Jeannette MacMillan is fundraising
Support The New School of Berkeley
*Update! We met our winterizing goal and the school is running smoothly with new air filters and outdoor tents! Thanks so much to all our generous donors! Now we are continuing to seek donations to support the long-term stability of the school's finances. Currently, tuition is not sufficient to cover labor costs so the school continues to draw upon its reserves. Please donate now so we can replenish the reserves that are being drained by the lower enrollment numbers.*
New School is a diverse community that keeps the joy and wonder of childhood at its center. It’s a fun, relaxed place where children feel secure and gain confidence. Kids learn to tell stories, to raise caterpillars into butterflies, to climb high on the structures, to talk through conflicts with classmates, to help out a hurt friend by running to get an icepack, to help their world by putting leftovers in the green bin, and to boogie down at dance parties.
Although fairies and elves do like to visit New School, the progress kids make there isn’t magic- it happens through the hard work put in every day by a team of compassionate and experienced teachers. This school has been a bedrock local institution for over 50 years, with operating hours that support working parents.
When the pandemic hit in March 2020, the school shut down, along with the rest of the Bay Area. Kids had to stay home. It was a confusing and isolating time. Some parents noticed their previously happy-go-lucky children regressing and acting depressed. Parents struggled to care for their kids while working.
A few months in, the New School leadership put together a science-based plan to reopen at reduced enrollment levels, operating largely outside to cut down on coronavirus exposure. The school reopened July 1 with two preschool-age groups (divided into nappers and non-nappers) and a school-age camp group. In August, the school-age camp group developed into an innovative school-age child care group, offering distance learning support alongside classic New School creative play. Those kids who were depressed during lockdown are back to their joyful, playful selves.
New School has been careful with its finances over the years, and had a reserve that was able to carry it through the first months. But the lower enrollment required to meet COVID-19 protocols and reduce staff’s exposure has had a serious impact on the school’s bottom line. Every month, the reserves are further depleted. That’s why a group of parents has come together to kickoff this fundraising campaign.
It’s time for the community to give back to New School so we can ensure that generations of children to come get to experience the freedom and friendship of this special place. An immediate need is to winterize the school so that the groups can continue to stay outside through the winter. Approximately $10,000 dollars could provide for tents, outdoor heaters and lights, and improved air purifiers. After that need is met, funds are needed to subsidize operation costs until enrollment can be increased. We are setting an initial goal of $40,000.
We hope that current and past families, neighbors, alumni, relatives, and other friends of New School can support this GoFundMe campaign. Here's an idea of what your donation at different levels could provide:
$25= Friendship level – pays for backup masks!
$50= Peace Circle level- pays for backup food!
$100= Artist's Level- pays for art supplies! All donors at this level or above will receive artwork from a New School kid.
$200= Kitchen Crew level- pays for an outdoor heater so lunches outside can be cozy!
$300= Teacher's Assistant level- pays for air purifiers for one classroom!
$500= Green level- pays for one week of daily cleaning of the school!
$1800= Friend Forever- pays for one month’s tuition for a New School kid!
We are asking those with financial resources to give generously here on this page, or just send a check directly to New School. All contributions are tax deductible. Those who donate over $100 will receive a unique, handmade work of genuine New School kid art. Please help us spread the word about this fundraising campaign broadly within your personal networks. Thank you!
To send a check directly to New School, so they will receive the contribution faster and more easily than going through this website, please send a check made out to "The New School of Berkeley" (exact name required), and mail it to 1606 Bonita Ave., Berkeley CA 94709.
New School is a diverse community that keeps the joy and wonder of childhood at its center. It’s a fun, relaxed place where children feel secure and gain confidence. Kids learn to tell stories, to raise caterpillars into butterflies, to climb high on the structures, to talk through conflicts with classmates, to help out a hurt friend by running to get an icepack, to help their world by putting leftovers in the green bin, and to boogie down at dance parties.
Although fairies and elves do like to visit New School, the progress kids make there isn’t magic- it happens through the hard work put in every day by a team of compassionate and experienced teachers. This school has been a bedrock local institution for over 50 years, with operating hours that support working parents.
When the pandemic hit in March 2020, the school shut down, along with the rest of the Bay Area. Kids had to stay home. It was a confusing and isolating time. Some parents noticed their previously happy-go-lucky children regressing and acting depressed. Parents struggled to care for their kids while working.
A few months in, the New School leadership put together a science-based plan to reopen at reduced enrollment levels, operating largely outside to cut down on coronavirus exposure. The school reopened July 1 with two preschool-age groups (divided into nappers and non-nappers) and a school-age camp group. In August, the school-age camp group developed into an innovative school-age child care group, offering distance learning support alongside classic New School creative play. Those kids who were depressed during lockdown are back to their joyful, playful selves.
New School has been careful with its finances over the years, and had a reserve that was able to carry it through the first months. But the lower enrollment required to meet COVID-19 protocols and reduce staff’s exposure has had a serious impact on the school’s bottom line. Every month, the reserves are further depleted. That’s why a group of parents has come together to kickoff this fundraising campaign.
It’s time for the community to give back to New School so we can ensure that generations of children to come get to experience the freedom and friendship of this special place. An immediate need is to winterize the school so that the groups can continue to stay outside through the winter. Approximately $10,000 dollars could provide for tents, outdoor heaters and lights, and improved air purifiers. After that need is met, funds are needed to subsidize operation costs until enrollment can be increased. We are setting an initial goal of $40,000.
We hope that current and past families, neighbors, alumni, relatives, and other friends of New School can support this GoFundMe campaign. Here's an idea of what your donation at different levels could provide:
$25= Friendship level – pays for backup masks!
$50= Peace Circle level- pays for backup food!
$100= Artist's Level- pays for art supplies! All donors at this level or above will receive artwork from a New School kid.
$200= Kitchen Crew level- pays for an outdoor heater so lunches outside can be cozy!
$300= Teacher's Assistant level- pays for air purifiers for one classroom!
$500= Green level- pays for one week of daily cleaning of the school!
$1800= Friend Forever- pays for one month’s tuition for a New School kid!
We are asking those with financial resources to give generously here on this page, or just send a check directly to New School. All contributions are tax deductible. Those who donate over $100 will receive a unique, handmade work of genuine New School kid art. Please help us spread the word about this fundraising campaign broadly within your personal networks. Thank you!
To send a check directly to New School, so they will receive the contribution faster and more easily than going through this website, please send a check made out to "The New School of Berkeley" (exact name required), and mail it to 1606 Bonita Ave., Berkeley CA 94709.
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