We payed for a new, state of the art computer lab (three year 30K committment). Once that was done, we paid for little things that usually get over looked at the school, like step ladders, bulletin boards, field trips, craft paper, etc. Last year, we paid for new band instruments. The year coming up is dedicated to a new playground and, you guessed it, technology equiptment.

We also reimburse teachers a minimum of $50 (one year I got it raised to $100 each) for classroom expenses (33 regular teachers, the nurse, computer teacher, choral teacher, band teacher, library, p.e. teacher, 2 special ed teachers, times $50 equals a very quick $2000. Add to that group administrative costs for the year, little odds and ends, and you're looking at another 1-2K.

Planning on holding any special events, like Artist In Residence, Pioneer Living or Earth Ball? How about a couple of Family Fun Nights? There goes another easy $5K to $8K chunk.

What about Red Ribbon Week? Oh my, there is another chunk gone...lol...

It sure goes fast...

[ 05-26-2004, 08:23 PM: Message edited by: TheMetzyMom ]

We use it for technology, playground, supplies for fun days, attendance and academic prizes, AR prizes, we also give each child 2 tickets for Fall Festival, Holiday Shop, and Spring Fling, teachers get $200.00 and classified staff $100.00. Sometimes we help pay for the DARE program.

99% of our funds go to family fun nights/events. The only equipment we have bought in our three years are playground safetysigns and a screen.former pta bought speakers, podiums, videos, school sign, and books.
we have funded the following:
-a class picture for every student, School t-shirt for kindergarten students, author visits, a dj party for celebrating reading, assemblies, staff appreciation, six grade graduation, fieldtrips, monthly guessing contests for all students(average cost 200.00, healthy snack four times a year for all students, shirts and pizza for the student running club, cost of feeding grandparents at luncheon, craft night, fall fest carnival, sock hop, luau, read across america celebration, school supplies for teachers to distribute to kids without,refreshments for all school fuctions that request them(ex. concert, fitness night),and little extra things that may be asked.
we do not give our teachers any money manily because our average fun nights cost around 1000.00. we do not charge for any of these events, we also distribute coupons for our holiday shop and bookfairs anad we therefore make no profit on these events either. our believe is to give families the opportunities to have a fun free night that allows for togetherness.hope this helps...

[ 05-26-2004, 08:16 PM: Message edited by: pals ]

I'm curious about what other organizations spend there money on. I've heard some say they can not buy playgroung equipment or technology supplies. What else is there to buy? I know some of our money pays for assemblies and transportation for field trips. We buy electric pencil sharpeners, musical instruments and PA systems. What are some of the things you all purchase with the funds you raise?