Founding Members' Circle

When my son Stefan Robb started at Roslyn four years ago - in his father's footsteps - I was thrilled to not only be able to continue a tradition, but to have public school in my neighbourhood that could provide my children with a solid primary education and in French immersion to boot. However I quickly noticed that the school had changed since my husband's time. While still an excellent school, there was no funding for what the government considers "extras" but what most parents have come to expect and rely on as essential in today's school. For example, there has been no playground since 2002; there was no money to keep the two part-time child counselor/psychologists that had been with the school for the past 5 years; the computer program was on the verge of being cancelled; children eat lunch in their classrooms because there is no common cafeteria; and the list goes on.

These situations compelled me along with other concerned parents and alumni to take action and form the Roslyn School Foundation, an independent organization for fundraising. Incorporated in 2005, the Roslyn School Foundation (RSF) received its charitable status in 2006. The mission of the Foundation is to support and enhance, through endowed funding and other gifts, the learning experience offered at Roslyn School as it moves into its second century.

As the school turns 100 next year, the need to ensure that Roslyn remains a premier public school in our neighbourhood and a viable option for Westmount and surrounding area families, is even greater. If we want the school to evolve and flourish, we need to count on the generous support of families like yours that were able to take advantage of the schooling Roslyn offered them and/or their children. Our goal is to raise $100,000 for year 100; to date we have raised over $12,000.

While the school does have a few projects that require funding, such as a new playground, I am asking you to support the Foundation with a "general" gift in order to enhance the endowment funding. It is our desire to build an endowment fund in order to provide a continuing and sustainable source of monies for projects not currently funded. Teachers, staff, parents, and students will then be able to approach the Foundation with valid and timely requests for monies to support school projects and the Foundation's Board will determine which programs best enrich the student life and learning experience at Roslyn.

As a founding member, your family will be recognized with a plaque (if you so wish) to be erected on an oak tree being planted this fall as part of the playground improvement project. What is a founding member? A founding member is any individual or family that pledges to donate over $1000 during the 99th year of the school. This amount may be given over the next two years in installments.

I hope that I can count on you and your family to become a founding member of the Roslyn School Foundation. If you agree that Roslyn provided an excellent education for you and your children, setting the path for life-long learning and success, please consider giving back. Your donation will ensure Roslyn's current and future children will continue to flourish academically and thrive personally. You can donate on-line or you can mailing in your cheque.

Thank you so much for your support!

Sincerely,

Jasmin Uhthoff
Chair, Roslyn School Foundation