SMAS Student Marcos Lorençani's Letter to Governor Newsom

Governor Gavin Newsom

1303 10th St., #1173

Sacramento, CA. 95814

April 23, 2020

Dear Governor Gavin Newsom,

My name is Marcos Lorençani, I'm a student of San Mateo Adult School, I arrived recently to California from Brazil and I need to improve my English skills to realize one of my dreams, which is to study in an University in the United States.

I know that you are doing an excellent job like a governor of California and I hope that one day you may become a President of the United States. That is why, with all due respect, the reason for my letter is understanding if there is the possibility of budget cutting for some public institutions and agencies and try to show how relevant adult education is in our county. 

Integration is the main goal of Adult Education and I believe that a strong State or Country is formed by strong people, and providing a good education for immigrants or poor people is a good way to fastly achieve. Education is very important for everybody, but for adults it is twice or three times more important, especially, because it inspires, empowers and integrates all students with community. The Adult School gives all support for students' families, transforming them into future citizens who will serve the this State of California with determination and excellency, providing a better economy and producing work.

In sum, as a student I try to retribute the community like a volunteer, in the programs that exist in the school, which are: census, green team, hot food service, student ambassador, and more. Finally, I take the liberty to affirm to you, our Dear Governor, that if San Mateo Adult School continues to be well funded, teachers will not be unemployed, and they will be able to contribute to our State, which is more valuable, which is education. I hereby ask you to reconsider aid for all adult schools, because this is the base of the future and I will try to write my name in the history of this State, like you are doing.

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

Sincerely,

Marcos Lorençani

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

Alt Text: Stones in balance against a blue sky

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

Alt Text:  Resilience and Adaptation

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

Alt Text:  Yes, We're Essential

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
Alt Text:  Words relating to Community

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 Shelley Cheng'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 Cheng shares her letter on this topic to Governor Newsom:

Shelley Cheng

Dear Governor Newsom,

I am Shelley Cheng, from China. My family moved to the U.S. two and a half years ago because my husband’s job brought him here. Now my daughter is in a public high school in Burlingame, and I am an ESL student at San Mateo Adult School in California.

I deeply appreciate the strong actions that you and your administration have taken on protecting California populations from the spread of COVID-19. Today, I wrote this letter to you to ask you and your administration to protect the funding for adult education, which may be possible budget cutting for some public institutions and agencies to balance budgets in California.

Undoubtedly, adult education is an essential component for California, which is home to almost 11 million immigrants. Adult educators help thousands of immigrants find a better job and life. Even during the quarantine, all the teachers and staff have still been doing their best to make connections with all students by remote classes to teach and support us. Take me as an example, while I was working in China, I didn’t have a chance to use English, so my English skills were very inadequate. Thus I felt anxious and lost my confidence when I first came to the U.S. I was even afraid to communicate with people who speak English. I still remember when my daughter's school teacher first called me, I couldn’t understand anything she said. I was defeated with nowhere to go and nothing to do. My life was stranded because of my language restriction. Fortunately , taking involvement in our school’s classes and programs have improved not only my English skills but also my soft skills. I have made many new friends who are from different countries with different cultures, and we have supported each other like family members and shared information to overcome common barriers. Eventually, I regained my confidence and self-esteem while I volunteered both inside and outside of our school.

In addition, in order to build our self-confidence and to guide us in our new lives here in the USA, our school has built a good connection with the local community to offer opportunities for students to contribute to our school and community. Thus, Some classmates found jobs by taking job searching classes or other career training programs. As a student ambassador, I can help new students adapt to the new environment of our school; as the Census 2020 ambassador, I have visited other adult schools and did presentations to help more people feel comfortable to participate in being counted in the Bay Area.

I am just an ordinary person who has benefited from Adult Education and is capable of giving back to the society in California, United States of America. In order to help more people and families, please don’t cut the budget from adult education.

Thank you again for your continuing leadership and for considering Adult Education. I am proud to stand with you, other advocates for Adult Education, and all people to keep our communities safe and healthy.


Sincerely,


Shelley Cheng

San Mateo, CA, 94401

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

Red Letter Day & Night 2013

We are making good progress.

Governor Brown and the Legislature understand Adult Education matters.

We need to help them understand a few more things.

This week we will write letters to tell them:

We need Designated Funding (our own protected money) 

NOW -
                    not later.

Some schools will not survive without money NOW.

And we need the California Department of Education to be the "banker" for this money -

      not the Community Colleges.

The CDE - the California Department of Education - can be the banker for K12 Adult Schools (like our school) and for the Community College non-credit programs.

When money is involved, it is good for someone who doesn't need the money to be the "banker."

Otherwise, there can be problems - just like when you play Monopoly with your family!

So put on your red Adult Education Matters t-shirts...

And get out your paper and pens...

San Mateo Adult School evening ESL class writing letters in 2012

Ready, set, write!

