We have family events, but we always have to charge something to break even. On Math Night last week we gave the kids ice cream and had toppings at no charge. It felt so good to do that and the parents couldn't believe that it was free. We knew in advance that it was going to be a small turnout plus we got a surprise check from DirecTV so we could cover the cost.

I have brought it up to our principal about finding funding elsewhere for the curriculum based Scholastic and even the assignment books/folders. His response was "That's what PTO's are for. They supply those things everywhere." Being ever curious, I thought I'd check with the experts (you guys) and see what everywhere had to say.

Thanks for your input.

Our PTO pays for pretty much the same thing.

Our group has been supplying the folders (and other supplies) that were cut from our school budget years and years ago. I think our groups can look for creative ways to supply these items without dipping into our own budgets. In our school we had a parent, who has a business in town, offer to produce the folders for our school. The folders were tastefully done and had some of her business promotional material on the back. We were able to provide folders to over 400 students at no cost to us!

Like onaroll says, it's different for every PTO. Check out the thread started by EVPTO "What to do with fundraising money?" on the Fundraising board to see some lists of what other groups regularly fund.

It sure is great to be able to do the fun things. Without a few of those types of programs, we'd all burn out a lot quicker. But I think it's OK, terrific even, if PTOs can pick up curriculum items that otherwise wouldn't be possible. I guess the questions you have to ask yourself about each item on your list are:

Are they necessary?
Do they enhance the learning environment?
If we don't pay for them, will they disappear or will funds be found elsewhere?

My last group spent funds on the types of items you list because we knew that the school looked everywhere else for funds first and came to us only when they had no other source. If funds did become available later, they took the burden off of us, freeing up our funds for other things.

Specifically regarding the folders and planners you mention. My group, at the princpal's request, funded a two year pilot program for these items to see if they really made a difference. Once they were found to add value, he felt confident asking the school board to take over the funding and they agreed to do so.

Let's see:
Coffee Cart Opening Day, Open house refreshments and Scaveneger Hunt, Class picture for each child, Fall Festival, Family Craft Night, Books for every child on Block Party Night, Monthly guessing contests, Read Across America Week, Family Hoe down Night, Family Sock Hop Night, Holiday Diversity Night, Kindergarten Registration Gifts, Secretary Gifts, Staff Apprecaition Week, Positive Behavior School Store Rewards and Special Days, Grandparent Luncheon, Movie Night, Family Reading Night, any supplies for our own use (paper, etc), Pizza Party for Staff/Parent Volleyball night, Storytelling awards, Community task Force booth, Family Reading Night, Game Day.

That is a start, I think it truly depends on what the belief or mission of your group is, there are groups that raise 100,000's of thousands of dollars and it all goes to books, cleaning supplies, computers, etc. That is where they see the money needed, I consider my group very forunate that it was started by a principal who wanted that money to spent on fun things for our students and families, we don't charge for anything we do.

If you feel really uncomfortable bring it up to do something fun, express that family word. For the record out old PTA did a great job funding supplies for the school, we are the opposite big time!

same here, our school pays for ALL of those things. and our school has bigtime budget constraints, but they find the money to cover thoser responsibilities of theirs, and dont even ask the parent group

maybe depends on how things got started. i mean, if we OFFERED to pay for those things, theyprobably would accept!