Media Advisory*

State Senators to Announce Major Higher Education Legislation to Strengthen College Readiness for Low-Income Students

San Gabriel High School — Friday at 10:00 a.m.

At a press conference in San Gabriel Friday morning, members of the state Senate will announce the introduction SB 1050, a measure to boost college admissions for low-income students by incentivizing K-12 school districts and charter schools to provide access to more rigorous college-readiness coursework. SB 1050 seeks to establish a stronger pipeline from K-12 high schools, particularly those that enroll 75 percent or more low-income, English learner, and foster youth, to the University of California.  SB 1050 is the result of an engagement process with higher education stakeholders and community-based organizations.

WHEN: 10 a.m., Friday, April 8^th

VISUAL: Diverse group of students on bleachers, 2 student speakers

WHO: Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León; Senators Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina), Ricardo Lara (De-Bell Gardens) and Richard Pan (D-Sacramento); LAUSD Superintendent Michelle King; Mike Eng, Los Angeles Community College Board Trustee; Jay Chen, Mt. San Antonio College Board Trustee; Linda Wah, Pasadena Area Community College District Board of Trustees President; Jason Pu, City of San Gabriel Councilmember; Debbie Stone, San Gabriel High School Principal; Michele Siqueiros, Campaign for College Opportunity; and Stewart Kwoh, Founding President and Executive Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – LA.

WHAT: Press conference announcing major higher education legislation, SB 1050

WHERE: Main Gym, San Gabriel High School, 801 South Ramona Street, San Gabriel, CA 91776

RSVP: Email Claire.Conlon@sen.ca.gov for parking info & directions

BACKGROUND: As part of the 2016 Budget process, the California State Senate fought to provide additional enrollment slots for California students at the California State University (CSU) and the University of California (UC). As a result, last year’s budget provided funding for more than 15,000 additional enrollment slots at the California State University (10,400) and the University of California (5,000). 

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Claire Conlon

What:  Pot-Luck Sharing of Food and Ceremony at Cesar Chavez Park to commemorate parents and the example of PUSD parent Blanca Mariscal

When:  Friday, April 8th at 4:00 pm

Where:  Cesar Chavez Park (2720 Barjud Ave. in Pomona)

By word of mouth and this invitation, we ask for your help in bringing together friends again, like we did last year, the day before the Cesar Chavez Pilgrimage, to share food in a pot-luck and in a short ceremony to honor the work of parents and the example of Blanca Mariscal.  The pot-luck and ceremony willl be held at Cesar Chavez Park (2720 Barjud Ave.) in Pomona, California on Friday, April 8th beginning at 4:00 PM. – the day before the annual Cesar Chavez pilgrimage march and fiesta.  After the pot-luck we will make flags and posters for the pilgrimage march on Saturday.

Blanca was one of the parent leaders in the annual Cesar Chavez Pilgrimage march and festival held at Garey High School. She helped  in making the food for the event and ensuring that all the proceeds would go toward student scholarships. She also was part of a delegation of parents and students which participated in a visit to La Paz (Keene, CA) where Cesar Chavez is buried. After the visit, she continued to work on the annual pilgrimage but got very sick with cancer and ended up in the hospital. Although in the hospital, she continued to organize the parents for a very successful pilgrimage but, shortly after, passed away. The Cesar Chavez Pilgrimage Committee, along with the Latino and Latina Roundtable, PUSD parents and students, family, and other supporting groups invite you to join with us in a ceremony and a pot-luck afterward.   We will also be making posters, flags, and banners after the pot-luck.  

This is to let you know of an act of vandalism that has occurred at Pitzer College where various walls were vandalized.  Some of the words spray painted in various locations throughout the campus included “Trump” — “Make America Great Again,” and included an attack on a candidate running for a Student Senate position.  This student is the son of respected scholar and professor Adrian Pantoja (who just completed the organizing of the 9th annual Rockabilly with students this last Saturday).   I contacted Adrian and offered our full support in exposing what has happened here and ensuring a quick response.  I sent a message to Adrian:  “This is despicable and I fully support your efforts.  Certainly, it can be covered over immediately — even if there is a sheet that is used.  Let me know if there is anything that I can do.  It is at times when our efforts are most effective – when these types of attacks emerge to stop the progress and to diminish our spirit.  I am so glad that you are responding in the way that you are responding and want you to know that you and your son have our full support.  This is also clearly not just an attack on your name but an attack against our diverse communities.  Thank you for your time on this and all you are doing.”  Adrian responded: “Thank you Jose. We are not going to let this issue fade away. I am most encouraged by the strength and leadership of my son and students. I will keep everyone informed of how the issue is being addressed.”   Adrian also responded:  “Yes, please share it with the members of the Roundtable.”

Invitation from Carlos Perrett, Encuentros at Pitzer College (1050 N. Mills Ave.) in Claremont:

 The students at Pitzer, part of the Encuentro with day laborers, will be holding a noon gathering at the farm worker garden (behind the Grove House on the Pitzer College campus on Friday, April 1 to commemorate Cesar Chavez day and week.  From 1 – 2 – they will be planting roses, and working in the garden and from 1 -2 will be having having pupusas and tamales, dedicating another bench to day laborers, and holding a gathering ceremony.  

The Encuentro Students and Day Laborers