Our PTO has been approached by a representative from School Mall. We are undecided as to whether or not we should participate. I'd like to gather some feedback from others regarding the success of this program. Are there any schools that are still using this as a source for fundraising? If so, how has the response from your supporters been? Would you recommend it to other schools? Why or why not?

We did SchoolMall and LOVED it....It was the EASIEST fundraiser we have ever done. I did my research and I know for a FACT the postcards that are filled out NEVER do become any part of a mailing list! Our PTO earned really good money and it did not cost us anything and your parents are NOT ask to buy anything and the students are NOT selling. I highly recommend SchoolMall....WE LOVED IT!!!!!

We did this last year-- but we are not doing it again- we didn't have a great response--- they did call again this year and offer more per booklet and incentives if we had so many turned in- but parents didn't like giving out so much information about other families members and friends and some of the magazines that were purchased-- didn't ever come-- and when we discussed doing it again, my issue is that there was disconnect with the families and communities-- we are trying to do my family oriented events.

My stepson came home with this last night. What an odious program. I'm not sure how the school board decided that our kids should be told that giving away family personal information to marketers with no interest in the well being of the school or community is a good thing. As far as fundraisers go, our kids can learn to do things to help people and the school (sponsored fun runs, bake sales, etc.) as opposed to learning to be lazy by just copying my phone book.

Also, I'm worried about the organization that runs this program (Reading in Education LLC?). There is very limited information about them on any website, and I have a feeling that the information, even if it is not "sold, is shared with affiliates.

Our PTA just introduced this a few weeks ago. I didn't fill in postcards or return the book. The little on line shopping I do is with stores I am registered with and I get emails with discount codes and/or free shipping. I do dislike anything that gets the kids fired up about getting the cheap goodies.
I'd rather ask parents - not go thru the kids - to donate cash if they can. I don't like putting peer pressure on kids who aren't able to control family purchases.

Our school has done this as well- it is a "school" program not PTO program, and sad to say it, but I did not fill in my addresses- I will shop on line for the school to get money- Why can't we just do that? Why do we have to subject our friends to more junk mail?? I am just lazy in today's times of email- I know my mom's address but all the others I have to look up lol!!