Send our 5th graders to Outdoor Science School!

Our school desperately needs your help! The 118 students of the 5th grade class at San Juan Elementary have faced obstacles like no other class in its past. The hardships endured by COVID-19 are not limited to online schooling, wearing masks, or braving the complexities of a global pandemic. These kids also missed opportunities to learn from each other and in groups as they were safely segregated. Lastly, and why we need your help; these kids also missed the opportunity to fundraise over the last year and a half for their opportunity to go to Outdoor Science School.

San Juan Elementary was founded in 1850 and is located across from the historic San Juan Capistrano Mission. It is a dual immersion school (consisting of both native English and Spanish speakers) of which approximately 66% of all students qualify for the free and reduced lunch program because their families live below the poverty line. On average about 20% of our socio-economically disadvantaged students test below grade level. San Juan Children’s Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization established to support the children of San Juan Elementary School by providing every student with the opportunity to achieve academic success. Each year the Foundation funds the cost of sending the fifth-grade students to outdoor science school in Big Bear, California.

Outdoor Science school is a 4-day 3-night experience where kids live with their peers and are immersed into nature - bringing science to life. Developing interest in science in elementary school is critical for engaging students and the overnight stay builds self-esteem and confidence which encourages independent and critical thinking. For the 5th graders it is a rite of passage and for many their first overnight stay away from family. It is an experience not to be missed.

In the past the Foundation has been able to fund this valuable experience for the 5th graders, but due to Covid, fundraising has been nonexistent for 18 months. While students at many of the schools in our district attend this valuable program because their parents can afford the participation fee, Title 1 schools must fundraise. At SJES all 5th graders must have the opportunity to go, or no one goes.

The cost to send the current 5th grade class is $55,000.00, a portion of which has to be paid by December 2021, the balance by March 2022 when the kids depart. The 5th grade class has only raised $12,800.00, leaving $42,200.00 raise. The kids are doing fundraisers and parents are chipping in when possible, but it is not enough to get to the kids to OSS. We need businesses, community members, grandparents, really anyone to help us get to our goal.

Your donations are tax deductible. Our tax ID is 80-0265744. Please help us send our kids to Outdoor Science School!