WHY DO WE FUNDRAISE?
This PTO is an all volunteer organization with a mission to enrich our kids' school lives, foster pride in our school, encourage family involvement and build our school community.
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We aim to fill the gaps between public education funding and the needs of our kids, providing high quality, inspiring educational opportunities for every child in our community.
The vast majority of our budget is spent on educational supplements (programs, field trip and assemblies) and school supplies, with 10% towards community building within the school.
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The cost to fully fund all of the educational enrichment and community programs that the PTO provides is around $300 per year for one student.
We have three main fundraisers through the year, each contributing around ¼ to â…“ of our annual operating budget:
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Voluntary Tuition Drive in September
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Fund Run in October/November
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Coastside Gives in April/May
As a volunteer organization we have a low overhead; more than 95% of the money raised goes directly towards educational and community enrichment programs at El Granada Elementary, with the rest on running costs. If you would like more information financial updates are provided at every PTO meeting. Budget review and approval typically happens at the first PTO meeting of the year.
Education supplements (programs, field trips, assemblies)
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Visual Arts and Performance with local non-profit ALAS
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Art & Science Week
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Assemblies
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Field Trips
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PE Teacher for TK-3rd grade
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PlayWorks training
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Herpetology Heroes
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This year, we are again able to pay the salary of a PE teacher for TK - 3rd grade, supplement performing arts education with a program from ALAS and fund inspirational assemblies from local author Shawn Harris, Lion Dance ME and Wildmind. The current cost of transport to off-site field trips has left many of our classes cancelling trips or relying on parents drivers. Your money helped the PTO provide a wonderful in-classroom field trip experience with Miss Piper of Herpetology Heroes for every one of our classes.
And of course, we fund our biggest event of the year,
Art and Sciences Week in April. This is a 50-plus year old tradition at El Granada and includes special assemblies, visits from the Bay Area Discovery Museum Try-it Truck, an all-school art project, and a Friday full of exciting workshops provided by members of this community.
School Supplies
This school year we again took over a large part of the school supplies cost from the school finances, leaving money available for other essentials in the school, including yard duty staff.
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We support our teachers with much needed classsroom stipends so that your teachers can choose what your kids need in their classrooms, including books, furnishings and any additional educational materials or programs.
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Art Supplies
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Classroom supplies
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Copy Paper
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Recess Equipment
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Teacher Stipends
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School Spirit and Community Building
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Hospitality (for Principal Tea and Talk, Wake Up and Read)
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Family movie night
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Night of Lights
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Talent Show
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EGE Gear
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Staff Appreciation Week
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Family Sweetheart Dance
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5th Grade Promotion Activities
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School beautification
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Our mission includes strengthening and supporting our community, and to that end we were able to sponsor our movie night, reading mornings and family dance again this year, supply spirit wear to all new students, and win first prize in the HMB Night of Lights float contest! Our staff appreciation week is coming up and we take that chance to show our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful teachers and school staff!
