Here's what I say to our principal when she wants ideas and I give her a ton of them but she doesn't like any of them: "What do YOU suggest we do?" Nine times out of ten she has an idea, so let's just cut out the guessing game here. If your principal wants a school wide event, and she is saying no to all of your ideas, she needs to kick in a few ideas herself.
orrrrr you could try a potluck. This was so much fun at our school when we had a budget like yours! A parent donated his time as a DJ, a group of moms worked on calling volunteers that they knew came in during the day to volunteer and we spent a total of $20 on advertising as the students made posters.
Everyone was asked to bring enough for 10 and we had SO much fun!! Total spent...MAYBE $50!! We kept it simple!! You could try for donated door prizes but to keep cost down, I would just offer food and dancing and a chance to visit.
Hey, what about an art show of the students artwork? Really no money, don't need to hand out prizes...and the art doesn't need to be anything amazing....I bet you and I still have a couple colored pictures on our fridge that we just couldn't bear to part with! Something that is going to need some planning but if this is done with the pot luck, is so crazy it just might work!
I really hope we can help find an idea here...I think I'm about as fustrated as you are! It would be really hard for me not to ask what the Principal has in mind....but I can be a little outspoken sometimes.
Thanks Westayhome! I agree. This will probably be my last year as an officer. I think I'll be a concerned parent and volunteer at my child's that is leaving next year school. The principal is only difficult with the parent group not when the idea belongs to the principal. We tried to explain in order to show the movie you have to pay the licensing fee beforehand. I'd rather do it right or not at all.
I think your movie or game night would probably be the best for the money. Your principal needs to bend a little on what he/she is going to allow if they want to pull this off. I mean give me a break he/she wants it to happen but won't allow you the ideas you have to make it happen. For movie night you could even have everyone bring pilows and bean bag chairs and just lay around. you could tell them to bring their own snacks and just supply the drinks and sell candy at cost.
Tryinhard - We are going to be having a read-in on a Saturday morning in a few weeks. I'm not sure exactly how it is organized, but I know that they will be having older kids (Gr 3-5) read to younger ones (K-2). We also have a local author and a theatre company who will come in to read for the kids. Parents are also encouraged to bring favorite books, find a quiet corner in a classroom and read to whoever stops in. This will be after breakfast and before lunch, so no refreshments are being planned ... as far as I know.
Good luck! I hope you come up with something fun for the kids!
Hey C. Adams! I asked for the Family Game Nite brochure already. Hopefully it will be here soon. In our district food brought in must be store bought. I'll still ask to see how many parents are interested. I love your idea with the last names though. We have over 500 students but I'm sure about less than half would show up. All I can do is try my best (hence my moniker - trying hard).
