I see our group going the opposite direction, and I have mixed feelings. For instance, the PTO has decided to provide the consumables this year for the science lab. It's a long list of small stuff - cotton balls, sugar, salt, pipe cleaners, etc. (Note, I'm on the Board, but not president.)

By the way we have also (per district rule) done away with all sales fundraisers, which will now return to the school. The PTO will focus more on volunteerism and service with a much, much smaller budget. (We'll still have break-even events and our spring fling that brings in $3000-$4000).

Anyway, in my mind the stuff above could easily be collected by sending a flyer home. (I'd be happy to pick up an extra box of salt or bag of cotton balls and send them to school.) But the PTO now feels the parents are being asked for so much stuff, so often, that we'll just buy things like this.

On the one hand they are right, on the other I don't know that I agree spending $500 from our now tiny budget on things that can be easily collected is the best idea.

I'm not for or against this plan, I just have mixed feelings. It's hard to come up with the "right" answer.

Life is writing out checks. Our oldest went to high school this year and we dropped about $500 in the first month.

Anyway at our school here it is:

Wrapping paper sale, 160 of 250 sold, made about 10K, all kids benifit with free field trip, enrichment programs etc. Prize program plus extra prizes for top 3 sellers, top class gets Ice cream plus $$ towards a wish list, 2nd top class gets ice cream.

Fall fair, tickets sold and raffle, $1-$1.50 for linch, 25 cents for games etc.

movie nights free for all

family fun night free for all

talent show free for all including no ticket sales

field day free with gifts and ice cream

pictures 2 times a year with a kick back to the school

yes, a wish list at the beginning of the year.

spring walk a thon fundraiser

that is all I can think of at this time, just to compare.

Maybe I ought to clarify, since my school might be different from the norm:

So far this year, off the top of my very poor memory, I recall:

1. Over the summer, our 6-7 year old was asked to get $ sponsors to pay so much for each book she read (okay...)

2. Parents were expected to purchase paper, pencils, notebooks, markers, kleenex, liquid soap, etc. the first week. (glad to!)

3. We sent $ for school pictures (there will be a *second* school photo and a class photo in the spring, both fundraisers for the school (two is a little much, but we're in!)

4. We were asked to pay $20 for our child to participate in the school play (scholarships available!)

5. Couple of field trips (few bucks, no big deal)

6. Every Thursday, an envelope comes home asking us to purchase scrip from grocery store (this I'm not so fond of)

7. We had our annual fundraiser for the Art program: they send home a free magnet with our child's painting on it, along with a price sheet for mugs, t-shirts, etc. (happy to get some money to the art teacher, whose annual budget for supplies is $200; I'm not joking. We're an Arts & Music magnet school)

8. Scholastic books order form (man they sell a lot of junk now...)

9. 2 skating rink fundraisers so far

10. Pizza night once a month (can they put any *more* paper in that book bag?)

11. Book sale, different from Scholastic Books (I'm right there!)

12. Miscellaneous charity drives and gifts for teacher, etc.

Honestly, I know I'm leaving stuff out. It's not even Halloween yet!

I'm not complaining about the $. It would not hurt my child any if I refused to participate in 75% of this.

But is this normal? Isn't this a little crazy? I'm scared to death to suggest any of this friendly group's creative ideas for fear the powers that be will wear my sorry behind OUT!

--Weeks

Thank you all for responding. I confess that a lot of the issues regarding fundraisers vs. events vs. competitions, etc. etc. are jumbled in my mind. I don't want everything to be perfectly equal, I'd just like to see more common sense about not leaving children out.

To all4kids and cechilds (and anyone else): I am VERY interested in the Hornet Dollars and the Cafe Cash. A small group of us (including someone from Junior Achievement) is trying to figure out a way to give every kid a chance to earn things and not stigmatize kids as "charity" recipients. Some kind of scrip like you mention seems the ideal way. Then EVERY kid has purchasing power. But it obviously gets complicated.

Can you tell us a little more about how Hornet Dollars or Cafe Cash -- or any other kind of play money -- works?

Weeks

We are trying to avoid fundraisers that have prize incentives this year. We hope the kids will realize the purpose of the fundraiser is to benefit the school or classroom, not to see how many prizes you can win.

We have a program where students are awarded "Happy Hornets" (our school mascot) for good behavior or academic acheivement. They are turned in for drawings for things like pencils or candy. The also can earn "Hornet Dollars" that they can use to purchase other small items.

Last year the PTO set up a "Scholarship Fund" that is to be used to pay for activities for children that can't afford to pay themselves. The teachers had been paying out of their pocket and we felt they shouldn't have to do that. It's all kept quiet and everyone gets to participate. We will never let someone be left out because of lack of ability to pay.

We use Box Tops,Tyson labels and Campbell soup labels. The kids collect 10 labels (they can combine the three)they drop the labels in a box at lunch. A few days later we give what we call Cafe Cash. The kids can use the Cafe Cash to get snacks at lunch time. We also have a slushie machine which the kids can turn their Cafe Cash in to get.

When a parent signs up to volunteer for something a pass it given. The pass is good for 1 free event.