BelieveKids - In addition to the 2 mandatory fundraisers we also do a Penny Party, 2 day Christmas Bazaar, Nite at the Races, Cinderella Cheesecake, Pizza and Tupperware fundraisers. All of these fundraisers are complete voluntary participation. What we do stress is what we do with the funds raised. We have a couple of dances for the older kids and holiday parties for the younger kids during the school year in addition to a school wide field day at the end of the year. The kids all get a t shirt, food and games and a good time to celebrate the end of a successful school year on this day. We have a dinner dance for the graduating class every year. In addition, due to the success of our mandatory fundraisers we were able to purchase 2 smart board systems for 2 classrooms with the money raised. Since we are a ctholic school and understand that we are all paying tuition we stress that having the fundraisers we are hopefully keeping tuition affordable for all. As I am sure we all find, you have some parents who will do nothing but maybe what is expected and others who will go all out on the ones that they can.
Patty, what are your thoughts about offering fewer fundraisers but focusing your efforts more on the heavy-hitters?
Plus, I think it's incredible that you have 2 mandatory fundraisers. If you take a look at that the difference in participation it's candles at 12% of students participating vs. mandatory fundraiser at 96% participating. It's amazing! Obviously, schools that put more firm importance on the fundraisers obviously can effect a huge amount of difference in the participation.
In reply to Jewel we are able to do it with the principal backing us on this. As much as we deplore doing this to the individual students - I, along with our PTA Board are also parents of students in this school. We have to do the same as is expected of everyone else. When you first register your child/ren it is posted in the paperwork you are given, the board also visited every classroom in the beginning of the school year during the parents back to school nites and we told the parents this is what we do and we also talked about it at the initial home and school meeting with all the parents in September. We stressed at these meetings that in our city catholic schools are closing at a alarming rate. We are a small school but are going strong because of our fundraising. We do many fundraisers during the school year but the 2 chance drawings are the ONLY ones that are mandatory. Todays parents just don't seem to care. I just did a Yankee Candle fundraiser in which only 20 of 160 families participated and we still made a profit of around $1,000. Imagine what we could have made if even half (80) of our families brought 1 candle. I know it is a hard stance to take but fair is fair. We have gone from 19 nonpaying down to 6 because parents were told their child could not go on a class trip. The final 6 will not be allowed at field day or recieve a t shirt if their money is not submitted. Field Day is paid entirely with money raised thru the Home and School Association and if you don't participate is raising the money why should you reap the rewards. If the family has a serious issue it can be discussed with the principal or pastor - we don't need to know your business - and they will make the final decision. We are now 6 weeks past the drawing and nobody has approached either of them. The parish finance committe has also issued a letter stating that if ALL fees are not paid promptly the students will be prohibited from school activities and they will withhold report cards. If a lunch fee was not paid the parent was called and tld they needed to make other arrangements for the child for lunch starting that very day.
For very large amounts you might consider asking your school if they can add the amount on to students' fees that must be paid in order for the student to enroll next year.
Patti -- I understand prohibiting non-performers from participating in dances and parties, but how does your PTO have the authority to prevent the student from attending field trips which, I presume, are part of the educational curriculum? Also, how has your PTO reconciled the fact that the children will be punished for their parents decisions?
Thank you all for your responses.. it has been a stressful event that is for certain.. we did have them sign release and responsibiliy forms but it hasn't done much in helping the enforcement. Its very sad. We made enough to pay the vendor but our profit was half of what it should have been. We won't be doing anymore of these sales.. everything will be a prepay type event. I was just wondering if there was anything creative to do for enforcement.
