posted on April 19, 2001 12:39:13 PM
Do you teach, mentor, tutor, or volunteer in some other direct hands on activity within your local public schools?
To start the topic off, how many are involved in raising money for those special extras for your school? How do you raise money? Does your community support you on these projects or is it hard to do?
I am in the middle of a fundraiser for one of our local schools. We are having a Spring Bazaar. We play games, serve food, and have fun while earning extra money. Part of the money this year will be spent on new playground equipment, special speakers and events, new library books, and other things we would like our kids to have. We are lucky that our community supports each of the public schools.
posted on April 19, 2001 01:08:49 PM
When our sons were in elementry school I volunteered two days a week, as a teacher's aid. Helping each of our sons teachers in anyway I could. Also helped with supervising the children at recess and lunch time breaks.
Then I participated in school fund raisers by baking cookies, brownies, cakes that were sold at the different school functions, parties. We also held paper drives, aluminum can drives, etc. to help the schools raise funds.
When our sons played sports (outside of school) my husband and I were very active in all fund raisers that benefitted the children and the school who allowed the use of their fields for these games.
posted on April 19, 2001 01:19:33 PM
Also wanted to mention that we ran Spring and X-mas boutiques each year, where the money from the rental of the crafters tables, and the food that was donated and cooked by volunteers to sell were used as fund raisers too.
Of course there were the carnivals, the raffles etc. We made a fortune on the jello throwing contests. For some reason the children 'loved' throwing jello at their teachers and the principal. Brave souls that they were.
Hope you don't mind my asking but how long ago was this and was the schools system rural, suburban, or urban?
Now back to fundraisers, how did the jello throwing contests work? That sounds messy but fun. That might even work for some adult fundraisers for civic groups. I know some local people I'd pay to throw jello at. LOL
posted on April 19, 2001 01:51:46 PM
inside - I don't mind you asking. Our boys are two years a part in age. Our eldest started K in 1974 and our youngest graduated from 6th grade in 1983. This was in the city of San Jose, CA.
On the jello throwing contests, the first year we had the teachers wearing a huge plastic bag over their bodies, with only their heads exposed. The 'line' was closer then. That was okay, but then the next year some (obviously hateful - joking) parent suggested the teachers and principal should be totally exposed only wearing t-shirts and shorts. The kids went wild.
We practiced first, throwing the jello ourselves to see how far back the no-cross-line would be. (Different distances for the different age groups.) Then about 2 dozen mothers made up tons of *red* jello. I know I made 10 boxes myself. We just let the kids scoop it out with their one hand right when it was their turn to throw it. Some children should have been pitchers for the big leagues.
[ edited by Linda_K on Apr 19, 2001 01:54 PM ]
posted on April 19, 2001 02:00:21 PM
I'm in California. The public funding for schools here has been stripped to bare bones. Our kids don't even have text books to speak of. They get xeroxed sheets from the master text that the teacher uses. Individual classroom funding for class supplies comes from the parents or the teacher's own pockets, because the amount allocated to each class is insufficient. At our elementary school, the playground equipment was removed until the parents could raise enough money to pay for a safety pad to install underneath it. That took almost 5 years. We got funding from the district for a portable unit to be used as a school library, but parents had to raise the funds to buy the books to stock it.
I'm the room mother for my daughter's class. Right now I'm trying to get the class parents to donate items for a gift basket to be auctioned off at our Silent Auction benefit we hold every spring. The money goes directly to our elementary school for supplies, equipment, books etc. It's like pulling teeth to get parents to donate anything, and this will be the second year that I will go out and buy everything myself to put in the basket. I can understand it though. Every week, we (the parents) are "hit up" for money...and more money. Tee-Shirts, cookie dough, frozen pizzas, gift wrap, entertainment books, jogathon pledges, on and on. This in addition to increased "taxes" that silly voters are promised will benefit our schools to pay for deferred maintenance and capital improvements, the funds which never seem to find the way anywhere except into administrators pockets rather than individual campuses. The teachers are underpaid and the administrators are overpaid.
So much for public schools. We're thinking of putting our daughter in private school. The tuition would just about match what we end up "donating" to the public elementary every year. The only thing holding me back is the religious instruction that is mandatory in the parochial schools we've looked into.
posted on April 19, 2001 02:01:37 PM
Sorry inside, I too thought you were asking about fundraisers.
But I do totally agree with your statement We have a great public school system which I credit largely to community support and parental involvement.
