Everything you wanted to know about the Endowment Fund, but didn't know who to ask

What is the Endowment Fund all about?

The Endowment Fund's purpose is tuition assistance and to enrich our children's educational experience. Enrichment experiences given to our children through the Endowment Fund can be in the areas of science, computers, music, language, and the arts. The Endowment Fund allows supplemental materials to be purchased for use in the classrooms; people and presentations to be brought to the school either for the entire student body or individual classrooms; and field trips giving children the opportunity to see, explore, and experience new things.

Where does the money come from?

Endowment Fundraising such as the Endowment Dinner; and donations by individuals.

Who decides how the money gets spent?

Being the School Board has the responsibility for the Endowment Fund, it approves requests for spending the funds, and must verify that the materials, activity, or presentation meets the Endowment Fund criteria. The Enrichment Committee of the School Board works with the principal to review the teacher's requests for their class needs. The Enrichment Committee's recommendations are then presented at a School Board meeting for a vote before the entire Board.

What are some things that have been funded from the Endowment Fund in the past?

In 1999 ~ 2000 these activities, events, and supplemental materials were approved for funding:

* A subsidy per student for the 6th grade for their Marin Headlands science camp;

* The 8th Grade trip to Ano Nuevo to see the elephant seals;

* Admission to the Sound of Music for the 6th and 7th Grades;

* Ceramics class for the 4th grade;

* Rumpelstiltskin and a trip to Green Meadow Farms for the 3rd grade;

* Bubble~ology at the Lawrence Hall of Science and a presentation of Story and Structure for Kindergarten;

* Habitat Exploration and the Museum of Art for the 2nd grade;

* The Living Science visit and the Walden Marionettes for the entire school.

The Endowment Fund has also purchased supplemental materials for use in the classrooms and in the specialized classes. These included science videos, art supplies, and computer software and hardware, microscopes, balances, and more.

Will I know which enrichment opportunities the children have received that were provided or partially covered by the Endowment Fund?

Absolutely, we want people to know what opportunities the children have received that were compliments of the Endowment Fund or were subsidized by the Endowment Fund. As these activities or purchases occur you will be hearing about them. We are proud of our ability to offer our children enriching opportunities and want people to know what's being done. Field trips and special activities should appear in the monthly calendar, and other items should appear in the weekly memo.