Instructions - Please Read Carefully
How has your Service and Justice engagement from Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior year prepared you for an immersion? Have you stepped outside your comfort zone in service? If so, how? If not, what would you do differently?
Tell us about what interests you most about an immersion. The more developed of an answer you provide here, the better!
When asked to share in reflection in a small group, how is that for you? What role do you find yourself playing in small group discussions? (e.g., always starting the conversation, needing to be asked to speak up, etc.)
Please list the names of two teachers or staff members who can speak to your character.
Please take some time to consider your call to service. In what capacity do you feel most called to serve? What members of the Body of Christ would you like to know more deeply? This application will invite you to indicate whether or not you are available for each immersion and then also provide it with a ranking. We will do our best to place you on the immersion that is most attractive to you, while also factoring in other students' availability and needs.
Do you speak Spanish?
Your response to this question will not eliminate you from consideration for any immersion, but it is helpful information for us to have as we build teams.
For which dates are you available? Mark ALL that apply. Please note that if you plan to work Academics Plus during Summer School, you can still participate in immersion at that time (you would just arrange with Academics Plus to miss the week). To increase the possibility of being placed on immersion, please mark as many dates as possible for your availability.
Indicate your degree of interest in each immersion.
If you are happy to go on any immersion, just indicate "Would gladly go on this immersion" for all applicable. You're not required to pick a top choice or second choice. If you have a tie for second choice or top choice, you can use that label twice. We're really just trying to get a profile of what really interests you so we can match those interests in placing you!
Is there anything else you would like us to know about you/your son's application, including anything placement, date, or cost preferences?
Student Response: We are still confirming all immersion leaders. If there are any adults on campus with whom you would feel uncomfortable being on immersion, please let us know here. This information will remain confidential.
Do you have any medical conditions or dietary restrictions of which we should be made aware?
Some immersions are more equipped than others to accommodate allergies or dietary needs. We want to make sure your health is cared for well.
Parent/Student Consent - Understanding of Application Process
Parent: My signature, as guardian, indicates that the information on my son's application is accurate and that he has my permission to participate in this summer's Immersion Program. I have reviewed my son's preferences and the costs associated with those preferences. I understand that the more preferences my son indicates, the greater the chance he has of being placed on an immersion. I understand that applying to the Immersion Program does not guarantee that my son will be placed on an Immersion team, though every effort will be made to place all interested students.
I understand that by my son completing this application process that I am allowing the Office of Service and Justice and the faculty/staff chaperones to place him on an immersion team or the waiting list. Those involved in the placement process will take many factors into consideration including my son's preferences and the preferences of all other applicants. Students and their parents will be notified of the status of the application via the email addresses given in this application and prior to the end of the first semester. If my son is placed on an immersion, we will Christmas Break to discuss the acceptance and either agree to the immersion or withdraw the application. If we decide to withdraw the application, we understand the $200 deposit is non-refundable. If my son is placed on the waiting list, the $200 deposit will be refunded if he is not ultimately offered a placement.
Parent & Student: We understand that by completing this application process we are agreeing for the student applicant to be placed on an immersion. Those involved in the placement process will take into consideration many factors including the applicant's preferences. If selected for an immersion, we understand that we cannot petition to change the location of the service placement. We will have Christmas Break to discuss this acceptance with my family and either agree to the immersion or withdraw the application.
We understand that the student applicant is placed on an Immersion team based on his application, recommendations, interview, preferences and the preferences and needs of all other student applicants.
Parent/Student Understanding of Commitment
Participating in immersion requires preparation. This will include attendance at meetings, fundraising to support the agencies that host us, and consistent work during the week of the immersion itself. Students will be expected to work with their group to amplify the voices heard on immersion when they return to campus in the fall. If selected, the student and their parents will receive schedule for the spring with the acceptance letter. Obligatory dates for participation include: a January parent/student/trip leader meeting (date TBA); 3 meetings (set by your adult leader); submission of $150 in donations by March 3; and participation in the full Service Immersion (from the time the immersion begins until it ends--students must be present for the entire experience). We also ask students to participate in amplifying their experiences on immersion throughout the Fall 2023 so that others can learn from their experiences. Participation in an immersion can count towards a student's Senior or Junior Service and Justice requirement. Failure to participate in all of the requirements indicated above will result in the withholding of credit, or possible removal from the team, if necessary.
