We are excited to launch the 2011 – 2012 Campaign for Williams, our annual fundraising drive to support programs, events, and technology improvements at the Williams Elementary School! The Williams Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) plays a significant role in raising funds needed to support improvements that enhance our kids’ educational experience and build connections among families.
Our Goal
Our goal this year is to raise approximately $42,000 – about $150 per child – in order to provide financial support in four key areas: student enrichment, special events, technology improvements, and school operations, including playground maintenance and upgrade, now the responsibility of the PTO.
Where Does the Money Go?
Last year, 95% of the money raised through the PTO went directly to fund programs and equipment purchases at the school. Specifically, the money was spent on:
• Innovative student programs: This included the Creative Arts and Sciences program that brought over a dozen presentations from historians, artists, and authors to Williams; Understanding Our Differences and The Child Abuse week; field trip subsidies; and funding for teacher instructional software and specialized tools.
• Special events: These included Color Day, Multicultural Night, Arch Day, the annual art show, and teacher/staff appreciation events, to name a few.
• Technology equipment: PTO fundraising enabled the purchase of 13 laptops, 4 digital microscopes (“Proscopes”), and closed the gap so that each classroom now has a modern projection device (“Elmo”). We are getting closer to our goal of having a ratio of 1:3, computers to students.
• Improved School Operations: Funding went to teachers and staff for the purchase of classroom supplies not otherwise available, including financial support of the arts, music, the library and physical education programs. And also for the purchase of technology incidentals to keep current technology in useful operation.
This Year
The PTO plans to continue to support these important programs, services, and needed equipment upgrades that enhance our kids’ education and experience at Williams. We are also committed to fostering a greater sense of community and connection among students, family and faculty, and consider this an important part of our mission.
We look forward to sharing more of our exciting plans for programs and community-building events once the school year is underway. In the meantime, we are asking for your support as we rely on the annual campaign to raise a significant portion of the money needed to fund our programming.
In order to meet these goals, every family is being asked to make a donation of $150 to the Campaign for Williams during the months of September and October. If each and every family donates at this level during the Campaign for Williams, we will raise nearly $30,000 – approximately 70% of our PTO fundraising goal.
We also respectively ask that families consider making larger donations if you are able. Families with more than one child in the school might consider an additional donation of $50 per child. If you are unable to commit at this level, please give what you can. In addition, please consider volunteering your time for any of the valuable and fun PTO programs: everyone can make a difference for our kids and school and it’s a great way to get to know teachers, meet new people and enhance your understanding of the Williams community
All donations are tax deductible. Checks made payable to the Williams PTO can be returned in your child’s folder or mailed to the Williams PTO, 141 Grove Street, Auburndale, MA 02466. Donations can also be made by credit card by using the PayPal link on the Williams PTO website (http://www.williamspto.org/fundraising/paypal/).
We look forward to working together this year to continue to put our funds to work for our kids and our wonderful Williams community.
Sincerely,
Erin Giesser, Christine Lacey, Michael Lorant, Elizabeth Tarmey
PTO Co-Presidents
Kelly Fattman
PTO Vice President of Fundraising
