On behalf of the Board of Trustees and our entire professional staff,
I want to wish all of you the very best this holiday season.  All of us are very grateful for your continued support of all children in Mill Valley.  As the staff prepares for a well-deserved winter break, there is much we can be proud of here.  The support of our educational partners and our general community will never be taken for granted.  The specific fund raising our PTAs and Kiddo! did to help lessen a funding gap will help us provide the quality of education for the remainder of the 2008-09 school year you all expect.   Everything from the bone marrow registration drive to Middle School Holiday Baskets demonstrates the spirit of giving in our learning community; and provides the example for our children to give back to others.  A fierce dedication to and support for a 'comprehensive' education that demonstrates to our children that rigorous academics and an appreciation for the arts must compliment each other.  Setting the example of collaboration both within our staff and through District committees provides the example that a good school, school district, or community can be great when people know and practice the act of involvement.  Even in these difficult economic times, our staff and families know that one of the best ways to guarantee a strong future is to give our children the kind of education they deserve so they can make our future even stronger.  All of these examples are about the act of giving. So, this holiday season, no matter how you celebrate, pause for a moment.  Look into the eyes of your son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, niece or nephew and tell them how important they are.  Then in the new year, re-commit to not only telling them, but showing them with your own example.  This is the most important gift we will ever give our children.
 
The very best to all of you and may you have a happy new year,