We have an ice cream social at the beginning of the year. Our PTO pays for it all. We go through the same ice cream shop every year and because of being "good customers" they usually donate everything but the ice cream (cups, napkins, toppnings, spoons, etc).
We had a play date on our playground during our meet and greet, families brought their own picnic lunch and ate on the grass near the playground. Families really enjoyed being able to catch up with each other at an organized event. Most kids end up on the playground at such events anyway.
Hi Our school did a picnic last summer the week before school started. We had all the families bring their own food and the PTO and local resource center provided the cake and sundae bar for free. We had a high school student playing music (CDs) and the librarian read stories to the kids. It was at the local park so there was a lot of things for the kids to do.
This summer we are doing a small raffle of a Packer football (hopefully) and maybe another reader for the stories. We are selling hot dog plates with chips and a drink, but the sundae bar is still free. We extended the time too since the pop warner football happens to be on the same day and time as the picnic. So the time will be from 5-8.
All in all we had 150 people for the first year. Our school is 425 students and the invites went out late because we didn't get it approved and park scheduled like we had hoped. So this year the teachers already have the invites in hand, the kids will get them in May and then again in summer school and the whole town will be covered in posters and signs.
Hope it helps and good luck!
Would like some ideas or suggestions. Not sure if this would be a good idea or not. Should the PTO provide the chicken and ask K, 2, 4 to bring salads and 1, 3, 5 to bring desserts?? Have tables and seating outside, maybe bring your own seating? Provide Koolaid, water and iced tea?? Would appreciate input.
