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