Should I Involve the Principal in My School Fundraiser?

OMG!  YES!!!

Involve the principal in your school fundraiser whenever possible.  If you can host a concise fundraiser where there is 'buy in' from the principal, faculty and teachers, you can raise enough funds in one fundraiser to not have to fundraise the rest of the year.  

Getting the Principal on board means that you can more easily earn the allegiance of the administration and teachers too!  Go do it, you can thank me later!

Ok, until next time!

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elementary school fundraising

READ THIS! Study: Students Want Teachers To Use Technology ASAP

So, you have to check this out!

Study: Students Want Teachers To Use Technology ASAP

http://edudemic.com/2012/10/technology-now-please/

Ok, until next time!

Teachers Hate School Fundraisers

It's pretty much a fact and it's understandable -Teachers hate school fundraisers!

They hate walk-a-thons, spell-a-thons and every other thon.  They hate product sales, spirit nights, auctions, carnivals, book fairs, bake sale, car washes and more.

I normally don't utter the word 'hate', but just broke my own rule to make a point.  The thing is, it's not these events in themselves that causes such strong feelings.  It's the fact that time in the classroom is just too valuable.

I suspect that assemblies, class photos and other distractions feel very similar to many teachers.

Fundraising companies today may be the solution to getting technology in the classroom.  Fundraising can provide books and supplies that teachers go without or pay themselves.  The reality is that one distraction is all it takes.

Teachers are not considering that a fundraising company could be their ally but when a fundraising company is committed to fundraising LESS but MORE EFFECTIVELY this can change.

I know a lot of teachers and they're not entirely embracing the fact that a fundraising company could be their ally when it comes to supplying what they need in the classroom.

But consider this...

If a teacher was asked to participate in ONE fundraiser and the profits would be there's to purchase supplies with, do you think they would change their tune?

I think so.

Now schools just have to discover the fundraisers that minimize distraction inside the classroom and the support from teachers will be there.

Ok, until next time!

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school fundraisers

The 30 Goals Challenge - Shelly Terrell Video Series

Shelly Terrell is one of the educators in my PLN that shares a passion for technology in education.  She posted a 30 goal challenge for educators and I want to repost the first video of here series here to give any teachers that missed it a chance to see it for themselves:




This is the first video in the series - enjoy!

Ok, until next time!

Over 50% of teachers say funding a huge problem in schools...

A opinion poll indicates that over half of teachers believe funding to be a huge problem in schools. 

I doubt anyone doesn't already realize it but there ya go!  If education were a gift, it would have a disclaimer on the box:   Some fundraising required.

Ok, until next time!

_____________________

Keep the conversation going at twitter.com/believekids
Elementary school fundraising companies
The Fundraising PLN

Share this... Open Google Docs Document.

Here is an open google document that was created recently that educators should take a look at. I think it's really great because every user added one item.  It's basically a poster of ideas on how teachers can improve and change education.  Pretty fun to see a collaborative document like this - enjoy.

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1zppdZCP4f_T-8ZYVLSRzCrRGgYkVl5Wx1NEYKqKqmI8/edit?hl=en

The Educators PLN - http://edupln.ning.com/

Hey, keeping it short and sweet today. 

If you are an educator and run across today's post, follow the link and consider joining.  It will be an improvement to your PLN as I have found that this resource is incredible for teachers and educators.

Not a place to advertise a company or anything... really a straight up resource for teachers.  Here ya go!

The Educators PLN - http://edupln.ning.com/

Fundraising Companies are NOT the Enemy When it Comes to Education Innovation

We're hearing a lot of bad news on the school front.  Lower performance, shrinking budgets, schools closing, teacher layoffs.  While schools are getting less, they are also on the verge of sweeping educational reform.

Schools are embracing technology in new and exciting ways allowing teachers to improve their relationships with parents.  We're really only seeing the very beginning.  Student's are using devices, computers, social media and technology at home.  The challenge is bringing schools up to speed with new and collaborative ways of learning.

There are many companies in support of improving education.  Some relationships based on profit, some on supplying commodities and some based on education innovation.

