Books for the school library!

Even better if you can swing it outside and there are actually real estate firms that will lend the equipment to schools for free as advertising!

Your kids may be at the same school; this is what ours does.

Anonymous wrote:A free community movie night (in the cafeteria) is relatively easy to plan and GREAT for building community/goodwill. Those companies that do outdoor movies will come and handle all the setup of the equipment. Invite families to bring blankets/picnic dinner and/or sell drinks/pizza to recoup some of the cost of the movie rental.

Even better if you can swing it outside and there are actually real estate firms that will lend the equipment to schools for free as advertising!

A free community movie night (in the cafeteria) is relatively easy to plan and GREAT for building community/goodwill. Those companies that do outdoor movies will come and handle all the setup of the equipment. Invite families to bring blankets/picnic dinner and/or sell drinks/pizza to recoup some of the cost of the movie rental.

Anonymous wrote:Spend what you need to to ensure that your lottery matches are warmly welcomed. Snacks, name tags, that kind of thing.

And then forget about them unless it’s time to more donations!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, everyone! Keep 'em coming!

Our school uses some of the PTA funds to allow for all kids to participate in after school enrichment activities (dance, soccer, etc), regardless of ability to pay.

This would be amazing. Our school can’t meet aftercare needs yet resisted this help.

Anonymous wrote:Day camps for students on some days off of school

This is huge for many elementary school parents!

Day camps for students on some days off of school

Popsicles on the playground with teachers and admin the week before school starts.

At our previous charter in ECE, paid for a brand new amazing playground

We did a library makeover. Purchased some new shelving, and parents and kids gave the whole room a cleaning and properly organized the books. We did this on a teacher PD day, and on their breaks they came and saw us working. It was very well-received. It's great if you can involve the kids in this kind of thing, they're always so proud of themselves.

Anonymous wrote:Our PTO a few years ago funded a refresh of the teachers lounge including a new microwave, deep clean of the fridge/freezer, furniture from a 2nd hand store along with furniture/accessory dontations and fresh paint and area rugs. Also added nice touches to the teacher bathroom.

I spearheaded this type of project at our school too. It was a huge hit. Did it as a 24-hour makeover right before Teacher Appreciation Week.

In 2020 we pivoted the funds from our direct appeal campaign toward refurbished Chromebooks for students who didn't have devices at home. When we shared that news with the donors, most of them donated a second time in appreciation.