Recent News

Save the Date

Michael Thompson, PHD to speak in Mill Valley, February 4th
Mark your calendars for February 4th to hear world-renowned author and child psychologist, Michael Thompson, PhD.  A dedicated speaker and traveler, Dr. Thompson has spoken at or consulted to more than 500 schools in the U.S. and abroad. He has appeared on the Today Show, the Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC 20/20 and CBS 60 Minutes. He was the co-author, host and narrator of a two-hour PBS documentary entitled “Raising Cain: Focus on Boys” which aired in January of 2006.  For more information about Michael Thompson go to his website:  www.michaelthompson-phd.com. 

The event is sponsored by Fidelity Investments and is free to the public. 
In addition, Fidelity will donate $50 to Kiddo! for anyone who goes in for a complimentary portfolio review by April 15, 2009.

Dr. Thompson’s Mill Valley topic, “The Pressured Child,” will be held February 4 at 7pm in the Park School Auditorium.  He will also be speaking earlier in the day in Kentfield and Larkspur. 

Michael’s books will be available for sale and for Michael to sign. (Personal checks and cash only, please.)  Please call Janet McKinley at Fidelity Investments for questions: 415-925-9155 ext 53590.

Kiddo! Community Art Exhibits

 Image by: Patty Sokolecki-Smoot

When you’re out strolling through downtown Mill Valley this holiday season, be sure to stop by the Mill Valley Public Library, as well as the Bank of Marin. These two community oriented locations are acting as Kiddo! galleries during the months of December and January.

Artwork was selected from over 2,500 Kindergarten through 8th grade public school students who receive art instruction thanks to generous donations to Kiddo!

Mill Valley Public Library  375 Throckmorton Avenue
Art on display during the entire month of December
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Thursday 10am - 9pm
Friday 12pm - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Bank of Marin  19 Sunnyside Avenue
Art on display through January 19th
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday 10am - 6pm

Kiddo! 2008-2009 District & School Partners

We are in the process of updating our website with a full list of 2008 - 2009 Business Partners.
Please visit “Ways to Give” / “Business Partnerships” to click on links which will lead you to the websites of District & School Partners for 2008 - 2009. As always, we encourage you to support businesses who support Kiddo!

Kiddo! Gala - Save the Date!

March 14, 2009 - Kiddo! Spring Gala

Mark your calendars for the Kiddo! Spring Gala on March 14 at the Mill Valley Community Center. This is one of the best events in town, so please join us in the fun. We are still enlisting volunteers for auction solicitation, decorations, set up and clean up. We also are in dire need of a catalog editor. Anyone interested can contact Molly Williams or Amy Curtis (mollywilliams@comcast.net, amy.curtis@comcast.net). Thank you!

Gala Auction Items Needed

The Auction Committee is busy gathering wonderful items for the Auction, but we need the help of the entire parent community. Can you help with any of the following?

• Wine collectors! Consider donating a wine vertical, a big bottle or a specially engraved bottle to the Kiddo! Auction.
• Food Lovers! We’re looking for families with connections to restaurants or chefs who can help us put together dining gift certificates, a private dining experience for a group of people with a (known) chef, a cooking class for a group, or any other fun food experience.
• Travelers! Have some miles to use up, or maybe an available vacation home or timeshare, or a hotel contact?
• Sports Fans! Do you or your friends have access to sporting event tickets, luxury boxes, or sports memorabilia?
• Connections! Do you know someone in the movie industry, TV or radio? People love to bid on the behind the scenes tours or autographed items.

If you or anyone you know can help us with these items, please submit an Auction Donation Form or contact one of our Silent Auction chairs:
Kelly Reade            383-8886  ksreade@comcast.net
or
Ahtossa Fullerton   383-1803   ahtossa@hotmail.com

2008 Annual Campaign Update

Welcome back to school!  THANK YOU to the 905 families who have already donated to the 2008 Annual Campaign. Your generous contributions will help us preserve important arts and technology programs for our students, as well as preserve library and classroom aides.

eScrip Amnesty!

