CLEARWATER NAGANO EXCHANGE PROGRAM
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Interoffice Memorandum
To:
Councilmember Petersen
From:
Margo Walbolt
.Date:
12/8/2005
Attached is the following information:
Clearwater Nagano Exchange Program - Background
Letter from International Relations - City of Nagano
Sample of Scholarship Guidelines for Parks & Recreation Programs
.
Clearwater Nagano Exchange Program
Background:
The Clearwater Nagano Exchange Program has been in existence for 46 years. Annually,
there are exchanges ofteachers and students. The City of Nagano has recently proposed
changes to the structure of two of the exchange programs.
Pinellas County Exchange Teachers
Nagano has proposed that the two Pinellas County school teachers who have previously
spent ten months teaching English and American culture in Nagano schools, now spend a
one month term teaching in Nagano elementary and junior high schools. Previously, the
city of Nagano paid the teachers' salaries and all travel expenses. The current proposal
requests that the airfare and travel expenses to Japan no longer be covered by Nagano.
Nagano will bear the costs of travel within Japan, provide a home stay, and give a
monetary gift to the teachers at the end of the month.
Jan Rouse, Pinellas County Schools Associate Superintendent, Curriculum Studies, has
reviewed the proposal and concurs that if the City of Clearwater is unable to identify a
funding source for the teachers' airfare, it is reasonable to expect the teachers to assume
responsibility for this expense. Pinellas County Schools will continue to post
information, meet with interested teachers, provide teacher component points, and
preparatory training for the teachers selected. The County has stipulated that the month
long residency can only be scheduled during the summer break. There is speculation that
the reduction in time spent in Nagano may result in more applications from teachers who
are unable to commit to a year's residency.
Clearwater Exchange Students
Since 1991,52 high school students from Clearwater have had the opportunity to receive
a one-month residence scholarship. In 2004, the four students who were selected as
guests of Nagano, spent two weeks residing with home stay families and visiting middle
and high school classes. Last year's selection process was highly competitive with
twenty outstanding students submitting applications.
For the high school exchange program, Nagano has previously borne all costs for our
four students and a teacher chaperone. The proposed change requests that airfare, travel
insurance and all transportation expenses within Japan be taken care of on our end.
Nagano will continue to arrange for home stays, study tours and visits to local attractions f
or the two week visit.
Advisory Board Recommendation
The City's Sister City Advisory Board reviewed the proposal from Nagano and
recommends complying with the requests. While the Pinellas County teacher applicants
may be willing to pay their travel costs, there was concern that the high school student
exchange might be limited to only students who could afford to travel. The advisory
board has suggested setting up a scholarship fund.
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October 28, 2005
Dear Ms. Walbolt,
Almost all the rice has been harvested in Nagano and the fall colors are starting to appear.
Allow me to offer my best wishes for your health.
Thank you for your valuable assistance with the recent junior high school student visit.
Our students came home safely with hearts filled with wonderful memories such as the
Clearwater students' active participation in class and the warm hospitality of the host
families. At home and at school, the students will pass on the moving stories of their trip
to many residents.
We extend our appreciation to the past mayors and to all those involved in the wonderful
education-focused exchanges we've built up with Clearwater, as sister cities.
Nagano City wishes to carry on the friendly relations we've built over several long years.
However, due to various changes in circumstance, I believe it is time to reexamine the
structure of our sister city exchange programs.
With the future exchange program arrangements in mind, I would like you to review the
points outlined below. Thank you for your cooperation.
1. The Clearwater Exchange Teachers
Currently, you generously send over two teachers for 10 months to teach native English
and American culture. I understand that compared to the early days of this program, it
has become harder to secure Clearwater teachers due to family-related circumstances and
career development.
For Nagano, the challenges include the full utilization of the strengths of the Clearwater
teachers who have come all this way to our schools, and the growing ease with which we
can secure English teachers, through means such as the JET Programme, who will stay on
for several years. Another issue is the long homestay period and the problems that have
come up with the host families.
