Hey Tim, I tried to do it but when I cut and paste it gets all jumbled up because it has to fit in this tiny message box. It does not look too good so I will have to say I can not do it. There has to be a way for us to be able to get forms on your website somehow.......
I do agree that all the, "me too's" are a little much but it is good people want and are willing to share with others. I bet you will figure something out!!!
I've never been comfortable with the concept of parents approving grants for teachers. As involved as I am at the school, I don't feel qualified to debate the merits of one teacher's request over another's. I know alot of schools run a grant program, but we disburse $ differently.
Our annual budget has over 20 categories, a few of which we allow the principal to control. If a teacher has a need that the PTO could fund out of those budget categories, the teacher needs to approach the principal. We defer such decisions to the principal so we, parents, aren't second-guessing what the staff needs. That way, we're never the bad guys, but often the heroes since our fundraising makes extra $ available.
If you implement a mini-grant program, make it easy for the teachers to participate. My sister is a teacher at a school where the max grant is $50 and the PTO has set many specific rules about how that money can be spent (ex: you can't use it to buy candy for classroom rewards). It got to the point where teachers weren't even bothering to submit applications since they were being scrutinized and the max amount was $50. Not worth the effort.
We are a fairly young PTO looking to start a mini grant program for the teachers. If you could send any helpful information to me that would be great. Just looking to shorten our learning curve. My e-mail address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
We offer grants to our teachers as well, this year we have two application deadlines, the end of October and the middle of February, if I remember correctly. We have short applications, which are reviewed by the executive board. Applications are approved by the principals, who can help us determine if the request can be better funded elsewhere. We are lucky to have a trust fund that at least lately provides interest to supplement the grant line item in our operating budget.
Showing favoritism was my biggest worry with your plan for grants as well...how do you make the decision whether or not their purpose was worthy? And then what becomes of the money dedicated parents have helped you earn who happen to have a teacher who makes no extra effort in the classroom? Do they become more dissatisfied with the school as a result?
We gave a straight $200 to every teacher in the school to provide for whatever classroom needs they had, and then we asked teachers to give the principal requests for anything beyond that amount. The principal made the call whether or not the requests were worthy, and we used whatever money was left to help with the requests. We supplied the school with Science Carts and a die cut machine with money left from that year as well as making a $5000 deposit into the Technology fund.
