Our PTO uses money raised for things that benefit the kids. Last year we gave money to each classroom for supplies they needed. They all worte us a letter or attended a meeting to let us know what they needed. This ranged from paint to new carpeting as well as paper supplies and planners for the 4th and 5th grade. We also donated money to the gym, art and music class. It was our opinion that it's nicer to see the kids benefit from all of our hard work not just the teachers.
Our PTO uses money raised for things that benefit the kids. Last year we gave money to each classroom for supplies they needed. They all worte us a letter or attended a meeting to let us know what they needed. This ranged from paint to new carpeting as well as paper supplies and planners for the 4th and 5th grade. We also donated money to the gym, art and music class. It was our opinion that it's nicer to see the kids benefit from all of our hard work not just the teachers.
We are a very small school but this year we have made a big effort to accomplish some fundraising goals.
You'll laugh but in our acct. right now we have about $1100.00 At our last meeting we voted to spend $120 on books and dummies for staff CPR training (a huge hit with the parents), we had a grandparent donate a dvd player, and we purchased a lighted magnifying lamp for the nurses office $85.
For our first year as having an active committee I'm thrilled with the response. Better things are yet to come!!!!
There are lots of grants available to schools like yours. The best place to start is with your school district. Usually they have an office that helps you find grants or at least knows where to look.
Then you go to all the big computer companies (Dell, HP) and Microsoft. They all give away computers through their foundations. Sometimes the process is long and involved, but they do give things away. Almost always your group has to be a 501c3 so you may have to use the school as your group if you aren't.
Do an internet search on computer grants. There are lots of resources out there. We have two parents that just write grants for us and we've done pretty well. Most schools don't have the time or parents willing to put in the effort to apply for the grants.
If you are a Title 1 school your school district should be getting you lots of funds. Those are the schools that get the money from the federal gov't. Schools like mine do not.
Thank you everyone for your reponses. As I said I see the need for them, but I don't, as many of you have mentioned see how it will impact the children. This feedback is great. I am a part of our executive board and we will be discussing this at our next meeting. Most of us feel that our funds are best spent on our children.
Mom2m&a, our building is a title 1 building. That being the case do you know of any type of grant, state, or whatever monies that might be available for this type purchase?