What do you think about taking the emphasis on being a goodwill ambassador from the
lO-month AET contracts in the past, and having your teachers come for a I-month term to
teach in elementary and junior high schools about Clearwater and the US, and returning
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Nagano City Hall
1613 Midori-cho, Nagano City
Japan 380-8512
TEL +81-26-224-5447 FAX. +81-26-224-5121
E-mail kokusai@city,nagano.naganojo
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TEL. +81-26-224-5447 FAX. +81-26-224-5121
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Clearwater Parks and Recreation Department
Resident Scholarship Program - Year 2004
1/2004
The Clearwater Parks and Recreation Department is committed to making its programs as accessible to all
segments of the population as possible. The Florida Income Eligibility Guidelines for Free & Reduced Price
Meals, from thePinellas County School Board are the guidelines utilized by the Parks and Recreation
Department for awarding scholarships. To be given due consideration for scholarship assistance, applicants
must meet the following guidelines.
Scholarship GuidelineslEligibility:
~ The scholarship program is limited to City of Clearwater Residents only. Parent, legal guardian, or
custodian must provide two proofs of identification that verify they reside in the City of Clearwater.
~ The scholarship program is primarily intended for youth participants. Adult requests will be reviewed
on a case-ta-case basis.
~ All scholarship applicants need to purchase a 'Photo ID Card'. No scholarships for 'Photo ill Cards'.
o Applicant completes a Resident Scholarship Application form; if the applicant qualifies it is
noted on the participant card (lower left hand comer) that the card holder is a scholarship resident,
as follows:
· Note //25%/5// for Free Meal qualifier - participant pays 25% of program cost.
· Note //50%/S for Reduced Meal qualifier - participant pays 50% of program cost.
Note: With this process, the applicant would produce his participant card at future registrations; staff
would recognize the applicant card as an approved scholarship patron, and process accordingly, requiring
less paperwork and staff time.
o Option: Applicant completes a Resident Scholarship Application form at a program of their choice,
each time they are interested in an activity/program (minimum of 2- weeks prior to program
registration/ start).
~ The existing matrix from the Pinellas County School System (Florida Income Eligibility Guidelines for
Free or Reduced Meals) will be used to determine applicant eligibility.
o Letter from school or meal card confirming participation must be provided; if not available,
applicant must provide proof of family income in the form of a recent check stub or W-2 form.
o Supporting documents must accompany applications for them to be considered; incomplete
applications will be denied and returned; unreadable applications will delay scholarship process.
~ Requests are on a first-come, first-served basis. Number of available scholarships is limited.
~ Scholarship approval does not guarantee enrollment into the program of the applicant's choice -
applicant must attend and follow the registration procedure for each specific program.
~ Scholarship applications are to be completed and submitted annually.
Levels of Financial Assistance
~ Everyone will pay a percentage of the cost of the program. The income categories of the Pine lIas County
School System Free/Reduced Meals Program will be followed:
o Free Meals ("25%/S") - applicant pays 25% of the program/registration fee.
o Reduced Meals ("50%/S") - applicant pays 50% of the program/registration fee.
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Parks and Recreation Department
Resident Scholarship Application
Please complete the following (please print):
(Scholarships available to Clearwater residents only.)
Participant's Name:
Date of Birth:
Card #:
Address:
Phone #:
Program Applying For:
(Name of specific program/activity)
Parents/Guardian Name:
Day Phone:
Address:
Evening/Cell Phone:
Total Family Income: Please <-..J) 0 Yearly 0 Monthly 0 Bi-Weekly 0 Weekly
(Total income must be reported before taxes, social security, health benefits, union dues, or other deductions are made.)
How many living in your household?
Is/ Are your child(ren) currently receiving free/reduced lunches in school? YES NO
(Letter from school or meal card confirming applicants' enrollment must be provided.)
Are you currently receiving food stamps? If yes, write current case number. YES # NO
Are you currently receiving assistance from welfare? Temporary Assistance
For Needy Families (TANF) if yes write current case number. YES # NO
I understand I will be required to provide proof of the above information (e.g., pay check stub, tax
statement). I, the undersigned, certify the above information is accurate and true and misrepresentation
will void the scholarship. Approval does not guarantee enrollment in the program of your choice.
(Signature of Parent, Guardian, or Custodian)
(Date)
For additional information, please contact the recreation facility supervisor or Jan Harrison, Recreation
Specialist - Phone # 462-6036.
******************* For Office Use **********************
Application Approved: Yes
No
Rate Assessed
(Signature of Program Supervisor Confirming Application)
(Date)
Upon completion, please file at program site/recreation center as an official record according to City of Clearwater
Records Management Program. S: \Forms\ 1800-0193 Resident Scholarship Application Form.doc. Revised 12/7/05