PTO Today

How does that grab you? This is the first line you will see when you go to the Lowe’s Toolbox for Education website. It sounds almost too good to be true — but it’s not. “Now in its 6th year of helping build better schools and communities, the Lowe’s Toolbox for Education program has provided more than $20 million to nearly 5,000 schools across the country.”  Impressive numbers, don’t you think?

Recently the 2009-2010 grant winners were notified. Here’s a sampling of how schools are using their grant money:

• An outdoor learning center
• Reading and educational gardens
• A courtyard English garden that involved high school students in the planning process
• A community labyrinth and campus beautification project
• A Vegetable garden and mural

For more stories and photos of grant projects, go the Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ToolboxForEducation

So fun to read about the different projects.  Too many articles come across the internet about school closings and deep budget cuts.You have to hand it to Lowe’s for helping schools and communities out in such a significant way, especially during difficult financial times. We at PTO Today are proud of the modest role we play as the administrators of this program. We hope you’ll join us in saying a hearty thank you to Lowe’s.  It’s not every day that businesses care enough to improve the learning experiences of our students.  So thanks, Lowe’s – we appreciate your unwavering effort to help schools realize their dreams!

Congrats to all the newly-elected parent group officers! Being a new PTO or PTA leader can be overwhelming at first, but no worries – there are lots of resources on our site to help you get on track to become a successful leader, build a strong executive board, and grow involvement under your leadership.

For starters, watch this video for some actionable leadership pointers by Tim Sullivan, Founder of PTO Today. Then be sure to download our Officer Transition Survival Kit.  Next, be sure to stay connected on our community and on our Facebook page.  The advice and insight you’ll gain from the seasoned leaders in these communities is invaluable. You are on your way!

As I scan the articles about parent groups this week, a common theme jumps out at me:

Parent volunteers make the (school) world go round.

We’ve always said as much, but it’s refreshing to see so many teachers and administrators thanking parents for the difference they make in their school.  And I always enjoy reading about the different ways and events that parents use to forge a strong school community. Every approach is different.

End of school is a crazy time of year. I hope you take a moment to read these articles and realize just how much your efforts are appreciated. Thanks for all you do!

http://www.theislandofalameda.com/2010/06/volunteer-efforts-keep-a-tradition-rolling/

http://www.nj.com/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-15/1275972927256570.xml&coll=8

http://www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournal/hollisletters/764050-308/brookline-pto-efforts-recognized.html

http://jacksonville.com/community/st-johns/2010-06-10/story/difference-maker-jan-wilson

http://www.santaynezvalleyjournal.com/archive/8/23/6526/

http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20100611/OPINION03/6110329

An article titled  “Parents Help Save Sports Program” caught my eye today. Yet another reminder that school budgets are tight everywhere. Schools and communities are being forced to get creative with funding. In this case, the PTO came forward and offered to pay for a portion of a sports program. No surprise that the board took them up on the offer. This scenario begs the question: what should PTOs pay for? The answer gets a little fuzzy in tight economic times, doesn’t it?  Something to consider though– when your group decides to fund a program or a position, are you setting a precedent? Can your group maintain this funding in years to come, if need be? There are many signs that the economy is improving. When funding improves, will you still be expected to fund the program that you rescued?

There are no easy answers.  What do you think  parent groups should pay for?

Is it me or are parent groups coming up with more unique family events and fundraising ideas? Check out the events I came across in the news this week:

A ceramics night that gives families a chance not only to create and bond but also make their mark on their school.

A school that understands that laughter is the best medicine — and a great way to raise money too!

A grandparent’s brunch.

A trivia night.

You’ll want to bookmark these article for some good ideas for Earth Day next year. Then again, what am I saying? Why wait for Earth Day to get your green on?

An eco-fest for the whole community.

An eco-fashion show — check out the photograph!

Have to hand it to this Ohio PTO — they came up with a really fun and original way to promote their walk-a-thon! This creative bunch came up with the idea of trying to break a world record in conjunction with their walk-a-thon day! So what world record were they trying to break? The most people assembled, simultaneously patting their heads and rubbing their bellies for one minute. Too funny. No surprise that they even received news coverage of their school community attempting to break this world record.   What I love about this concept is it not only that it gets great publicity for their school, PTO and event, but it bands together a school community in a fun light-hearted way! This is an event that their kids or the town will not soon forget.

Has your parent group come up with a creative way to promote your events to the public? We would love to hear about it!

Does your group run a fundraising auction of some sort? Over the past several years, auction events — silent auctions, full-blown gala auctions, online auctions — have been one of the fastest-growing segments of the fundraising world.

But they’re not easy. Where do you get donations? What’s a great theme? What items sell well? Lots of questions. Which is why we started a dedicated Auctions Group page in the ptotoday.com online community.

My best tip: One-of-a-kind items (something handmade by the kids or a dinner at the principal’s house, for example) are typically the most profitable and the most popular items at auctions. Sure, an overnight stay at the Marriott is nice, but anyone can get that outside your auction and you won’t get a bidding war.

What has sold best for your group? We’d love you to share that in the Auctions Group. You’ll also find an ever-updating list of companies who donate and lots of help from other auction organizers around the country.

Good luck!

Until next time, thanks for all you do for your school. You’re making a big difference.

Happy Friday to all the PTO & PTA moms! Wishing you a fun and relaxing Mother’s Day weekend!

Here are a few articles that may spark some new ideas for your parent group:

• Liked how this school used Theme days to raise school spirit and some funds. Love their fun tude!
• Always love reading auction success stories:

http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com/article.cfm

http://pottstownherald.com/area-devon-prep-parents-“put-on-the-ritz”-with-spring-tide-2010/2608/

• Reading about the school’s 50 year celebration made me want to attend — and I didn’t even go there!
• This school turned its talent show into a family affair —  very nice!

To wrap up this week, I’d like to make a request: if your town does an article about what your school did for Teacher Appreciation Week, please send them my way. I’d love to include your article in an upcoming round-up.

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up May 3-7, and I love the creative ways parent groups say thanks to teachers. One favorite: the group that had students contort into different positions to make letters with their bodies. They spelled out “Thanks for All You Do.” A parent photographed it, put the photo on poster board, then had all the kids sign it and write a word of thanks. That’s sure to warm a teacher’s heart.

There are lots of small and large ways to celebrate teacher appreciation. Messages from the kids are always appreciated. Simple, helpful services, like washing the teachers’ cars in the parking lot, are nice. And food is certainly a popular way to show you care, whether it be a lunch catered by the PTO or a few goodies placed in the lounge with notes of thanks.

We have lots of helpful advice and tools on ptotoday.com to make your Teacher Appreciation Week a hit:

• Creative ideas for teacher appreciation
• Teacher appreciation on the File Exchange ”Get Out of Recess Duty Free” cards
• Volunteer & Teacher Appreciation Toolkit available free to PTO Today Plus members
• And you’ll find some teacher appreciation-related illustrations in our Clip Art Gallery

Best wishes for a fun celebration.

Lots of chatter about school auctions this time of year! Did your school just have an auction? How did it go? Have you done a debrief on your event?

Here’s a question: Did some of your auction items create bidding wars? I bet they did. For tips on how to create bidding wars and other ideas on how to make your next auction a big success, watch Tim’s video blog. Also be sure to visit our new Auction Group page — your spot to access great auction tools and information, collaborate with other leaders,  share your event photos and tell other about your most lucrative and unique auction items!  Hope to see you over there soon.