Due to the unforeseeable circumstances of Covid-19, Mi C.A.S.A Education Inc has decided to cancel our annual dinner. We are extremely grateful and thankful for the sponsors that help us through out the entire school year and are hoping to postpone our dinner for a later date.
Our annual Board Member Meeting will not be affected, members will meet via Zoom on November 20, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
While the recent pandemic did not forget about or program and students, we have prevailed as a whole and are learning to carry and normalize the day for our students as best as we can. We closed our doors indefinitely this past March at the beginning of the pandemic until the end of the school year and recently re-opened our doors for in-person learning along with our school district, once again, with safety precautions. Upon entering our building teachers, tutors and students are screened for any symptoms pertaining to Covid-19, (coughing, chest pain, runny nose) Once they are cleared they continue to their designated area of learning. Student are in groups of 4 per table and are kept at a distance of 6ft with barriers as guides. Areas such as restrooms, sinks, tables, chairs, and door knobs are sanitized after each use. We have decided to allow students who find school more challenging and require one-on-one help to attend Mi C.A.S.A after school. Doing so, we have less than half of our students attending everyday. This may not be the outcome we wanted at the beginning of the year, but with the tumultuous turn of events that have happened, we are confident this is the best and healthiest decision for all.
In September, 2019, a report highlighted Mi C.A.S.A. as it declared Gridley Union School District as a “positive outlier” in California. The district was recognized for excelling at helping African American, Latino/a, and White students achieve at high levels on new assessments of academic standards in English language arts and mathematics, after accounting for students’ socioeconomic status. Mi C.A.S.A. education was a key component mentioned in the report, contributing to the positive outcomes in GUSD. Here is an excerpt from the report:
“In addition to the range of interventions and supports for student learning in Gridley’s schools, the Mi C.A.S.A. after-school program provides additional tutoring to approximately 80 students. Mi C.A.S.A. is located in Gridley’s Farm Labor Housing Development, a county-run camp primarily for migrant workers and their families. Initially funded by Gridley Unified School District and, for a time, through the county office of education, the Mi C.A.S.A. program began in 2000, motivated by the need to address the persistently low levels of achievement of students living at the camp. Since 2004, the program has been supported by the Butte County Housing Authority and a range of community and private sources…”
Read the full report here (with Mi C.A.S.A. highlighted on page 23).
October, 2019 – Fall community enrichment field-trip for 2nd grade Mi C.A.S.A. students!
Congratulations! Your support of Mi C.A.S.A. contributed to the success of 2 more farm labor graduates of Cal State Chico, and one in Cal State Sacramento, and 2 Gridley High School graduates. Plus, homework assistance and internet access were used to help 4 Gridley High School freshmen and 8 middle school students. 50 elementary and primary school age students received homework assistance, math and writing tutoring, practice with California State Core curriculum and use of a complete library. Daily, all year long, all students in second through sixth grade read an additional 20 or more minutes. We realize that reading affects many life skills.
All this educational support from adult professionals and paraprofessionals fed youth self confidence to face daily challenges. Youth had the strength to make positive choices. Examples of particularly outstanding choices include many volunteers for various community events: Steve was a clerk at Santa’s Workshop, Jaime was a host at Santa’s breakfast, Jesus and Eva were Easter Bunnies at the LIONS Club Easter Egg Hunt, Alex and Silvia were hostesses at a Dragon Lea dinner, Miguel and Rosa assisted at the A.A.U.W. Tech Trek fundraiser. Students were teammates for their favorite sport, leaders in Associated Student Body activities and members of school music programs.
The adult staff at Mi C.A.S.A., the youth participants, and the families at the Housing Authority of Butte County appreciate our partnership. We urge you to make your annual donation promptly, or use our website to set up an automatic monthly pay pal account. 100% of your donation works to help farm labor students.
Our annual appreciation dinner and program is scheduled for November 22, 2019 at 6:00pm at the Mi C.A.S.A. building at 1587 Booth Drive. Please R.S.V.P. your attendance and the size of your group to kathymckenzie3@gmail.com. There will be dinner and a fabulous student program. Donations are appreciated, but not required. Another opportunity is our 2020, Mi C.A.S.A. Spring Dinner fundraiser, on February 15, 2020 at Butte Hall. Gourmet Greek pita sandwiches (your choice, tri tip or chicken), Greek salad, rice, flan and churros will be served in a rich blue and yellow French Riviera ambiance for only $20.00 per ticket. The number of tickets is limited. Plan ahead, now. Dinners-to-go are available. Watch for tickets to be on sale after M.L.K. weekend at U.P.S., ACE HARDWARE, and BUTTE INSURANCE.
Since the inception of the homework program for the Housing Authority of Butte County farm labor youth in 2000, more than 1000 young lives have been touched by you and your support. In advance, thank you for your loyal and generous gift!!
Sincerely,
Kathy McKenzie, Director
530-513-2334
