Looking for Family Fun? Read Advice from Anne!

Are you looking for fun for your family on the weekend or over vacation breaks?  Read this advice from ESL Distance Learning student Anne!

Share Some Tips To New Families

Hi, I’m Anne. My family has been living in the Bay Area for 1.5 years. We have three kids, a 13 year old boy, 7 and 2 year old girls.

    We love nature.  We try different parks nearby every weekend.

Coyote Point Park

Walk, run or bike, near the beach! It has  a great playground, boat marina, and CuriOdyssey Museum.

CuriOdyssey Meseum

A small zoo, fun science exhibits.

Crystal Spring Reservoir.(Sawyer Camp Trail)

A huge lake, perfect view.

Half Moon Bay State Beach  (Remember, do not approach or touch wildlife such as seals.)

Picturesque spot for camping & fishing.

Twin Pines Park

A neighborhood park features a creek, two playgrounds, picnic areas & a rec center.

And so on.

These are all places that you can return the same day. We usually use Google Map to search.

    If you luckily have public holiday and weekends back to back, you get a three day holiday. We choose popular places for camping, skiing, fishing…

Remember, popular campgrounds need reservations at least 3-6 months in advance.

Yosemite National Park

Amazing place! There are many things worth doing in different seasons.

Lake Tahoe

Amazing lake with crystal clear water! “Best lake”. We went to Tahoe skiing twice, and we’ll plan for the third time.

You can go to the parks official website to search for the information you want, including campground, hotels, restaurants, weather,etc.

    When kids are in school holidays, which usually are one week to two months, you have more choices. 

 

Holiday camping

At the school entrance and city council you can find generally advertisement. If your kids are not interested in these, use Google to search.

Most camping sites have early bird discounts.

Long trip

We usually do a two to three week road trip, stay in campgrounds which saves money, and fosters children’s social skills and independence.

Hope this helps you!

Thanks a lot.

Meet Transition Specialist Angelica Esquivel!

Angelica Esquivel

Spring 2017 Schedule for Transition Specialists

Have you met our new transition specialist, Angelica?  

We have two transition specialists - college and career navigators - to help you:  Patty and Angelica. 

Patty works mostly in the daytime.  Angelica works mostly in the evening.  Their office is in Room 28, near the flagpole.  They share their office with Toshio, our CASAS clerk and school musician.

Angelica has a quick smile and is very committed to serving the community.  She knows about many resources to help students meet their goals and find solutions to their problems.  And she can help  in two languages:  English and Spanish. 

Stop by Room 29 to meet her or email her at aesquivel@smace.org to make an appointment to meet with her.  Her schedule is Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 9 pm.  And she is here on some Fridays in the daytime.

Get to know Angelica Q and A (Question and Answer):

1.  Where did you work before this job?

Before joining the San Mateo Adult School family, I worked in the nonprofit sector around immigration issues and financial empowerment.

2.  Where did you go to college and what did you study?  

I attended De Anza College in 2013 and transferred to UCLA where I obtained my BA in Sociology with a minor in Public Policy. 

3.  What has helped you meet your goals in life? 

 In order to meet my goals I had to be open to stay determined. Sometimes it is not easy, but it is still possible. I always found a way around all the obstacles.

4.  Where did you grow up?

I was born in Mexico City and grew up Sunnyvale, California. 

5.  What do you like best about working at SMAS?

I like learning about student's goals and help them achieve those goals. 

6.  Do you do the same job at La Costa Adult School?  (Angelica also works at La Costa - the Adult School over the hill in Half Moon Bay.)

I will be helping student at SMAS and La Costa meet their Education, Career and Community goals. 

Immigration Information and Resources

Some federal immigration policies and practices may change under the new Trump administration in 2017.

Here are information and resources to help you understand possible changes, prepare for them, and find help if you need it.

You can ask College and Career Navigators Angelica and Patty, or English Specialist Marina, your teacher, or another SMAS staff member to help you find information  in these websites.

My (Un) Documented Life:  Up-to-Date Information and Resources for Undocumented Immigrants

Recommendations for School Administrators, Educators, Counselors, and Undocumented Students

Educators for Fair Consideration:  Post-Election Updates

San Francisco Legal and Immigrant Education Network  SFILEN – is a network of 13 organizations which help immigrants

Coastside Hope - Services and referrals for Coastside residents

International Institute of the Bay Area  --  Redwood City Office

International Institute of the Bay Area offers information presentations followed by legal consultations every Monday. Call 650-780-7530 for more information.

Legal Help for Low-Income Immigrants in San Mateo County Area


From the San Mateo County Office of Immigrant Support and Information

Immigration and Legal Resources

Post Election Talking Points and Resources- ILRC

DACA and California Driver's Licenses- ILRC

What Immigrant Families Should do now- ILRC

Know Your Rights- National Immigration Law Center

Events and Consultations

Sheriff's Department and Catholic Charities is hosting an informational town hall meeting including a "Know Your Rights" presentation on December 5th, at 6:30pm located at the Siena Youth Center.International Institute of the Bay Area offers information presentations followed by legal consultations every Monday. Call 650-780-7530 for more info.Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto offers free bi-weekly intake clinics for consultations. Call 650-326-3440 for more info.Catholic Charities hosts informational presentations and legal consultations every Monday in San Mateo, first Wednesday in Redwood City, and Third Wednesday in East Palo Alto. Call 650-295-2160 for more info.


Counseling and Health Services

StarVista Counseling Services

Youth Services Bureau of the YMCA

Pyramid Alternatives Counseling

SMC Behavioral Health & Recovery Services

Peninsula Family Services 


Human Services Agency Public Benefits

Many clients and service providers may have questions or concerns regarding the status of a clients’ health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act or possible impacts to other services given the presidential election results.  While we can’t predict the future, HSA would like to share some information that they have at this time.

Covered California's enrollment for 2017 coverage should still be encouraged.  Coverage will remain intact for 2017.  For Medi-Cal, HSA is continuing to promote and process new enrollments and renewals as always.

While there’s some uncertainty, and concern, about potential changes to these important public programs, HSA will focus on the present and ensure their clients have the health insurance coverage that they are eligible for today and through next year. If these programs change in the future, they will respond to those changes at that time.

For further information regarding eligibility and programs HSA offers, refer clients to the benefits line at 1-800-223-8383

Resources for Teachers and Educators:
 

Teaching Tolerance- A project of the Southern Poverty Law Center

Preparing for Cultural Diversity: Resources for Teachers- George Lucas Educational Foundation

Help for Immigrant Families Post Election- ILRC