PTA begins planning Fall Fun Run

In the fall, our children won’t ask Grandma and Grandpa (and other friends and relatives) to buy wrapping paper, jewelry or anything else to support the school.

Instead children can ask those who care about them to invest in their health, in their school spirit and in the opportunities the PTA provides them.

The PTA membership voted Thursday to replace the annual fall product sale with a fun run for the 2011-12 school year.

“The way I see it, it’s a healthy opportunity to have fun, it gets the kids involved with helping their school and, I think, it will develop school spirit,” PTA President Barb Peterson said. “Things happen with this that don’t happen with a product sale.”

The fun run, she said, allows every child to feel involved because every child takes part on the day of the event regardless of whether he or she collects pledges or how much money the child raises.

The Get Movin’ Crew, a Michigan-based firm, will handle much of the planning and organization for the event — from a kick-off pep rally in which the kids will meet Movin’ Max the mascot to running the fun run itself. 

On run day, the crew will lay out a track in the grass near the school, set the mood with fun music, lead each grade level through warm-up exercises and encourage the children to move around the track for 20 minutes. Kids are welcome to run, jog, walk, skip, hop, mosey — or just about anything else they can think of, provided it’s safe. When they’re done, they’ll take a cool-down lap and enjoy a Fla-Vor-Ice before heading back to class.

Each child — regardless of whether they collect pledges — will receive a pedometer to keep and encouragement to take 10,000 steps a day. They’ll also receive a number like a racer bib to wear during the run and that can be affixed to a memory sheet that asks children to record their favorite memory from the day and to make note of a new healthy habit they plan to adopt.

The PTA leadership began considering a change in the fall fundraiser several months ago when the parent volunteers who had run the product sale announced they were stepping down.

Given that the sale had generated nearly half of the PTA’s revenue — about $9,000 on average in recent years and $11,885 this year — the executive committee sought input from the membership and the parent community at large. A survey conducted in early April indicated parental support for a fun run and a strong opportunity to involve families that have not participated in the product sales. For a look at key results from the survey, click here.

Before the vote Thursday, the fun run received endorsements both from teachers in attendance and from Principal Brian LeCrone.

“We’re moving that direction as a school, as far as the health and wellness aspect,” he said. “I, personally, would love to see a fun run.”

The fun run was approved unanimously by the members present Thursday.

The PTA’s Executive Committee has proposed a budget anticipating $9,000 in net revenue from the fall fundraiser. They estimate we will reach that goal if 60 percent of Brookdale families collect pledges and raise an average of $60.

 Barb Peterson and Ron Heger have volunteered to coordinate the fun run.

Have you seen the agenda?

We hope you're not busy on Thursday, because the PTA sure is.
In the meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 21, we'll hear from a representative of a company that organizes fundraising fun runs for schools.
The presentation will precede a review of the results of the PTA's Fall Fundraiser Survey, in which more than 120 parents and staff members shared their views on the product sales we've had in the past and several options the PTA might consider instead.
Ultimately, the PTA will vote on whether to continue with a product sale or change to another fundraiser. The decision is critical because the PTA relies on the Fall Fundraiser to generates about half the annual income that allows us to offer family nights, assemblies, after-school enrichment classes and more for our students.
Also, members will be called on to elect new officers -- a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer -- to serve on the executive committee for the 2011-12 school year.
A nominating committee last month recommended the following slate:

• President: Judy Nagel-Conley
• Vice President: Susan Corrigan
• Treasurer: Beth Siwicki
• Secretary: Christie Willhite

PTA members are eligible to nominate themselves for election during the meeting on Thursday.
The PTA executive committee realizes the meeting is at the beginning of a four-day weekend that includes a holiday for some families. Officers are considering a variety of ways to allow parents who are unable to attend the meeting in person to follow the meeting and participate. Stay tuned to the blog, the Facebook page and listserv email for updates.
Here's the full agenda:

Make your opinion heard

Maybe you've heard ... the PTA is facing a pretty big decision about the Fall Fundraiser.
Traditionally, we've run a product sale - wrapping paper for several years and, through a new vendor this year, we also offered jewelry and cookie dough. The sale this year generated $11,885, roughly half of the PTA's projected revenue of $21,540.
But the volunteers who have organized the sale are stepping down, leading the PTA's Executive Committee to ask whether members like the sale or would prefer to make a change.
That is, of course, where you come in.
The PTA has created a short (short!) survey to gather your thoughts on the fundraisers we've had in the past and to learn what you think of a couple other options.
One idea is for the PTA to organize a fun run. Similar to the Jump Rope for Heart program, students would ask for pledges and all students would participate by running or walking during the school day.
A second idea is to ask parents to make an optional donation to the PTA in lieu of a sale or pledge program.
Ideally, we'd like the fundraiser - whatever form it takes - to continue to generate the revenue of past fall fundraisers. The income allows the PTA to offer programs for our students - things like After-School Enrichment classes, Brainiacs, assemblies, family nights and more - and to help our teachers support our children.
It's a lot to think about. If you'd like a little more detail, check out this past post from President Barb Peterson.
Then please take a few moments between now and Tuesday, April 12, to let us know what you think by taking the survey.