Idea Bag

  • Notes of Apology

  • Back-to-School Block Party

  • Ballots and Box Tops

    If your school serves as a polling place, why not use election days to boost your collection programs? In Framingham, Mass., the Hemenway Elementary PTO asked voters to drop off Box Tops for Education coupons while casting their ballots at the school. The PTO hopes to raise $500 on Super Tuesday alone.

  • Rocket Boosts PTA Auction

    Need to build excitement for your auction? Consider the example of the Hollis (N.H.) Elementary Schools' PTA, which secured a one-of-a-kind donation for its online auction--a rocket payload valued at $25,000. The chance to send an object into space stirred the imagination of kids and parents alike, and attracted media attention for the group's online and live auctions.

  • File Exchange Version 2.0

    Thought I'd give a quick heads-up that my favorite new tool on the site -- our File Exchange -- has been redesigned and upgraded. Better than ever.

  • Elections and Transition - Useful Articles

    I just got the heads up that our editorial team posted 2 new articles...just in time for elections & transition season!

  • Earth Day PTA

    This California (where else?) school and its PTA put together a great, comprehensive all-school event around the environment and healthy habits and fun. Check out their Eco-Extravaganza here.

  • Turtle Races?

    Yup, turtle races. Love the creativity of these PTOers in Massachusetts, who are planning a ton of activities centered on a man-made river (in the schoolyard) with plastic turtles floating downstream. The article contains really good detail on the build-up and plans for the turtle race event, which is a big fundraiser for a new playground project. Nice job.

  • PTO Appreciation

    Now, that's what we're talking about! Most of our appreciation stories here are of PTOs appreciating teachers or PTO leaders appreciating volunteers. But this Kansas school turns that story (rightfully) on its head with a great, creative appreciative event honoring the PTO. Very cool.

  • A Good Flocking in New Jersey

    Jersey columnist does a nice job capturing the spirit of a local PTO's "flocking" event (think: pink flamingos on a parent's lawn).

  • "Stock the School" (with books)

    Love the spirit and the results of this North Carolina PTO's efforts. Group put together a fun family event (during summer break, no less) where incoming students brought in books from home to donate to school classrooms.

  • Fundraisers Going Green

    Wall Street Journal today covers several new fundraising options with a green theme. PTO Today's expert take on fundraising trends included.

  • Comprehensive Involvement Prescription

    Impressed by this feature from Michigan, where author captures both the importance of involvement and the challenges of growing involvement at the elementary, middle and high school levels. A good read...

  • Bigger Fundraising Events in Michigan

    This trend started before the economy cratered (though reporter makes the connection), but this Michigan piece is still interesting. More and more Michigan groups organizing major community events for their fundraising. Piece profiles several.

  • Birthday Club and Your PTO

    (Note: cross-post from our schoolfamily.com blog). Really like this idea spearheaded by a couple of kids down in Florida.

  • 2 Hour Power Success in Rhody

    Always fun to read about one of our programs paying dividends for a group, so I was more than pleasantly surprised when i picked up a local paper this morning and ran across this piece from a paper near my hometown.

  • Indy PTO Takes on Flu Bug

    Like the community spirit of this local parent-serving effort. Local PTO partners with Visting Nurses Association to bring flu shots right to school setting.

  • PTO's Parent University Impresses

    Here's a concept I hope you can run with. Check out this day-long, free "Parent University" put on by a Nevada PTO. What a service for the community's families. Fifty parents attended and I'm sure got a ton of benefit, but every family in that school received a very clear message on what this PTO is all about.

  • Multicultural Challenge -- NY PTA working to attract Asian families

    Winnie Hu from the New York Times does a nice job of frequently covering school and family and parent involvement stories. I found her story this week particularly interesting, as she follows the efforts of a Long Island (NY) PTA to connect with a growing Asian population at school. If you have a diverse popualtion at your school, I bet you'll find some interesting parallels.

  • Principal Sleeps on Roof for PTO Fundraiser Bet

    Love the spirit behind these good-hearted wagers -- the zanier the better.  Last week it was the Principal in the bunny suit riding a Harley and today it's the Principal sleeping overnight on the school roof(in 30-degree weather!).
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