April 25, 2012, San Francisco, CA — Presidio Knolls School (PKS), a progressive Mandarin immersion independent school in San Francisco, today announced the appointment of Dr. Alfonso Orsini as new Head of School. He will join PKS on July 15th, 2012, bringing with him over thirty years experience in education, including more than ten years in various international posts.

He is the author, with Prof. Pearl Kane of Teachers College, Columbia University, of The Colors of Excellence: Recruiting and Retaining Teachers of Color in Independent Schools, and has published numerous articles including “Big Tests, Big Sticks: High Stakes Testing in China and America” (Commentary in Education Week, 13 July, 2005).

Dr. Alfonso Orsini said, “I am excited to join Presidio Knolls and help play a role in building a school with a such a clear mission and raison d’etre. I admire the spirit and vision of this community, and wholeheartedly support the focus on creating a culture of innovation and fostering a sense of wonder and possibility in our students, all through the medium of a second language.”

Wendy Xa, Founder of Presidio Knolls School, added, “We are extremely pleased that Dr. Orsini is joining PKS at this exciting time in our history. With the launch of our elementary school this fall, and an ambitious plan of integrating educational best practices within a Mandarin immersion framework, having a noted educator with such relevant and significant expertise is an incredible validation of our vision.”

PKS was founded in 2008 as a Reggio-Emilia inspired Mandarin immersion preschool, and since that time has grown from six students to over 100 today. In 2011 PKS announced an expansion into a full K-8 program, with kindergarten and first grade classes to launch in the fall of 2012.

Left to Right: Alfonso Orsini (Head of School), Lui Jing (Alfonso’s wife) and Wendy Xa (Founder)

GENERAL DUTIES

1. Work closely and effectively with the Head of School, Board of Trustees, members of the Development Committee, and internal staff in the full range of development activities
2. Establish policies, systems and procedures in consultation with the Head of School Development Committee, and administration: (a) prepare and administer the development budget; and (b) prepare a strategic development plan and fundraising calendar
3. Personally participate in top level fundraising activities, both individual and institutional, maintaining contact with significant donors before and after gifts are committed or made; and represent the institution to outside professional organizations
4. Institute and maintain a comprehensive accounting, transmittal and acknowledgement process for all donations to Presidio Knolls School, including donor records and recognition
5. Keep informed on current information on giving, especially tax law and other IRS rulings which affect charitable giving
6. Plan and implement special fundraising events, participate and lead volunteer committees to plan and manage all fundraising events such as major donor house parties, the Red Envelope Campaign (Annual Campaign) and other special events
7. Build community relations within the Chinese community and South of Market community to advance the school’s development opportunities.

DONOR CULTIVATION AND STEWARDSHIP

1. Identify potential sources of funding and develop programs designed to secure such funding
2. Maintain and expand the current donor database, create efficient and effective systems for donor cultivation and recognition
3. Develop and submit proposals for grant requests for funds from private foundations, corporations and government agencies
4. Implement and manage corporate giving program to secure general operating gifts and pave the foundation for future capital campaign donation
5. Implement a process for donor recognition and acknowledgement
6. Work closely with the office to monitor incoming annual and campaign mail and checks in order to conduct accurate data entry into the donor database

ANNUAL FUND CAMPAIGN

1. Manage the PKS annual giving program, draft campaign letters and procedures, train volunteers and effectively educate the parent community
2. Recruit parent volunteers for the development program, and as appropriate, organize special fundraising task forces from among the volunteer groups
3. Manage correspondence with parent donors (including phone scripts / volunteer training during solicitation, and post-donation recognition activities)

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

1. Capital Campaign Planning and Prospect Tracking
2. Ensure development of all plans, information, and structure needed to work with staff to develop information on “best prospects”
3. Conduct research on prospects
4. Ensure complete and up-to-date records are available and in good condition
5. Ensure development of a comprehensive recognition program
6. Develop a tracking and reporting system for the campaign, including both income (with source categories) and expense
7. Create separate files on prospects and donors

ANNUAL AND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CULTIVATION AND SOLICITATION

1. Work with the Capital Campaign Committee to coordinate cultivation visits and solicitations; clearly define what the E.D./committee/board are “asking for” i.e. annual funds now and capital funds later, etc.
2. Draft correspondence as needed to prepare and follow-up on visits

COMMUNICATIONS

1. Collaborate with the Marketing/Communications Manager to produce all needed printed annual fund and capital campaign materials
2. Plan and oversee the preparation and distribution of informational materials relating to development activities in collaboration with the Marketing/Communications

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s Degree
• 5+ years of fundraising experience; Prior experience in school fundraising preferred; and major gifts experience required
• Public relations (storytelling) experience preferred
• Exceptional writing, communication and public speaking skills
• Experience with Salesforce or File pro highly desirable
• Experience with New Market Tax credit desirable but not required
• Experienced at leading teams, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• A passion for the school’s mission
• An exemplary work ethic, diplomacy, patience, sense of humor, energy, flexibility, integrity, and positive attitude
• Mandarin language skills desirable but not required

Salary and compensation competitive.

