July 19, 2024

PFS 2024 Highlights From Week 5

Dear Partnership for Success Students, Families, and Friends,

What an incredible journey we've had this summer! As we wrap up five weeks filled with learning, exploration, and community building, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for each and every one of you who made this experience possible.

We have much to celebrate this summer. From the extended days at Poly and the inspiring PCC college credit classes to the eye-opening Introduction to College course for our rising 8th grade Scholars, this summer has been nothing short of transformative. The fine arts masterpieces at Mayfield Junior School, the innovative robotics projects at Westridge, the captivating hands-on science, history, and technology at Chandler, and all the incredible courses designed by our dedicated team of educators at Poly—all of these achievements showcase the dedication and passion of our teachers, directors, and interns, all in the service of our Scholars.

Our Fridays at Mayfield were particularly special, as Scholars ventured into the community for invaluable career exploration focused on STEM and environmental sustainability. They had the opportunity to visit remarkable places like the Huntington Medical Research Institute (HMRI), Honeybee Robotics, Glenair, the Getty Center, the Altadena Community Garden, Urban Homestead, and Muir Farm Lab. They worked with the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy to learn about native plants and engage in a service project focused on habitat restoration. They also explored the Gabrielino Trail and studied microbial diversity under the expert guidance of Caltech Ph.D. candidates. Our 10th grade Scholars visited the Pasadena Courthouse, Caltech, and the Museum of Tolerance, 9th grade Scholars visited the Huntington Library, 5th and 6th grade Scholars swam at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center and visited iconic community spaces such as the Rose Bowl Stadium and Descanso Gardens. Additionally, all our high school Scholars took at least one college campus tour. These trips provided our students with a deeper understanding of various careers, colleges, and community organizations, sparking their imaginations for future possibilities. In total, our 410 Scholars across four sites visited 29 places!

This summer, we are also immensely proud of our 32 PFS graduates, now PFS alumni, who received their well-deserved $1,000 scholarships at a moving ceremony at Poly. The Class of 2024 applied to 64 different institutions, were admitted to 48, and will be attending 17 colleges and universities. Their success is a testament to the power of education and community support. We have Scholars pursuing careers in medicine, education, science, law, art, business, and beyond. We hope they cherish the friendships forged, the knowledge gained, and the challenges overcome. Wherever their ambitions lead them, we want our Scholars to carry with them the spirit of PFS—a commitment to academic excellence, integrity, and community.

Of course, the incredible work we accomplished this summer would be impossible without our exceptional teachers, dedicated interns, committed site directors, invaluable partners and generous supporters. We had a team of 37 teachers and 31 interns who supported our 4 PFS site directors this summer and countless PFS Mentors and other volunteers who supported the critical learning and enrichment across all PFS sites. Your hard work and unwavering support have truly made this summer a resounding success. Thank you for your tireless efforts and dedication to our Scholars' growth and development.

To our families, thank you for your steadfast encouragement and involvement throughout the summer. Your presence at our Family Night events and your ongoing support are integral to the success of our program. We deeply appreciate your partnership and look forward to continuing this journey together.

As we look back on this summer, we are reminded of why we embarked on this journey in the first place. It's about creating a space where our students can thrive, explore their passions, and prepare for their futures. The bonds formed, the lessons learned, and the memories made—these are the foundations upon which our community grows stronger each year.

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that our summer 2025 session will commence on Monday, June 16th, and conclude on Friday, July 18th, with orientation and family events scheduled for Friday, June 13th. Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for updates on our fall college workshops for seniors and updates on our mentorship program. We also wish all our Scholars a successful and productive 2024-2025 academic year!

In the meantime, let's celebrate the achievements of our Scholars and the strength of our community. Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication. Together, we are shaping futures and making dreams a reality.

Warm regards,

Important PFS Dates

Be sure to mark your calendar with the following important dates! Stay tuned for information about our fall college workshop dates for PFS seniors.

June 13th:  2025 PFS Orientation at all sites

June 16th - July 18th:  2025 PFS summer 

Site Director Contact Information

For site specific questions and information, please contact the appropriate site director.

Polytechnic, Grades 9-13
Scarlette Oregón

Mayfield Junior, Grades 7-8
Juan García

Chandler, Boys in Grades 5-6
Paul Camargo 

Westridge, Girls in Grades 5-6
Dr. Vicki Garrett