June 28, 2024

PFS 2024 Highlights From Week 2

Dear Partnership for Success Students, Families, and Friends,

What an incredible second week! Our students were busy learning in each of their classes and enjoying enriching experiences that challenged their problem-solving abilities and creativity. My heart fills with excitement and joy when I have the privilege of visiting our four PFS campuses and witnessing all the magic in action. One scholar from Chandler stated, “Why can’t school just be like PFS?”

This week also helped us all reflect on the special community and the lifelong relationships that are created through this incredible program. This was especially evident during our annual PFS Alumni Day event hosted at Poly. We had the privilege of welcoming back 46 PFS alumni, some from as far back as the class of 2004! Some alumni even took a vacation day and time off work to be present at this special gathering. Our alumni visited classes and spoke to students about their educational journeys and career paths. Our keynote speaker, Saúl López from the PFS class of 2010, highlighted the importance of relationships and nurturing bonds. He shared with students how he met his lifelong friend while attending PFS at Chandler and has maintained that friendship to this day. Saúl reminded our current Scholars to be open to different ideas, be kind to themselves, and understand that it is okay to change direction. His shift from majoring in economics to becoming a sought-after freelance videographer and photographer running his own business provided students with an example of how sometimes our plans take a different turn. “Try new things and be open to new ideas,” he noted. He emphasized the importance of being a good person, having integrity, being able to communicate, creating relationships, and being someone others want to be around.

Students made great connections with the ideas they are learning from their PFS Community Circles and other guest speakers, such as Peter Kaufman, who reminded students about the importance of being the first to engage and building relationships and networks. During the event, alumni were updated on all the new PFS program initiatives and enhancements and were reminded of the extraordinary vision and mission of our program. It was a delight to spend the day with these incredible individuals. We are incredibly grateful to our alumni for dedicating their time to be with our Scholars and inspiring them to dream big!

I encourage you to read more details about our week 2 adventures at each PFS site. Don’t forget to follow us on social media and join us virtually on our 2024 summer journey. Please be sure to pay special attention to an upcoming PFS Puentes workshop for all families. Our PFS College Counselor, Cris Monroy, will speak to parents and students about the path to college. The workshop will be especially important for students and families of rising juniors and seniors. Information will be presented in English and Spanish. Please click here for details and to RSVP.

Thank you, PFS families, for your support and for ensuring that your child joins us each day. We look forward to a wonderful third week!

Warmly,

Dr. Jessica Pérez del Toro
Executive Director

Chandler Highlights

Our PFS scientists, architects, musicians, and athletes had a week of adventures. From hands-on science, to sketching ideas for mini golf courses in tech, to strumming along to new ukulele songs in music, to playing sports at St. Francis!

Westridge Highlights

From engineering challenges in science and robotics, reading in English, and problem solving in math, to fun times during Costume Day, PFS Scholars expressed their creativity while developing their academic skills and confidence.

Mayfield Highlights

7th grade Scholars embarked on a Friday adventure at Urban Homestead, Altadena Community Garden, and Muir Farm Lab. 8th met JPL engineers and learned about astronomy and telescopes during their visit to Carnegie Observatories.

Poly Highlights

PCC courses launched at Poly this week, offering Scholars an extended day and opportunity to earn college credit. The week ended with an epic Alumni Day that brought together 46 alumni who shared their PFS stories with current Scholars.