Our Fall Fund raising Drives are completed. A heartfelt thanks to all who contributed.

We raised over $11,000. While we are grateful for all who supported our endeavors, we are $5000 less than we budgeted. Like all of us are doing during these difficult times, the PTO board is having to review our 2009 – 2010 plans.

If you planned on supporting the PTO this year

• but you missed the Innisbrook fundraiser
• but you missed the Original Works fundraiser,
• you can still support our endeavors through the 100% club.

100% means that 100% of your tax-deductible contribution goes to
PTO programming for your child.

Our 100% form is here: Central School 100% donation form

What your child receives from the PTO is:

• field trips,
• programs for our school,
• two wild and carefree Family Fun nights,
• an over-the-top Book fair,
• an all-you-can-eat Ice Cream social ,
• a lunch book club,
• monthly Cultural Arts presentations
• and many other extras for your child.

We are hoping for 100% participation in at least one of fundraisers.

If you have supported our fundraising efforts this year, we are extremely grateful.

But if you haven’t had a moment to do so.… any check, cash, money order you can contribute is very much appreciated.

Thank you for your support.

Allyn Pilewski
PTO President

As an alternative to asking for countless volunteer hours for numerous fund raising events the PTO has developed a simplified alternative, The 100% Fund.  Central PTO’s 100% Fund requests a one time contribution that covers all of our financial needs for the year.  Unlike many fund raising events this approach is designed to be 100% tax deductible. The suggested contribution is $100.00.

With this contribution the PTO supports numerous educational, cultural and social opportunities for all Central students.  Last year the PTO used a portion of these contributions to leverage a Illinois Art Council grant to bring in a performing arts group, Striding Lions, to help students write and perform One Act plays about geometry.  Every year the PTO funds cultural field trips and volunteers staff a Jr. Great Books lunch discussion for students.

We hope to have 100% participation in the PTO.  During these hard economic times, the PTO does realize that some families can not afford such a large contribution.  Any contribution is much appreciated.  If contributing is not feasible at this time, please consider donating a few hours of time.  Your children will love seeing you volunteer.

Monday is the final day for our Fall 100% Fund drive. If you have contributed, Thank You.   If you have not, please consider funding the PTO.

You will find the donation form here Central 100% fund.

In the past, Central Elementary ran multiple fundraisers to finance the various programs that enhanced our children’s public school experience. The energy we put into these efforts never yielded the kind of results we needed. A search for a better way led us to create The 100% Fund, which was designed to replace five of our annual fundraisers and allow all of our donated dollars to go directly to Central PT0. Some highlights of this program are:

Please also consider the matching funds program your employer may offer — many businesses view $100.00 as a reasonable match. As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions. Together we will build our community and better our children’s educational experience!

100% funds support educational programs and social community building activities such as:

Download the original version of this flier here. You will find a donation form here.

Are you looking for a great opportunity to help our kids and Central School? If so, we need your help. The following PTO Committee Chair/Co-Chair positions are available and looking for enthusiastic volunteers:

Book Fair – Lead and coordinate the spring fund raiser April 5 – 9, 2010. There are many assistant volunteers to help – we need someone to coordinate their activities in setting up, decorating, scheduling for classrooms, cashiers, and clean-up. This annual event is much loved as it encourages a life-long passion for books and reading.

Central 100% Fund – Promote and monitor participation in the PTO’s most lucrative fund raiser. Please help us lead up this effort to solicit tax-deductible contributions. This funding supports PTO programs and activities. The 100% Fund Chair is a great position for those with availability during non-school hours (you set your schedule!).

Cultural Arts – Classroom – a Co-Chair is needed from October 2009 through May 2010, to ensure the assigned volunteers have their classroom schedules and available materials for the monthly presentations. Please help us facilitate bring the arts into our kids’ classrooms.
(Note – the Cultural Arts Fieldtrip Chair and Co-Chair positions have been filled.)

Halloween Play – Produce our very own PTO Halloween play. A fan favorite! No writing experience needed as we have a playwright, but we lack a producer.

