WHY: We try to do one fundraiser a year that requires our scholars to help. Our parents pay a lot for their tuition and other school expenses and, as a non-profit, tuition covers about 70% of all our costs, and about 84% of the salaries for our exceptional staff. We think it is important for our scholars to learn to help and our suggestion is they help by asking family members and friends to donate. We hope this fosters and nurtures their service and leadership commitment and philanthropic attitude.

WHAT FOR: The money raised from Trek for Tech will be used to cover technology expenses this year and next year including new smart boards, computers, and laptops for our new classrooms in 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th Grades, replacement boards for several classrooms, two new servers (already purchased for $22,000), Middle School and Lower School Computer Lab upgrades, a distance learning technology program with Texas State Aquarium, and our yearly technology service contracts for WIFI, upkeep, maintenance and repairs. We are also working on purchasing a school wide intercom system and, as we move forward with Full STEAM Ahead, we expect additional technology needs and costs.

WHEN & HOW: On May 21^st at 8:30, we will start our Trek for Tech Walk! The whole school will walk and we hope many of our parents will choose to walk with us for a nominal $25 contribution per parent (visist the "Register to Walk" page to sign up). We will begin with the Primary School leading us around our inner campus block of South Carancahua and Upper Broadway (not crossing any streets), and they will finish their walk at the playground! The Lower and Middle Schools will continue their walk to the Bayfront. Lower School will walk to the Yacht Club and back (One mile) and Middle School will walk to the Water Street Plaza and back (1 ½ miles). Each group will receive a refreshing treat during their walk!

GOALS: Our goal for Trek for Tech is $50,000! We know our technology needs will cost more than this amount so we want to exceed this goal! Every single donation is 100% tax deductible.

REWARDS: We hope our scholars will choose to help us because it’s the “RIGHT THING TO DO!” Every scholar who raises ANY amount of money, will get Free Dress on the day of the walk (Tue., May 21^st). Every scholar who raises $100.00 or more, will get a Free Dress Day on Wednesday, May 22^nd.  In addition to Free Dress, the highest earning scholar in each grade level (over $100) will receive their favorite Whataburger Lunch on Wednesday in the cafeteria with a special ice cream treat of their choice! The Top Four FUNdraisers in Lower School and the Top Four FUNdraisers in Middle School will be treated to a Limousine Ride down Ocean Drive, lunch at Whataburger On The Bay, and an ice cream treat from the SCOOP SHACK (Water Street) on Wednesday with Mrs. Hoffstadt and Mrs. Hatridge! The individual Scholar who raises the most money will get to be COACH FOR THE AFTERNOON ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 22^ND!!!

All donations are due by Monday, May 21st.

Thank you so much for your continued support! Your generosity and encouragement sustains us!

Sincerely,

The Scholars and Staff of St. James Episcopal School