Children's Network

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Children's Network Grant is one of six Drug and Alcohol Department grants. Located at Spring Valley and Lomita Park schools, it provides special services to families and students in kindergarten through 3rd grades. It includes funding an After School Homework Center used by more that 40 eligible students at each school. The children receive assistance with homework or school related activities under the supervision of three tutors, Senior Citizen volunteers from A.A.R.P., American Association of Retired People, and Mills High School and Taylor Middle School volunteers.

The grant is a collaborative effort joined by the two Millbrae Elementary Schools, Family Services of San Mateo County , and Millbrae Park and Recreation Department. These agencies have been supported in their work by the San Mateo effort, Operation School Bell, a children's non-profit clothing project and Second Food Harvest of San Mateo and Santa Clara. Under the direction of Mr. Howard Kaplan and Spring Valley coordinator, Mrs. Kim Anderson, The Millbrae Park and Recreation Department arranges scholarships to Summer Fun Club, giving children an opportunity to be with others, outdoors, in positive organized activities. These ARE funded by the grant when resources are sufficient to cover the summer costs.

Operation School Bell clothes the children in the district, supplying warm jackets, shoes and other clothing for use during the winter months. Coordinator, Denise Coffaro, is funded through the Network Grant. The Family Service agency through the efforts of Susan Houston Martin recruits the Senior Citizen tutors and has established a job training program at Spring Valley and Lomita Park. They also qualify the Network to receive snacks for the children in the homework program from Second Food Harvest. These snack foods ARE NOT funded by the grant.

The Children's Network program has been very successful in its 5 years in the Millbrae Schools. It has been the recipient of the Kent Award because of it meritorious impact on the lives of young students. with its focus on resilience and resistance skill development. The Network was a major drive in the improvement efforts of the Spring Valley school which was recognized with the California Distinguished School Award, 1994-1998. It serves 40 students and 30 families each year.

Annually the Drug and Alcohol Department must appeal to the County Board of Supervisors to continue funding for the grant program. Spring Valley is most grateful for the success of the Network supporters for their efforts and assistance which allows the school to continue the project.

Spring Valley School
817 Murchison Drive, Millbrae, CA 94030
(650)697-5681

Last updated September 2003

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