SR 02-28-2017 13A 13.A
February 28, 2017
Council Meeting: February 28, 2017 Santa Monica, California
1 of 1
CITY CLERK’S OFFICE - MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Denise Anderson -Warren, City Clerk , Records & Elections Services
Department
Date : February 28, 2017
13.A Request of Mayor Winterer, Mayor Pro Tem Davis, and Councilmember
McKeown tha t the Council allocate $7500 in contingency funds to serve as
a matching grant to assist students from lower -income families to
participate in this year’s student cultural exchange program with our
Friendship City of Kizugawa, Japan, under the auspices of the JAMS
Science Magnet, a 501(c)(3) non -profit.
John Adams Middle School | 2425 16 th Street, SM, CA 90405
2/18/2017
Dear Santa Monica City Council ,
Thanks to your past generous support, the John Adams Middle School Science Magnet
was able to provide partial scholarships to a select few low inc ome, hardworking
Science Magnet students to participate in an exchange program with our sister city in
Kizugawa Japan. That experience was an unforgettable , life -changing and educa tional
experience . W e are truly grateful!
Once again, we are hoping to incl ude a few students who reflect our diverse
community, however, do not have the financial means. We humbly request a grant of
$7,500 to help defray a small portion of the trip to support our fundraising efforts .
Any City grant money will be used solely to allow students whose families otherwise
could not afford such a trip , and will be used as a matching grant to inspire even more
parent donations and fundraising . Any City grant money will be used solely by the JAMS
Science Magnet, a 501(c)3 organization. Be assured that our Santa Monica youth
ambassadors will proudly represent our diverse community of Santa Monica in our
Friendship City —Kizugawa . As in years past, our participating students will return with a
new sensibility of global citizens and will sha re their experiences and the benefits with
other students and the community !
Again, thank you for supporting this program that makes JAMS so special and inspires
our children. We hope we can count on your support again.
Yolanda Lewis
JAMS Science Magnet Board President
On Behalf of the Science Ma gnet Board
To give you a flavor of the enriching impact this trip has on our
students, h ere are a few sample quotes from the essays that every
student writes upon their return. These are sent to the Kizugawa
International Exchange Association (KIEA) and shared with our
Science Magnet community:
“My Japan trip experience was incredible! I believe that it was the best trip I have
ever taken! It makes me positive that, in the future, the John Adams Middle School
(JAMS) to Kizugawa Exchange will grow to be something that everyone knows
about and applies for. The trip I took was
not only exciting and educationally
rewarding, it also gave me a lasting
connection with my host family and the
staff and faculty at the KIEA. I will never
forget this experience, and I feel very
thankful to everyone that made the trip
possible. I will share my most memorable
experience, my family homestay.”
“On the final day, Monday, I was super
sad! I had had to leave my family to go to
Hiroshima. I said goodbye to all the kids
by 8 o'clock in the morning because they
had to go to school. Then, I sentimentally
rode to the station with my host parents,
remembering of all the times I had previously been in the car. When I arrived at the
station, I burst into tears. I didn't want to le ave my host family.
Unfortunately, I also made the mother cry as I was heading escalator to catch my
train. As I lost sight of them, I
knew I would never forget them,
and I hope to come back soon to
see them., I knew I would never
forget them, and I hop e to come
back soon to see them. My
experience at the homestay was
amazing, and I hope I am just one
of many Santa Monica students
that gets to meet th e wonderful
people of Kizugawa.”