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Last year, the PTO board at Pier Elementary in Fond du Lac, Wis., was looking for new and creative ways to raise funds to update the school’s computer lab. So board members planned a “knowledgeathon.” Leaders solicited area businesses to sponsor T-shirts for each student, then each class was given grade-appropriate questions to work on. The teachers incorporated the questions into their lesson plans to help the children study, and students solicited friends and family for pledges based on correct answers. On quiz day, parent and community volunteers individually quizzed 420 children. The children were rewarded for their participation with additional recesses, extra gym time, pizza, and ice cream with the principal. Leaders raised more than IQs as a result of the event; they took in more than $9,000 for the school’s technology initiative.
Pier Elementary PTO, Fond du Lac, Wis.