SMAS Census Ambassadors Honored by San Mateo County Board of Supervisors

On August 4th, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors recognized the San Mateo Adult School Census Ambassadors for the fantastic work they have accomplished. (Read more about the award winning Census Ambassador Program here.

Read the speech given by Census Ambassador Shereen Lata:

Hello everyone just want to say thank you to San Mateo county for giving SMAS  a very great opportunity to participate in Census 2020. 

My name is Shereen Lata I’m so glad I join this program 

We learned so much from it. What is Census ?  

How important it is? 

Why must everyone be counted ?

How does it impact everyone leaving here?

So proud that We could  help our  community. 

IN FUTURE IF THE COUNTY HAS OTHER PROGRAMS  LIKE THIS WHERE THEY NEED VOLUNTEERS, Please give us SMAS first chance to participate.

  

We would like to thank our advisor Stephanie Kriebel for driving us safely to all our presentations to help us answer some difficult questions. Aparna Ramakrishan to bring this program to Stephanie Kriebel.

And very big thanks  to our proud team.

Read the information from Census Ambassador Shelley Cheng:

My name is Shelley Cheng and I come from China. I am an ESL student at San Mateo Adult School and also a member  of the Census Ambassador team. In summer 2019, the County of San Mateo and San Mateo Adult School (SMAS) partnered to create a Census Ambassador training program for volunteers who wanted to educate fellow residents about Census 2020 and serve as a resource in their communities. Since I became part of the Census Ambassador Training Program, I learned what the census is, why it is important for everyone, and how people can participate. One of the most important things I learned is how to communicate with different kinds of people who don’t know about the Census or who are afraid to participate. To reach the students at our school, our team set up census information tables during the break times and also made presentations in each class. Through these activities, we have convinced our fellow students to pledge to participate and be counted. Even now, during the quarantine caused by covid-19, the Census Ambassador team is still expanding information by remote methods. Some of our students were afraid of providing their contact information for pledging, so I asked them to think about how and why we can get the opportunity to study English for free at our school, to think about where the money comes from. We explained the money is from the state, county, and city government just based on how many people live here. By helping people to understand information about the Census made it easier to convince students to pledge because we always love and appreciate what our school has done for us. We have also visited classes outside of our school for sharing census information with  as many people as possible. Since last November until this March, we have presented to more than 800 people and talked with them about the census. I am so proud to be part of the Census Ambassador team because I learned how this system works and especially what I can do to contribute and help my friends, family, and community become comfortable with participating in the census.

A big thank you to Shereen Lata, Shelley Cheng, Edy Vasquez, Marina Zambruskova, Shirley Pinheiro, and Adviser Stephanie Kriebel for the phenomenal work they have accomplished for our community!

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

Alt Text:  Multi-Color Ring of People

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 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

Alt Text:  Heart formed from stones

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 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

Student Success Story: Edy Vasquez

Teacher Jean, Teacher Cynthia,
Director Tim Doyle,
Edy with Certificate,
SMAS Student Francisco,
Evening Student Council Leader
 Elena

SMAS Student Success Story:  Edy Vasquez

San Mateo Adult School Student Edy Vasquez was nominated for the COABE National Adult Learner Award.  COABE is the abbreviation for Coalition for Adult Basic Education.  Edy will be featured in the COABE National Educate and Elevate Campaign.  

Edy is from Guatemala.  He started English Classes at the Low Intermediate Level in May 2019.  He has served the SMAS Community as a Student Ambassador, Census Ambassador, Hot Meal Service Ambassador, and Green Team Member.  In addition to his studies and volunteering, he works full time. 

I asked Edy to share more about his story: 

How long have you lived in the US?  

I arrived in the United States on January 21, 2007.  I lived 8 months in California and I went to the state of Florida. A while later, I returned to California. 

How did you find out about San Mateo Adult School?

I tried to study several times but I did not get a chance and I decided to try one last time, I called Sequoia Adult School but the classes filled up quickly. They did not save space and since the school is small, I did not enter anymore.  With great disappointment, I thought that I would not study any more, but the school secretary mentioned the school of Palo Alto and San Mateo. I opted for the school of San Mateo. When I arrived at the school of San Mateo, I loved it and they gave me the opportunity to study. And I do not want to miss it and thank you for these opportunities.

Tell us about learning English at San Mateo Adult School.

