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Coordinator MessageDear Parents, I am excited and proud to be the Coordinator of Partners Advancing College Education (PACE) Promise, a new program dedicated to ensuring that motivated San Marcos Unified School District (SMUSD) students have the option of attending college. A quality higher education is one of the single most important factors in determining an individual’s success in life. Yet many young people find the door to higher education all but shut to them. The Pace Promise is dedicated to the fundamental principle that every child deserves an equal chance to obtain a high-quality education. This partnership between the district and California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM), guarantees CSUSM admission to students who have met specific requirements beginning with the graduating classes of 2009. An exciting component of the PACE Promise is the provision of financial support for all eligible students. Recently, the Leichtag Family Foundation established an endowment to offset some of the financial burden of books and tuition for students who meet the program requirements. Continuing the Foundations’ longtime commitment to supporting institutions that educate and serve, Andre (Toni) and Lee Leichtag, the Foundation’s Board Chair and Secretary, respectively, created the endowment in honor of their daughter, Joli Ann. While donations like the Leichtag Family’s help offset the future cost of tuition and books for our students, donations from the community are needed in order to implement start-up programs immediately. To this end, the SMUSD Governing Board launched a Community Challenge with a check for $1,000.00 to help fund PACE activities. The names of community members or businesses that pledge $1,000.00 or more will be recognized for their generosity on the newly planned donor wall in the entry hall of the SMUSD office. All donations are tax deductible. I have had the opportunity to explain the program to every 10th and 11th grade student in the San Marcos Unified School District over the last month. Every student has received a flyer which outlines the goals, benchmarks and objectives of the PACE Promise. The middle school counselors will be accompanying all 7th grade students on a field trip to CSUSM. All eligible 10th graders will be visiting the university in the spring. These tours have been developed to allow students to see what college is like and to hear more about the PACE Promise. Students will have an opportunity to learn about the college admissions process, financial aid and hear the experiences of current CSUSM students. Please join us in the PACE Promise by discussing with your child the benefits of attending college and reminding them how important good grades and good study habits are to ensure their success in school. Throughout the school year, you will receive information on the PACE Promise and suggestions of how to help your student prepare for college. Remember, it is never too early to start preparing for college. For more information, please contact your child’s counselor or browse our website. To learn how you can participate, please contact me at 752-1257. If you would like to make a donation you may do so by mailing a check payable to PACE Promise/Valley of Discovery Education Foundation at PACE Promise/SMUSD, 255 Pico Avenue, Suite 250, San Marcos, CA, Attention Bill Singh. All donations are tax-deductible. The Valley of Discovery is a 501(c) (3) non – profit organization -Tax ID #80-0110005 Respectfully,
Bill Singh |