Making a difference in schools. Together.
MARCH 11, 2021
ARE YOU SPENDING YOUR FUNDS CORRECTLY?
Gearing up for 2021-22
It is hard to believe that a year ago this Saturday our lives changed significantly as the COVID pandemic hit this country. You have all done so much to embrace your schools, teachers, staff and most importantly students, with creative ways to enhance their learning this year, and we applaud you for it! As planning begins for the 2021-2022 school year, it is a good time to revisit some suggested ways to spend your funds.

Parent Teacher Organizations (PTO’s) give parents, teachers, and schools the opportunity to work together to supplement and enrich the educational experience (Jennifer Roland, “Parent Teacher Organization Tips”), and a Booster Club is formed to support an associated club, sports team, or organization (definitions.net). Both share a central purpose: to support students and add to their experiences.

With that as their primary goal, here are some suggested things PTO/Boosters can fund:
  • PTO/Booster Operations
  • Volunteer Leadership Training
  • Student/Family Events and Programs
  • School/Family Enrichment Programs
  • Family Nights
  • Meetings
  • Fundraisers
  • Teacher and Volunteer Appreciation and Awards
  • Student Scholarships
  • Pre-Game/Post-Game Dinners

You can find additional information in these two great articles, “What Can PTO Funds Be Used For?” and “Booster Clubs for High School Athletics: One vs. Multiple.” The articles also mention items that PTO/Boosters should not be funding. Generally, if the school has a budget line item for something, you should not be funding it, unless there are extreme circumstances.

We will be updating the Chapter Policy Manual around this subject. In the meantime, if you have any questions please reach out to Diane Kilian.
MORE GREAT AND SIMPLE FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES
from Foundation Partners
Organizers promote the program for two weeks to their school. Interested participants are given a SPECIFIC CODE for their school at checkout; meals are delivered directly to the customers house. At the end of the fundraising campaign, sales are calculated back to the school and a check is sent. Easy Peasy! Drive through pickups are also available, but the delivery route is popular because meals can also be sent to friends and family for any occasion - right from a computer. Modern Plate does the rest. Same day delivery Monday – Friday if the order comes in before 10am! Click here for more.
ROCK RIDGE PTO KNOWS HOW TO HAVE FUN!
The Rock Ridge PTO’s first virtual PTO Paint Night was a tremendous success! RRE families joined together on Zoom as art teacher, Ms. Gonzalez, walked everyone through a fun and colorful painting. Participants had a blast creating their own masterpiece!
 
“This event was made possible with the assistance of the Foundation, who posted the event on My School Bucks, enabling parents to easily register and pay. Thanks for helping us create an exciting event that was available to both our in school and eLearning families!” ~ Lydia Goodland, Rock Ridge PTO President
Be sure to connect with other Foundation PTO's on the Chapter Chat Facebook page! (Link below.)

Did you know that the Foundation manages a Chapter Chat Facebook page? The purpose of this private group is to solicit the advice of other chapter officers and committee chairs, benefit from their experience, share best practices, and participate in ongoing conversation. Join us today by clicking on the Facebook icon below!
The Foundation for Douglas County Schools | 303-387-0505
dcef_info@dcsdk12.org | www.foundationdcs.org