May 10, 2012 (Sacramento):  Students from Fremont School for Adults – slated for closure in the fall as the Sacramento City Unified School District grapples with $43 million in cuts – are enlisting local restaurants in their efforts to keep their programs going.

Zócalo, Tres Hermanas, La Fiesta Mexicana Bar and Grill, Coco Loco Mexican Restaurant, La Placita and Ay Jalisco are donating food to be sold at the historic midtown campus during the upcoming Second Saturday celebration.

The idea for the fundraiser came from the students, many of whom work in area restaurants. The students take SCUSD Adult Education classes to help them learn English, earn high school diplomas or pass the General Educational Development (GED) test, which ultimately helps them find employment.

Faced with $28 million in cuts for 2012-13 and another $15 million in mid-year trigger cuts if Governor Brown’s tax initiative fails with voters in November, SCUSD’s Board of Education in February made the painful decision to shutter all Adult Education programs except those that are self-sustaining through fundraising or fees.

The vote set students into action. They enlisted the help of restaurants where they work to aid in fundraising, said Adult Education Director Dr. Susan Gilmore. Some restaurant owners themselves took classes at Fremont School for Adults to help them succeed, she added.

“I’m so proud of our students and their determination to keep these programs alive in Sacramento,” Dr. Gilmore said. “It’s a great learning experience for them in advocacy and community service.”

The festival on Saturday will include a raffle of themed gift baskets, gift certificates and other prizes, live music from a variety of bands, a children’s bounce house and artwork on display. Tickets are $5 for food, $1 for drinks and $2 for a raffle ticket.
                                                                                                                                                                                
WHAT:                 Fremont School for Adults First Annual Multicultural Festival
WHEN:                 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday May 12
WHERE:               Fremont School
                                2420 N St., Sacramento, CA 95816