Family Forum / Parenting / Parenting / January 2006

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YES. Every month, there's some fundraiser or the other. It really
sucks. The kids come and knock at the door trying to sell stuff. Saying
no to them feels just bad as buying one of the things they sell. I just
bought a bunch of christmas things from the kids and now it's already
girl-scout-cookie sign up time at work. Seems as if every coworker of
mine has a little girl trying to sell the same cookies. You can't just
buy from one co-worker. You have to buy a pack from each person. And, I
don't even like those cookies :)

In a similar vein, our elementary district has raised $15K annually for
the past 5 years with a run/walk that has a straight-up entry fee. The
run's competitive (complete with trophies in several divisions); shirts
are sold; and kids can also compete by getting sponsors. Promotes
fitness, draws in athletes from outside the community looking to
compete; offers even out-of-shape friends who seldom see each other a
chance to catch up while their kids run. Good event for a nice fall
day.

We've also started a silent auction and informal dinner dance; seveal
neighboring districts have relied on these for years. Some of the
student-created art that's auctioned at the high school district event
is really lovely.

I wish our school board could simply increase the levy if parents
wouldn't write checks. Wisconsin capped school funding over a decade
ago; it now requires a community referendum to approve a one-time levy
larger than the minute standard increase (which is less than the
statute-approved minimum annual increase to avoid arbitration, so
districts lose ground each year.) After the first referendum narrowly
failed, a second attempt (which also failed) basically launched
intergenerational warfare. That was more than 10 years ago; there's
still bitterness and other fallout.

Lori G.
Milwaukee, WI

My mixed-income public school earns about $10K/year with a Sally Foster
giftwrap fundraiser.  The wrap is very high quality and inexpensive
(from a parent's point of view) but the school gets about 50% of the
gross. I think you can find it on-line.

Schoolpop.com is also pretty good if you have parents who make purchases
online already.

--Beth Kevles
 bethkevles@aol.com
 http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the milk-allergic
 Disclaimer:  Nothing in this message should be construed as medical
 advice.  Please consult with your own medical practicioner.

NOTE:  No email is read at my MIT address.  Use the AOL one if you would
like me to reply.

Why not have your school adopted by a business in the community?

http://www.nycenet.edu/FundForPublicSchools/AdoptASchool/default.htm

Adopt a School is a joint initiative between Pencil and the Fund for
Public Schools that promotes a type of structured partnership between
businesses and schools. Under this program, a business is matched with
a school and becomes actively involved in student life. This is an
opportunity to make a true difference in the lives of students and
teachers.

Businesses are asked to make a minimum one year commitment to a
school.  The Adopt a School program requires a four layered commitment
on the part of the business: volunteering, fundraising, mentoring and
event sponsorship.

In School Volunteering – Management and employees get involved in
mentoring, tutoring, volunteering for school projects, or working in
the school in a way deemed helpful by the principal. Each business is
asked to give a minimum of 5 volunteer hours per week.

Fundraising – Help schools help themselves. Provide financial aid or
assistance in fundraising events, or contribute in-kind donations.
Businesses are asked to provide a minimum of $10,000 financial or
in-kind donation based upon a mutual set of goals aimed at school
improvement.

Mentoring – Assist in the professional development of the
administrative and teaching staff. Provide the principal and faculty
with management assistance, educational resources, consulting
services, strategic planning or leadership development.

Sponsor an Event– Work with the school to craft and sponsor an event
to support the school community.  Events could include career days,
panel speakers, performers, awards ceremonies or recognition events.

Schools and businesses are encouraged to work together to customize
the relationship to be mutually beneficial.  We also encourage
partners to find other opportunities in the schools in which to
participate.  Be creative – consult ourTool Kit to find ways to be
involved.

   * Follow the program guidelines delineated above
   * Hold meetings with the school leadership
   * Establish goals and create an action plan with the school
leadership
   * Make an honest assessment of what resources your business can
offer the school
   * Have support for the partnership from senior management
   * Appoint one person as a contact person to work with the school
   * Work with the same school for a minimum of one year

For a more detailed outline of the process needed when forming a
business partnership, please refer to our tool kit resource “Steps for
a Successful Partnership.”

--
Dorothy

There is no sound, no cry in all the world
that can be heard unless someone listens ..

The Outer Limits