What is the Students First Campaign and where does the money go?
The Students First Campaign is hosted every year in order to support the needs and enhancement of our dual language immersion program and fund additional staff who help our students get the very most from our dual language immersion program, the social emotional program or other needs identified by the faculty.
Many people ask, which positions are these or who are in these roles? The positions funded are for a 2nd Instructor in the Immersion Classrooms Like (Ms Gabriela, Ms Naomi, Ms Junko sensei and Interns) and the Counselor (Mr Michael).
What is this year's goal?
This goal for this year is to ensure every student enrolled in JSIS is sponsored. To fund next years plan the sponsorship amount needed per student is $1000 or any other amount your family can provide. In order to fund all the positions we currently have this year (3IAs, 1 Counselor) as well as interns for 2022-23 we need to fundraise $380K. The goal for the 2022-23 school year is to have one intern in each classroom.
Can I donate using recurring payments?
Prefer to spread your donation out over several months? Not a problem! You can schedule recurring payments through this system by credit card or check.
By Credit Card: Recurring payments will run monthly until June 2022.
By Check: To give recurring checks, please submit the contribution as a one time contribution - enter your total donation amount - select check payment - send an email to [email protected] to inform the SFC Team how many checks you will submit (for example a total of XXX in 4 installments). Then date the checks for the months/times you would like them cashed and submit the school.
Can I give more than the asked amount?
Absolutely! We recognize this has been a challenging year. Our goal is to support the sponsorship of all students and we can accomplish this if our community, friends and family members come together in support of each other. If you can give an extra, $300, $500, $1000 or more in support of another student you would be immensely supporting our JSIS community.
Can't Give Now? Prefer to wait until January 2022?
Can't give now? Prefer to wait until the new year in January 2022 to make your donation? Used all your company match funds for this year? Not a problem. You can certainly sign-up for the recurring payment or submit your payment by February 31. We will officially close the marketing of the campaign by December 18th and ask that as many families as possible complete their donation by then however the campaign will be open until end of January. We ask that donations be provided prior to January 31, 2022 since we need to provide our projected total to JSIS Administration by February 2022 in order for them to determine the additional staff that will be approved for the 2022-2023 school year.
What happens if the established goal is not met?
If the established goal is not met, JSIS Administration/Staff will assess the originally established priorities and determine how to best use the funds received. Unfortunately, this may just mean that some of the positions dependent on this fund may need to be eliminated.
Why does the SFC start in September?
We start the SFC in November to ensure that our faculty has a full understanding of the total SFC funds they can account for by February 2022. This is when they receive the district budget and need to decide how to best use their funds. This eliminates the uncertainty for all the impacted staff.
Will we be able to have interns next year?
At this time we have set the goal of having one intern in each classroom. We are extremely hopeful that COVID restrictions will be reduced and interns will be able to come to the US and JSIS. We will continue to fund the campaign and if JSIS Administration/Staff are not able to bring in interns due to health concerns, any addition funding may be used to strengthen the biliteracy program or saved to support interns during the following year (2023-2024).
Is my donation tax-deductible?
JSIS PTA is a non-profit, 501 c3. All donors will receive a donation acknowledgement to the Students First Campaign listing the JSIS PTA Tax ID number 94-3084553. Please refer to your tax accountant for additional guidance.
How do I get a company match?
Company Matches are a CRITICAL to the success of this campaign! It usually accounts for about 20-30% of the total funds collected. If you don't work for a company that matches but you have a family member that does, reach out to them and ask them to contribute to the Students First Campaign. Microsoft, The Gates Foundation, Starbucks, Google, Tableau, Verizon, Adobe, Expedia, Facebook and Boeing are just a few of the many generous employers that offer matching funds.
If your employer offers a company match, please help us make your donation go farther by taking the time to apply for your company match.
If you have questions or need help with your company match, email us at [email protected] and we can help you complete your match. When you match, be sure to specify that you are requesting a match to the John Stanford International School PTSA SFC or JSIS PTSA SFC.
I am the parent of a fifth grader, why should I donate?
Simply put- Pay it forward!
If your child has been at JSIS for the past 6 years, we hope that you will consider this your parting gift of gratitude for the experience your family has had at this amazing school. As an active part of the JSIS community, we hope you will pay it forward and help ensure the strength and sustainability of this world-class program that has benefitted your child and your family.
For the families that will continue on to Hamilton International School, we know you recognize the importance of continuing the support of John Stanford as it is directly related to the future success and sustainability of the Middle School and High School program.
Can I make my donation using stocks, grants or other ways?
Yes, if you would like to submit your donation using a different source of payment or have questions, email us at [email protected].
I have a detailed question about the Students First Campaign. Whom can I ask?
Please send you questions to [email protected] and a volunteer of the Students First Campaign Team will reach out by email.
