Kiddo!, the organization largely responsible for funding arts education teachers and specialists as well as supplies for all art, music, curriculum-integrated drama, dance and poetry programs from kindergarten through 8th grade, is celebrating 40 years of doing just that – and much more in 2021.
Kiddo!, the Mill Valley Schools Community Foundation, launches its 2021 Annual Giving Campaign this month to raise at least $2.6 million to preserve programs and staff for over 2,500 students in the upcoming school year.
“The Mill Valley School District believes in educating the whole child. This approach emphasizes academic program studies, social emotional development, physical education and the arts. To achieve this balance, we rely on our excellent teaching staff, strong community support and a well-rounded arts education made possible by financial support from Kiddo!,” District Superintendent Kimberly Berman says. “The funds we receive from Kiddo! ensure an exceptional school experience for our students here in Mill Valley.”
Donation Day Pep Rallies
Kiddo! encourages supporters to contribute each May so that the school district can pay teachers whose employment begins in August. According to Bill Lampl, Kiddo!’s Executive Director, “If we receive a majority of our contributions at the beginning of the campaign, we save valuable volunteer time, reduce fundraising costs and improve district planning for the next school year.”
To encourage early contributions, there will be a Donation Day pep rally at each school. Students, teachers, and staff will celebrate with music, dance and appreciation for the arts in the very footprint of the campuses where these Kiddo!-funded programs are taught.
Donations to Kiddo! can be made online at www.kiddo.org or mailed to Kiddo! at 409 Sycamore, Mill Valley.