Central PTA News

Our school is earning money! It comes to us thanks to all of you currently participating in the Target Take Charge of Education® program. By simply shopping with your Target® Visa® or Target® Card, a percentage of the amount of each purchase you make is donated back to our school. If you’re not already taking part, please consider doing so — grandparents, alumni, friends and neighbors can help, too. To participate or to see how much has been contributed towards our next check, please visit www.target.com/tcoe or call (800) 316-6142 and give them our school code # 48051.

Quick Stats

100% goes to Central! 100% is tax deductible!

Central School’s popular 100% Fund will be making an encore appearance for the 2008/2009 school year.

Information on the fund will be sent home in your children’s backpacks the first week of school. However, if you would like to get a head start before the hustle and bustle of the school year begins, follow this link to the PTA website www.centralptanews.org where you can find information on:

• Benefits of the Central 100% Fund
• FAQs regarding the fund and;
• A printable mail-in donation form

Let’s start our school year off with another successful year for the Central 100% Fund.

100% goes to Central … 100% is tax deductible!

Why did we replace other fundraisers with the Central 100% Fund?
Responses to a 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 were eliminated?
Market Day, Carson’s Days, Aunt Diana’s Fudge, See’s Candy and the 4th of July Pizza Booth.

Which fundraisers were kept?
Innisbrook Wrap and Gifts, due to its popularity (40-50% of the amount purchased goes to PTO), Brick 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?
The suggested donation amount remains the same as last year. The PTO budget was divided by the estimated number of families for the 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. The PTO 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 9/30/08 and half by 12/31/08 (for a tax deduction in the calendar year).

Can I charge my contribution?
Beginning sometime in September, you may charge (and accumulate points or cash back allowances) on line at www.centralptonews.org; a nominal processing fee is deducted from that contribution.

Is Central PTO 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 the PTO funds are listed on the flyer entitled, “Give 100% and get back even more!” The PTO budget is reported at monthly meetings; members vote on issues. More information is also on our web site.

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, 2008; we will also consider reducing the number of PTO programs and activities planned if there is a lack of funds. Updates will be given at PTO 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 the PTO in the backpack?
Your children’s backpacks are the school’s primary vehicle for sending you information about Central School including the PTO, 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 the PTO, but is not eliminating them entirely.

Will Central eliminate any other fundraisers in the future?
It depends on the success of the Central 100% fund and feedback we receive from the Central PTO community.

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.

Where can I direct my comments about the Central 100% Fund?
Please send comments online via the web site, www.centralptanews.org or send an email to fundraising@centralptanews.org.

Thank you for your support!

Contributing to the Central 100% Fund means you are giving directly to the PTO-sponsored programs and materials that benefit your children. It is optional, as are all fundraisers, but we do need your help to continue offering the high quality support that has been a hallmark of Central PTO.

Please give what you can.

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

• Enriching programs and activities including: “Vince the Prince” character education assembly on bullying; Laura Ingalls Wilder Historical Perspectives presentation; and Prismatic Magic laser light assembly on ecology
• Cultural Arts materials and field trips including Frank Lloyd Wright, Riverside Art Center and Chicago Architecture tours; Artist-in-Residence poetry program and open mike sessions with poet Bill Buczinsky
• Social events including the Ice Cream Social, Roller Skating Party, Ice Skating Party, Fall Carnival and spring “Dinner and a Movie”
• Wellness education equipment including the new climbing wall and fitness stations for Teacher Directed Physical Education (TDPE)
• Classroom author kits with books and materials for all grade levels, DVDs about artists, mats for the school entrance and a picnic table
• Books for the Central School library, teacher appreciation activities and luncheon, and 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), paper, postage, etc.

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

Now there’s a way to eliminate the burden of intensive fundraising throughout the school year by streamlining fundraising activities to just a few, and replacing others with the Central 100% Fund – the “just write a check” option that is simple, quick and benefits your children … 100%!

This one-time, tax-deductible donation is the answer to parents who have asked for such an option and would rather spend less time on fundraising and more time on their children. Like all fundraisers, giving to the Central 100% Fund is optional, but parents are encouraged to contribute a suggested amount of $100 per family. Any amount, however, will be greatly appreciated and well utilized. Unlike other fundraisers, no one has to buy or sell products to provide the funds necessary to sustain valuable PTO programs and activities for your children. And there’s no middle man to take part of the profits!

Please make checks payable to Central PTO, and return to PTO box in the school office by 9/30/08 with this form.

The PTA/O is looking for some wonderful volunteers to serve as committee chairs on some available committees. If you are interested or need more information on a specific committee, please contact one of our 1^st VP’s. Melinda Brom, thebroms@sbcglobal.net or Michelle Marconi, michellemarconi@ameritech.net. If you’d like to talk to them, their phone numbers are in the school directory.

1. Birthday Boards*: One or two creative people that want to celebrate the students and staff birthdays by decorating the birthday board outside the school office.
2. Cultural Arts Coordinators*: One or two people to coordinate the Cultural Arts program. Organize and lead the volunteers that take turns giving monthly presentations about selected artists and pieces of art and supervising a hands-on related art activity. No previous art knowledge needed!
3. Halloween Windows: Coordinate Central School’s participation in the district Halloween window painting program.
4. Hike and Bike to School*: Plan and promote a week of awareness and activities promoting walking or riding bikes to school. (Fall Program)
5. Innisbrook Gifts and Wrapping Paper: Coordinate and organize the promotion of this fundraiser. Fall dates are Sept.12-26, 2008. Collect orders, count money and organize volunteers for product pick up. In spring, you’ll send out a flyer to promote more sales.
6. PR/Media Coordinator: Are you a good writer? You’ll write press releases and contact the local newspapers to promote PTA/O activities at Central School.
7. Science in a Can*: (One or two people) A weekly commitment for 10-12 weeks during January through March to check in cans and replenish supplies for the experiments. Usually requires 30-45 minutes/week at school.

Central School is an extra special place because of our volunteers, and in whatever way you do help, it is much appreciated. You’ll receive a detailed informational folder with all important information to make the job easier. We can’t do it without you and unfortunately, the committees marked with a * will be dropped in the 2008/09 school year if we don’t find someone to run the program.

This note is a reminder to please complete and return the Central 100% Fund Survey. If you have all ready completed the survey, thank you for your help. If not, there is still time to complete the survey online or on paper (surveys were sent home in the backpacks - yellow paper).

• Both surveys are quick and simple to complete
• The “paper” surveys should be turned in to the PTA mailbox at Central School
• Thank you again for your participation
• The feedback from the survey will be reported at the May 6th PTA meeting

Sheila Daily and the 100% Fund Committee.