Fundraising
Please donate to the Hamilton International Annual Campaign – Building Our Future!
The Hamilton International Middle School Annual Fund, BUILDING OUR FUTURE, is the only school-wide PTSA fundraiser this year. It is devoted to enhancing academics for all students, with a focus on curriculum and building needs. Every student at Hamilton International benefits from the Annual Fund.
As you probably found in elementary school, critical school needs just aren’t covered by school district funds. At Hamilton, the needs are multiplied by more than 850 students this year! Fortunately, that’s where you and the Annual Fund come in.
Goal for This Year
Our goal is for all families to be able to participate in the Annual Fund. No donation is too large or too small. Our baseline goal is $25,000, with a “stretch” goal of $70,000, which would include funding a staff person to implement an international education focus into every subject area.
Easy Ways to Donate
Donate Online Now — Donate through the secure online donation page at Network for Good using your Visa, Mastercard or American Express.
If your company contributes matching funds, please complete the Matching Gift section on the donation page. If you would like to make a recurring donation or pledge, that is also possible.
Donate By Check — You may mail your donation to the Main Office (payable to HIMS PTSA) to HIMS PTSA, Hamilton International Middle School, 4400 Interlake Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103. Look for the colorful green Annual Fund letter and donation card coming to your home the week of October 25.
Uses of Donated Funds
Below is a list of how funds will be used at Hamilton International. The items are generally in priority order, so items higher on the list will tend to be funded before items lower on the list. Your donation helps us fund every priority on this list!
$4,000: Artist in Residence
HIMS PTSA partners with HIMS and Seattle’s other international schools in a grant to bring world-class international artists to HIMS art classes. HIMS PTSA money is matched by the grant funds.
$4,500: Newsletter
Our monthly PTSA newsletter is mailed home every month. Because it goes through the mail, the newsletter reaches 100% of HIMS families with news of school events, important school information and a letter from the principal.
$3,000: Writers in the School
HIMS PTSA partners with HIMS in a matching grant to bring professional writers to our language arts classes.
$3,000: Events
HIMS PTSA has many grade-level and all-school events planned this year. School events are both informational and fun!
$5,000: Teacher Grants
Teachers may apply to the PTSA for funds that can be used for almost anything in the classroom. The PTSA has funded books, equipment repairs, technology and supplies.
$1,500: Staff Appreciation
HIMS PTSA holds staff luncheons and special events during Staff Appreciation Week. Let our staff know how much we appreciate their work with our kids!
$1,500: PTSA Student Directory
The PTSA Student Directory makes it easy to contact and get to know other HIMS families. The Directory is published annually.
$1,500: 8th Grade Promotion
Makes the 8th grade promotion celebration possible. This is their big send-off to high school!
Budgeted = $24,000
“Stretch Budget”, in priority order:
$4,500: Scholarship Funds for HIMS-Hosted Activities and Field Trips
Each grade takes one or more field trips (for fun and education) every school year. PTSA scholarship funds can assure that all our students are able to attend. Students must be in good academic standing and have good citizenship in order to participate in the field trips.
$10,000: Enhanced Grants to Teachers (48 classroom teachers)
Teacher grant requests often exceed the PTSA grants budget. HIMS has 48 classroom teachers this year and the school is undergoing a lot of change, so we would like to enhance our teacher grants this year.
$10,000: Library Books for Classrooms and the Central Library
The central HIMS library receives no funds from the Seattle School District to replace worn or lost books. Language Arts/Social Studies teachers also require large classroom libraries to make reader’s and writer’s workshop possible.
$3,500: P.E. Equipment (to replace worn, sub-standard equipment)
Our P.E. teachers report that the HIMS P.E. equipment is seriously worn and much of it is in need of replacement. District funds are not available to replace P.E. equipment on a regular basis.
$2,000: HIMS Sport Teams Support
These funds will be primarily used to support HIMS Ultimate Frisbee in the spring. Ultimate is a no-cut sport and it is very popular at HIMS. Funds may also go to support HIMS soccer, volleyball and track (these are primarily funded by the HOST program; HIMS PTSA will help as necessary).
$20,000: International Program/Curriculum Support
Funding this item would provide HIMS with a quarter-time international program coordinator. HIMS administration reports that a staff coordinator could infuse the curriculum in all classes with a global perspective, and make HIMS a truly “international” school.
$2,000: Emergency Supplies for 2009-10 (Earthquake kids, food, water)
Emergency supplies are low at HIMS. To provide stores of food, water and first aid supplies.
$16,000: Extending the school day for PE, art or world language classes
($16,000 = .2 FTE = one 2-hour class each afternoon) Imagine “7th period” classes with a certificated teacher, grades and credit. This is possible if PTSA can provide the funds. (HOST program provides after-school busses.)
Total, stretch budget is approximately $70,000
For more information, please contact Isabel D’Ambrosia, HIMS PTSA VP for Fundraising, at n.dambrosia@comcast.net.
We Need You
We have the power to make our children's futures more exciting, creative, challenging and meaningful by helping the PTSA fund things like teacher stipends, library and technology resources, artists-in-residence, scholarships and more.
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