There are some terrific ideas here. Thanks. Carmack429 what day do you hold this "Morning at Kindergarten". Is it a weekend or a weekday for this event?
How about fliers at all the happening spots for preschoolers...the childcare locations, the preschools, the "mommy and me" meetings or Mom's Clubs. It'll take some leg work but anyplace there are those climbing towers is where you would have found me in those "early years".
This was also a goal for our school this year as numbers were down for us also. Because we are a Catholic school, we got the names of all parish children old enough to enter our pre-school program and sent them a letter and newly created preschool brochure. We had an overwhelming interest for our 3 year old program and will be offering an afternoon class this fall.
For children old enough to enter Kindergarten, we sent a letter, school brochure and held a "Morning at Kindergarten" event where both child and parent could spend the morning at the school with the Kindergarten teacher and principal. We had activities planned for the kids and the parents could ask questions. This was a very well received event.
Can you do a fundraiser? I have done a few Gold Canyon Candle fundraisers for some local orgs and they profit close to $2000 in a few weeks. I would love to email you info if you want to check it out. Your school could earn 38% - 40%. These are the best candles ever, they smell wonderful and they burn evenly to the bottom and guarentee their fragrant to the bottom of the jar. It may get people interested as well as when they are advertising the fundriaser to people they come in contact with they are also talking the school up. Good Luck! Shannon This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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You mention ads in the local paper. Have you tried contacting some of the reporters to come take pictures and write an article about activities or special projects at the school? You can invite them to come for anything - a student art show; a family night; science fair; book fair; sports; spirit days; school assemblies. They won't always put something in, but you might be surprised at what they can and will put in the paper for you - and an article/picture does not cost you as the ads will.
At our school we have a Back to School BBQ just before the first day of school. We serve burgers and hotdogs, chips, water bottles, etc for lunch. All teachers are on hand to meet the students and parents, and they all wear STAFF t-shirts so they are easy to spot. The PTO puts out tables advertising what we do (i.e. Activities COmmittee, Fundraising COmmittee, etc each have their own table). It is an awesome beginning to our school year and really gets everyone - parents & students alike- pumped up for the new year.
