“ Programs including the Technology Lab are made possible through support from SPARK. “
“We’re very grateful for ALL the things SPARK does to protect many core programs which would otherwise be eliminated due to budget cuts. By supporting SPARK, we’re supporting these programs.”
Larkspur School District Parent
Headlines & Features
3rd Annual Spark Golf Tournament! On Friday, October 8th, Join us for a great day of golf and fun at the Stonetree Golf Course to support SPARK! This golf tournament is an important fundraiser that bridges the gap between public funding and a quality education which includes small class sizes, teacher aid salaries, and programs like music, art, physical education and technology. Grab a friend and dust off your clubs and join us for a FUN day to support our schools!
KINDERGARTEN CUPCAKE SOCIAL
August 22, 2010 1-3 p.m. at the Neil Cummins Playground
Join us for the Kindergarten Social!
SPARK – The Larkspur School Foundation - invites you to join fellow incoming Neil Cummins kindergartener families at the Kindergarten Cupcake Social.
Meet families your children will be in class with while munching on homemade cupcakes and sipping refreshing lemonade. Stay and enjoy the jumpees, face painting, live music and more! It's sure to be an afternoon of fun in the sun.
eScrip Dining for Dollars Contest—Our Schools Can Win $2,500! Did you know you can dine in a local eatery and raise money for our Schools? Let’s win $2,500 Grand Prize by visiting qualified restaurants through February and March.* Here’s how: Register your credit or debit cards with eScrip Dining rewards and go to restaurants like Ciao Bella Gelato, Round Table Pizza, Tub-Tim Thai and more (including restaurants in San Francisco!). To register and view the full list of participating restaurants click HERE. Please contact Tracey Schuyler and Elein Phipps with questions -- escrip@sparkschools.org
Remember to support the businesses that support our schools:
SHOP SPARK
Become a SPARK Face book Fan and stay posted on fun events and news. Join today and invite other district families, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
How do the Kids Benefit
Over the years, the Foundation has fully funded or supported the following programs. Click on the links below for feature articles about some of these programs:
* Art classes & supplies
* Classroom aides
* Counseling
* Drama
* Instructional materials
* Library resources
* Life Lab
* Motor skills
* Music classes
* Physical Education
* Poets in the Schools
* Reading aides
* Science enrichment
* Spring Concert
* Technology
Unfortunately, taxes do not fully fund the programs that our community demands of its public schools; therefore we need to raise those additional monies through parent, business and community donations. Should you have any questions, comments or concerns about the CML Schools Foundation, please do not hesitate to contact either of the Co-presidents, Scott Key or Molly Wurthrich.
• WHAT WOULD OUR SCHOOLS BE LIKE…
…without support from our family/community?
Budget cuts are a reality. What is not clear is the extent to which the cuts will impact our children and staff. However, should these cuts become effective, it is possible that the programs that have always made our schools unique could go away. Imagine not having Art, Music, Computer Education, Library support, or small class sizes?
The donations that you give to the Foundation provide our District with funds that cannot be controlled by the State.
Your support is critical. Here are some startling facts that you may not have been aware of:
• Less than 50% of property taxes go to schools statewide. It was 42.4% in 2001-02.
• Federal funding provides less than 1% of total school revenues.
• The state lottery provides less than 2% of California’s education budget.
• In 2002, our district spent over $8,434 per student. This is $1,800 more than the state allocates.
• The California State 2004-2005 budget shortfall is estimated to be $8 billion
