Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Hawks Education Fund | PTA | Government Funding | 360 Drive
Q: What is the Hawks Education Fund?
A: The Hidden Hills Hawks Education Fund, an affiliate of the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation, is a parent-run, non-profit entity dedicated to raising funds, through the collaboration of parents, educators and the community, to maintain and enhance the quality of education and the environment of Hidden Hills School.
Q: What does a $360 per child contribution pay for?
A: Donations to the “Hawks Education Fund” help offset expenses such as salaries for specialized teachers and teacher aides, and supplies. Each year, the annual budget is based on the current year’s student enrollment. Funds received help provide teachers with the ability to focus on core subject lesson plans for all students. Click here to view the Basic vs. Premium education chart.
- Specialized Teachers
- Library Media Coordinator – Additional 15 hours per week
- Technology Instruction in the computer lab –16 hours total per week for grades 1-5
- Vocal music instruction – 32 hours total per week for grades K-5
- Science Instruction and Lab Work – 20 hours total per week for grades 1-5. The district pays for the science lab instruction. Hawks Fund pays for the paraeducators and supplies.
- Computer Lab Technical Support – 10 hours per week
- Physical Education Aide –20 hours total per week; 90 minutes per week for grades 1-5 and 30 minutes per week for K
- Teacher Aides (paraeducators) – 69 hours total per week for grades K-5
- Lab Materials & Equipment
- Science Lab materials
- Computer Lab Materials
- Special Education
- Classroom Supplies (for each child)
- Pencils, binders, paper, other
- Classroom Library Books
- Art materials
- Planners for grades 4-5, tote bags/t shirts for K, recorders for 3rd grade
- Miscellaneous at teachers’ discretion
Q: What is a “Paraeducator”?
A: A paraeducator is a trained teacher’s aide that assists in the classroom with various educational activities. Having these additional adults in the classroom allow teachers to better differentiate their lesson plans to address the needs of all children – ranging from those needing extra help, to students on track, to gifted students.
Q: Do you have a payment plan?
A: Yes. You can donate the $360 at one time with check or credit card (Visa, Mastercard or AMEX). You can also make your donation with quarterly or monthly payment plans, which are limited to credit card payments only. Pledge reminders will be forwarded to families on payment plans.
Q: Will my company match my contribution?
A: Many employers do have a matching program. Please contact your employer for more details. You may also contact our Corporate Matching Coordinator, Sara Maita, who can assist you.
Q: What other fundraisers do you conduct?
A: The Education Fund also raises funds through a variety of events and programs being planned. In addition to these fundraisers, we currently generate funds from Corporate Matching and your involvement with eScrip.
Q: Why should I donate if our family will not be here next school year?
A: Funds received this year will be expended for this year’s instructional support, materials and supplies, and programs at Hidden Hills. Your child(ren) will benefit from funds received this school year.
Q: Are your budget numbers available to the public?
A: Click here to view a pdf of a detailed targeted budget. Each and every child in Hidden Hills will receive the benefit of the programs we have slated in the 2009-2010 school year.
Our total budget for the 2009-2010 school year is currently projected at $360,000, equating to about $400 per student at Hidden Hills. Our Annual 360 Fundraiser at Registration is a significant portion of that total. This single fundraiser’s success is critical and will determine our expense obligations and the fundraising projects required to meet those obligations for this school year.
Q: What if our Annual 360 Fundraiser doesn’t generate the projected funds?
A: We know that all families are affected by the economic downturn and that this is a very difficult time. We’re confident that Hidden Hills’ families will do what they can to ensure we meet our projected funding requirements. However, if for some reason we cannot meet our projected expense obligations, then the Hawks Education Fund Board will take the appropriate action(s), by reducing expense commitments, and/or reviewing other fundraising projects.
PTA (Parent Teacher Association)
Q: What is the difference between the PTA and the Education Fund?
A: While the PTA and Education Fund work closely together, they operate as two separate organizations, both playing a critical role at Hidden Hills. The PTA focuses on providing services, programs, parent education, volunteer coordination, and legislative advocacy that helps our school run efficiently, while supporting our families and community. The Hawks Education Fund focuses on raising funds to provide instruction, educational programs and resources beyond the basic state-funded elementary school curriculum.
Q: I am sending my child to a public school. Why should I have to pay money on top of what is already state-funded?
A: In February, the state enacted $36 billion in solutions to what was then estimated to be a $42 billion General Fund budget gap (the additional $6 billion in solutions failed to pass at the special election in May). The amendments to the 2009-10 budget include another $24 billion in solutions to address the further deterioration of the state’s fiscal situation identified in the May Revision. The $60 billion in budget solutions adopted this year addresses the largest budget gap the state has ever faced, both in dollar amount and in the percent of General Fund revenues it represents.