I studied with Miss Lilly and Houry - but I didn't pass the test so I repeated the same level with Miss Jean and Deep.   After Miss Deep and Jean, I passed the test so I went to High Intermediate and when I went to High Intermediate, I felt it was easy for me. I spent one month there and it felt easy to me. After,one month, it still happened so I talked to Miss Tamra if I can go to the next level - to Low Advanced.  I was waiting for my CASAS test to see if I can promote or not - because it’s one thing to think and it’s another thing to see or not. After my test, my score went from 225 to 237 so I talked to Miss Tamra if she can do something to raise me to Low Advanced. She said, “You may be ready for High Advanced.”  She talked to Patricia and she made a little test - and I was ready for High Advanced. But when I got my CASAS score, I talked to Miss Carlota and she made another appointment for another test - for pre-GED. So I went for that test on Feb 26. I wasn’t sure bec I was feeling like it was too high. My score on the PreGED test was 230.  Mr Beall said that for pre-GED, it’s 231, but for one point, “I think you can advance.”

What is your advice for a new student?

Study hard. Anything you are learning, try to use it anywhere. It's not only at school.  We can come to school for two or three hours daily to learn a language but we need practice, too. Most of the students come to school and they're only listening to what the teacher is saying. But the time for students to practice is short. It's maybe five minutes, because there are so many students. So the best way to learn and practice is join programs that the school has for students and you become confident to practice out of the school- at work or try to buy your supplies using your English. The brain kind of holds any new words if you use it. The brain loses it if you don't practice.  

What methods do you use to improve your English outside of school?

Most of the stuff I use is on Youtube.  It's a good tool for learning. You can speed it up or slow it down.  Sometimes I do it slower or faster. And of course, movies, music.

Audiobooks -- When I go to sleep, I put the audiobooks on and I leave it on.  It plays while I sleep. It plays for a while. My brain is kind of listening while I sleep.  I don't know if I recommend it to students but that's how i did it. Maybe for some people it's not the best method. Sometimes while you dream in English, it's part of your learning, don't be afraid. Your brain is holding the new language you've been practicing. It's kind of a drama but in English.   

Also application - Duolingo, Rivet for reading, Newsela. I didn't know about it, but Miss Deep has a program that she calls MEE so I joined the program and I found Newsela and I started reading it. Also I use Burlington, Libri box- an app for audio books. 

When I work - I can listen with my earphones - and repeat. I try to use all the tools I can. 

I don’t use English at work or at home. Only at school and with my phone.  Pretty much I think in English.

For eight months, I have been trying to learn another language  -- using English as my own language. I’m learning Japanese with Duolingo and Youtube.  It’s an amazing tool. I use Youtube for anything.

And of course, the programs we have here, like Green Team, Hot Meal Service, and Student Ambassadors.  It’s a lot of things I'm doing to learn English - not only one. I try to push myself the hardest I can.   The resources are here.  

I appreciate what  the school does for me. It helps a lot with my education that means a lot thank you.   I want to say thank you to all the members of San Mateo Adult School, all classmates and friends. I have been enjoying every single day at school.  SMAS has the best staff members I have ever met. I wish the best and keep doing a wonderful job you're the best THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

When Edy was honored by flagpole on the evening of March 11th, he reminded everyone: 

“Everybody can do it.  Just push yourself! We learn English in school but really it’s for outside our school - our families and work.  So practice. Push yourself!”  

Great advice - especially now while we shelter at home! And thank you to Edy for sharing his story and advice with us.

Here are some of the things SMAS Staff members have said about Edy:

Edy as Census Ambassador

“Yay! Edy! He is such a hardworking and dedicated Student Ambassador, he has also participated in our Job Shadowing program. He has assisted Gloria in the evening at the the front desk during break time when it is really busy and Gloria is by herself.”  - Tia Marlowe

“Even though Edy joined the Student Ambassador Program no so long ago (Spring 2019), he became a very active SA right away and got up to 30 hours of volunteering up to this day.  He is a very responsible and reliable SA.” - Marina Kravtsova

Edy at a Green Team
information table

“Edy is the engine behind the Evening Green Team.  His willingness to pitch in, his energy, his interest in finding projects and approaches that include and draw others in - it’s made all the difference.  He is a powerhouse for people and planet.” - Cynthia Eagleton

“Edy is a wonderful person  - selfless, caring and a giver. As a learner in the MEE program, he has taken initiative to keep up with his work, and is motivated to improve his English. He wants to work in a forensic lab someday. He is just as motivated to contribute to his community, and is very proud of being part of the Green Team. He deserves this nomination.”  - Deep Bhullar