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Introduction to Kiddo!, the Mill Valley Schools Community Foundation
How does Kiddo! support the Mill Valley School District?
Kiddo!, the Mill Valley Schools Community Foundation, is an independent, non-profit, public-benefit corporation founded by parents in 1982 to support arts programming in our six Mill Valley public schools. Kiddo! has also collaborated with District leaders to provide funding for other programs that benefit the needs of all students, including technology, library and classroom aides, and innovative teaching programs. Parents and community members can learn more, volunteer, and get involved at www.kiddo.org.
What Kiddo! Funds
At every elementary school, Kiddo! funding supports many people and programs.
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Kiddo! provides funding for salaries of Art teachers, Music teachers, Chorus teachers, Orchestra and Band teachers.
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Kiddo! funds Dance, Poetry and/or Drama instruction in every grade.
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Kiddo! provides funding for Teacher Grants to help teachers bring innovative ideas into their classroom. All MVSD teachers are eligible to apply each year.
At MVMS, Kiddo! funding also supports many programs and teachers:
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Kiddo! provides funding for salaries of Art teachers, Instrumental Music teachers, and Vocal Music teachers.
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Kiddo! funds Poetry in 6th grade.
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Kiddo! funds the Shakespeare program and performances for all 7th grade and Word for Word literary drama for 8th grade.
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Kiddo! funds a Yoga unit for all grades during P.E.
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Kiddo! funds the MVMS Robotics Club.
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Kiddo! provides funding for the Spring Cabaret for all grades.
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Kiddo! provides funding for Teacher Grants to help teachers bring innovative ideas into their classroom. All MVSD teachers are eligible to apply each year.
Arts Education in Mill Valley Public Schools
Because of Kiddo! support, the Mill Valley School District is able to provide our students with an unparalleled, top-notch education that values the arts as much as any other content area. This is integral to our Strategic Plan, and it is a point of pride for our District that students in all six of our schools participate in a diverse array of enriching experiences that deepen and expand their learning every year, from transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade.
How Kiddo! Helps Elementary and Middle School Teachers
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Support for Core Curriculum. The arts are not "extras", they are part of the core curriculum in California. Kiddo! funds support the art and music programs and provide dance, drama and poetry specialists.
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Specialized Instruction. In districts that can't afford dedicated staff for art or music, classroom teachers often teach these subjects, squeezing them in when they can. Mill Valley students receive regularly scheduled art, music, drama, dance, and poetry from professionals trained in these subjects.
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Teaching Grants. Kiddo! also funds grants so classroom teachers can try new and innovative programs. This year Kiddo! has funded over $50,000 in teaching grants across the District.
Each year, with the help of parent volunteers from every school, Kiddo! raises over $2.5 million in funds for our District, to help us support education to Mill Valley’s public elementary and middle school students.
Learn more about volunteering, events, and other ways to get involved at https://kiddo.org/
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