Cuts to education amount to about $9 billion from K-12 schools, community colleges, and state-run universities over 2 years, which will place a considerable burden on all school districts in the state, and ultimately impacting Hidden Hills and our children. Although it’s not currently known what that impact will be, we know that the potential cuts to public school funding will be significant. The costs to support supplemental programs such as those supported by our Hawks Education Fund are not funded by the state. And, unfortunately, we are still classified as a low wealth district, so our state funding is less than surrounding districts, which puts our school at a disadvantage compared to other California schools.
Q: We pay high property taxes and passed Measure “C” in May. How does that affect the school budget?
A: San Ramon Unified School District voters overwhelmingly approved Measure C, a local parcel tax that will provide additional funding for local schools in an attempt to curb the negative impact of state budget cuts. Set to go into effect this July, the tax has an annual cost of $144 per parcel of land, and will last for the next seven years. According to the terms of the measure, the new tax will provide funding to retain qualified and experienced teachers, address the impact of budget cuts, and maintain math, science, literacy and other academic programs within the school district. Expected to bring in $6.7 million annually, the new parcel tax will help relieve some of the pressure caused by the estimated $14 million lost by the district because of state budget cuts. It isn’t known at this point in time how the additional budgetary cuts in July will impact our District or Hidden Hills in the future.
Q: Is it true that Dublin schools get more than San Ramon?
A: Yes, historically, the Dublin Unified School District has received from the State almost $1,000 more per student per year than the San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD). SRVUSD receives over $100 less per student than the State average, and less than other school districts in the adjoining counties.
Q: What makes the San Ramon Valley Unified School District so special?
A: Students consistently rank in the top 10% on statewide standardized tests and SATs. SRVUSD currently ranks 6th among all unified school districts in California, and is the highest ranking unified school district in the state with enrollments of 9,000 or more (California Academic Performance Index, 2008). Over 94% of our graduating seniors attend college or university, and district students are accepted into the University of California and the California State University systems at rates far exceeding state averages. Furthermore, the district has been recognized for its excellence through such honors as the coveted State Department of Education's Distinguished Schools Award (schools in the district have received this honor more than 50 times, more than any other district in northern California), and through recognition by the U.S. Department of Education as National Blue Ribbon Schools.
The District attributes these successes to the schools’ focus on delivering high quality, personalized instruction that has included critical, supplemental programs in reading, computer technology, science, art, and music. Also essential to success has been paraeducator support for classroom teachers. It should be noted that high ranking school districts typically generate the highest possible home resale value.
Q: What do I get for joining the “Circle of Learning”?
A: You can rest assured that your child will personally receive additional specialized instruction, classroom materials and supplies, increased visits to the library, more equipment for PE and the playground and last but not least, increased teacher attention due to having trained paraeducators in the classroom.
Q: Can I give more than $360?
A: Yes. If you are financially able to contribute more to our fund, then those dollars will increase our flexibility in providing a comprehensive and quality program for our children.
Q: Can I give less than $360?
A: Yes. As a non-profit organization, each and every donation to the Education Fund is a voluntary contribution. We encourage each family to seriously consider the amount that you are financially able to give, knowing that this contribution directly benefits all children at Hidden Hills.
Q: What will happen if I decide not to contribute?
A: All funds collected during the registration period and the “Annual 360 Fundraising Drive” help the Hawks Fund Board determine the Budget for instructional commitments and supplies for the year. Therefore, your decision has a direct impact on the amount of funding available for supplemental paraeducators and supplies for our children. If we do not collect our targeted budget goal for program spending during registration, we will need to re-evaluate our budget and potentially cut programs, services, or supplies that would otherwise be designated for the students in the upcoming school year.
Q: How does the $360 per child contribution compare with other schools in our district?
A: Hidden Hills has set its contribution level within the range of what other education/learning fund boards in our district have targeted. Other schools’ suggested contributions range from $175 to over $400 per student, and are based upon what each education/learning fund determines appropriate based on parent, board, principal, and teacher goals for student education.
Q: Can I volunteer my time instead of contributing $360?
A: Volunteering your time is strongly requested and encouraged. We have many opportunities to do so. However, volunteering your time will not directly result in the Hawks Education Fund’s raising the required money needed to fund the programs we have planned for your child. Please let us know if you’re interested in volunteering your time and/or contributing your resources.
Q: What payment methods do you collect?
A: We accept checks and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard and Amex).
Q: Is my donation a tax-deductible item?
A: Your donation may be 100% tax-deductible. The Hidden Hills Hawks Education Fund is a 501{c} (3) non-profit organization and an affiliate of the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation.
Our Tax ID is # 56-2464516 and group tax exemption is GEN 8171.
Q: I have some suggestions, and want to give my feedback. How can I get my opinion heard?
A: Contact us, or by becoming a volunteer or committee member, you can participate in critical decision making processes OR donate your time to future projects/events – which is essential to our success!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!
Contact:
Grant Kimura, President, hawksfund@yahoo.com
