Written by Manufou Liaiga-Anoa’i
On the repeal of disciplinary rule implemented by Alta Loma Middle School, South San Francisco
May 27, 2010

Dear Family & Friends:

I would like to say THANK YOU to each and everyone of you who came out tonight and supported our efforts to ADVOCATE for the REPEAL of the disciplinary rule implemented by Alta Loma Middle School and the South San Francisco Unified School District Cabinet and Board of Trustees.

THE VILLAGE HAS SPOKEN – POWER TO THE PEOPLE. Your voices of compassion have been heard, OUR STUDENTS will rightfully participate in next week’s PROMOTIONAL EXERCISES!

While we celebrate this small victory as a community, we must also remember that there is still much more work to be done. We have mobilized as a PEOPLE and the POWER of your PRESENCE and HEART resonated through the room tonight.

I write with tears of joy, grateful to those who partnered with us to ensure that we were SERVED & HEARD. Please continue to help others in need, don’t stand on the sidelines complaining, but jump in it, GET INVOLVED and be a part of the SOLUTION, NOT THE PROBLEM.

Thanks to the SSFUSD Board of Trustees and Cabinet members for restoring our faith in the PROCESS and ensuring that our voices have an outlet.

Congratulations to our students who will join their classmates next week. HATS OFF TO CLASS 2010!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU again to everyone who offered support via prayers, alofa (love), your presence, your letters – all of the support! Fa’amalo Atu and a SPECIAL THANK YOU to my community partners – MY OHANA:

Keith Kamisugi – Equal Justice Society
Keesa Ocampo – ABS-CBN & Bay Area Benefit Family
Tessie Guillermo – Zero Divide
Dallas Te’o – Samoan Solutions
Mona Uli-Lopez – Samoan Solutions
Lemasani & Keith Briggs – Mission District Re-Entry Center for Youth
Yvonne Casperson – West Bay Rams Football Association
Val LiHang Jacobo – Oceania
Pastor Eighi & Dorothy Hisatake – Lighthouse Church
Palega Sululagi – Samoan Community Development Center

WE ARE HERE TO STAY – Let’s continue to stay connected WITH EACH OTHER. Thank you again, God bless you ALL and keep doing the DO!