Presidio Knolls School’s mission is to educate and inspire its students to become confident, creative and responsible individuals engaged in the global community through an innovative Mandarin immersion program that combines academic excellence with social and emotional development to foster a lifelong passion for learning.

Presidio Knolls School (“PKS”) was founded in 2008 as a Reggio Emilia inspired preschool program, and has become a distinguished Mandarin immersion preschool in San Francisco. With the ever-increasing demand for PKS’s unique style of Mandarin education, and the backing of a passionate group of highly-committed parents, PKS will be launching a K-8 Mandarin immersion elementary and middle school program beginning Fall 2012.

TO APPLY

Interested and qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest, current resume and any other related documents to: Wendy Xa, wendy@presidioknolls.org or Ron Yu, ron@presidioknolls.org.

Presidio Knolls School is ideal for families seeking a progressive approach to education within the context of Mandarin immersion. With a newly renovated classroom space, dynamic teachers, a thematic and integrated academic and arts curriculum, and an engaged parent community, we believe our expansion into a K-8 program offers something unique to the San Francisco landscape (we will be adding one new grade per year).

We plan to keep our admissions process open through the spring, and we have three upcoming information sessions scheduled:

Wednesday, March 21st at 6-8pm
Tuesday, March 27 at 6-8pm
Thursday, April 19 at 6-8pm

Thank you, and best wishes for a joyful spring!

SCHOOL OVERVIEW
Presidio Knolls School (PKS) was founded in 2008 as San Francisco’s first Reggio Emilia-inspired Mandarin immersion preschool and has grown to more than 100 students today. Demand for our unique combination of innovative educational practices within a Mandarin immersion framework has been strong, and PKS is launching a K-8 elementary school in the fall of 2012.

The PKS mission is to educate and inspire our students to become confident, creative and responsible individuals engaged in the global community through an innovative Mandarin immersion program that combines academic excellence with social and emotional development to foster a lifelong passion for learning.

PKS takes great pride in its unparalleled teaching staff and its unique teaching environment:
• Hands-on, collaborative learning using progressive educational best practices
• Small class sizes with 10 to 1 student-teacher ratio
• Large 1.5 acre campus, an urban oasis in San Francisco’s SOMA neighborhood
• Robust professional development and career growth opportunities
• Passionate and supportive school community
• Well-funded and resource-rich independent school

ENGLISH TEACHER POSITIONS
PKS is seeking exceptional English teachers to help launch and build our elementary school program. We are looking for experienced educators who have an entrepreneurial spirit, employ modern instructional strategies in the classroom, and have aspirations to grow professionally with the long-term vision of the school. Teachers will assume a founding role and be responsible for English curriculum development using research-based best practices. We are currently hiring teachers for Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
• Minimum of 2 years experience teaching in respective grade level
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree desirable
• Proven track record in achieving strong academic results using progressive educational best practices
• Contagious enthusiasm and charisma; the ability to engage and inspire students, parents and colleagues
• Creativity, excellent multitasking skills, and ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial start-up environment
• Outstanding verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS
• Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits
• Generous relocation assistance for teachers outside the Bay Area
• H-1B visa sponsorship for international teachers

TO APPLY

Interested and qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and résumé to employment@presidioknolls.org.

Presidio Knolls School offers equal opportunity to all and is non-discriminatory.

SCHOOL OVERVIEW
Presidio Knolls School (PKS) was founded in 2008 as San Francisco’s first Reggio Emilia-inspired Mandarin immersion preschool and has grown to more than 100 students today.

The PKS mission is to educate and inspire our students to become confident, creative and responsible individuals engaged in the global community through an innovative Mandarin immersion program that combines academic excellence with social and emotional development to foster a lifelong passion for learning.

