Parent Letter June 9, 2009

Dear Ms. Daggett,
I want to share my thanks and appreciation to you and your team for your accomplishments. My son was recommended to Del Amigo by his high school to make up credits for graduation. I, at the time, had my reservations, having the usually stereotypes in mind. However, to my pleasant surprise my son did exceptionally well.

During his time at Del Amigo my son excelled. Your staff not only educated him, but you motivated and inspired him. We watched his interest in learning blossom. He took advantage of State College courses, became involved in sports, and participated in community projects. He even earned the Citizen of the Year Award. For the first time in my sons life, he gained the confidence to believe in a college education. He actually planned out and executed his path after graduation.

I have to give special thanks to Mark Kauser, Lisa Rainbolt and John Geltmeyer. Mark was his counselor. Mark worked diligently with him to make his time at Del Amigo successful amongst his leadership in the extra college courses. Lisa gave up precious after school time for him, encouraged him in the extra college courses, and even attended and spoke at an award ceremony for him. And John encouraged him to join the basketball team and was a major motivator for him in school. The entire staff contributed to his success and his bright future and were always so welcoming and encouraging, every visit I made to the school. My son actually enjoyed school. WOW!

You have a truly talented staff that ANY school should be lucky to have! (Luckily, we have you where you are most needed). You have a very intelligent staff that understands that kids don't all learn the same way, and are flexible enough to make education possible for them all. You all truly care about these kids!

Thank God for Educators like those at Del Amigo or some of our most creative and talented children would not ever get a chance! Thank you to the entire Del Amigo Staff.

Sincerely,
DR Parent
June 2, 2009

Parent Letter May 5, 2009
Dear Del Amigo Staff,

Our son just finished his high school graduation requirements... "I am so thankful that we found Del Amigo, which was obviously the perfect place for him. I only wish that we had moved him earlier..."

Parent

Parent Letter March 09, 2009
I’m writing to tell you how very much my husband and I appreciate all that you and your faculty have done to support and guide our son since he transferred from San Ramon High to Del Amigo last August.

When our son entered the Del Amigo program, he had been in a downward spiral for sometime, making poor choices and not applying himself in school. We were a family in crisis, frustrated and confused, not knowing what to do to give our son the help he needed. More than anything, we were afraid of what the future might hold for our son, given the choices he was making.

When told that the Del Amigo program would offer our son one final chance to “get it together”, and graduate this June, I must say my husband and I were somewhat apprehensive when we arrived with our son on campus that first day. By day two, we had met the entire faculty and knew our son was where he needed to be, in a nurturing environment where the faculty treats him with respect, not as a loser, and encourages him to utilize his many talents and be all that he can be.

Our son continues to be a work in progress, and we as a family still take life one day at a time in helping him realize his potential, but with the love and support of the Del Amigo community, I know he’s going to make it.

And yes, our son is graduating in June.

God bless you all.
Bonnie Gay

Parent Letter Jan 26, 2009
Dear Staff at Del Amigo High School, I want to take this opportunity on January 26, 2009 to let all of you know just how appreciated you are. I must say that it has been my pleasure as well as a blessing to have had the chance to get to know the stupendous specialized staff members at Del Amigo High School. As a domestic mom to my fiance's son, I take pride in his well being and I am so happy there is a school like Del Amigo, so that students like mine don't get lost in the overcrowded classrooms in the public school system. My domestic son was having such a hard time due to personal issues that it surely affected his ability to learn and stay focused in the traditional classroom at Cal High. Because of Del Amigo's commitment to their students that have had such a hard time in the public school system, the staff has created an exceptional school that goes way beyond the extra mile with a can do attitude to welcome any and all students from all walks of life in order to give them a chance to graduate successfully and/or learn new skills in order to return to a larger public school. I have seen many positive changes in my domestic son by leaps and bounds, and I know that it is a direct result of the continuous positive and caring environment that Del Amigo provides for their students. I commend the entire staff for their resourceful teaching abilities and their stamina to handle all the diverse challenges and obstacles that they face throughout their day in order to reach these students with individual needs. I am very pleased to announce that our son is graduating this week, and we are very proud of him and the effort he put forth to graduate. Once more, we are very thankful that Del Amigo was there for him in the last couple of years, a fact which allowed him the opportunity to finish high school and which totally lifted his self-esteem and showed him a new pathway in life. If it is Del Amigo's mission to change the life of its students for the better, then let it be known that they succeeded in my son's life as well as healed and brought our family closer. Again, thank you, Del Amigo High School, for caring enough to make the difference for our kids ! We appreciate your genuine commitment to our children !



Parent Letter Jan 22, 2009
I wanted to let you know that Michael and I are very happy with the time Michael spent at Del Amigo in his first semester, Senior Year. Michael had a choice to attend Del or continue with MVHS in the first semester. With much thinking on Michael's part, he approached me and said the best thing for him is to attend Del, make up his credits and return to MVHS and graduate. I supported Michael's decision to attend and am very, very happy he made that decision. From the first day we met the staff at Del, I felt very welcome as a parent and, with some anxiety and concern at first, these feelings quickly disappeared after our first meeting to set Michael's schedule and discuss Michael's path for success. After the first week in Del, I could see a change in Michael for the better. He was less apprehensive about feeling overwhelmed, he had much more confidence knowing he could do better in school and still had some time to relax and just be a teenager. Often, in MVHS, Michael had no time for anything but school, homework and more homework. I know it is important to have a good education, but I also think it is critical to be able to live and enjoy life as well for a balance that can only be a positive experience. Michael received a good, solid education here at Del and could actually breathe while doing it. He and I both know Michael chose to be a good student, work hard to make up his credits, but with your support, positive attitude and mentoring, Michael gained an abundance of self-respect, confidence and determination. I want to personally thank each and every one of your staff members and teachers that supported, mentored and taught Michael, so please pass my note on. I have no doubt in my mind that rumors that may be flying out there about Del's reputation of being a school with challenges is absolutely untrue. Michael has grown as an individual, both academically and socially with nice friends. I am so happy Michael made this decision, and personally it will be hard for Michael to leave. Thank you so very much for the wonderful support you provide to each student. You should be very proud to be a part of the Del Amigo family. Sincerely, A very happy parent!