Modesto City Schools
426 Locust St.
Modesto, CA 95351
Dear School Board Trustee:
“When Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke at the March on Washington [50 years
ago], he described a ‘fierce urgency of now’. He reminded a divided nation that we
need one another, and that we are stronger when we march forward,
together. ‘We cannot walk alone’, he said. ‘And as we walk, we must make the
pledge that we shall march ahead. We cannot turn back’.”
A half century later, Dr. King’s words have renewed meaning for Modesto City Schools.
Our “fierce urgency of now” is NOW, and “we need one another”!
We understand that the LCAP/LLCF will cause significant and positive changes in the school’s funding
process over the next eight years, and that you are currently soliciting parent, student, and community
input as to how those funds should be spent.
AFJ is excited about this new opportunity, and we look to the future with great optimism. As
MCS prepares a LCAP, we trust you will greatly consider the many voices of the families who
are members of AFJ and NLP, two programs the District has already partnered with. As Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., said 50 years ago, “we are stronger when we march forward,
together”.
As you know, AFJ is a mentor program that works directly with at-risk youth and their
families.
Our primary goal is to spark each child’s imagination and creativity by
encouraging excitement for learning. Please see our attached mission statement and
DVD/video.
AFJ now has more than 25 active members/supporters, including current and past school
parents, attorneys, a Modesto City Council Member, retired nurses, active school teachers,
and educators. We meet monthly.
At one of our recent meetings, February 11, 2014, parents and students worked together to
come up with what they felt would be most beneficial to the academic lives of the families.
We posed the same two questions that school board members discussed on Monday,
January 27, 2014, and here is what we learned:
1) What skills and abilities do you want the students of Modesto City Schools to have at the
time of their graduation?
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Additional vocational and job skills. Classes such as cosmetology/ barbering, wood
shop, home economics, entrepreneurship, life skills (Balancing a check book,
creating budgets, jobs readiness (resumes, interview skills, dressing for success,
etc.)
For those college bound, career planning, higher EPA scores.
Second Language class options, such as Spanish.
Leadership skills
Critical thinking skills to think through situations and react productively.
2) What services or programs do you believe are essential to accomplish these skills?
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Additional help in classes, such as teacher aides or paraprofessionals.
Tutoring & mentor Programs, such as AFJ and NLP, which help students in one and
one and smaller group settings.
Better access to computers and laptops to prepare homework, study and develop the
needed skills for success.
Ethnic Studies and cultural studies.
Student Clubs and club integrations. (Working together both at school and district
level.)
More African American, Hispanic and minority staff and instructors
After-school programs need to provide positive activities and consistent policies, as
well as, allow study time to do their homework.
Preforming arts programs, including dance, arts, acting, etc.
Reform in school suspension.
Again, we are so excited about our beautiful future together. We look forward to, as Dr.
King, Jr., said, “marching forward” with you into Modesto City Schools’ bright and beautiful
future. We understand that relationships are central to building our beautiful future, and we
must engage in collaborative problem solving, which is why we are willing to “hold hands”
and “march forward with you” during this critical time of planning.
Thank you for including us in your future plans.
Advocates For Justice
[email protected]
(415) 608-9579