How does Friends of Mandarin Scholars differ from other fundraising efforts at College Park and Bayside Academy and in San Mateo Foster City School District?

There are actually three major organizations that directly support students at College Park Elementary School and the district as a whole:

1. The College Park and Bayside PTAs support parents, teachers, and staff at both schools directly through activities/programs that benefit the entire school, such as field trips, Art in Action, technology programs, Music for Minors, Art & Science Day, International Day, library materials, the yearbook, social events, and staff appreciation events.  These and many other activities support student learning and student/family/community engagement across each school. The PTA organizations are also part of a larger state and national PTA organization that helps advocate for children and education in the Legislature and Congress.
2. SMFC Education Foundation was established in 1992 as a nonprofit organization committed to benefiting every child in the 20 elementary and middle schools that are part of the San Mateo Foster City School District. The SMFC Education Fund ensures consistent programs in all SMFC schools, supporting such key programs as the libraries and library staff, middle school counseling and the district music program. The Education Foundation is supporting the music at all district schools, an estimated $450,000 for the 10,000 students in the district, or approximately $45/student.
3. Friends of Mandarin Scholars was established in April 2011 specifically to raise support for the Mandarin Immersion program in the San Mateo Foster City School District. It is a community organization that involves parents, educators and community members in supporting the mandarin immersion program at College Park and Middle School mandarin immersion program at Bayside Academy. Our goal is to maximize support from within the school community, while also engaging the larger community in supporting our efforts.