PKS takes great pride in its unparalleled teaching staff and its unique teaching environment:
• Hands-on, collaborative learning using progressive educational best practices
• Small class sizes with 10 to 1 student-teacher ratio
• Large 1.5 acre campus, an urban oasis in San Francisco’s SOMA neighborhood
• Robust professional development and career growth opportunities
• Passionate and supportive school community
• Well-funded and resource-rich independent school

MANDARIN IMMERSION TEACHER POSITIONS
PKS is seeking exceptional Mandarin preschool teachers. We are looking for experienced educators who have an entrepreneurial spirit, employ modern instructional strategies in the classroom, and have aspirations to grow professionally with the long-term vision of the school. We are currently hiring preschool teachers.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
• Minimum of 2 years early education teaching experience, preferably in an immersion program
• Bilingual and bi-literate in Mandarin Chinese and English with native or near-native Chinese proficiency
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree desirable
• Proven track record in achieving strong academic results using progressive educational best practices
• Contagious enthusiasm and charisma; the ability to engage and inspire students, parents and colleagues
• Creativity, excellent multitasking skills, and ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial start-up environment
• Outstanding verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS
• Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits
• Generous relocation assistance for teachers outside the Bay Area
• H-1B visa sponsorship for international teachers

TO APPLY

Interested and qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and résumé to employment@presidioknolls.org.

Presidio Knolls School offers equal opportunity to all and is non-discriminatory.

On Friday, January 20th, Presidio Knolls School celebrated Chinese New Year 2012. The entire PKS community gathered at Fort Mason Center to welcome the year of the Dragon, with a wonderful event organized by our parent volunteers and school staff.

Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in the Chinese culture– it’s the equivalent of Thanksgiving and Christmas combined.  And at PKS, the annual Chinese New Year party is a way for students, families, faculty and staff to come together with food and fun, expressing our gratitude for the  blessings of the past year and looking forward to the year to come.

This year’s event featured readings by noted children’s author Oliver Chin, calligraphy activities, and a spectacular lion dance that delighted the children. There was a video showing the students’ New Year’s preparations over the last few weeks.  The walls were decorated with their artwork. And of course, there was plenty of delicious Chinese food, including many of the traditional dishes and snacks served at Chinese New Year (the candied fruit was especially popular with the children). The children danced and played, and parents and teachers had a chance to eat and mingle.

January 23rd, 2012 starts the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Dragon. The Dragon is considered a very auspicious symbol. An extroverted bundle of energy, everything a Dragon does is on a grand scale. Thus, it is fitting that PKS is opening its elementary school in the fall of the Dragon year– we have ambitious plans and high expectations for our school and for our children.

Let us hope the innovative, enterprising, brave, and passionate drive of the Dragon will bring a great 2012 to you and your family!

Happy Chinese New Year!

For two weeks leading up to Chinese New Year, PKS parents, students, teachers and staff prepared to make this year’s celebration the best ever. This video was shown on Friday, January 20th, at Fort Mason Center where the Presidio Knolls School celebrated Chinese New Year 2012.

• When: Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 6pm – 8pm
• Where: Presidio Knolls School — 250 10th Street San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)
• Description: Presidio Knolls School is expanding to an elementary school. Attend an information session to learn more about this innovative Mandarin immersion education. You can sign up online to reserve a space at an upcoming general information session or call us at 415.202.0770 or email us at admissions@presidioknolls.org to get started now (adults only).

For a list of other upcoming information sessions and admission-related activities, please review the PKS admissions calendar.

• When: Wednesday, June 6, 2012, 6pm – 8pm
• Where: Presidio Knolls School — 250 10th Street San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)
• Description: Presidio Knolls School is expanding to an elementary school. Attend an information session to learn more about this innovative Mandarin immersion education. You can sign up online to reserve a space at an upcoming general information session or call us at 415.202.0770 or email us at admissions@presidioknolls.org to get started now (adults only).

For a list of other upcoming information sessions and admission-related activities, please review the PKS admissions calendar.

• When: Wednesday, July 18, 2012, 6pm – 8pm
• Where: Presidio Knolls School — 250 10th Street San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)
• Description: Presidio Knolls School is expanding to an elementary school. Attend an information session to learn more about this innovative Mandarin immersion education. You can sign up online to reserve a space at an upcoming general information session or call us at 415.202.0770 or email us at admissions@presidioknolls.org to get started now (adults only).

For a list of other upcoming information sessions and admission-related activities, please review the PKS admissions calendar.