If you are registered with eScrip but have not yet updated your information for the 2008-2009 school year, it’s never too late!  The sooner you do, the sooner your shopping will generate dollars for the important programs that Kiddo! supports.

Did you know that Kiddo! is the second highest recipient of eScrip funds in the nation thanks to participating Mill Valley families?  It’s because of your support and annual renewals with eScrip that we raise over $100,000 a year through eScrip and grocery rebate programs for the essential arts and technology programs that enrich our children’s education, all at no cost to you.  PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE and fill out the bright green Shop-4-Kids Form (included in your first day packets and available in your school office) and return it to the Kiddo! offices. You may also download the form directly off this website! Go to the top bar: About Kiddo!/Useful Forms/Ways to GIve/escrip Shop-4-Kids Form (pdf) or go to www.eScrip.com and enroll or update your information online. Questions?  Call Patty Flax in the Kiddo! offices at 389-7789

Kiddo! Kudos

We want to say a special thank you to the sponsors, participants and volunteers for two of our recent, and very successful events:

Kiddo! Golf Tournament

Many thanks to Louie Stervinou for organizing a fabulous day on the links.  On Friday, October 24th, 95 players from expert golfers to duffers competed for prizes and enjoyed the wonderful weather.  Congratulations to the winning team - Andrew McCormick, Bill Ryder, Peter Teese and Richard Copeland.

Special thanks to Tournament Sponsors MHN and Maria Maria.

We would also like to thank our Individual Hole Sponsors: Eastdil Secured, House Properties, Morgan Lane Real Estate, Murphy, Pearson, Bradley & Feeney, UBS, DTS Group, Kathleen Clifford – Morgan Lane Real Estate, Land America Title, Wetherby Asset Management, AngelPoints, Bliss & Glennon, Chris Glave – Marin Fine Living, Eric Altree & Warren Mullen – Pacific Union, Thompson Dorfman, Thomson Reuters, and Tiburon Lodge and 3 Degrees Restaurant.

And of course we can’t forget to thank our In Kind Sponsors: Bartenders Unlimited, Brazen Head, Close Enough, Jonathan & Deborah Goldman, La Coppa Coffee, Lexus of Marin, Mendocino Brewing Company, Sportsfluid.com, Trophy Masters, and XYZ Graphics.

Later that evening golfers and their guests celebrated at The Outdoor Art Club with dinner provided by Maria, Maria.

For more photos of the great tournament: click here.

Tyler Florence Book Launch

On October 20th, Kiddo! supporters enjoyed a special pre-release book launch party with local celebrity chef and author Tyler Florence. Guests enjoyed wine and appetizers prepared by Tyler from his two fabulous new cookbooks.  All proceeds from the event benefitted Kiddo! and we want to thank Tyler and Tolan Florence for their generosity and spirited support of our schools. Visit the Tyler Florence website at www.tylerflorence.com

New - Kiddo! Scholar Circle

Introducing the new Kiddo! Scholar Circle, a special program to recognize and celebrate our most generous donors, $5,000-$50,000+. Please consider joining us as a Founding Member as we increase our fundraising efforts to offset District budget shortfalls. Your 2008 contribution will save library and classroom aides, as well as preserve the vital arts and technology programs our children deserve. Click here for more information about this exciting opportunity.

Welcome to the New Kiddo! Website

Welcome to the new Kiddo! website! Thanks to the generous contribution of time and talent by our friends at Good Dog Design, we are proud to launch this new and improved site. Kiddo.org is now the best place to find out the latest information on Kiddo! news and events, upcoming performances, volunteer opportunities and much, much more. Part blog, part calendar, part video/photo clearinghouse – this is the place to learn what tremendous programs are in store for your children grade-by-grade, to view (and sniff through) our annual video, and to make a donation to help protect the exceptional education our children deserve. So please visit often and let us know what we can do to improve. With your support, we can continue to help Mill Valley’s children reach their full potential.