Kiddo! Funds at Work at Edna Maguire

In the last issue of the Pony, we provided a few highlights of how Kiddo! Mini Grants are enriching our students' education. Below is a more detailed article from Kiddo! explaining how these grants are being used by Edna teachers this year.

Congratulations to Edna Maguire teachers Nora Thomas, Jenny Leogrande, Lisa Stapp, and Judith Barry for winning Kiddo! Mini-Grants for this school year! Teresa Shern, Aubry O'Connor and Adam Sanchez will also be receiving funds for "America Sings" through Kiddo!'s Drama Block Grants. Thanks to your generous donations, Kiddo! can provide annual grants to our teachers to foster innovative programs in their classrooms. The $17,000 that funded these programs included a generous donation of $5,000 from the Mill Valley Rotary Club. The remaining $12,000 was raised by parents at Kiddo!'s 2009 Spring Gala who lifted their paddles for "Fund-a-Need."

Thanks to Nora Thomas's grant, Edna Maguire students will attend a performance of the String Quartet Eos Ensemble, led by violinist and Edna Maguire parent, Craig Reiss. The interactive performance will demonstrate such elements of music as harmony, melody, rhythm, pitch, and tempo. Students will have an opportunity to conduct, sing, and rearrange a "musical puzzle."

Jenny Leogrande's grant will also benefit the classrooms of Julie Bremer, Nandita Stachon, and Shana Stewart by bringing local dance instructor Annie Leese (Artistic Director, Performing Arts Academy of Marin) to Edna's first graders. Her "American Dance through the Decades" program will begin with a 1910 soft shoe routine and culminate with 1970's disco. These dance classes will provide a physical and creative outlet to the students as well as an education in American culture.

Lisa Stapp is excited to introduce multi-cultural history to Edna Maguire. Her grant, in combination with PTA funding, will bring the Eth-Noh-Tec troupe to the entire school. This innovative performance company will showcase Asian stories and folktales, bringing to life this ancient and influential culture.

Judith Barry submitted an application on behalf of all Edna third grade teachers including: Katie Govi, Kimba Lackey and Carrie Morgan. This award will allow the third grade students to generate and perform a musical "wrap/review" of their academic year of learning. This musical synthesis will present their year of learning, while allowing the children to gain a deeper appreciation for performing/visual arts. The act of creating the musical for the school community will encourage the students to develop oral communication, social, and life skills. The project will culminate in a performance for their parents and the school community.

"We are extremely fortunate to be able to enhance our children's already rich curricula with these creative programs," said Trisha Garlock, Kiddo!'s executive director. "But none of it would be possible without the incredible support of our parents and community at large."

For more information on the Kiddo! Mini-Grant program and this year's recipients, please visit www.Kiddo.org or call the Kiddo! office at 389-7789.

Kiddo! Gala Tickets on Sale NOW

Join us for an evening of great food, wine, and dancing at the Kiddo! Gala on Saturday, March 12. The party goes from 5:30 p.m. until midnight at the Mill Valley Community Center. Don't delay your ticket purchase! This popular event always sells out, and the price goes up on March 1. Get your tickets at www.kiddogala.org. You can buy individual tickets or organize a table of 10.

Our silent and live auction is packed with fabulous gifts, services, art, food, wine, and travel packages. The online auction begins on March 1. The gala website has all the details. 

District-wide Art Show at the Mill Valley Community Center

Please stop by the Mill Valley Community Center between February 25 and March 30 to see artwork created by students from all six schools. The exhibition includes work from students in grades K-8, and artwork is beautifully framed and displayed in the Community Center lobby. On Tuesday, March 1, there will be a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. to celebrate our young artists. You can view the exhibit Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on February 23