PTO Today

has anyone ever purchased from this online company http://www.xpressmats.com/

we are looking for decorative and fun mats for our elementary's entry, something personalized. has anyone ever ordered these and any recommendations?

the other purchase we were considering making in the future is a sign for our school as we currently don't have anything. nothing tall or lighted, just a typical sign for the school. I'm sure they can be as much or as little as you want to spend but does anyone have a feel for how much these cost?

also, both of these things were requests or suggestions of the school principal as to what the PTO might want to purchase or what the school could use. who usually makes the final decision on these, the PTO since it's their money?

THANKS!

I wish I could help out with who to purchase items from but we've never bought from that company. Nor have we bought anything like what you've described.

Our PTO frequently relies on input from our principal about what the school could use. Many times the PTO is able to provide the 'extras' that aren't covered by the limited school budget. Then at a pto meeting we discuss it and decide if the pto should purchase it. Usually it falls to the pto to find out how much it costs and do a little comparison shopping. Sometimes we just call around to the appropriate local businesses, tell them what we're looking for, and receive a discount, possibly even free. It can't hurt! Many times parents have connections and are willing to use them to help out. Just checking around with our parents has provided us with fog machines and spotlights for a stage show (saved on the rental fees!), picnic tables for our courtyard, and a super discounted tv/vcr. Our pto can do a lot of legwork that the principal and teachers just don't have time for. Hope this helps!

You can get pricing on marquees from the advertising in the back of the PTO Today magazine-- we are also looking to purchase one and I was asble to get a good idea of pricing by comparing 2 companies-- The prices range anywhere from 3,000-25,000-- it depends on what type of sign you are wanting... and if you google school logo door mats you will get a few companoies to look at. good luck.