Our History

In the Fall of 2017 Redwood City Mandarin Immersion Scholars (RCMIS) was created as a volunteer run, independent 501(c)3 -- not for profit corporation -- in order to raise funds to support Mandarin Immersion education in the Redwood City School District (RCSD). Prior to 2017, donations for classroom aides went directly to the RCSD. 

RCMIS raises money primarily through direct donations from parents and corporate matching. There have also been different fundraisers over the course of our history, including Mandarin Movie Night and the Chinese New Year dinner. These events combine both the opportunity to building community and support our organization.

The RCMIS budget is developed by the Board of Directors in conversation with the school administration in order to meet the needs of the whole Mandarin Immersion program. RCMIS is committed to a “pay it forward” model of funding. This means that money raised in the current fiscal year will be spent during the following fiscal year. We have typically written commitment letters for any staff that RCMIS is funding in February for the following school year. As more funding comes in in the spring, a second round of commitment letters might be written.

The bulk of the money raised by RCMIS has historically paid for Mandarin classroom aides, Mandarin instructional/ teacher coaching, and Mandarin reading intervention. 

We are grateful for the ways that parents support Mandarin Immersion education in the Redwood City School District. We are also committed to making sure that all donations support the whole program and that all kids have the same access to resources funded by RCMIS regardless of who made the contribution. 

Thank you for your generous support!