PTO Fundraising

Every school needs more funds to enhance the educational experiences of students. Most schools turn to their PTO for help. The Marion Cross School (MCS) is no exception.

For our 2011-12 fundraising campaign, we have worked hard to put together a menu of options with something for everyone and that is easy to fit into regular activities. We have options for those who would like to support local businesses, those who would rather go to events and those who just like to make a generous donation. Please note that while we hope there is a program every family will like, all programs are always optional.

We also try to ensure that, where we can, options also educate the students about money, our community, how to succeed in business, and/or philanthropy. We hope we succeeded and look forward to reporting our progress throughout the year. In 2011-12, ways you can help raise funds for MCS include:

PTO Directory and Dues (through September 30th): $25 suggested contribution per family, which includes a copy of the school directory. Information will be sent home during the second week of school. Co-chairs: Lauren Adams & Laura Perras.

Celebration Books: The Marion Cross School PTO sponsors a Celebraton Book Program at the school library. Each year, families purchase books for the library in honor of their child, a significant person or an event such as a birthday or holiday. Each book given receives a bookplate inscribed with the child's name (or othe special person) and date of the event being recognized. Since the program's inception in March 1994, over 1200 books have been added to the collection.

During the month of the child's celebration, he or she will be called to the library to select a Celebration Book. A parent volunteer will help each child in the selection of his or her book within the designated price range and will inform families of their child's selection. Children who would like to mark th summer birthdays, choose books during their half-birthday month. The books offered have been pre-selected by Mrs. Blongewicz. If a child has a specific book request or a parent would like to purchase a book for the library, families should contact Mrs. Blongewicz at the library.

Through the generosity of the Norwich Bookstore, we are able to acquire books for the library at a 20% discount, passing on the profit to the Celebration Book Program.

To Download a Celebration Book order form, please click this link.

 

Local Business Partners (September through June): Local businesses pay a fee to participate and/or give MCS a percentage of sales to support PTO programs, while we educate the Marion Cross community about their businesses on the PTO web site and in PTO newsletters. Co-Chairs: Lisa Christie & Amy Neuman.

The businesses shown here are our 2011-2012 business partners. Many thanks for their help and we urge you to support them whenever possible. Check the newsletter for more information about each of our partners.

Inspiring Kids (April/May): Inspiring Kids is a youth philanthropy and leadership program that provides opportunities for kids to identify and meet the needs of their school and community. http://inspiringkids.org. Co-chairs: Donna Mackall & Amy Neuman.

Theater programs (year round): New London Barn and Northern Stage: Northern Stage offers “press night passes” to MCS parents, at a greatly reduced rate, for “first Thursday” performances of each production (seven shows from September to May). A portion of sales are donated to MCS PTO. New London Barn offers “flex passes” for four tickets to their summer season at a highly reduced rate with a portion of sales donated to the MCS PTO. Co-chairs: Amy Neuman & Lisa Christie.

Box Tops (all year round): MCS families save selected box tops (some families donate dimes instead as this is the value of each box top to the school) and turn them in to classroom collection containers. They are redeemed for money for MCS. Collections often correspond with school wide challenges. Co-chairs: Katie Kitchel & Jo Ellen Gardner.

Spirit Wear (periodically, throughout the year): We sell MSC items, via paper order forms, at selected times each year. The 2011 fall Spirit Wear lineup is available now, and will remain onsale through November 5th. Click this link to download our ordering form. A portion of sales goes to MCS. Chair: Karen Loring.

Giving Tree (November/December, May/June): The giving tree is a way for families to provide direct support to classrooms and teachers. The "tree" is an on-line list of specific classroom-related requests from each teacher. Chair: Sheryl Stotland.

To help, contact fundraising co-chairs: Amy, amy_neuman@hotmail.com,
Lisa, j.lisa.christie@gmail.com.

 

For more detailed information about MCS PTO fundraising, please visit our Fundraising FAQ page.