June 26, 2014

Dear AMHS Faculty & Fellow Parents, Family, and Community Members,

THANK YOU for all of your support for the Academic Magnet Foundation! As we look back with appreciation for the many successes of our 1st year, we also look forward with great enthusiasm. Those successes stem from the efforts of volunteers and supporters within and beyond the community that is Academic Magnet High School. Together we are building a strong Foundation for AMHS. Below are a few highlights:

* Vision: To safeguard the Mission of Academic Magnet High School with readily available financial backing and human capital to ensure that its students are prepared to thrive in an increasingly competitive global community.

* Commitments: In spring 2013, the first Foundation board of directors was elected following a 4-month, schoolwide nominations period. Initial priorities included good governance and operating standards. Following an even longer nominations period, your 2014-2015 board is ready to serve. (Please note that all board meetings are public and held at AMHS, and participation -- and more volunteers - are always welcome & encouraged!)

* Determination: The Academic Magnet Foundation is a duly registered, South Carolina non-profit corporation determined by the IRS to be a Public Charity exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; contributions are deductible. 

* Setting Priorities - Together with Partners in Education (PIE), the School Improvement Council (SIC), and Principal Judith Peterson, the Foundation's first investment goals were unanimously agreed: (a) to help AMHS' foreign language program develop into one of "Global Citizenry" and (b) to help develop the school's science, technology, engineering & mathematics ("STEM") programs.

* Raising funds; exceeding goals - "Leveraging Success for AMHS" is now established as our "internal" fundraising campaign. It demonstrates our school community's commitment to AMHS. The first campaign far exceeded all goals. By the end - and in less than a year - fully 53% of the AMHS participated by supporting the Foundation! ...To see the "Thank you Donors" list or to add more support for AMHS - please <click here>.

* Developing, engaging more partnerships for AMHS - We are meeting with local and larger companies, the College of Charleston (C of C), area non-profits, and the County of Charleston School District to help create more funding and opportunities for our school.

* Identifying school needs - The Foundation's School Needs Committee meets with faculty throughout AMHS' academic departments to help identify and define long-term investment needs in all areas.

* Beginning investments - Helping to fulfill the recommendations of AMHS faculty and Principal Peterson, the Foundation has already made long-term commitments to fund:

o College-level Chinese language courses. Starting this academic year (2014-2015), Chinese I will be offered as part of the AMHS curriculum, taught on the AMHS campus by a professor from C of C.

o Expanded "Orientation" - the Summer Scholars Institute - The Foundation and PIE are partnering to make possible an ongoing, entirely new, comprehensive, academic and team-building program for all rising freshmen. AMHS faculty carefully designed this 4-day "orientation" to enhance the success of all of our new high school students in STEM and other programs. It starts next month, July 21st through 25th.

It has been a fantastic first year! Most importantly - thanks to you - AMHS now has a Foundation for its future!

Sincerely,