MEDIA ADVISORY What: The Del Paso Heights Elementary and Grant Joint Union High school districts and the University of California, Davis, announce a partnership to increase the number of students eligible for college in Sacramento's communities with a history of low college attendance. A "Reservation for College" program, beginning in the fourth grade, will include nearly 300 Del Paso Heights fourth-graders. Students from Fairbanks Elementary School who achieve admission to UC Davis will receive a grant to defray their college costs in a program that could be expanded. When: 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9 Where: Robertson Community Center, A and B rooms, 3525 Norwood Ave., Sacramento Visuals: o More than 90 fourth-graders from Fairbanks Elementary will be congratulated on their participation in "Reservation for College" and their potential to attend UC Davis with a grant from the campus. o Speaking briefly and available for interviews will be Del Paso Superintendent Carl Mack, Grant Interim Superintendent Larry Buchanan, UC Davis Chancellor Larry N. Vanderhoef, State Senator Deborah Ortiz, Del Paso Board President Harry Block, Grant Board President Paul Green Jr., as well as Fairbanks and Grant High School students o The signing of the formal agreements between the school districts and UC Davis, as well as fourth-grade parents who will take part in "Reservation for College." Background: The Del Paso-Grant-UC Davis partnership adds to UC Davis' growing roster of school/university partnerships in communities with a history of low college attendance. The university's goal is to raise the level of college preparedness and eligibility for all students with numerous programs that provide support to teachers, administrators, counselors, students and their families. Both districts are reaching out to UC Davis as a partner in addressing college preparation issues. UC Davis will assure continuity of college preparation to students as they move from the elementary through high school and between school districts. UC Davis will guarantee financial support of fourth-graders in the "Reservation for College" program at Fairbanks Elementary School who successfully enter UC Davis, and will work together with the Del Paso Heights district to seek funds to expand those grants to more schools. Directions: From Interstate 80, take the Norwood Avenue exit, travel south. The Robertson Community Center is about five blocks, on the right. The event will be held in assembly rooms A and B.