Dear Jesuit Parents:

As chairman of this year’s Parents’ Annual Giving drive, it is my job to tell you about the most important date in the Jesuit calendar year -- PAG Sunday, September 21. On PAG Sunday, the Jesuit community will come together for Mass and breakfast to celebrate the drive and, of course, to turn in any remaining pledge cards. Your class captains will contact you in the weeks ahead to remind you of the Mass and breakfast and to offer any assistance with returning pledge cards to Jesuit.

Paul Perez ’79 2008-09 PAG Chairman

Jesuit parents have always understood the importance of our drive -- the key is participation at the level affordable by each family. Last year’s drive brought in a record-breaking $1,202,929 donated by 933 generous Jesuit families.

Why is there a pledge drive? Simply put, the actual cost of educating each student is $8,800, but Jesuit charges only $6,450, which remains one of the lowest tuitions in the city.

This is only possible because Jesuit’s parents understand the importance of closing this gap of $2,350.

Your gift to the PAG drive goes directly into the school’s operating budget to defray expenses, and this helps keep tuition at an affordable level for the majority of Jesuit families. Affordable tuition attracts students from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds and this is what helps make Jesuit “the school that will change your son’s life.”

Obviously, the largest expense in the budget is salaries of the faculty, staff, and administrators. These individuals are devoted to our sons and the Jesuit community, a commitment that is exemplified on a daily basis both in and outside the classroom. Our sons are receiving a Catholic education from their teachers that reflects what Jesuit High School is all about – developing in its students the competence, conscience, and compassion to be men of faith and men for others. A successful PAG drive will help ensure that this commitment to our sons’ education remains the rule rather than the exception.

Please look over the enclosed PAG materials and if you have any questions, contact your assigned Captain or Jesuit’s development office. Your participation is critical to a successful campaign and I encourage you to be as generous as possible when considering your gift to this year’s PAG drive. 

Thank you and I look forward to seeing you at Mass and breakfast at 9 a.m. on Sunday, September 21.

Since its inception in 1975, the PAG has focused on a single purpose – to raise enough funds to make up the deficit between the school’s tuition income and expenditures. We have kept tuition affordable for most families for the past 161 years for a reason – it creates a more diverse socio-economic mix of students that in turn expands your son’s educational experiences. You help us accomplish this goal through the PAG drive. 

The gap for the 2008-09 drive is $2,350. I hope we can count on you to participate with your tax-deductible contribution. I do not make this request casually. Without the participation of every family at all levels, Jesuit will not remain accessible to all students who are academically qualified. This would make Jesuit a much different school than the one you and your son chose.

Your pledge card is enclosed, along with information about this year’s giving levels. Please return your pledge card to the development office by Wednesday, September 17. I also invite you and your family to join us for Mass at 9 a.m. on PAG Sunday, September 21. We will serve a light breakfast afterwards in the cafeteria.

If we have not received your pledge card by PAG Sunday, your class captain will come to your home that day to pick up your completed card.

Thank you and I look forward to seeing you on September 21. Your presence will bring further strength to the Jesuit community.

Yours sincerely,
 
Anthony McGinn, S.J.

President

P.S. You may also choose to pledge or donate online on Jesuit’s web site.

PAG Online Donation PAG Online Pledge PAG Blank Pledge Card