Turn-off-TV Week – let’s “unplug” for a week. We need a Chairperson, or a team of chairpersons, to coordinate this annual event that encourages our kids to turn off the TV, as well as other electronic media (computers, games, music, etc.).

If you are interested in any of these once a year — will not be offered again for a year, opportunities, please e-mail Nancy Hutchings at firstvp-nancy@centralptonews.org or Jennifer Sedivy at
firstvp-jenn@centralptonews.org.

Hope you are enjoying the summer!!

Help wanted for 2009/10, fabulous opportunity for motivated individuals, benefits will come in hugs from our children and your name in the infamous PTO calendar.

We are fast approaching the end of the school year and we still need your time and talent in a few areas next year! We have received lots of your committee and room parent forms (thank you, thank you), but several committees remain un-chaired (say it ain’t so!). The PTO would greatly appreciate your taking the time to read through the following list and consider chairing/co-chairing one of the committees listed. Please send an email to Jennifer Sedivy at firstvp-jenn@centralptonews.org before school lets out, or you might find her knocking on your door, calling your home, disturbing the general peace of your summer months…no one wants that to happen! Thank you very much for your consideration.

• Book Fair: Seeking a DYNAMIC TRIO. Urgent Need! Do you want to be loved and revered by teachers, students and parents alike? We need 3 co-chairs to take over this fantastic event loved by the whole Central School community. This is a wonderful opportunity to run a major event for the school and learn from the current chair, Beverly Aieta, who will run the fair for one more year to train the next co-chair “team” and pass on all of her wonderful knowledge in this area. (The book fair is scheduled for the week of April 5th, 2010, immediately following spring break).
• Cultural Arts: The Cultural Arts Committee needs another co-chair for the classroom presentations. This is a position that is busy in September organizing the presenters for each grade level and classroom. The children love to have mom, dad, caregivers come into the classroom to discuss a work of art. Cultural Arts in the Classroom cannot happen without someone to help organize it. There is an immediate need to fill this position (1-2 people).
• 100% Fund: Promote our tax-deductible fundraiser (generally with flyers). Great for a working parent.
• Birthday Boards: Needs one more co-chair to share the responsibility…can you take every other month and honor student and staff birthdays on the hallway bulletin board?
• Pavers: Promote brick paver dedication program during fall and spring with flyers.
• Roller Skating: Reserve the rink for Central’s October skating event (usually an early-release day).
• School Supplies: Coordinate the online ordering and distribution of pre-packaged school supplies. Many people love this convenient way to obtain school supplies, but we currently have no one to coordinate it.
• Science in a Can (K, 2, 4th Grades): Organize and replenish cans once per week for 10-12 wks in winter (30-45 min.)
• TV Turn-Off Week: Plan/execute this event where children choose to be active, rather than watching tv, playing video games, etc. Folder is available with all of the information from this year’s successful first annual tv turn-off event.
• Programs: Select and schedule 2-3 daytime all-school assemblies for the year.

Thanks for your honest consideration of your time and talents!

If one of these opportunities sound like a heck of a lot of fun, contact Jennifer Sedivy at firstvp-jenn@centralptonews.org and win her unending gratitude.

Thank you to all that returned the PTO forms so far. We are so impressed with everyone’s organizational skills during “May Madness”!

For all those that are sitting on the forms: the deadline for turning them in is tomorrow 5/22. Please help your PTO VP’s have a great summer by completing the committee sign-up sheets, the room parent sign-up, the calendar and directory form and the 100% fund form.

• Committee sign-up form
• General Room Parent Letter
• Directory and Calendar order form
• The 100% Fund form

Still looking for that last minute 2008 tax deduction? The Central PTO is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization so all donations to the fund are tax deductible. Donations are accepted anytime throughout the year, but to qualify for a 2008 tax deduction, you must have your donation in by December 31st, 2008. Donations can be placed in the PTO mailbox (please make all checks payable to Central PTO) or can be made online through JustGive.org.

