I agree. It is a drastic move. We are a large K-8 school of 900 students. Our statistics show only about 25% of the parents donate. I'm not sure we could spend $378 on postage, plus envelopes. Our goal is $13,000; the same as last year because we didn't meet our goal.
We have decided that the last week of October we will have someone at school to collect donations before school in case they didn't want to mail it. We are expecting to be hit hard this year. Hopefully the administration will see the impact it has had and realize this is not the solution. Unfortunately, it looks like we need to bite the bullet this year.
We're doing the best we can, but I believe it will be a bumpy ride. It doesn't appear that the solutions are being thought out to understand the impact it will have. This decision was made in a matter of minutes without consulting us. We seem to have lost our voice.
I agree with One, provide a self-addressed stamped envelope with every catalog/brochure. You've got to make it as easy as stuffing the envelope inot the child's backpack or you'll never get anything back. Good luck. That does seem like a drastic change of policy. Hope the school reconsiders when they see the burden it places on the PTO.
In order to get parents to mai it, you may need to supply the stamps. Some will stand on principle and state its riduculous that they have to pay extra on top of the fundraiser.
I'm surprised that the school is taking an approach that is so drastic after only one incident. Don't they realize that it may decrease your income which will have a negative effect on what you will be able to do for the school. Set up a meeting with the Principal, teacher rep and PTO board members to see if any other solution can be found. Otherwise, get your board or volunteers to take turns going in one day during the week that the envelopes will be coming in. It's only for the times that you have this going on - not every day for the entire school year. So it shouldn't be much of a burden.
I suggested that. It was denied. They thought they would still need to lock the box up at night, which makes them responsible. Also suggested to bolt it to the wall. Still no luck!
