Seriously. So many groups think their dollars have to go only to tangible items for the school. While those are often much-needed and always nice, I think there's a real role for focusing on involvement, too.
We buy so many "things" because we want our school to be the best it can be. But research says that increased involvement and community absolutely makes a school more effective, as well.
How do you invest in involvement? More family events. Free family events. Lower-priced admission for family involvements. Speakers on key topics (to help parents help their kids). Organizational tools to make your group even better. Supporting training for your faculty and admin on involvement best practices. Yadda.
Good news is that -- in the long run -- by focusing on involvement more (and succeeding at it), you'll actually wind up raising more dollars, too.
We've purchased benches and picnic tables that were placed by hte playground equipment.... bulletin boards... we also did a classroom wishlist and grant each grades wishes up to 1,000 per grade plus 1,000 for the specials teachers-- they loved that and the principal was the only 1 that had to approve their choices. A Rock wall is one of our new options and a marqee.... trying to get grants to help out with both.
Thank you kriswm. Those are all really great things to bring up to the rest of the board. I really like the sound systems for classrooms for hearing impaired students, that one I know the teachers can get a lot of use from.
Every fall our principal will submit a wishlist that she compiles using teacher suggestions and urgent school needs. In the 4 years that I have been a member we have purchased a piano, digital camera, bulletin board covers, sound systems for classrooms with hearing impaired students, Xylophone, drums and Glockenspiel for music classes, new play furniture and kitchenette for kindergarten classrooms, a climbing wall, a binding machine and media center books. Another thing we do is give out a stipend to each Teacher at the end of the year to help cover their individual supply contributions.
We also use fundraising money for the 5th grade end of year party, treating the school patrol to a day at the local amusement park, giving out reading awards to those kids who completed the target reading total on their quarterly reading logs, providing popsicles for track and field day in the spring, and we sponser an "I Love To Read" night with cookies and juice, games, crafts and entertainment that is free for all.
We have been looking for ways to use our money to help out the teachers as well as the students. (We have a school K-8 of over 1000 kids.) So far we have bought a laminater, paper cutter, 50 chairs for a reading program and some odds and ends. We have a brand new playground so that one is a no go was thinking of a new marque but would like other ideas. Anyone have any?
