Putting First Things First: The Novato Charter School 2010 Program Preservation Fund

Amidst all the doom and chaos engulfing California’s public schools, how is it that the sun still shines at the Novato Charter School?

What makes it possible that even after losing over $150,000 in funding over the last two years, our little school has still managed to retrofit all its buildings with compact-fluorescent lighting, complete the Middle School Sports Court and Outdoor Classroom, and become Novato’s 1st solar school? And how has NCS managed to achieve the most amazing transformation of its organic garden while saving $30,000 in the process, greatly strengthen its Science-as-Inquiry Curriculum, and be recognized as an exemplar for its Environmental Education Program, by the Center for Ecoliteracy?

How can that be?

Only one thing can explain this seemingly impossible feat. This community just won’t quit. It won’t compromise. We refuse to accept that our children will have to forego this extraordinary education. From parents, to staff, to the talented group of teachers to whom we entrust our children’s education – all of us have made great sacrifices to keep this magic going. For the second year in a row, NCS staff and faculty have agreed to freeze their salaries, and this year saw the highest number of NCS families pledging a full share. This is the stuff we are made of. This is what makes this school so special.

The worst of the storm is ahead. In 2010-11 alone, our funding is projected to drop by $80,000. This is why this year’s Fund in Need will be invested exclusively in supporting our existing core programs – nothing more.

Will we quit this time? Or compromise? Will we accept that current students will not benefit from the same quality of education enjoyed by their predecessors? Will we keep the sun shining at the Novato Charter School?

Please consider making as generous a donation as you possibly can this year. Your help is needed now more than ever.

Help us Keep the Magic going by donating to Fund in Need here.