 

For this reason I took the liberty of writing this letter and to concentrate on adult
education in our county. I attend San Mateo Adult School. Education is very
important for both children and adults. By educating ourselves, we can better
serve the State of California and provide a better economy by producing work.  

On the other hand, if our school continues to be funded, teachers will not be
unemployed, they will be able to contribute to the state that which is valuable,
which is education. I hereby ask you to reconsider aid for all adult schools. As a student,
I see education as the key to success for the future of my family and to improve the
education of my children. On the other hand, I help my community from school
by participating in the programs that exist in the school, which are census,
green team, hot food service, student ambassador, and more.

Please don’t cut our budget. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Edy Vasquez