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.

  • Fundraising Reward Assemblies: Who Should Attend?

    In the March issue of PTO Today magazine we ask: "Fun-filled assemblies are common motivational tools for school fundraisers, but when they’re held to reward students, there is often disagreement about who gets to attend. Should reward assemblies be limited only to students who made sales, or should everyone be allowed to join the fun?

  • Mustache-a-Thon (Not Kidding)

    I don't get surprised too often, but this one is new to me.  And I love it! A bunch of dads (and even some moms!) got hairy when this Washingon state PTA held a mustache-a-thon.

  • Car Show adds to PTO Carnival

    Here's a twist on the traditional schoolyard carnival. This PA PTO combined their fair with a classic car show and not only added some fun and interest to their day but made some nice extra bucks, too.  Great work!

  • 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.

  • Celebrate National Teacher Day

    Today is National Teacher Day. Don't worry if the holiday snuck up on you. The NEA has some cool electronic greeting cards your kids can email to their teachers. As an added bonus, the teacher's name will be included on what's being called the nation's largest teacher thank-you card. (You can snail mail your own cards to be incorporated into the giant card, too.)

  • Love Your Veggies Grants

    Love to see good results from a program we played a (small) role in.  Here's a great result ($10,000 grant) from this past year's Love Your Veggies school grant program, sponsored by Hidden Valley.  PTO Today -- through our connection with so many schools -- helped manage the back-end of this program for Hidden Valley.

  • PTO's Sense of Humor Pays Off

    The PTO at Pine Grove Elementary in Rowley, Mass. knows how to tell a good joke. When the school entered a contest for a makeover of its PE equipment room, the PTO helped produce a video top 10 list of the reasons the school deserved to win. Apparently the message got across, because Pine Grove was named a runner-up in the contest, earning a $1,000 prize.

  • 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.

  • Biggest Embezzle Concludes

    Sentencing comes through for former PTA treasurer convicted of stealing $180,000 (yes -- nearly 200 grand!) from her group over 5 year period. Appreciate the fact that other officers and school parents prosecuted and advocated for harsh sentencing. However, looks like the sentence will be one year of home confinement.

  • Cash for parent groups -- now there's a platform we can get behind

    Naked ploy for votes? Or commitment to parent involvement? Frankly, we don't care -- we just love it!
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