School hosted bookfair

[Anonymous]

Yes. It’s better than other fundraisers, prefer books over other stuff.

[Anonymous]

Just watch out for all the swag - erasers, pencils, and other stuff that looks interesting for a few minutes and focus on the books!

One school's PTA where I worked would provide FARMs kids with coupons for $10 towards a book. They really loved it.

[Anonymous]

When my kids were in ES, all the students in the class went during their classes' scheduled time, regardless of the student "buying" status.

I don't think you can opt out of attending.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. Postpone this until spring, when at least kids could be vaccinated.

This is for kids who are already in school together. They will go to the book fair with their class, no parents on site, and cohorts only mixed as they currently are. No need for the vaccine rangers to come out, kids went back to school already.

[Anonymous]

FYI, the online orders give the school Scholastic credits, which the school can use to buy books from the Scholastic website. In person purchases send the PTA cash, which can be used for whatever the school needs.

The kids go in with their class and make a wish list, so we always let them pick a book (or two) from the wish list, and something from the teacher's wish list. As a PP said, it's a fun childhood ritual. I remember the thrill of going into my elementary school's book fair and feeling like a BAMF when my parents sent in money for me to spend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FYI, the online orders give the school Scholastic credits, which the school can use to buy books from the Scholastic website. In person purchases send the PTA cash, which can be used for whatever the school needs.

The kids go in with their class and make a wish list, so we always let them pick a book (or two) from the wish list, and something from the teacher's wish list. As a PP said, it's a fun childhood ritual. I remember the thrill of going into my elementary school's book fair and feeling like a BAMF when my parents sent in money for me to spend.

I'm just laughing at the visual of a small child in their school library thinking to themselves "I feel like an absolute BAMF right now" and whipping out $15 for Ballet Shoes (my favorite book as a child)

[Anonymous]

It's a fundraising event, so if you can afford to you should buy some books. If you don't need any, ask your child's teacher to share a wish list so you can donate books to the class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Postpone this until spring, when at least kids could be vaccinated.

How is it more risky then other parts of the scool day?

It’s opportunity cost. If you are doing it to raise money or book inventory, you want the families to come in also. It makes a huge difference. Postpone to spring to hopefully be able t get families in because now are vaccinated.

...or maybe you provide the on-line option and skip that families-coming-in part for now...

FWIW, our school is having an outdoor preview day the Saturday before, where families can browse and buy. The rest of the time will be students and staff only.

[Anonymous]

OMG, yes. Loved that book too!!!!!!! And yes to feeling like a BAMF after getting to buy the book of your dreams at the scholastic book fair. Some of my fondest childhood memories.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FYI, the online orders give the school Scholastic credits, which the school can use to buy books from the Scholastic website. In person purchases send the PTA cash, which can be used for whatever the school needs.

The kids go in with their class and make a wish list, so we always let them pick a book (or two) from the wish list, and something from the teacher's wish list. As a PP said, it's a fun childhood ritual. I remember the thrill of going into my elementary school's book fair and feeling like a BAMF when my parents sent in money for me to spend.

I'm just laughing at the visual of a small child in their school library thinking to themselves "I feel like an absolute BAMF right now" and whipping out $15 for Ballet Shoes (my favorite book as a child)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Always! They can never have too many books

It’s good for them to learn how to have a transaction without their parents around. They have to make sure they have enough money to buy what they want, I remind them to be polite to the pta person who is running the Register. Remind them to wait for their change and receipt and say thank you.

I’m not a fan of the pens and other junk they sell up front, but I usually let my kids have $3 for some junky thing.

Agreed. I think there's a lot of great lessons kids can learn from shopping independently like wants vs needs, how to budget, value of a dollar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FYI, the online orders give the school Scholastic credits, which the school can use to buy books from the Scholastic website. In person purchases send the PTA cash, which can be used for whatever the school needs.

The kids go in with their class and make a wish list, so we always let them pick a book (or two) from the wish list, and something from the teacher's wish list. As a PP said, it's a fun childhood ritual. I remember the thrill of going into my elementary school's book fair and feeling like a BAMF when my parents sent in money for me to spend.

I'm just laughing at the visual of a small child in their school library thinking to themselves "I feel like an absolute BAMF right now" and whipping out $15 for Ballet Shoes (my favorite book as a child)

School Library Media Specialist here, yes that still happens. Kids are so excited to get to shop by themselves! It's a very empowering moment for them.

If you don't want to send in cash I encourage you to set up an really for your kid, the money goes into an account for them to spend. You can also make an wallet for a teacher and then the teacher can buy books for their classroom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Usually its the PTA. Yes, they do raise money. I would not give my child money freely. They usually come home with a list but the books are twice as much so I'd rather buy off Amazon and buy the teacher supplies or what they need directly.

Your choice if you prefer to contribute to Jeff Bezos instead of your school. Lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Postpone this until spring, when at least kids could be vaccinated.

How is it more risky then other parts of the scool day?

It’s opportunity cost. If you are doing it to raise money or book inventory, you want the families to come in also. It makes a huge difference. Postpone to spring to hopefully be able t get families in because now are vaccinated.

...or maybe you provide the on-line option and skip that families-coming-in part for now...

My experience running these is that most of the purchases happened during family events. In classes, kids come in and make selections—some buy a book or two. When the family is there, everybody buys so much more

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FYI, the online orders give the school Scholastic credits, which the school can use to buy books from the Scholastic website. In person purchases send the PTA cash, which can be used for whatever the school needs.

The kids go in with their class and make a wish list, so we always let them pick a book (or two) from the wish list, and something from the teacher's wish list. As a PP said, it's a fun childhood ritual. I remember the thrill of going into my elementary school's book fair and feeling like a BAMF when my parents sent in money for me to spend.

I'm just laughing at the visual of a small child in their school library thinking to themselves "I feel like an absolute BAMF right now" and whipping out $15 for Ballet Shoes (my favorite book as a child)

Loved that book, too! And book fairs! And RIF days when we got to pick out a book for FREE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Always! They can never have too many books

It’s good for them to learn how to have a transaction without their parents around. They have to make sure they have enough money to buy what they want, I remind them to be polite to the pta person who is running the Register. Remind them to wait for their change and receipt and say thank you.

I’m not a fan of the pens and other junk they sell up front, but I usually let my kids have $3 for some junky thing.

All of this, from an elementary school teacher.
My children love the book fair! I usually bring them to my school for our book fair too.