Many see schools as a business segment where a good is sold to a school at a profit.  Some see education as just any other business that buys cleaning supplies, paper and other commodity type products.  Even fewer see schools as dynamic, changing systems that need improvement.  This last category brings innovation and change to the market.

I see fundraising as the latter. 

_________________________

In my next post, I'll explore just how fundraising will be a part of educational reform and the technological changes on the horizon.

Pa. teacher strikes nerve with 'lazy whiners' blog

A Pa. teacher's blog causes controversy calling students names, swearing and complaining.

I was brought up believing that if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.  I developed into my adulthood realizing that if you can't say anything nice, at least find a solution to the stuff you're complaining about.

In the end, if you can't find a way to be positive, encouraging and uplifting in your work, you've got the wrong job.  So, with that... I leave you with the news:
ABC News
http://www.kmbc.com/r/26883337/detail.html

USA Today
http://links.visibli.com/links/8d0796


Comcast
http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20110216/US.Teacher.Suspended.Blog/


CBS Philly

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/02/16/embattled-bucks-teacher-says-her-blog-spoke-the-truth/


Yahoo News
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110216/ap_on_hi_te/us_teacher_suspended_blog

Well, it looks like the educators in my PLN will be discussing this for a bit here in the upcoming weeks.  We seem to have a common understanding that we want to encourage teachers to blog, to use technology as a sounding board and a tool but not as a diary for complaints. 

Hey, we know that teenagers can be difficult.  We know that schools and parents often fall short.  We know there is work to do improving education.  What people will find if they look is that a large number or educators world-wide are using blogs to encourage relationships, collaborate and improve education and every single day.

Let me know your thoughts on this!

Schools and Technology... Changing Perceptions in the Mind of the Community.

Ask a random member of your community if they think the local elementary school is on the cutting edge of technology and most likely, they'll be thinking overhead projectors and VHS tapes.

I applaud educators today for pushing to improve the reputation of teachers when it comes to technology.  I no longer picture a teacher as purely a red pen, loose paper, dusty book person.  I picture educators as Macbook toting, Smartboard using folks planning their classes on an iPad.

So, here's the trouble.  When your average person pictures a school, they do not imagine a well-designed modern layout with comfortable furniture and quiet voices. They do not see subdued indirect lighting.  They do not envision students on the newest technology available.  They do not imagine students truly engaged.

They hear the clicks and squeaks of shoes in long echo filled hallways, the grinding of pencils being sharpened and outdated textbooks hitting the desks.  In the mind, the school is exactly as it has always been.  Loud, sterile and behind-the-times. They picture a lot of horseplay and talking back.

Change takes time and that's why I have so much respect for the educators in my PLN (my Personal Learning Network).  I see first-hand what technology and communication can do to improve learning.  The development of the educators that have embraced sites like twitter and express themselves with blogs such as this one is mind-boggling.  The desire to integrate apps and devices and create an environment where collaborative learning replaces memorization.

There is no doubt in my mind that our current educators can bring a new level of awareness and reform education.  Here's proof that our educators are on the cutting edge:

2010 Edublog Award Winners

If you take a look at some of the winners listed here, you'll get the idea that blogging, social media, technology and new strategies are being widely distributed TODAY.

And the kids are ready for it!  Right now, our toddlers are fully capable of operating computers and apps of all types.

My son just turned 4 years old and can surf YouTube, find age appropriate Netflix content to watch without help, take photos and videos and play them back and he can easily operate a number of educational apps without supervision. I know that sounds like he must be online all the time but it's not that he's always using technology.  He's a regular boy and plays and we do a lot of fun things together - He's just pretty darn good at it now that the devices are as intuitive as they are today.

This phenomenon is not just happening to just a few kids.  Take a look at this:

Learning to Play ‘Angry Birds’ Before You Can Tie Your Shoes

The technology gap between home and school could just as easily widen if school budgets don't allow for integrating technology into the classroom creating a dynamic where students don't relate to school as well. Although I'm no expert here, what I do know is that children like to be challenged.  Not being up-to-date is just not all that interesting.

This is why I respect schools that pay attention to design, lighting, comfort, computers & devices, video, sound reinforcement and simplicity.  I also applaud educators that push the boundaries discovering new and exciting ways to engage students and inspire others.

