I've heard if the kids really get into it the penny wars can generate a good amount. I had a question though about the gaming license issue that you brought up:confused:. Our school does a carnival toward the end of the year, and we include what has been called a silent auction for some really great gift baskets (parents donate the stuff that goes in them). It is actually a raffle because they buy 8 tickets ($2), and those are put into a container and a name drawn later in the day. We only do this once a year, and we are in Ca as well, does this qualify as needing a "gaming license" as well???:eek:
Our school recently did a version of what you're talking about. We called it Cents for the Sign. (We are raising money to purcahse a sign for our school.) Instead of pitting classes against one another, we offered an all-school prize if they achieved the goal of $250 in three weeks. By the end of the first week, we had raised $260! It was a lot of fun, and the kids got really excited to see that jar filling up. I also have to add that a lot of parents gave money (the paper kind - woohoo!) once they realized what we were raising the funds for!
We are also looking at doing another of these events in the fall with the theme, "My Class Has the Most Cents!"
Have you thought about Penny Wars? My school hasn't done this yet, but it goes like this: Get a container perhaps water cooler jug containers or maybe plastic containers that came from ice cream buckets. Leave them outside the classrooms for a few weeks. The kids can put in pennies in the containers, but can also put in dimes,nickels, quarters in other classes containers to have points take away,since pennies will be a point each. Then at the end of the contest, all classes will count how much money and points they have. All the money will go to the school with little effort. Not sure what you could do for the classes with the most money or points, with the no junk food policy, maybe give out little prizes.
Good luck with whatever you come up with.
What about a walk-athon or a dance-dance-revolution marathon. If you work with the gym teacher you might have a better turn out-- Also there is a company our of California that you can get grant for incorporating just such an event.... it's like get up and go--- somehthing like that. Good luck!
I heard about this and was wondering how many PTAs/PTOs do this and what kind of income you generate. Our district is looking at a $4 million cutback next year and our school wants to be able to keep items being cut, but we as a PTA would need to find the $$ to do so. Our school is only 2years old and we are still working out all the kinks in fundraising and getting parents to participate. Any help would be greatly appreciated on ANY fundraising. We do the norms, Labels for ed, box tops, escrip, school pop, etc and QSP (groan...), just looking for some newer ideas to get the community involved.
Our school district has a strict NO JUNK FOOD policy - so cookie dough and candy sales are off the table. and we are currently filling out the paper work to get a "gaming license" so we can sell raffle tickets and hold silent auctions (yes these are considered gambling in California).
i actually had a parent ask me today why she needed to pay $5 (a year) to be a member of the PTA ... I said because the PTA has to pay to be a PTA. So went on the LONG discussion/argument on how the PTA helps the school, I don't think I changed her mind... she says she doesn't have the time to come to a meeting once a month for an hour - but will show up at all our events (which are usually FREE - to build our community).
