Central PTA News

The Central Talent Show is now airing Daily at 11 am & 6 pm on Network 6. Check it out!

Introducing the Central 100% Fund — the simple new fundraiser that raises money to enrich your children’s education without taking your valuable time. What’s also unique about the fund is that 100% of your contribution goes directly to the terrific PTA programs and activities that benefit your children. There’s no middle man to take part of the profits. What’s more, 100% of your contribution is tax deductible since we are a 501(c)(3) organization. Everyone benefits … 100%!

Central families are being asked to contribute $100 for the year to fund the budgeted PTA-sponsored programs and materials that benefit your children. It’s completely optional and any amount is welcome (more or less!), but please give what you can to the school office by 9/29/07 or use the envelope provided in the registration packet.

For more details on this exciting new fundraiser, see answers to Frequently Asked Questions. And you can download a copy of the flyer with its coupon for contributions right here.

So far, the Central community is voicing much support for the idea with comments that show a fundraiser like this is long overdue. Other school districts in the area raise funds this way with much success and nationally, there is a trend towards collecting funds rather than selling products or holding fundraising events (Wall Street Journal: “Parents Rebel Against School Fund-raisers” and on the National PTA web site: “Direct Donation Drives Simplify Asking & Giving”).

Thank you for all your support!

Dental exams are required for students entering grades K, 2, and 6. The dental form was not distributed for 6th graders. If you need a form you can download it here.

6th Grade Parents: This notice was posted on both the Hauser and Central PTA websites. When school begins, news relating to incoming 6th graders will only appear on the Hauser website. If you haven’t already done so, please visit www.hauserpta.org and sign up for e-mail notices (left column under “Newsletter Sign-up”).

Central PTA is excited about introducing the new Central 100% Fund because 100% goes to Central School and 100% is tax deductible!

Information about the new fundraising option was recently sent to Central families along with registration materials. It included a convenient reply envelope for contributions that will be collected by Central parent and volunteer Michelle Burton of the 100% Fund Committee. You may also place your donation in the Central office once school starts. You can download another copy of the registration form here as a PDF.

More FAQs and more will be on the PTA website soon. Thanks for visiting Central PTA News and for your interest in the Central 100% Fund.

Here’s how Central PTA dollars go to work for your children:

• Enriching programs and activities like: “Teach the Mind, Touch the Heart” character education assembly; Ben Franklin Historical Perspectives presentation; and Urban African Folktales
• Cultural Arts materials and field trips (Frank Lloyd Wright tour, Chicago Architecture tour); Artist-in-Residence Heather Hug for the Recycling Art Project in all grades
• Social events including the Ice Cream Social, Roller Skating Party, Ice Skating Party, Family Night with Magic Act, Jessie White Tumblers
• Classroom items including a keyboard for music class, boom boxes, digital cameras, fans in each room, mats for the gym, indoor and outdoor recess equipment, the mural around the gym door entrance, clay for art and ‘Science in a Can’ materials
• Living Classroom landscaping, plantings and maintenance, elm tree injection to prevent Dutch Elm disease, the Holly O’Hare Memorial Garden, the new playground and benches, pedestrian crossing signs
• Books for the Central School library, teacher appreciation activities and luncheon, stipends to teachers for classroom supplies and materials
• Administrative costs and operating expenses are used for such things as hospitality (refreshments for meetings, recitals and events), babysitting for PTA meetings, paper, postage, etc.

NOTE: PTA dues go towards the District School Calendar and Central School Directory, the Roadrunner Yearbook and National PTA dues.

Please support the Central 100% Fund today. Thank you!

You can download this information as a PDF also.

Why are we replacing other fundraisers with the Central 100% Fund?
Responses to the fundraising questionnaire in 2006-07 indicated parents’ interest in the simplicity of writing a check instead of selling products to raise money. Additional research showed that according to fundraising experts, it is more effective and productive to have fewer fundraisers. We also hope it reduces volunteer burnout!

Which fundraisers are being eliminated?
Market Day (still available at the Sara Lee Outlet where you can credit Central School), Carson’s Days, Aunt Diana’s Fudge, See’s Candy and the 4th of July Pizza Booth.

Which fundraisers are we keeping?
Innisbrook Wrapping Paper, due to its popularity (40-50% of the amount purchased goes to PTA), Pavers, Notecards, the Target account, and Product Label collections. Flyers will be sent home about them. Of course, participation is always optional.