In the end, changing schools is going to be a long haul but I believe it can be done.

People will have to see for themselves this 'new school' is dedicated to the integration of technology and new principles of learning in order to believe it.  It will have to shatter the expectation that the school was created from the 'hand-me-downs' of the business sector and let it be known that the educators actually know how to use the technology.

We can get there and it will happen when thousands upon thousands of little actions improve the way schools work.  I see these improvements daily from the educators in my PLN and I am impressed.  It's perhaps not yet a movement, but it is something powerful.

I, for one, look forward to following these small innovations all along the way.  Things will soon look very different as a result.

______________________________

Jay Moneta is the Vice President of Believe Kids Fundraising and blogs here at BelieveJay.Blogspot.com as well as TheFundraisingPln.com


I encourage comments and feedback and you are welcome to follow the blog using the tool on the right hand column or adding to your RSS reader.  I appreciate you taking the time to share as well!

Here's the article that inspired this post: Tightrope Teaching

Encouraging Teachers to Participate in School Fundraisers

Photo - Joe Green 

Teachers are usually not big fans of school fundraisers.  There's a number of reasons for that but I just ran across something that may just be the catalyst for changing the benefit teachers get out of their fundraisers - at least in one school.

In this article, Northside Elementary in Mississippi will be dividing fundraising revenue from an upcoming carnival to any teachers that volunteer to support the event. 

I think they're on to something. 

Believe me, I understand both sides of the argument.  Teachers don't want distraction from teaching time and I get it.  I also know first-hand that a little support from teachers goes a long way. 

In fact, teachers that support fundraising activities create higher incomes for their classrooms where teachers that have negative attitudes towards fundraising actually hinder profits to the very school that supplies them materials to run successful classrooms. 

So, this is a good way to have teachers get involved and I think it's a pretty cool idea.  It's a good time overall to create bonds between educators, administrators and parents and this accomplishes just that.  It's a win-win.

Better School Fundraising: Motivation is the Key to Success

Motivation is the key to a successful fundraiser. If you want to get the most from your school fundraiser, you have to motivate parents as well as children. Getting parents motivated and excited about participating is the fastest way to having a better school fundraiser.

Follow these tips and you will more success and have to do less fundraising.

Inform
In order for parents to participate, they have to know why the fundraiser is a necessity for the school. Before anyone can help solve a problem they must know what the problem is. Let parents know why the fundraiser is important to their school. Hold a meeting and address the budgetary needs of the school for the year and clearly explain how the money raised from the fundraiser will go towards helping meet those needs. Send out informative emails detailing the areas in school that the official budget won't cover. Show videos explaining the need for the school fundraiser. Whatever you do, make sure to emphasize the necessity for the fundraiser. Parents need to know that their money is being used for essential educational needs.

Encourage
For the fundraiser to be as successful as possible, you need to encourage everyone to participate. Teachers, parents and administrators need to all lend a hand in making the fundraiser a success. Encourage teachers to do daily announcements to keep their students informed about the fundraiser. Ask principals to send emails to parents asking for support. A principal's email list can generate thousands of dollars in a matter of minutes. Reach out to parents and encourage them to register online with the fundraiser and send emails to family and friends asking for support. Teaming up will take your fundraiser over the top!

Incentivize
Everyone loves prizes. No matter how big or small, kids love walking away from something with a concrete item. Offer one big grand prize that every child will want to get. Then, make all the prizes great. If there is more than just one prize that interests them, they will try to keep selling to reach the desired items. Use a variety of long and short term incentives. Offer a pizza party, limo ride, or ice cream social to the class or grade level that sells the most. Hold daily raffle drawings. Use principal incentives. If the school meets their fundraising goal, the principal can get a pie in the face, have to spend the day on the roof or as a student. Incentives don't have to just be for the kids either. You can have teacher and administrator incentives as well. Offer gift certificates to teachers whose classrooms meet their goals, or limo rides to the administrators if their school meets its goal. Just remember, great incentives will always keep everyone motivated!

When I Become a Teacher Video

If you get a moment, check out this video. It's great inspiration on why teachers do what they do... at least in an opposite approach.

You'll dig it.