Fundraising for schools

As the start of the school year is Monday, I find myself once again getting obsessed over how things are going at my daughter's school.

The playground there was built in the 70's, when school enrollment was lower. The playground is small and all of the apparatus is made from pressure treated lumber that over the years has started to show serious signs of wear and tear. Many kids have come off the playground crying in pain because of splinters that they've picked up. One of the apparatus is a vertical climbing thing that has caused more than a few kids to fall 6 feet or more with just bark mulch to pad the fall. The thing scares the crap out of me!

The school facilities are now shared by a large program for disabled children and by a developmental preschool program for the district. Kids are bussed in from as much as 45 minutes away. Needless to say, we never see these parents, though their children have special needs that aren't being addressed by our school. After all, how can a child who is wheelchair bound deal with a playground that is covered with mulch?

Some may contend that kids such as this have no needs for playgrounds. A child in a wheelchair doesn't necessarily NEED a jungle gym. But there are things out there for these kids to do on the playground, but they're not going to see them at our school any time really soon.

Our school has been trying to raise the money for a new playground for 3 years now. To date, we've raised a total of around $1000. That's not even enough for a simple jungle gym, let alone any special equipment for kids with special needs. Our school worked up a plan for a playground, but the total on the VERY SMALL setup is over $25,000.

At this rate, my daughter will be out of this school before we raise enough money to replace the playground.

One of the challenges that we have is the school is in an area with a large Hispanic community. The usual fundraising things (wrapping paper sales, for instance) fail because the Hispanic families "just don't do that". The last time I talked to one of the parents, the response I got was "Well, the school should take care of it. That's what we do in Mexico." (quite frustrating!) Combine that with the absentee parents, who never show up for things like bake sales, etc.), and we have a very difficult time raising money for anything.

I was talking to another parent the other day, and we are contemplating making a move to take over the running of the PTO. If I were to do that, though, I would want to go into it with some ideas that might stand a chance of being successful.

So if anyone out there has had some success in aggressive fund-raising projects like this, I'd like to learn from your wisdom. If you are from a multi-cultural neighborhood where some fund-raising techniques work better than others, I'd like to hear them too. Also, if you know how to get companies to pull a few bucks from their pocket for a good cause, I'd like to know that as well.

[frazzledspice]

Many years ago, I was part of a playground-building project in our library park. We had a volunteer architect, volunteer building crews, publicity chairman (that was me), fund-raisers, etc.

It was a great way to build community, too, and my husband and I made many friends through the campaign.

Liability concerns would probably preclude enthusiastic volunteers from ever being able to run a campaign like that again.

I am wondering whether a well-publicized run might be a good fundraiser. Have it begin or end in the playground, so people see what they're trying to improve. See if you can get a mailing list of people who participate in all the runs and walks (there are people who are avid hobbyists, running for every cause.) Add a one-mile "fun-run" for kids (do it around the high school track, perhaps, for safety's sake.) Get pledges.

Since you're in Chicago, do it in October or in the spring.

[conradd]

Originally posted by gracef
I was talking to another parent the other day, and we are contemplating making a move to take over the running of the PTO. If I were to do that, though, I would want to go into it with some ideas that might stand a chance of being successful.

Perhaps your daughter's school is different than the one my son attended from 1st-5th grades, but there was no way in hell a primary grade mom would come in and take over the PTO. Parents attained rank and stature only through hard work, many volunteer hours, and waiting in line for the official positions. Not to say that new parents didn't have a voice - they did. However, the old guard kept control until their children moved on . . . and then those who had been a part of the PTO for several years moved up to take their places. YMMV. Good luck.

So if anyone out there has had some success in aggressive fund-raising projects like this, I'd like to learn from your wisdom. If you are from a multi-cultural neighborhood where some fund-raising techniques work better than others, I'd like to hear them too. Also, if you know how to get companies to pull a few bucks from their pocket for a good cause, I'd like to know that as well.

The best thing our school district did was partner with the business community on a district wide basis to form business-school partnerships. A local business would sign up to work with an elementary, middle or high school. The business would provide field trip opportunities, possibly donate money for "extras", etc. My son's school partnered with a clothing retail chain and the kids made jewelry that was sold in the store (all proceeds going back to the school), did fashion shows at the local mall, designed and implemented a shopper satisfaction survey, etc.

One of the best fundraisers we came up with (my idea, she said modestly) was calendars that we made and sold at Christmas. Each classroom from K-5 (2 classrooms per month) was assigned a month. The class decided on a theme (holiday months were easy) and each child did a 4X5 felt pen drawing consistent with the class theme. I used calendar software to create a 12 month calendar that included teacher in-service days, early releases, vacations, etc., and also included emergency and useful phone numbers on the back cover. Art from each class was included on one month, and the Special Education class was included as well (on the cover, if I remember right, since there were just a few kids). We took orders in November for December 15 delivery and I had the calendars run off and collated at Kinkos. I used the school equipment to spiral bind them, since it would have been too expensive to have it done at Kinkos. We sold them for $5 each and it made quite a bit of money for the school. It took me approximately 10 hours to reduce the artwork, cut out the images, arrange them on the page, and scotch tape them down. The kids were thrilled to see their work in print and it made wonderful and inexpensive holiday gifts.

Deb

[mtbat]

Originally posted by gracef
As the start of the school year is Monday, I find myself once again getting obsessed over how things are going at my daughter's school.


One of the challenges that we have is the school is in an area with a large Hispanic community. The usual fundraising things (wrapping paper sales, for instance) fail because the Hispanic families "just don't do that". The last time I talked to one of the parents, the response I got was "Well, the school should take care of it. That's what we do in Mexico." (quite frustrating!) Combine that with the absentee parents, who never show up for things like bake sales, etc.), and we have a very difficult time raising money for anything.

