Funding the Mandarin Immersion Program
Shu Ren was founded to contribute to the success and continuance of the MIP by raising money to support various programs. Shu Ren’s fundraising happens through several events over the year, and through membership dues. Suggested dues are 25.00 and are fully tax deductible. The biggest fundraiser of the year is the Gala & Auction, usually occurring in the spring. Here is how Shu Ren manages the support:
The General Fund – This fund supports classrooms by providing financial support for field trips, supplies, etc..
Reserve Fund – This fund is held in reserve should there ever be a year where the amount raised through fundraising is not enough to assist all the student who desire to attend the 8th grade Chinese Research Residency.
CRR Fund – This is the main fund for providing assistance to those students who do the Chinese Research Residency.
It is very important that parents realize that it takes time and hard work to become bilingual and the full benefits will show especially starting at the 4th grade level. Bilingualism promotes the development of multiple perspectives about people and about cultures.
– Dr. Duarte Silva, School of Education, Stanford University
Shu Ren Events & Fundraisers
Most of Shu Ren's budget is raised during the organizations annual Gala & Auction, put on by dedicated parents whose children are students in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP), and parents from all three schools participate. The funds are used to subsidize the cost of the 8th grade Chinese Research Residency (CCR) trip, which can cost in excess of $3,500.00 per student; subsidies provided by Shu Ren currently bring parent cost down to around $500-$1000 per family. The gala funds also support all activities that Shu Ren is engaged in, such as purchasing major classroom supplies, field trips, stipends for families hosting Mandarin teachers, support for the visit of Lida teachers and students to Portland, scholarships for the CRR trip for students in need, a scholarship fund for high school activities, and homework clubs at both Woodstock and Hosford.
Other significant fundraisers are the Dumpling Festival (held in the Fall) and t-shirt sales throughout the year. The Shu Ren board is open to hearing any fund raising ideas parents might like to bring forward. Please email theboard@shurenofportland.org.
Funding of the Mandarin Immersion Program: The Flagship Grant
In August 2005, the PPS Mandarin Immersion Program received a grant from the National Security Education Program (NSEP, part of the U.S. Dept. of Defense), and is called the "K-16 Chinese Pipeline Flagship Program." The money comes through the U.S. Dept. of Defense because Mandarin has been identified as a "national security language" (in addition to Russian, Arabic, Korean and several others). The grant was jointly awarded to the University of Oregon and Portland Public Schools, with the University of Oregon the primary recipient. These two public institutions will share $700,000 a year, with the goal of producing college graduates who are not only fluent in Mandarin, but fluent in their major area of study. As long as the University of Oregon and PPS live up to their grant obligations, the grant is open-ended, with no requirement to re-apply.
The Center for Applied Second Language Studies at the University of Oregon will administer the project in close cooperation with Michael Bacon at PPS. In the past, PPS used most of the money for additional staff, including a curriculum specialist, plus three educational assistants. Funds were also used for intensive staff and curriculum development. The grant will cover existing or expanding Mandarin language programs at Woodstock and Atkinson elementary schools, Hosford middle school, and Cleveland and Franklin high schools. The Woodstock immersion program has now expanded to three kindergarten classes, for a total of 60 children. The grant covers classroom and experiential learning, meaning that there will be an emphasis on community service, study abroad (i.e. the Chinese Research Residency) and other linguistic and cultural learning opportunities outside the classroom. The University of Oregon will also provide college scholarships for students who demonstrate near-native levels of fluency in Mandarin. Students must apply to compete for a scholarship. Click here for more information.