Parent & Student: Yes, I understand that participation on an immersion requires preparation and follow-up and am willing to fulfill the requirements. This includes the evening and collaboration period meetings. This also includes being present to the entire immersion from start to finish, and amplifying the voices and stories we heard on immersion to the wider campus upon our return.
Parent Understanding of Immersion Costs & Payment Plans
I understand that if my son is selected for an immersion I will need to be prepared to pay the full immersion cost, unless we have requested and are subsequently granted partial financial assistance. If my son is selected for an immersion, I will attend the designated parent evening in January and on that evening bring a check made out to Jesuit High School for the full amount disclosed in the acceptance email or a copy of the receipt reflecting the payment online. If I would rather setup a payment plan of three equal payments beginning on the night of the parent evening in January, followed by the first of the month in February and March, I will indicate that below. I am aware that immersions outside of California need to purchase airline tickets soon after the January parent meeting and once plane tickets have been purchased the full balance of the trip cost is non-refundable. I am aware that the non-profits with whom JHS contracts to host immersions have their own financial deadlines that JHS has already financed. If my son decides to withdraw from the immersion, Jesuit will not be able to reimburse any deposits made on my son’s behalf to the non-profits with whom JHS has contracted. I understand that if my son needs to be sent home during an immersion or camp, I am responsible for the transportation/airfare and must travel to chaperone him home.
I understand the costs associated with the local, domestic, and international immersions as well as the payment plan policy.
Covid-19 Mitigation and Vaccine Requirement
As established by the JHS Safety Committee and host agencies, all participants must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. While agencies are finalizing their requirements for 2023, we anticipate most if not all also requiring the bivalent booster (when eligible). We will require students to rapid test prior to departure and will utilize relevant mitigation practices while on immersion. Any student with a documented medical exemption should contact the Office of Service and Justice to discuss potential placements.
I understand that students participating in the Immersion program must be vaccinated against Covid-19.
Parent/Student Understanding of Fundraising
In addition to the immersion cost, each student participating on an Immersion is required to fundraise a minimum of $150 which may be used to offset any unexpected trip cost but primarily to donate to the nonprofits he will work with during the Immersion. Each student will receive resources for fundraising to invite family, friends, and parishes to donate. All donation money is due no later than Friday, March 3, 2023. Donations are tax deductible and all donors will receive an acknowledgment and tax receipt. I understand I will be expected to make-up the difference by the following week if my son falls short of raising this minimum.
Parent & Student: Yes, we understand the $150 donation requirement due by March 3, 2023.
Financial Assistance & Payment Plan Request
We want the immersion program to be accessible to as many students as possible, and try to offer a range of experiences (in terms of cost) to make immersion as accessible as possible.
Our limited financial assistance is prioritized for and available to families whose son is currently receiving tuition assistance and is in good standing with the school. Jesuit High School administration will determine how much aid can be distributed.
We place students on a need-blind basis. By that we mean, no student will be turned away from the program due to financial need and we do our best to place students on their top choice immersion regardless of need. That said, we ask you to determine as a family how much you are able to contribute and not select immersions that would be outside of your means. We recognize that this program is a significant investment and we respect the sacrifice it is for your students to participate.
A completed application includes the following (priority deadline of October 28; final deadline of November 4).
1. Submitting your online application (which includes $200 deposit & parent consent).
This includes the student service preferences, student responses, parent/student statements of understanding and $200 deposit. If you will be paying the deposit by check, please make a check out to Jesuit High School for $200 and bring it to Ms. Brabec's office in the Office of Service and Justice no later than 4:00 pm on Friday, October 28 (priority)/November 4 (final). Online payments can be made at the link below; payments must be received by Friday, October 29 (priority)/November 5 (final) at 4:00pm.
2. Please ask two faculty or staff members of Jesuit High School to complete an online recommendation for you.
Please communicate with the two faculty/staff you listed in your application and let them know you have asked them to serve as a reference. They will receive an email from the Office of Service and Justice asking them to complete a form on your behalf.
3. Check your student email for your interview time. Interviews are required for Sophomores and optional for Juniors.
Interviews will begin the week of October 31 and will run for 3 weeks. We will notify students of their interview time via email. We will inform students of their acceptance or waitlist status prior to the end of the first semester.
Allows you to pay only the deposit on a card. Please select "with check" if you plan to pay offline or make other arrangements.
You must submit a $200 check to the Office of Service & Justice before November 4 to be considered for selection. Make checks out to "Jesuit High School"
