Best and Worst of PTA events?

[Anonymous]

I like most of the nights listed above (International Night, STEM night etc.)
I do dislike the Scholastic Book Fairs. So much energy devoted when people with money can just buy books on Amazon or at a local store (usually for cheaper), and people without money aren't buying the books anyway. Also the yearbooks--fine for the 5th grader, but my kindergartener doesn't need one.

[Anonymous]

We like book fairs even if Amazon is cheaper. If we’re going to buy books anyway, we’re happy to spend a little extra to support the school. And I’m supportive of anything that gets kids reading.

Most popular/enjoyable events: science fair, back to school/end of school picnics, bingo night, International Fair

I personally love restaurant nights but I know other parents have mixed feelings.

I dread the talent show but the kids seem to like it.

Worst event: Boosterathon

[Anonymous]

There's like a million threads on this but I loved Boosterthon.
Kindergarten parent here and when my school announced they were doing this, I was dreading it after reading about it on DCUM. But I attended the fun run they put on and it was so positive and fun for the kids! They had made a class banner and were cheering each other on. Fun school spirit stuff!
Plus my DS came home every day talking about castle story and all the character traits they were learning about. We went online and watched the videos and they were very well done. Was totally pleasantly surprised!

[Anonymous]

I don't like the Scholastic book fair either. Expensive books, and not a lot of kids buy. I do like the used book fair our elementary school runs. It's a ton of work for the PTA, but they gather donations and each kid is allowed to pick out two books. That encourages a love of reading for all kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't like the Scholastic book fair either. Expensive books, and not a lot of kids buy. I do like the used book fair our elementary school runs. It's a ton of work for the PTA, but they gather donations and each kid is allowed to pick out two books. That encourages a love of reading for all kids.

Can you please give some more details about how you make this successful? Are there any issues with “allowed” books or an overwhelming amount of donations of baby board books instead of on-level elementary books? Any tips would be super appreciated!

Our school does a low-key chess club for a half hour before school - some parents kindly come in and supervise the kids playing each other and sometimes set up a puzzle for them to try to solve. PTA helps out with room rental cost and the whole thing is a big success.

Back to school picnic is a lovely way for new families to get welcomed.
We hand out a little cash to each of the teachers for room set up at the beginning of the year and each grade hosts a staff appreciation lunch once a month.
STEM night and all-school concerts are wonderful.
Cultural Arts programming is always a huge hit... we try to do several a year, and it really reaches all the students, not just the ones whose parents can bring them into out-of school activities.

[Anonymous]

The PTAs put on the Geography Bowls. Very worthwhile!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't like the Scholastic book fair either. Expensive books, and not a lot of kids buy. I do like the used book fair our elementary school runs. It's a ton of work for the PTA, but they gather donations and each kid is allowed to pick out two books. That encourages a love of reading for all kids.

The Scholastuc book fairs are terrible.

Our media specialist put a Wish List on amazon that people can buy off of any time.

And we did the Barnes and Noble book fair. You can purchase online or in store. We did one day in store and about a week and a half online. People love it because if they are B&N members, they can use coupons. Or even if not, you get rewards and 15% coupons via email.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't like the Scholastic book fair either. Expensive books, and not a lot of kids buy. I do like the used book fair our elementary school runs. It's a ton of work for the PTA, but they gather donations and each kid is allowed to pick out two books. That encourages a love of reading for all kids.

Can you please give some more details about how you make this successful? Are there any issues with “allowed” books or an overwhelming amount of donations of baby board books instead of on-level elementary books? Any tips would be super appreciated!

Our school does a low-key chess club for a half hour before school - some parents kindly come in and supervise the kids playing each other and sometimes set up a puzzle for them to try to solve. PTA helps out with room rental cost and the whole thing is a big success.

Back to school picnic is a lovely way for new families to get welcomed.
We hand out a little cash to each of the teachers for room set up at the beginning of the year and each grade hosts a staff appreciation lunch once a month.
STEM night and all-school concerts are wonderful.
Cultural Arts programming is always a huge hit... we try to do several a year, and it really reaches all the students, not just the ones whose parents can bring them into out-of school activities.

Used book sale poster here. Certain categories of books are requested for both children and adults both from the school and the broader community of neighbors and alums (via listserv). It is hard to get enough desirable books for children of varying ages ( few greater demand for Captain Underpants and Lego and Junie B. Jones books than supply). But even for my K kid, he was super happy to have picked up a board book for his little sibling--and he read it to her too, so there was a literacy component there. At our school, the book fair is also open to the public for late evening hours and weekend hours so it doubles as a fundraiser (though most items are priced at $2 or less).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The PTAs put on the Geography Bowls. Very worthwhile!

This sounds interesting. Can you tell us more about it?

[Anonymous]

Boosterthon is the absolute worst. Totally unethical company that steals classroom time and harasses kids to raise money -- half of which lands in the pockets of Boosterthon.

Fun: Cultural night, family board game night, bingo, not-so-silent auction.

[Anonymous]

At Potomac we would have club Potomac from 6 - 8:30 or 9 one Saturday a month. We had a dj in the cafeteria, pizza for $1 a slice, drinks, face painting and games in the halls , bingo in the library, bounce house and games in the gym etc. The kids loved it. The people who signed up had to volunteer one night out of the 12. I also think you could pay and bring a guest. It was also nice as parents to be able to have a quick dinner without having to get a sitter.

[Anonymous]

We love Club Wayside - top DJ, prizes, food and drink, roving performers, school "swag", they bring video games and usually local talent from the Wizards, Caps or Nats comes by to play with the kids. Last time each kid got their own iPad thanks to a few generous parents!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The PTAs put on the Geography Bowls. Very worthwhile!

This sounds interesting. Can you tell us more about it?

I think it started at Woodlin ES and spread to other schools. Over the course of 3-5 grade, the kids do the US, half the world, then the other half. All students get a 30-40 page packet of material, prepared over the years by parents. Different schools have adapted the materials over time. After a month or so, they compete to be on grade level teams. Teams then prepare to answer questions at the school assembly Geo Bowl. Woodlin is in the midst of theirs right now, I believe, so if you were interested, you could go on their PTA website to learn more about it.

[Anonymous]

Bingo Night all the way! We bought some cheap flashing lights and downloaded Price is Right music and would play/flash for every winner. Also, one parent would dress up and throw confetti on the winner. Really fun. We'd have several winners each game (just keep calling numbers until about 5 or so winners) to keep it lively. Winners would get to pick a prize (donated from people's parties or picked up on Target clearance). Making coffee and having a bake sale along w/ it actually make it a net profit and a fun night.

Int'l night was loved by many but not me. Always too crowded.

Used book sales are good fundraisers and can be combined w/ entertainment. I always found Scholastic sales to be overpriced & not great selection.

Talent show can be fun or tedious. Can be difficult to turn kids away if too many audition. It's tricky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The PTAs put on the Geography Bowls. Very worthwhile!

This sounds interesting. Can you tell us more about it?

I think it started at Woodlin ES and spread to other schools. Over the course of 3-5 grade, the kids do the US, half the world, then the other half. All students get a 30-40 page packet of material, prepared over the years by parents. Different schools have adapted the materials over time. After a month or so, they compete to be on grade level teams. Teams then prepare to answer questions at the school assembly Geo Bowl. Woodlin is in the midst of theirs right now, I believe, so if you were interested, you could go on their PTA website to learn more about it.

I'm pretty sure it started at Piney Branch. A PBES parent w/ older kids knew about it from the past and got it started. Spread to Pine Crest from there. Maybe spread to Woodlin or a Woodlin parent had the same idea independenty.