Fundraising -Some insight and goals

Many PTO's exist to help make schools a better and more enriching place for their kids. We are fortunate in the Teaticket community to have so many educators and volunteers that care so much about our children.

A popular bumper sticker says "It will be a perfect day when schools have all the money they need and the air force is forced to have a bake sale to buy a bomber." but the sad part is often a school budget is stretched to the max and they have to make do or do without. This is where the PTO enters the picture.

The most often noted contribution of the PTO's fundraising is to pay for students field trips. Over the past several years we have alloted $12 per child for them. Field trips are a lot of fun, but are also culturally enriching and educational for the students. Recent destinations have included Plimoth Plantation, Roger Williams Park Zoo, Zooquarium, and Beebe Woods.

What else? On occasion a department or teacher will have a special request, something that would be significantly beneficial for the students but the budget can not accomodate. For example, this year we bought a defribilator for the school. Our Nurse and several staff members have been trained in its use. The Falmouth High School has one, but this was the first purchased in town at the elementary level. Also this year we have replaced a slide in the kindergarten play area.

Last year the PTO purchased a climbing wall for the Physical Education department. The wall is an apparatus that contributes to honing upper body strength, something that was previously not focused upon as there was no equipment specifically for that task.

A few years ago, the PTO helped to fund and build the new playground at the school, a recreational resource not only enjoyed by our students but by the community as well. For the maintenance department, we purchased a steam cleaning machine to help facilititate sanitization, especially during the winter months when colds and flu are rampant.

Additionally, with staff appreciation in the spring, we have provided the teachers and department heads small stipends to help with practical supplies. These are items things that teachers buy for their classrooms often with the expense coming from their own pockets.

The disbursement of funds, most of which are from fundraising in the PTO, are accomplished through democratic process. All requests are given equal consideration, discussed at length and voted on. We try to spend wisely, and stick with things that would benefit the greater good.

A few notes about our different fundraising projects, We have enjoyed great success over the past couple of years with our fall fundraiser This year we are using Innisbrooks fall catalog, as well as Classic Cookie Dough. Community Pizza Nights at the local Papa Gino's and Domino's are also a lot of fun, where a percentage of the profits go back to the school

Boxtops for education has been a smaller yet continual way of obtaining funds. The labels on General Mills products that friends, family and teachers cut out and brought to school. They are redeemed for cash through the GM company.

Ultimately the reason we do all of this is because we are looking for ways to further enrich our children's lives. PTO fundraisers are a great way of helping to do that, by providing them with programs and other events that make their school years healthier and happier.

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