motheroftwoboys - we are in michigan too. We do the Kroger Cares loyalty program in addition to our major fundraiser. It's like scrip, but it's easier because the PTO doesn't have to be involved once the parent buys the special card from the PTO. We get 5% back with no cost to the parents or PTO. It's the closest thing to free money. We had about 50 active users last year and generated about $6,000. You can't rely on it for your major fundraiser, since the money is unpredictable and dribbles in each month. But if your community has Krogers in the area, it's an easy way to add some $$ to the coffers.
Our school district recently signed a new contract with the teacher's union and then FROZE all monies available to our schools, so not only are misc things not being paid for, necessary items like paper and pencils can't be bought either.
We are in the center of a tri-county area, and our local paper ran a story about the contract signing but hasn't mentioned the spending freeze, nor has one of the other papers; the one newspaper that did mention it emphasized that they wouldn't be paying for things like away games or travel expenses for teacher training more than that the basics aren't being paid for either.
Our PTA has already been asked to cover more expenses than we usually do, and while we are happy to help when we can, we don't want to be looked at as a "bank" either, so we're treading a fine line right now. We have a meeting coming up and we plan to make the community aware of what is going on; there has been a lot of turmoil recently concerning our school board, expecting teachers to educate our children without even basic supplies is ridiculous.
Our budget seems to get tighter and tighter each year. And the fundraising gets lower and lower. UGH
I did try something new this year. We are doing a Walk a thon and the parents have been thrilled with not having to sell STUFF!!! LOL
Cindy<br />
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<br>"People have the right to be stupid, but some abuse the privelege."
yes we have money problems. we pay for the teacher first aid/cpr training, we pay for disaster relief supplies, we pay for all kinds of other extras that used to be paid for by the state. or at least, things that one would think should be paid for by the state, like library books and paper towels for the sinks, general basic things you would think a school would provide.
the best fundraiser we have, is direct donation . we ask for money, and we itemize what its for, and we get a lot of dontations from parents and local companies and regular citizens without kids at the shcool. we have a phone campaign too. i hate those things, but it works.
Is everyone having trouble with money. We are in Michigan and it seems like there are cuts and more cuts.
Our PTO is taking care of all the assemblies for our school and helping with supplies. We are going to have to hope our fundraiser does very well again this year.
We were fortunate to find a great assembly presentor right here in the state. Sheila Rae does three different programs so we are going to use her for all of our schools and have her come for two days.
Does anyone else have any great fundraising suggestions?