*  Governor Jerry Brown
    State Capitol, Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA 95814

*   Tom Torlakson, Superintendent of Public Instruction
    California Department of Education
    1430 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814-5901

•   Our Local Assemblymember Kevin Mullin
    1528 South El Camino Real, Suite 302
      San Mateo, CA 94402

•  Our Local Senator Jerry Hill
   1528 South El Camino Real, Suite 303
   San Mateo, CA 94402

•  Our Local Senator Leland Yee
   400 South El Camino Real, Suite 630
    San Mateo, CA 94402

You can also write:

 *  California Asian & Pacific Islander Caucus    
     http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/apilegcaucus/
    You can write to them in Chinese
    State Capitol, P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0028

*  California Latino Legislative Caucus   http://www2.legislature.ca.gov/latinocaucus/
    You can write to them in Spanish
     Chair: Senator Ricardo Lara
    California State Capitol, Room 5050, Sacramento, CA 95814

*  Senator Carol Liu - she is making new laws to help Adult Schools and Public Education
    State Capitol, Room 5097, Sacramento, CA 95814

*   Assemblymember Susan Bonilla – she is a strong supporter of Adult Schools
    2151 Salvio Street, Suite 395, Concord, CA 94520

San Mateo Adult School ESL Day students with letters ready to mail

And thank you!

Because our work  - YOUR WORK! - has made a huge difference.


Background Information:

All these cuts started in 2009 after the Wall Street and Housing Market Crash.

Public Education was in trouble.  There was not enough money for schools.

Governor Schwartzenegger made the money for Adult Schools "flexible" - that meant available.
 

If the K12 Adult Schools needed money - and many did because we were in a big money crisis - they could use the Adult School money.

Adult Schools were the "blood donors" for K12 schools.

We kept the K12 Schools alive during the difficult time.

The K12 Schools survived.

But many Adult Schools did not.

70 Adult Schools closed.

But things are better now.

There is more money.

The economy is stronger.

And we passed Prop. 30 - a special tax for education.

Adult School Communities helped to pass Prop 30.

Now we can renew and rebuild Adult Education.

Now we can be part of better Public Education - K12, Colleges, Adult Education - for California!

Hooray!

Here are blog posts about our first Red Letter Day in 2010:  Red Letter Day 2010

And our Red Letter Day last year in 2012:  Red Letter Day 2012

We have made a lot of progress!

And we will keep making progress - until Adult Education is rebuilt and renewed!

Because Adult Education Matters!

And remember:  Sign and share the Petition to Rebuild Adult Education!

Letters from the Writing Intensive Class

The San Mateo Adult School is part of in ALLIES program.  This is a special program that helps ESL students prepare for Community College classes and other programs.

These letters in support of Adult Education, K12 Adult Schools, and Designated Funding
were written by ESL students in Teacher Mary Peros' Writing Intensive class.  The Writing Intensive class is part of the ALLIES program.

The letters were written to Assemblyman Ting and they were delivered in person by Hitomi, Marina, Iglika, and Natasha on Leg Day, April 17th, 2013.

There were shared with permission.

 Hit the "read more" link to read the letters.

We Write Letters

Last Thursday, the day ESL students wrote letters to Governor Brown and the State Legislature.
Tonight, Monday, May 22, the evening ESL students will write letters to say:

Adult Education matters!


No on WSF!

All across the state, people are saying the same thing:

Adult Education - ESL classes, Citizenship, GED, High School diploma, Parent Ed, Job Training, Classes for Older Adults, Classes for Disabled Adults - these classes matter.

Adult Education creates strong families and communities.

Adult Education creates a strong economy.

Adult Education gives parents the skills and power to help their kids succeed in school.

Adult Education matters.

If you did not write a letter last week and if you cannot come to class tonight, you can still write a letter.

Go to http://192.234.213.69/amapsearch.

Enter your address.

It is okay.  It will not remember your address later.

Then click "enter."

You will see the way to contact your state legislators.

Send them an email.

Tell them why adult education matters to you.

How has it helped you?

How has it helped your boss, co-workers or employees?

How has it helped your family?

How has it helped your neighborhood?

How has it helped the economy?

If you have children, how has it helped them?

It is okay if your sentences are short.

The important thing is to tell the State Legislature that adult education matters.

WSF - the weighted student formula - is very bad for adult education.

Adult education is important.

The state must find a way to keep adult education going.

One more thing:

Adult education is more than ESL and citizenship.  Adult education is GED, High School Diploma, Parent Ed, Classes for Seniors, Classes for Disabled Adults, and Job Training.  Do you know people who take or have taken these classes?  Tell them what is happening!  Ask them to write an email!

Why?

Because adult education matters!

We Need To Write Emails and Letters

Dear Students,

This is a very serious time. 

Already adult education has had many cuts.  Our school is strong but we have had cuts, also.

Now things are more serious.

Governor Brown wants to push through some changes that will be very, very bad for adult education.

We all need to write letters and emails to the Governor and the State Legislature.

I will put information about letter writing on this blog.  Your teachers will also talk to you and explain things and help you write letters in the days ahead.

You can go http://adulteducationmatters.blogspot.com/2012/05/help-with-writing-letters-and-emails.html to learn more what is happening and how to write a letter.

The Adult Education Matters blog is written for high level ESL students and native speakers.

There is a translation button on the bottom left hand side of the blog.  You can show the blog to a native speaker and ask their help to understand it better.

Please share the Adult Education Matters blog with your friends, co-workers and family.  Ask them to read it.  Ask them to think about the value of adult education.  Ask them to send an email or letter to the Governor or the State Legislature.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Teacher Cynthia