That's a very generous idea and, in my opinion, very appropriate for a PTO. The most typical way to do this is through the principal. You donate a certain amount of money to the principal as a discretionary fund. He uses it to help children in need -- for all the reasons you mentioned. The distribution of this money is confidential by nature, so you don't want a complete accounting. However, you should ask for a descriptive account of how the money was spent. (ie $225 in field trip fees for three students; $50 in personal items for two children). In your budget, you might allocate $2,000 for this purpose, for example. The money would go to the principal in $500 increments. Once he spends $500, he gives you the general accounting and requests another $500. You could do this by grade level -- it would just require more work to administer on your part, and there might possibly be an increased chance that the money is used in ways you don't intend in some cases.
- Craig
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