Events
 FAMILY CELEBRATION
Tuesday, June 19, 2001
On Tuesday, June 19 2001, San Diego Parent University held its first Family Celebration to honor everyone who had helped to make the first year a success! Parents who had qualified for the computer drawing were invited to attend, as well as teachers, childcare workers, volunteers, sponsors, district staff, and others.
 
The evening was held at the main campus of Gompers Secondary School and started out with a fun and relaxing outdoor barbecue. Attendees had a choice of chicken or hamburgers, along with beverages and dessert. The tables were lined with paper, and children were given crayons so they could draw on the tables as they ate. Each child received one book, bookmarks, and a San Diego READS pin to take home, complimentary of San Diego READS.
Childcare worker Susan Chavez hands out free books to children
 
After dinner, attendees moved inside to continue the celebration. Don Mitchell, the principal of Gompers Secondary School, welcomed everyone. Jeana Preston, San Diego Parent University Program Manager, provided opening remarks. Everyone involved in making San Diego Parent University was recognized and thanked, including teachers, student volunteers, childcare workers, parents, custodians, security workers, etc.
San Diego Parent University teachers
are given certificates of recognition.

The drawing for the home computer system was the grand finale of the event. Parents who had received at least 10 "Parent Points" were invited to stand. 56 parents qualified for the drawing and some parents qualified multiple times, making it a total of 67 entries. Fulberto Rodriguez, Branch Manager of San Diego National Bank, and Chris Gomen, Board Member from Community Service Association of San Diego City Schools employees chose the winning name. Rodriguez and Gomen were asked to select the winner because of the generous contributions their organizations made toward the purchasing of the home computer system.

Estela Abarca, mother of three from King Elementary, was the lucky winner! Overall, the night was a huge success and fun for all who attended. The family celebration was an exciting end to a great first year for San Diego Parent University!

Bea Fernandez presents the home computer
system to Estela Abarca and her children.