Fundraising

The John Ward School PTO

2010-2011 Annual Fund Letter



November 2010

Dear Ward School Families,

The John Ward School is a special place … ask any of our children.   Ask them to sing the Ward School song, ask them about the Halloween Hoot, ask them about Color Day and the “tug-of-peace.” At Ward we have wonderful traditions along with a strong academic offering, all of which helps provide our kids with the best elementary school experience possible.

Thanks to the generous support of Ward families, your PTO has been able to play a crucial role in funding important programs and activities for our children. With major cutbacks on the City and State levels, everyone at Ward works hard to maintain the level of programs to which our kids have become accustomed and deserve. But that is not enough for us – our kids deserve more. Your PTO’s goal is to provide:

Ø Additional laptops in the classroom

Ø Creative Arts and Sciences curricular related programming throughout the year in every classroom. These programs enhance art, English, history, social sciences, music, physical education and science curricula. This year Ward is expecting an author/illustrator, a poet who will conduct several poetry workshops, a program on the Physical Changes of Matter from the Science Discovery Museum, a visit from historical figures, live owls and so much more.

Ø Library books and furniture

Ø And much more…

With your help, we can reach our fundraising/budget goal for 2010-2011 of $65,000 with 100% participation from all Ward families.

The PTO spends approximately $300 per student each academic year to enhance their educational experience. If each Ward family were to donate $300 (that is per family as opposed to the $300 per child that is actually spent), we would almost reach our TOTAL fundraising goal for the year. While we have a number of fundraising efforts during the year, we rely heavily on this annual drive as a significant revenue source.

Please know that no contribution is too small. We greatly appreciate your past and present support. Whether you give $30, $300 or $3000, your gift will make a difference. You can donate online or by check. Please see the back of this letter for a fundraising update and instructions on donating. Also, please remember to look into “matching” programs at your place of employment.

Together we can make our children’s school experience the best it can be.

All our best from your PTO Leadership Team,

Beth Coomber                                     Mindy Peckler

Jessica Gilmartin                                 Stacy Schwartz

Julia Johnston-Ketterer                       Maria Sullivan

    Fundraising Update Last year, despite the very challenging economy, our wonderful families raised more than $70,000. This was due in large part to our wildly successful Spring Fundraiser. Because we raised more than anticipated, we were able to fulfill most of the school’s Wish List for this academic year. Save the date: Ward Spring Event - Saturday, March 5, 2011 (details to follow).

What Your Annual Fund Investment Will Support

1.      Operating expenses and equity funding are projected at $45,000.

2.      In addition, we have identified $20,000 in capital initiatives for this year:

Ø Laptop computers — One laptop cart (10 computers). Total cost per cart $13,000.

Ø Library Furniture – Total cost $7,000.

More detailed information about our budget and what we do is available upon request. Also, please feel free to contact anyone on your PTO leadership team.

Instructions for Donating

Please mail your gift along with the attached Donation Form to the school office (or drop it in the box inside the main doors). You can also donate by credit card or via PayPal by using the donate button on the left. Donations to the PTO are tax deductible to the extent of the law.

     Advertising Opportunities!

Interested in handing out a flier describing advertising opportunities in the Ward School Directory? Scroll to the bottom of this page and click the "Ward School Letter for Advertisements". You may also contact mpeckler@hotmail.com with questions or to reserve space.

Fundraising in 2007-2008

Thanks to the incredible commitment and generosity of our entire Ward School Community, the PTO was able to raise money in a record-breaking fashion during the 2007-2008 School Year.

As a result of this remarkable collective community effort, the PTO has been able to spend or commit to spending more than $62,000. We were able to directly support Ward School's needs by funding:

New Computers and Technology ($29,000) including 8 classroom iMac Computers, 10 laptops, 5 laser printers, 1 color laser printer, 2 LCD projectors with carts, Kidpix, software, headphones, and speakers.

Playground Improvements ($6,000) including swing pads, jungle net climber, power washing, sanding, and sealing of wood structure.

Creative Arts and Sciences Enrichment ($10,000). These curriculum-enhancing programs included authors, illustrators, poets, writers, scientists, artsist, and more.

Classoom Enrichment Materials ($8,000) such as art supplies, special books, bulletin board materials and much more. This is the kind of expense teacher in many other districts are forced to pay for themselves.

The PTO was also able to continue supporting a number of smaller, but very significant Ward School efforts. These include:

Ward's community building gatherings like the Welcome Back to School Picnic, Family halloween Dance, and Pasta night.
Publishing of our School Directory
Core-Value programs such as CARE Committee, Child Assault Prevention Program, Teacher Appreciation Breakfasts and Luncheon, Math night, and the Garden Project.

Thanks to everyone for your efforts and generosity. They have truly made a difference in strengthening Ward School for our children, our families, and our teachers.

Come As You Were - Social and Fundraiser

Please join us for

"Come as You Were... A Celebration of the
70's, 80's and 90's"

Saturday, March 29, 7:00pm - ??
Post 440, 295 California Street, Newton

We've planned a fabulous event with over $18,000 of items being
auctioned.

We need YOU to attend and participate in the auction! See the
Auction information here.

Note: the dress code is to come

as you were ... as you wanted to be ... or ... as you are

Most importantly ... just come!

If you want to wear vintage clothing - great!

Be as creative or as casual as you would like to be.

Remember jeans were worn through the decades!

Thinking about coming to the "Come As You Were Party"?

A few things to remember:

Don't accidentally show up at Ward School. The event is at the 440 Post in Nonantum- 259 California Street.

Silent bidding ends at 9:15. Make sure to get there in time to look over the over 175 auction and raffle items and get in your bid. Payment and check-out are from 10:30-11:00.

Bring your checkbook or cash. Sorry, we can't take credits cards.

You can buy tickets at the door.

Can't find your auction booklet but the grandparents want to buy something for the kids? Browse online at www.wardpto.org/auction. Download and complete an absentee bid and email it or place in the bin at the Ward entryway - by 6:00pm Friday.

Our DJ will take song requests. Think back to the songs of the era that you remember well. Some of these are going to be very funny.

More important than how you dress is that you attend, have fun, and most of all, support our school. Yes jeans are fine- fashionable through all the decades, right? And there will be prizes for the best dressed male and female.

Pictures of Come As You Were Event

Below are photo albums of the event.

Spring Auction at the Come As You Were event

Auction Items List

Attached is the auction items list (PDF format) for the Come As You Were - Social and Fundraiser.

Auction Bid Form

If you can't make the event but would like to bid on anything, please download the Auction Bid Form and either drop it in the box at school, or email as directed on the form.