How was the suggested amount of $100 per family determined?
We divided the PTA budget by the estimated number of families for next year. We’re treating it like a museum family membership instead of dividing it by each child. Perhaps some families with several schoolchildren will consider giving more. PTA appreciates any amount and it is all optional.

What if I can’t pay $100 at this time?
Please contribute at your comfort level. Another option is to pay half by 9/28/07 and half by 12/31/07 (for a tax deduction in the calendar year).

Can I charge my contribution?
UPDATE (8/14/08): Online donations have been temporarily suspended while we transition from PTA to PTO. Stay tuned for details.

Do I have to be a PTA member to contribute?
No. Contributions from everyone are welcome! Those who join PTA pay dues of $15/year for the school calendar and directory, yearbook and for national PTA dues.

Is Central PTA a nonprofit charity so that contributions are tax deductible?
Yes, we’re a 501(c)(3) organization; 100% of your contribution is tax deductible.

What does the Fund pay for?
Examples of the great programs and valuable materials PTA funds are listed on the flyer entitled, “Give 100% and get back even more!” The PTA budget is reported at monthly meetings; members vote on issues.

What happens if Central doesn’t raise enough money for the year?
We will solicit again in the spring if we don’t meet budgetary goals by December 31, 2007; we will also consider reducing the number of PTA programs and activities planned if there is a lack of funds. Updates will be given at PTA meetings and online.

Does contributing to the Fund mean I won’t be asked for any more donations?
There are times during the year when room parents will take up optional collections for teacher gifts. The school also collects for the needy and may have other charitable projects. It is all optional.

Will I still get solicitations from PTA in the backpack?
Your children’s backpacks are the school’s primary vehicle for sending you information about Central School including PTA, so it is important to continue to pay attention to all of the papers that come home. The Central 100% Fund is intended to reduce the number of requests for contributions to PTA, but is not eliminating them entirely.

Will Central eliminate any other fundraisers in the future?
It depends on the feedback we get from the Central PTA membership.

Do other schools offer a check-writing option?
Yes, individual schools and entire districts raise funds this way with much success, sometimes raising tens of thousands of dollars. Clarendon Hills, Downer’s Grove, Lake Forest and Oak Park are some of these districts.

What are Central parents saying about the new Fund?
Already, the committee has been flooded with positive response to this new option! People sound grateful to have a simple, quick way to fund PTA directly — without a middle man — and to benefit our kids. Some quotes are on the flyer entitled, “Here’s what you say about the Central 100% Fund.”

Where can I direct my comments about the Central 100% Fund?
Please send comments online via the web site, www.centralptanews.org. We also plan to solicit opinions in the latter half of the year with a brief questionnaire about how the Fund worked for you.

Thank you for your support!

You can download this information as a PDF also.

“Literally hundreds of man hours are spent raising money! The Central 100% Fund will take so much less time, both for the volunteers and for the contributors. This is a refreshing change.”
—Robin Benoy

“I joke about how we ‘bake it, bring it and buy it back’ to raise money for our schools but in a way it’s not funny. Let’s all contribute to the Central 100% Fund to support our children and school and get on with our lives.”
—Michelle Hejna

“I’m so glad we now have the option to just write a check. All of the money goes directly to Central PTA. Nobody else takes a cut! And my kids (and I) don’t have to sell anything.”
—Karen Doornebos

“I am all for the Central 100% Fund! I am tired of buying things I don’t need and every school, club and church has something to sell; this is repetitive in our small community. It is too much to keep track of all the paperwork and deadlines, so the one-time check is an ideal solution.
—Fran Sitkiewicz

“If you calculated the money you contribute to all of the PTA fundraisers, I think you’d find that $100 per family is a very reasonable donation.”
—Maura Doherty

“The fact that it’s 100% tax deductible is a wonderful benefit!”
—Cheryl Bennett

“What a relief to not feel guilty about saying no to product sales!”
—Sheila Daily

“The relationship between the PTA and Central is exemplary. This is a wonderful community of supporting parents who are interested in providing the best educational materials and opportunities for their children. The Central 100% Fund supports our children and their education and fosters the important partnership between home and school.”
—Dr. Janice Limperis, Central School Principal

“This option allows parents to spend less time raising funds and more time with their children whether it be at home or through teacher-directed curricular programs and other enrichment activities at school. I’ve seen funds like this work very successfully in other school districts.”
—Dr. Jonathan Lamberson, District 96 Superintendent

You can download these quotes as a PDF also.