Friday, May 22, 2020

SMAS Student Shelley Cheng Writes to Governor Newsom

San Mateo Adult School Student Shelley Cheng shares her letter to Governor Newsom:

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

Sunday, May 17, 2020

May Revise Follow Up Letter Writing

Writing Letters to Legislators



Here’s some info to help you:


Our message:

We know: the COVID crisis costs a lot of money. 
Governor Newsom had to change the budget proposal and make some cuts.  
All public Ed has some cuts.  Adult Ed has bigger cuts.
Adult Ed has never recovered - been adequately funded again - from
the big cuts of 2008/9.

California needs strong Adult Ed for a strong recovery. 
Adult Education can help people survive the crisis and recover. 
English, job skills, health information, GED, High School Diploma,
and citizenship can help people take care of their families, help their
children with remote learning, work from home, find new jobs, and
volunteer in the community.  

Stable funding for Adult Education will help stabilize California

Letter How To


Who are your legislators for where you live?  


Be sure to mention if you live or work in someone’s district!


Note: It might be helpful to write to  Assemblymember Phil Ting


Why Asm Ting?

* He is on the Budget Subcommittee about Education.
* He is also the Vice Chair of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
* “Because of his experience in the financial sector and as the
San Francisco Assessor-Recorder, Ting has become a leading voice
on California’s finances. He now serves as Chair of the Assembly
Budget Committee after having served as Chair of the Assembly
Committee on Revenue and Taxation.” 


Assemblymember Phil Ting  Website

Contact info:
  • Capitol Office:
  • P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA  94249-0019
  • Tel: 916 - 319 - 2019
  • District Office
  • 455 Golden Gate Ave, Suite 14600, San Francisco, CA  94102
  • San Mateo Adult School
    students with letters to legislators
  • Tel: 415 557 1178