Kiddo! FAQ

Select any question to view the information. Select the 'question' again to close it.

Kiddo! is the primary fundraising organization for the Mill Valley School District. Founded in 1982 as the Mill Valley Schools Community Foundation, Kiddo! is an independent, non-profit, public-benefit corporation that has raised more than $35 million for Mill Valley’s six K-8 public schools. Kiddo!’s mission originally focused on preserving arts programming in Mill Valley schools. Due to state budget cuts, Kiddo!'s scope has expanded over the years. In collaboration with the school district, Kiddo! now also supports other vital programs that benefit all students, including physical education, technology, library and classroom aides, and innovative teaching programs. Kiddo!'s goal is to raise $3.1 million in 2019 to fund these programs for the 2019-20 school year.

Kiddo! provides the funds required for these district needs:
• Art teachers and materials (grades K-8)
• Vocal Music teachers and supplies (grades K-8)
• Instrumental Music teachers, assistants and supplies (grades 4-8)
• Classroom and Library Aides (all schools and grades)
• Dance specialists (grades K, 4 & 5)
• Curriculum-integrated Drama Programs (grades 2 & 4-8)
• Poetry specialists (grades 1 & 3-6)
• District Tech Coach (district-wide)
• Teacher Grants for innovative teaching programs (all schools)
• Physical Education teachers (grades K-5)
• Global Studies Instructor (all grades)
• Music Technology (MVMS)
• Robotics (MVMS)
• Scientific Drawing (all 7th graders)
• Math "Design a House project (all 6th graders)

In the 2018-19 school year, Kiddo! provided funding to the district for a World Language pilot program for all kindergarten students. The program expanded to Kindergarten and First Grade in the 2019-20 school year. Students participate two times per week and Spanish is taught through songs, stories and activities. The District's goal is to roll out World Language to all elementary grades over the next several years.

Kiddo! makes an annual commitment to the Mill Valley School District to fund these essential programs and services. Kiddo! asks district families to contribute each year to Kiddo!’s Annual Campaign to raise funds to meet these commitments. To fund all existing Kiddo! programs in the current school year, the request per student is $1,350. Please give as generously as you can. Every amount helps! Our goal is to have 100% family participation and we appreciate donations of all sizes. In recent years, donations have ranged in size from $25 to $50,000.

Yes! Many people spread payments out over time. You can sign up for an automatic credit card payment or checking account withdrawal each month, or you can create a custom monthly payment schedule, provided payments conclude no later than the end of the school year. Create a payment plan online or on the mail-in form, or call the Kiddo! office at 415-389-7789. Start the payment plan process here.

In addition to your annual donation, there are a number of other ways to help support Kiddo!:
• Earn money for Kiddo! while you shop. Some merchants will automatically donate to Kiddo! while you shop. Learn what merchants to visit and how to sign up for shopping rebate programs.
• Attend the Spring Gala. Kiddo! encourages everyone to attend the Kiddo! Spring Gala, held every other year. Our next Gala is in March of 2021. (Note: Some of the proceeds from the Gala benefit the Kiddo! Endowment for the Arts, but may be used to fund teachers and programs if Annual Campaign goals are not met in a given year.)
• Volunteer. Kiddo! relies on many volunteers for our success. Make new friends and have fun while doing something vitally important for our schools! Learn about opportunities.

The District, PTAs, and Kiddo! work together to deliver an exemplary education at every school. Each school's Parent Teacher Association (PTA) raises money for school-specific enhancements such as classroom supplies, library books, parent education, technology equipment, and education events at that school. Kiddo! helps the district by providing the funding for arts education and academic programs equitably across the District. The funding that Kiddo! provides is primarily used by the district to pay the salaries of its teachers and specialists for district-wide programs like art, music, P.E., drama, dance, poetry, technology support and classroom and library aides. Please support both organizations, as both provide vital programs and services at your school.

The Mill Valley School Board and District administration determine the curriculum for the District, establish priorities for program development, and identify crucial District needs. Kiddo! then collaborates with the District to provide funding where needed to execute the Board-approved plan. All programs and services funded by Kiddo! are developed and managed by the District, and all teachers and staff are employees or contractors of the District. Click here to learn more about the Mill Valley School District.