Elementary School Carnival Ideas

Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Easy Ways to Support Education


We've been launching a lot of new videos lately about the importance of supporting school fundraisers this year. Please keep in mind, that there are many ways to support your child and his/her school. The budget crisis really has affected schools nationally. It is important now more than ever to get involved in your child's school.

Volunteer to help after school.

We all know that several school programs are being cut due to budget shortfalls, but you can help put a stop to that simply by volunteering your time. You can volunteer to lead an art class, music class, or reading class. If you are great at working with your hands, you can offer to help build the set for a school play, paint the backdrops, or run the lights. Or you can simply volunteer your time by offering to be an extra set of hands at school practices, taking tickets at school functions, or calling other parents to help volunteer.

Volunteer to help in the classroom.

If your schedule permits you to have free time during the day, volunteer to help your child's teacher in class. You can help by reading books, being an extra set of hands during craft time, or distributing materials like papers, pencils, and books. The teacher will be glad to have an extra set of hands during the day, and your child will love to see you at school.

Donate school items.

Almost every school has a list of needed school supplies. You can help by going through some of your child's old books and donating them to the school library. Or buying some packs of pencils and papers and giving them to the school. You can even look through some of your child's old coats and donate them to the school for children who may not be able to afford a coat. Any donation helps.

Attend PTA meetings.

Becoming involved in your school's PTA is one of the best ways to stay informed on everything that is happening. You will learn why the school needs to have a fundraiser and what that money will go to. You will find all kinds of opportunities to volunteer and become involved in your child's school. You will also form a network of other parents that are in a similar boat as you. Joining the PTA gives you the most options for coming together with other adults and finding solutions for the needs of the school.

Support the main school fundraiser.


If your child brings home a fundraising packet this year,
please do not discard it.

Every school has their indiviual reasons for raising funds. Not just to pay for things that aren't critical but to impact education directly for each and every child in school. We know that education is the most important cause today and yet, children can't speak up for themselves to let us know just how important it is.

It is not widely recognized as being critically important because most of us do not have a chance to see inside the classroom. Rest assured. From the Principal to administrators to teachers and parent groups, funds donated are utilized in the best way possible. Schools use what they are given and take full advantage of their resources.Please support a child and a school.

Whether it be time or money, anything you do to help a school this year is important. Please realize that your help and participation at your child's school really does make a difference. A big one.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green - School Budget Cuts Video - Hot for Teachers

Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green in Hot for Teachers - a video speaking out against budget cuts in California public schools.

Even though this was produced to help public schools in California, the video resonates with schools all around the country. Please chime in here but I can't think of a time here recently that has brought school budget cuts to the forefront such as this video is capable of. Please take a minute to view the video and leave comments here or on my twitter page - twitter.com/BelieveKids

Here is the video speaking out against school budget cuts in California, take a look:



BTW, we're not affiliated with this video, I just think it's something you would be interested in watching. :)

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

School Budget Crisis - Budgeting Shortfalls, Layoffs & School Closures


As Believe gets ready to release our fundraising catalog for 2009, we are excited about the prospects of a great year. There are so many things to be happy about - a great catalog, amazing incentives and awesome schools to work with. It's just that the recent turn in the economy has us thinking.

I am responsible for a number of things here and as such, I check out some news stories about schools and fundraising. Let me tell you what I have been running into... School closures, budget problems, district restructuring, layoffs - a bunch of scary and serious stuff! The last thing parents need is to worry about their school closing or having budget shortfalls cause noticable problems - especially when the rest of the economy has it's own issues. Layoffs are another issue altogether.

Even though we have been instrumental in helping so many schools, programs and groups over the years, we are relative newbies when it comes to school budgeting and the concerns schools address on a top-level business end. Regardless of the economy, negative factors are sure to occur - some schools open, others close. It seems to be the natural that things would not remain exactly the same over time.

So why now? Why is it that it is more visible and on everyone's radar. I think it's linked to politics to a certain point. Politicians often focus on issues like education bringing a news spotlight to the situations. But in the larger scope, has the economy has taken a toll on the already tight educational system?

Is there actually a TON more recent problems - it certainly appears so!

Here are some recent news stories that reference exactly the items above. They do seem to be issues created by the recent economic downturn as well. There is something afoot that I am not certain everyone is aware of.

Pine Bush faces teacher layoffs, program cuts


Parents Plan Protest Over School Budget Cuts


No Good Options For Schools Caught In Budget Shortfall


4-day school week: Could it add to working Mom blues?

Proposed Stafford school budget $5.5 million less than current year


Abington schools consider cutting teachers, closing school to trim budget


In Cranston, sparing school budget expected to get leaner
Schools facing 'tightest budget'


Fayette schools to cut jobs, salaries


Martinez school district sending out 40 layoff notices


Scotts Valley school trustees approve cutting 21 positions



I am not a newscaster, writer and am certainly not an experienced blogger. It certainly seems like this is a problem that is widespread right now. I point this out in the hopes we can get the word out in case there is a nationwide theme that needs to be addressed. You all know better than me I am sure and I would love your feedback. As usual, if you enjoy this post, please subscribe to my posts, leave comments or contact me.