Dear Broadway Community,

I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. As a member of the Board of Directors since 2018, I am both honored and humbled to write to you today and make a request.

My journey with Broadway began as a parent, as my three children, Lulu (10), Leo (8), and Fiona (6), all had the privilege of experiencing the remarkable education provided there. The school’s play-based approach enabled our children and many others to flourish in a creative and nurturing environment. They've developed problem-solving skills, forged lasting friendships, and learned to embrace the joy of learning. Most importantly, they have become the kind, empathetic, and compassionate individuals that our world so desperately needs.

Broadway is more than just an educational institution; it's a vital part of our community's fabric, and it has played an integral role in shaping the lives of countless children. Our school, with its storied history spanning 71 years, stands as an example of longevity and excellence in the realm of early childhood education, and it is one of the oldest and most trusted preschools in the area.

The school has been busy investing in important areas to maintain its leadership position as the preeminent play-based preschool in the East Bay, including:

Staffing: It all starts with our people. We are fully staffed with highly experienced teachers. Filling our staffing needs with such highly qualified, dedicated teachers is tremendous during these times of teacher shortages. The teachers are the soul of Broadway.
Grounds and Facilities: Having been in this building for almost 40 years, we are working to keep up with the physical needs of the school. A few examples of recent investments include the following: resurfacing three play areas in the yard for safety (while also making them “springy,” according to the kids!), rebuilding the playhouse in the yard ("Debbie's House", named for the former director that was with Broadway for over 25 years), and installing a new fire alarm panel. These improvements make our school more safe and fun.
Program expansion: We have expanded our hours and availability of days per week. Children are now able to attend up to five days per week from 8:45a to 3:30p. This flexibility enables Broadway to better meet the needs of its families.
Access for everyone, irrespective of means: With the state of the economy, we continue to help those in need with tuition assistance, something we have done for many years. We hope to expand this program to help more families.

Today, we seek your support to ensure that Broadway continues to flourish for generations to come. The market for preschool education has been fluctuating and challenging since the pandemic, resulting in ongoing financial strain on Broadway. Our annual fund letter has become our primary vehicle for fundraising to offset operational expenses and enable the school to pay for things such as building improvements and scholarships for families in need. As we continue to strive to meet our enrollment goals, we anticipate operating at a net loss again this school year. Therefore, we are again reaching out for community support and aiming to hit a fundraising goal of $75,000 this year.

I hope you will join us in this effort to keep our community thriving, by giving any amount you’re comfortable with. Every contribution, no matter the size, is valuable.

With warm regards and heartfelt gratitude,

David Fleck
Board of Directors
Broadway Children's School of Oakland

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2023-24 Annual Giving Campaign

Broadway Children's School of Oakland is an enduring example of longevity and excellence in early childhood education, serving Bay Area families for over 70 years!