Marin’s public school foundations received $650,000 from SchoolsRule-Marin, county education officials announced this week during SchoolsRule’s 9th annual distribution event.
“SchoolsRule’s mission is even more critical as the needs of our schools and our students have only increased during these challenging times,” said Trisha Garlock, SchoolsRule board president. “We are beyond grateful for our generous business partners and individual donors who continued their support, demonstrating their belief that every child deserves the very best educational opportunities — regardless of current circumstances or zip code.”
The distribution event was held online Tuesday through schoolsrulemarin.org.
The funds, donated by businesses, community agencies and individual donors, are distributed equally on a per-student basis to provide direct support for programs in the areas of literacy, the arts, technology and health. The per-student distribution model helps to ensure that all public schools in Marin have the resources they need to fully meet the needs of their students.
“The seemingly simple operational principle on which SchoolsRule was founded — One Child, One Dollar — is so elegant in its simplicity, and yet so profound in its meaning,” said Thomas Peters, president and CEO of the Marin Community Foundation, in a video address shown at Tuesday’s online event.
“Every child is equal. Every child is worthy. Every child has abilities. Every child has dreams as do his or her parents and guardians,” Peters said. “SchoolsRule is based on these truths, and all of you who have been so devoted to this magical program have helped to bring these truths to the fore.”
In past years, nearly 50% of funds raised were received from SchoolsRule’s annual summer fundraising event at the Marin County Fairgrounds. Having to cancel this year’s fundraiser due to COVID-19 posed unforeseen fundraising challenges, but SchoolsRule continued to receive significant support from the community.
“As a community, we are fortunate to have local businesses, agencies and individuals who believe in the vision of SchoolsRule and who truly understand the positive impact of quality educational opportunities for all students,” said Mary Jane Burke, Marin superintendent of schools. “Our entire community benefits when all kids succeed in school and in life.”
Burke said Marin’s two largest school districts, Novato Unified and San Rafael City Schools, will be able to help many more students with the money from SchoolsRule.
Novato, which serves 7,346 students, received $132,511. The district plans to use the money to purchase technology focused on closing the digital divide and to support the school libraries, music, visual art and dance programs and student health and safety.
San Rafael, which serves 7,089 students, plans to use their $127,872 in funding to support an expanded virtual arts-and-wellness enrichment program for elementary students and college consulting services in the high schools.
Since its inception in 2011, SchoolsRule has distributed nearly $5.5 million, directly benefiting every child in every district in Marin. More information can be found at schoolsrule.org.