I have long believed that while woman who want to work outside the home should, and those who have to do so have no choice, but our children and our communities pay a large price by their absence. I know there are parents who work and also participate in their childrens schools and lives. But there are many others who are too exhausted to do much more than work and take care of the household duties.
posted on April 19, 2001 02:17:26 PM
Hi KatyD - Do you, as a parent, see that some of this change in funding happened after California started the Lotto? While trying to get the measure passed, it seems to me that part of what was promised was more funds for the schools. Looks like maybe the opposite has happened????
posted on April 19, 2001 03:44:14 PM
--we have a great fund-raiser. It's a Yearly Family Dance---get a DJ that can do things like the Chicken Dance etc but also some current music so the kids don't think you are complete dweeb...or a parent or teacher who think they have the right stuff....also start the dance 1 hour early--for Pizza Dinner (people planning on having Pizza need to pre-order so you don't buy too many). Ours started at 6:30 for pizza with the dancing starting at 7:30 and ending at 9:30
Get donations for raffles and do a 50-50 draw.
Plus get baking donations, buy a bunch of penny candy, brew a big urn of coffee , make a big tub of punch--put a price tag on all them and then have fun.
Tickets are $2.00 each or $8.00 for the family.
It's a lot of fun and is gets great support from all the grades, teachers and parents. This year a group of teachers and the principal put together a lip-synch that got great cheers from everyone.
A couple of years ago--we had a Penny Pot--and everyone bought in their pennies--and whoever guessed the amassed weight won a prize
[ edited by Zazzie on Apr 19, 2001 03:46 PM ]
posted on April 19, 2001 03:50:50 PM
---though if I had my way, I would never support the construction of playground equipment in the school yard. My sister was telling me how in their distrist so gung-hp adminstrator decided that none of the playground equipment was up to standard and ordered them removed.
What they have found is the kids have rediscovered traditional games that once the equipment go put up was no longer played in the school yards---they've invited parents in to re-teach the games they played when they were kids.
posted on April 19, 2001 03:51:53 PM
Oh yes, LindaK. The "Lotto" was a frikkin racket. That was started, what? about 20 years ago? Sure they give a percentage of the money the lottery generates, but with the other hand they took the PREVIOUS existing funding AWAY, so there's no net gain. And in fact, if you factor in the huge increase in population increase and school enrollment, the funding is even LESS than before.
California used to be ranked in the top 3 states in the nation for funding per school child, as well as in national achievement tests. I believe it ranks below Mississipi now in both areas. Or close.
Edited to add the Mississipi has historically ranked in the bottom 3 states in the nation for both education funding and academic achievement, mostly due to its income level and rural character.
KatyD
posted on April 19, 2001 04:02:14 PMthey've invited parents in to re-teach the games they played when they were kids.
Like dodge ball? They banned it from our elementary school. I used to love to play dodge ball.
Playground equipment is very important to the physical development of children. It helps them to become agile and physically strong. If you go to any occupational or physical therapy clinic you will see lots of "playground" type equipment.
posted on April 19, 2001 09:29:58 PM
We have developed a large fundraising division to our screen printing company and are members of the AFRDS. I have attended fundraising trade shows and classes. Some of the best items that I have come across:
The beanies are by far the most fun fundraisers I have been involved with, but the clothing is not seen as a fundraiser as long as the prices are kept right. If you do a clothing sale, ask for order forms and that the items be student packed.
The most important thing I learned in dealing with children is make sure the incentives are something they want. I LOVE the jello idea - I know one sale we did the hottest prize was getting to throw a pie in the face of the principal!
posted on April 19, 2001 09:38:11 PM
Going back many years now, I was a primary school teacher and we had a fundraiser - I've never actually come across it before and never have I seen or heard of it again but it was a total success - the students sold raffle tickets to adults only and the prize was to be a teacher for the day, the kids loved it, we also had a mini raffle where kids could buy a ticket and they got to be teachers aides for the day. Mind you, the winner of the "Teacher" raffle always had great admiration for teachers after 1 day in their shoes.
posted on April 20, 2001 11:01:19 AM
I'm parenting in northern Alabama's Elementary school system now, next year will be 6th grade (Jr High).
Alabama managed to come in at 49th last year, I think. Alabama funds the schools based entirely on sales tax. Sales are down this year, everybody's has to take a hit. It's just a question of how much and whether K-12 can foist off the lions shares off onto the colleges, who are screaming like stuck pigs.
Somehow my school system has managed to perform in an exceptional manner despite the Alabama school system. Yes, I buy at least one of something in every fund raiser they have. Yes, I'm on the volunteer list, as long as somebody else has to be the leader. The school is old, but well maintained and even has had improvements made, and where they got the money I don't know, but they've broken ground for another (small) wing.