If you have any questions, please contact Kristine Adler, 100% fund chair at fundraising@centralptonews.org.

We are ready to accept online donations to the Central School 100% fund. You can make your donation at JustGive.org in just a few minutes.

Please see your child’s backpack today for the flier that was sent home regarding our progress. You can learn about all the ways your donation helps Central School and our children here. Thank you for helping make Central School great!

100% goes to Central! 100% is tax deductible!

Central School’s popular 100% Fund will be making an encore appearance for the 2008/2009 school year.

Information on the fund will be sent home in your children’s backpacks the first week of school. However, if you would like to get a head start before the hustle and bustle of the school year begins, follow this link to the PTO website www.centralptonews.org where you can find information on:

• Benefits of the Central 100% Fund
• FAQs regarding the fund and;
• A printable mail-in donation form

Let’s start our school year off with another successful year for the Central 100% Fund.

100% goes to Central … 100% is tax deductible!

Why did we replace other fundraisers with the Central 100% Fund?
Responses to a fundraising questionnaire in 2006-07 indicated parents’ interest in the simplicity of writing a check instead of selling products to raise money. Additional research showed that according to fundraising experts, it is more effective and productive to have fewer fundraisers. We also hope it reduces volunteer burnout!

Which fundraisers were eliminated?
Market Day, Carson’s Days, Aunt Diana’s Fudge, See’s Candy and the 4th of July Pizza Booth.

Which fundraisers were kept?
Innisbrook Wrap and Gifts, due to its popularity (40-50% of the amount purchased goes to PTO), Brick Pavers, Notecards, the Target account, and Product Label collections. Flyers will be sent home about them. Of course, participation is always optional.

How was the suggested amount of $100 per family determined?
The suggested donation amount remains the same as last year. The PTO budget was divided by the estimated number of families for the year. We’re treating it like a museum family membership instead of dividing it by each child. Perhaps some families with several schoolchildren will consider giving more. The PTO appreciates any amount and it is all optional.

What if I can’t pay $100 at this time?
Please contribute at your comfort level. Another option is to pay half by 9/30/08 and half by 12/31/08 (for a tax deduction in the calendar year).

Can I charge my contribution?
Beginning sometime in September, you may charge (and accumulate points or cash back allowances) on line at www.centralptonews.org; a nominal processing fee is deducted from that contribution.

Is Central PTO a nonprofit charity so that contributions are tax deductible?
Yes, we’re a 501(c)(3) organization; 100% of your contribution is tax deductible.

What does the Fund pay for?
Examples of the great programs and valuable materials the PTO funds are listed on the flyer entitled, “Give 100% and get back even more!” The PTO budget is reported at monthly meetings; members vote on issues. More information is also on our web site.

What happens if Central doesn’t raise enough money for the year?
We will solicit again in the spring if we don’t meet budgetary goals by December 31, 2008; we will also consider reducing the number of PTO programs and activities planned if there is a lack of funds. Updates will be given at PTO meetings and online.

Does contributing to the Fund mean I won’t be asked for any more donations?
There are times during the year when room parents will take up optional collections for teacher gifts. The school also collects for the needy and may have other charitable projects. It is all optional.

Will I still get solicitations from the PTO in the backpack?
Your children’s backpacks are the school’s primary vehicle for sending you information about Central School including the PTO, so it is important to continue to pay attention to all of the papers that come home. The Central 100% Fund is intended to reduce the number of requests for contributions to the PTO, but is not eliminating them entirely.

Will Central eliminate any other fundraisers in the future?
It depends on the success of the Central 100% fund and feedback we receive from the Central PTO community.

Do other schools offer a check-writing option?
Yes, individual schools and entire districts raise funds this way with much success, sometimes raising tens of thousands of dollars. Clarendon Hills, Downer’s Grove, Lake Forest and Oak Park are some of these districts.

Where can I direct my comments about the Central 100% Fund?
Please send an email to fundraising@centralptonews.org.

Thank you for your support!