‘Spring’ Fundraiser Targets Art Programs
After two years of focusing on student health and wellness, the Castro Valley Education Foundation (CVEF) is now setting its sights on raising funds to improve arts programs across all Castro Valley schools.
The Foundation is holding its annual “Spring for Education” next Friday, April 26, starting at 6 p.m., at the Adobe Art Center. Tickets for the dinner are $65 apiece and are tax-deductible, along with donations for the silent and live auctions.
Auction items include performing arts tickets to venues like the San Francisco Symphony, locally performed Broadway shows, and Castro Valley Center for the Arts. Local sporting event tickets, paraphernalia, vacations, getaways, and school-sponsored art-themed baskets are available.
New this year are auctioned works by local artists, student art from across the Castro Valley Unified School District (CVUSD), and AP Art Students.
Returning this year will be “Dollars for Desserts,” a bidding game that brought in $500 for a single cake last year.
“Do you know how many paint brushes you can buy with $500?” laughs Sara Mascio, CVEF vice president and scholarship chairman. “I'm also excited about the art presentations from the high school AP Arts Class, which will show attendees their work, and the professional session, which will allow them to sell their works.”
Mascio noted that the Spring for Education fundraiser complements existing arts programs.
“For example, these families with the Castro Valley Music Parents Society do a fabulous job at those schools, but there are different elements that we can add to all schools,” Mascio said. “The CVEF also sponsors an annual innovation grant in the fall, which is about $5,000 to $10,000 that we grant to teachers, school district staff, and/or parents who have an idea to implement in the schools.”
Jennifer Jervis, a former Castro Valley High School arts teacher and the new Arts Programs resource across the CVUSD, is partnering with CVEF on the event.
“CVUSD is excited about the opportunities that Prop 28 [2022 voter-approved arts funding for K-12 Grades] creates for our students. We expanded our visual and performing arts (VAPA) offerings in all of our elementary schools already this year. We are looking forward to additional VAPA class options at our middle and high schools next year with the support of events like CVEF’s Spring for Education,” said Jervis.
Statistics show arts programs for children improve their academic achievement, attendance records, and college readiness and have a long-term impact on economics.
According to the California Arts Council, ten percent of California's jobs are in the creative industries, accounting for 7.8 percent of California's growth domestic product (GDP). California's creative industries employ 1.4 million workers who earn $99.3 billion in annual income.
Over the past two years, CVEF raised $45,000 ($20,000 in 2022 and $25,000 in 2023) for Mental Health and Wellness programs across the school district, bringing more resources to all Castro Valley Schools.
In addition to arts programs for Castro Valley students, the Education Foundation fundraisers support the high school’sSenior Awards Night, where students receive around 65 scholarships and academic awards. The Awards Night is scheduled for May 23.
Visit the CVEF website to order Spring for Education tickets and more information about the foundation (https://www.cvef.org/events-2/spring-for-education/)