Alabama floated a proposition to start Georgia style Lotto to raise funds for schools, but sadly, it turns out that Jesus let his supporters know that he did not support the lottery. I myself must have been away from home when the notification came.
posted on April 20, 2001 11:04:57 AM
ask local companies to donate their used computers. they actually sometimes throw them out. they can be used in the classroom or can be sold to raise funds.
posted on April 20, 2001 04:45:07 PM
I work for the same school my daughter is in as aide. We just had a fundraiser for new maps and sold candy. I particpated in it. But I won't do it again. It turned into a diaster. I gave some of the buyers there candy before payment.Then on Friday I couldn't collect from them. So I ended up paying for besides mine, there's also.I do know that I was the only one in my daughters class who sold candy this time.
My daughter is in the first grade. But last year when I first took her to start kindergarten it was a mess. The chairs and desk were litterally falling apart. I couldn't believe how bad it looked. Even the principal was even embaressed about it. At the time they were waiting for new desks and carpeting. Which they had within a few weeks.
In my daughters class though me along with maybe about 4 other parents are really supportive and volunteer our time to help out in the class. Drive on the field trips, help out when she needs help with a project, bring in cookies and so on.
[ edited by sideslam on Apr 20, 2001 04:46 PM ]
posted on April 20, 2001 05:32:15 PM
I'm pretty fortunate up here, I guess. Wisconsin is obsessed with the wellbeing of it's children, for one thing, and for the other, our school is quite small. This is a very rural area, and our township has it's own school district - graduating classes average about 40 to 45 students.
The school does a few dinners during the year - a spaghetti dinner in January, a pancake dinner in April, and a couple of others too that I can't think of at the moment. Some of the funding comes from the use of the school for various community events - areobic classes, Lion's Club breakfasts, etc - that are charged rent. We haven't had the class fundraisers yet (I expect it to start any time now...) We do pay a pretty good portion of our property taxes to the school district.
All in all - fortunate. This school issue is exactly the reason we left Denver.
(Making notes of the jello throwing fundraiser....)
posted on April 20, 2001 06:33:18 PM
I think the need for parental support in the public school system is world wide.
My children went to public schools and right throughout their primary years I worked to help support the school finances.
For many years I was on the P&C and I put many hours in organising fundraising events, from Medievil Fairs to Movie Nights. We made popcorn to sell and had plenty of Craft Parties to raise money. Our efforts put extra books in the library, raised money for a play area for the babies and a covered shaded area for the entire school community.
I do not think there will ever be enough funds forthcoming from the government sectors to completely cover the necessities. So I guess parental help with fundraising will continue on till the end of time.
posted on April 20, 2001 10:08:52 PM
Mississippi was #50~~~I think we may have moved to #48 ~ I am not sure. We are in the bottom 4 ~ but I am not sure where.
My child goes to the school I went to, and the one my brother and father went to......and we pay dearly for it each and every month.........the school has been around for more than 100 years and is well funded both from the community and the church. It is our best option for our children's education..........as the public school system is just not an option.......It is a wonderful school with loads of parents always available to help. Parents are always welcomed and strongly urged to come to school often. We are always welcome to come have lunch with our kids, do class projects etc. There are no more than 20 kids to a class and a teacher and a aide for every class. There are state of the art computers in every classroom as well as a wonderful computer lab and wonderful library. My child has been on 10 class field trips..........Every morning starts with prayer and the Pledge to the flag.....each day ends with prayer too. They have church services every week ~ and they have so much fun while they learn. It is truely an ideal place for us.
One of their biggest fund raisers is a raffle........they raffle off one free year .........all fees ~ including lunch ~ they are $10.00 bucks each and each parent has to sell 10 tickets or buy them for themselves.............raises $90,000 a year for special projects.........and the winner gets to keep between $5,000- $8,000 that year!
Then the different clubs raise money with the annual fair and magazine sales etc......We are all very involved........school spirit is very high.....for most of the kids......they are 3rd or 4th generation........so every event or football game is a mini-class reunion.
posted on April 20, 2001 10:21:18 PM
I will also add this......I hardly ever go to school when I don't see a grandparent either having lunch or doing playground duty or helping with a project.........last field trip involving 40 kids.........there were 26 parents..........and 18 grandparents.......and yes there were a few kids that did not have anyone there.....but most of the time it is only one or two and rarely the same few. (If I can't go, then my husband, mother or brother somehow works it out ~ and we all so to their little shows!)
posted on April 21, 2001 03:44:20 PM
One MAJOR rule of thumb with fundraisers:
Have the students turn in all money BEFORE giving them the items. It will eliminate the deadbeat problem. People forget the fundraiser is about making money for the school, not losing money.
Makes me kinda glad I am here. No jobs, but the schools at the elementary level are excellent. The junior high is another story, though. Parochial school is looking good now ....
Brave souls that they were.
I know some local people I'd pay to throw jello at. LOL 