Thank you for your inquiry on Grizzly. It is a pleasure to share my thoughts with you on this wonderful program. I have been recruiting young men and women to this program for 10 years and in the past have served as a mentor as well. I have also discouraged students from going and have offered other suggestions instead when I think it is not an appropriate option for them. For the record, I DO NOT recruit for any branch of the military and I have always been informed that the Grizzly staff does not recruit or advertise the military as a choice for students either. My only interest is to help students graduate from their high school and to help them with resources that will enable them to be successful in reaching their goals in their adult life.

The reasons why any youth would consider Grizzly vary based on their individual, personal or academic situation. In the end, it is up to the youth and their informed parent(s), to decide if this voluntary program is the right choice for the student. As a counselor, I review the academic history with students and parents, and hand out applications when inquiries are made. In many cases, students can also make the choice to improve their academic situation here at Fillmore High School by asking for help from their teachers and counselors, staying after school, completing their homework, studying for tests, or by enrolling at Sierra High School and/or taking additional courses through Ventura College.

The Grizzly Youth Academy is a very structured high school program located at the California National Guard military base in San Luis Obispo at NO CHARGE to the parents for tuition, room and board, and books. It is accredited through the Paso Robles School District. Students ages 16 to 18 attend this 5½ month program (one semester/one time only), to catch up with credits and raise their GPA. Through the program, though, they also come back with a better attitude about school, their responsibilities, and an appreciation for what their parents do for them.

Please take a moment to review the Grizzly website ( http://ngycp.org/site/state/ca/) and check-out the student (and parent) success stories/testimonials.

Over the years, I have come to know the Grizzly staff well and I visit the school as often as I can, at least once or twice a year. I highly recommend this program for students who are behind in credits/have a low GPA, need to get away from negative influences and to concentrate on getting back on track academically. Sometimes students and their parents use this program as a last (but effective) way to improve English/reading and math skills that will help them in future higher level high school classes, and later possibly allow them to attend a college program. Male and female students receive intensive instruction separately, so distractions are less in that area as well. I have also seen many a student come back having passed their CAHSEE exams because of this concentrated effort.

Students are also involved in community service projects and in various school competitions. For me, the best part is seeing the personal transformation in students when they return -- their self-esteem has sky-rocketed, their general attitude is great, their academic skills have improved by up to 3-5 years in Math and English/reading skills, and things are much better at home. They are also educated about nutritional habits and regular exercise. A beautiful and elegant Grizzly graduation is held at the Cal Poly Amphitheater. If your son/daughter should decide to attend Grizzly, please bring a tissue box or two, as the most wonderful, touching success stories will be heard as you stand proudly next to your son/daughter.

I believe so much and have seen the successful outcomes of the Grizzly Youth Academy that I always bring it up as a “youth program that works”. Youths, having been unsuccessful in other programs, find themselves believing in themselves and reaching down deep to bring out the best of their abilities and BREAK THEIR CHAIN OF FAILURE.

I have a list of parents (and students) of Grizzly graduates who have offered willingly to speak to “new” potential parents, if you would like to contact them or you can check out the website “Success Stories”. Also feel free to visit the Grizzly high school on a personal tour, their website reads that the final one for enrollment in this next semester is next week on Wed., May 27th. The high school is located 10 minutes away from beautiful Morro Bay so most visitors make a nice family day of this visit. My direct Grizzly staff contacts are:

Suzy Elwell, Recruiting, Placement, and Mentoring Coordinator, office line is: 805.782.6886
SFC Danny Castillo, Mentor Coordinator, office line is: 805.782.6889
Simone Holt, RPM Assistant/Case Manager, office line is: 805.782.6888
Lastly, I am truly proud of the young men and women who decide to take on this challenge. THIS IS NOT AN EASY PROGRAM WHERE CREDITS ARE HANDED OUT ROUTINELY. Besides the sacrifice youth make in leaving their families, homes, their friends, mom’s cooking, their familiar surroundings and their high school, a military-type lifestyle (waking up every morning at 5:30 a.m.) IS NOT EASY. As a parent, I want to know that my children are as prepared to take on life’s challenges as best they can and this high school program helps do this.

Thank you for considering this unique program for your son or daughter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance in this or any other program or resource that may help your child achieve his/her academic goals.

Sincerely,
Norma Pérez-Sandford, M.A. PPS
Fillmore High School Counselor