SR 02-26-2019 13E 13.E
February 26, 2019
Council Meeting: February 26, 2019 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 26, 2019
13.E Request of Councilmember Jara, Morena and Winterer that the City Council
allocate $10,000 of discretionary funds to the JAMS Science Magnet, a
501(c)3, to provide financial assistance for students with demonstrated
need to travel in June for the annual Japan Exchange Program
Santa Monica Science Magnet is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
www.SantaMonicaScienceMagnet.org
Charitable Tax ID: 20-3658263
2425 16th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 452-2326
February 7h, 2019
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
First, we’d like thank you for your years of support of the JAMS Science Magnet Japan
Exchange Program. Your generous grants have provided scholarships to hardworking low-
income students, enabling them to travel to Japan through an exchange program with our sister
city, Kizugawa. We are deeply grateful for your support.
Once again, our exchange program is hoping to include a few students who reflect our diverse
community but do not have the financial means to participate. Of the twelve remarkable
students selected to travel to Japan this year, four are in need of financial aid. The cost of the
trip is approximately $3,500 per student. Parent/student-run fundraisers and a corporate gift
matching program will help defray costs but we are in need of additional support.
The JAMS Science Magnet respectfully requests a grant of $10,000 from the City of Santa
Monica to be used for financial assistance for student travelers with demonstrated financial
need. Any city grant money will solely be used by the Jams Science Magnet, a 501(c)3
organization, for students in need of financial assistance who are unable to attend the trip
without support.
In late June, our students will travel to Japan for approximately two weeks. They will visit Tokyo,
Mt. Fuji, Kyoto/Kizugawa, Hiroshima, and Osaka. As youth ambassadors of the City of Santa
Monica, our students will have the opportunity to meet the mayor of Kizugawa and city council
members, and share with them their experiences in Japan.
On a personal note, I have witnessed the life-changing effects of this trip. My son, Kai returned
from Japan last summer with a new maturity, sensitivity, self-confidence and deep appreciation
of Japanese culture. He spoke so highly about his experience that my youngest, Taj is joining
the program this summer. One of the things I admire most about the JAMS Science Magnet is
its dedication to offering dynamic, outside-the-classroom learning experiences to all students in
the community. The Japan Exchange Program has been no exception, largely thanks to you,
the city council.
Thank you for considering our request for this grant. We deeply appreciate your time and
support. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Laura Ford
on behalf of the JAMS Science Magnet
310-766-2981 laurasimonford@gmail.com
cc: Steve Richardson, Principal, John Adams Middle School
Derek Lipman, Executive Board President, JAMS Science Magnet
Santa Monica Science Magnet is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
www.SantaMonicaScienceMagnet.org
Charitable Tax ID: 20-3658263
2425 16th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 452-2326
P.S. Below are a few photographs of last year’s trip taken by our wonderful chaperones.
Santa Monica Science Magnet is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
www.SantaMonicaScienceMagnet.org
Charitable Tax ID: 20-3658263
2425 16th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 452-2326
Santa Monica Science Magnet is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
www.SantaMonicaScienceMagnet.org
Charitable Tax ID: 20-3658263
2425 16th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 452-2326