I was talking to another parent the other day, and we are contemplating making a move to take over the running of the PTO. If I were to do that, though, I would want to go into it with some ideas that might stand a chance of being successful.

So if anyone out there has had some success in aggressive fund-raising projects like this, I'd like to learn from your wisdom. If you are from a multi-cultural neighborhood where some fund-raising techniques work better than others, I'd like to hear them too. Also, if you know how to get companies to pull a few bucks from their pocket for a good cause, I'd like to know that as well.

HUMMMMM-my husband is Hispanic as is his family and I've never heard that "Hispanic Families Don't Do That" . Maybe you could help organize a fund raiser that appealed to a wide multi-cultural base-like a food festival featuring food from hispanic, african american cultures ect-we actually did something very like that at my community college and it was a success and a blast!

I think that you and your friend should look at at least becoming more involved in the PTA.

A couple of things to do-contact local news stations, newpaper writers about raising money for a new playground-make sure to point out about the bussed in kids and no handicapped areas-. contact the school board and ask why there are no funds for helping you-

October and Nov. are sweeps months-so you might have better luck w/ the news stations during that time!

Fridai

[KateTPZ]

Corporate sponsorship has worked well here. When one school wanted to build a computer lab (they had the space but no budget for computers) they took the total cost of the computers and related hardware and software, divided it by the number of students in the school, then approached local businesses asking them to sponsor the cost of computers for a child (or multiple children). As I recall the media businesses (two radio stations who are big on public service and one television station, along with the daily fishwrap) embraced it and were quite generous and, of course, used their contribution for good PR. That good PR turned out to be the ticket - small businesses were contacting the school asking if they could sponsor a child or two.

Do any of the local grocery stores have partnerships with the schools? The Harris Teeter chain here does - along with the "Very Important Customer" card you designate the local school you want to support and they donate a small portion of your purchases to the school. It's more long-term than what you're looking for, but it helps. They also donate cookies, drinks, etc. for school functions (family night, PTA meetings, etc.).

Good luck. It's so frustrating to have uninvolved parents and inadequate school funding, but with the right attitude and a few motivated parents, a lot can be done.

Deb the magnificent said:

Perhaps your daughter's school is different than the one my son attended from 1st-5th grades, but there was no way in hell a primary grade mom would come in and take over the PTO.

That's another problem with our school. We have one of the most pathetic PTO's in the district. The biggest reason is because no one has taken a leadership role. Last year, there wasn't even a real PTO president, let alone a VP! The president the year before that couldn't wait to get rid of the job, and the one 3 ears ago (before we entered a child in the school) quit in disgust half way through the year. I doubt that there will be a real battle over being the head of the organization until it's actually something to be proud of.

One of the common complaints is "We would be more than happy to do something if someone would at least tell us what to do." (Heck, I was one of those people!) So I doubt anyone would have any complaints about someone taking over.

Except for perhaps the prinicipal. She's not really wild about parents who actually have an opinion on something.

But I think that even the principal would be thrilled to have someone take over. She said last year that she's really tired of hearing the parents complain about the state of things in the school when the PTO is so disorganized.

Believe me... If there was actually someone to battle for the position. I'm sure this shocks you, but I'm not really into the schmoozing that's required to run a political campaign.

But at this point, I really want to see thing start to move forward, and like the principal, I'm tired of hearing people waiting for someone, anyone, to care about it enough to take it over. It seems like everyone is waiting for someone to care enough to make things better. As I told my friend, maybe a spark from two people who really care will be enough to start a small fire under some other people who care but who are just too intimidated by the problems to try.

The two of us have had excellent luck with the book fairs at the school the last two years. Sales have gone up over 300% (and not just because we're buying books!) and we were even able to get people to donate books to the school classroom. So who knows... maybe we can be effective in other areas as well.

[conradd]

Go for it, Grace! Don't worry about the principal, work with the teachers. When they understand that the PTO is there to help their efforts in the classroom, and to enhance the overall education for the children, they'll be thrilled.

Deb
chanting GoGraceGoGrace

[CANS4US]

"TAKING OVER THE RUNNING OF THE PTO..........." Sounds good to me but may I give you a bit of advise?!? I live in an urban area which has multiple elementary schools and thus multiple PTO's...all which are run diferently. OUR school has one of the poorest run PTO's around simply because the "chosen few" (as these persons are called by others) have agendas decided BEFORE PTO meetings........and thus only run the items through the meetings to have them officially voted upon to be legal. With a school of over 400 students, we have at least 500 parents available for PTO meetings (this accounts for multiple children in each family) but only a maximum of 35 have ever gone to meetings. This is because of humiliation and cliques that happen throughout the "chosen few". Most persons know all about the PTO and "the chosen few" and thus stay far away....concentrating instead upon helping in their child's classroom. I, myself was one who was humiliated when my son began Kindergarten, by daring to make a suggestion at the PTO meeting........I was glared at, shushed and after the meeting, berated for daring to "speak out again them". After a couple more meetings (I am a die hard at heart!) and more reactions of the same from them....I ceased to go to meetings. I am not alone.

So, what I am saying is this.........it may sound good to run the PTO and I applaud you efforts to want to make a change, but make sure you have a large support group before undertaking such an effort and when you do this....remake your PTO into a PTO that includes ALL parents working together for a common goal....their children!

Good luck..............I hope all works out for you.....I know this is not about the playgorund but I thought you should know what a snake pit you may be letting yourself in for!

Susan

[mtbat]

Grace-I had one thought-I know that there are schools in colorado that post large billboard stlye adds throughout the school and on the buses. These schools were bankrupt-this saved them-it might be worth selling out to get the playground built-

Something to concider when you become prez of the PTO