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Purpose of PTA funds
What do you think pta fundraising should go towards?
It’s my first year with a kid in elementary school, and I’m currently flabbergasted at what they use funds for, but perhaps I’m just new at this.
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Posted 5/21/20 7:11 AM  |
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Mrs213
????????
Member since 2/09 18986 total posts
Name:
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Purpose of PTA funds
The usually use them to get stuff for the kids. Ours did a playground upgrade, they do a pumpkin patch on the playground every year where the kids build scarecrows and all get to bring home their own pumpkin. There are other things they do too, but I cant think of then offhand
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| Posted 5/21/20 7:45 AM |
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ali120206
2 Boys
Member since 7/06 17792 total posts
Name:
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Purpose of PTA funds
What are they using funds for?
For every fundraiser they do - they are supposed to give back to the school.
Our PTA got the school an indoor rock wall this year. They've also gotten iPads for the lower grades, chromebooks for the upper grades, water bottle filling stations, t-shirts for all kids when they come (and updated every other year), t-shirts for the graduating class, assemblies and donations to local families in need.
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| Posted 5/21/20 8:10 AM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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Purpose of PTA funds
I've always been impressed in the way our pta uses funds. They often hold events that are free (maybe asking for people to bring a donation to the food pantry and selling snacks to bring in some cash). Other events are like $2 a kid. It really seems that most of the money goes into keeping fun events low cost so all families can participate. They also do things like t shirts for the kindergartens and 5th graders, the PARP celebration, I assume they pay for the assemblies.
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| Posted 5/21/20 8:20 AM |
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EricaAlt
LIF Adult
Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name:
Erica
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Re: Purpose of PTA funds
I'm on the board so learned a lot. Here's some things we got from fundraising -
special chairs (bouncing, yoga balls, etc) for the classrooms that help the kids
it helps pay for the fun events in school like Halloween party, Spring party, etc
pays for all assemblies
their birthday gifts they receive
new playground equipment (we got a gaga pit this year, new swings a few years ago, etc)
ice cream social (brought in the ice cream truck end of year as a special treat)
There's a lot more, but these are the ones I helped with. Plus, we try to make the fundraisers fun.
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| Posted 5/21/20 8:40 AM |
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Katareen
5,000 Posts!
Member since 4/10 7180 total posts
Name:
Katherine
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Purpose of PTA funds
Our school is the same as most of the previous posters.
What are they using them for that you find unacceptable?
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| Posted 5/21/20 8:49 AM |
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SLPRunner
LIF Adult
Member since 12/13 1101 total posts
Name:
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Purpose of PTA funds
I think in my school the PTA runs lunch time clubs like yoga, chess, garden club, so the funds may go towards that.
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| Posted 5/21/20 8:50 AM |
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nycbuslady
LIF Adult
Member since 9/15 1066 total posts
Name:
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Purpose of PTA funds
I was on the board of the PTA in my old district. In that one, they were very particular on following the NYS PTA rules. From when I went to the PTA Treasurer training, I was told that they're not allowed to spend money on the actual school building. Technically, things like new playground equipment or stuff like that aren't allowed. It is supposed to be for things specifically for the students. We used the money for assemblies, for parties in the evenings, t-shirts for Spirit Day, stuff like that.
In my new district, I'm not involved in the PTA, but they use the money for more "building" type stuff (which I'm not 100% sure is officially allowed).
My old district was in Suffolk and my new one is in Nassau. Maybe that makes a difference in the rules.
Message edited 5/21/2020 9:21:48 AM.
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| Posted 5/21/20 9:18 AM |
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SecretlyTTC14
LIF Adult
Member since 12/13 1770 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: Purpose of PTA funds
I was shocked too. Things you would think the school would provide/host are provided by the PTA. All activities, clubs, every assembly, all events (like the moving up ceremony).
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| Posted 5/21/20 9:31 AM |
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KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination
Member since 5/05 4431 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Purpose of PTA funds
I am the President of our elementary PTA as well as 2 others in the District. For Elementary a majority of our Budget goes to Cultural Arts activities which are the assemblies. We also pay for all the events throughout the year. All are free to members. We also do Teacher Appreciation Luncheons. Over the years we have also supplied Ipads, Indoor Rec Rooms, Recess Carts, Summer Books for Students, etc. As someone mentioned it is not recommended for PTAs to pay for equipment directly as it is an insurance liability but you can donate that money to the school and have it earmarked to build or buy what you are looking for.
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| Posted 5/21/20 9:37 AM |
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blu6385
Member since 5/08 8351 total posts
Name:
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Re: Purpose of PTA funds
i was on the board for a hot minute before i stepped away because of unnecessary drama I refused to deal with.
But money should be going to the students for activities and it needs to be shared evenly amongst all grades.
They are not supposed to be using it to pay for anything like play grounds and such as schools and should not really be buying tings like ipads and such unless they are doing it for all grades or spending the same amount of money for all grades. Example if say you spend $2000 buying something specific for a 5th grade class then you have to spend $2000 every grade specifically for them doesnt have to be the same thing but each grade needs to have $2000 allocated to just them for something.
If the PTA does have extra money they are supposed to present it as grant to the district and they can say what they want it used for but the school is under no obligation to use it for that!
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| Posted 5/21/20 9:47 AM |
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KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination
Member since 5/05 4431 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Purpose of PTA funds
Posted by blu6385
i was on the board for a hot minute before i stepped away because of unnecessary drama I refused to deal with.
But money should be going to the students for activities and it needs to be shared evenly amongst all grades.
They are not supposed to be using it to pay for anything like play grounds and such as schools and should not really be buying tings like ipads and such unless they are doing it for all grades or spending the same amount of money for all grades. Example if say you spend $2000 buying something specific for a 5th grade class then you have to spend $2000 every grade specifically for them doesnt have to be the same thing but each grade needs to have $2000 allocated to just them for something.
If the PTA does have extra money they are supposed to present it as grant to the district and they can say what they want it used for but the school is under no obligation to use it for that!
That is not exactly true. While you can not be favoring one grade over another it does not have to be exactly even throughout all grades. As an example we have a pretty cool and extensive cultural arts activity that costs about $4000 for the 5th Grade. We do not have to spend $4000 on each grade because everyone will be getting the same experience once they get to 5th. Also, if you have extra money it does not have to granted to the district. It should be distributed to your school itself, the students and teachers. Many schools provide teacher grants which fund many of the clubs at the schools.
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| Posted 5/21/20 10:03 AM |
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blu6385
Member since 5/08 8351 total posts
Name:
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Re: Purpose of PTA funds
Posted by KarenK122
Posted by blu6385
i was on the board for a hot minute before i stepped away because of unnecessary drama I refused to deal with.
But money should be going to the students for activities and it needs to be shared evenly amongst all grades.
They are not supposed to be using it to pay for anything like play grounds and such as schools and should not really be buying tings like ipads and such unless they are doing it for all grades or spending the same amount of money for all grades. Example if say you spend $2000 buying something specific for a 5th grade class then you have to spend $2000 every grade specifically for them doesnt have to be the same thing but each grade needs to have $2000 allocated to just them for something.
If the PTA does have extra money they are supposed to present it as grant to the district and they can say what they want it used for but the school is under no obligation to use it for that!
That is not exactly true. While you can not be favoring one grade over another it does not have to be exactly even throughout all grades. As an example we have a pretty cool and extensive cultural arts activity that costs about $4000 for the 5th Grade. We do not have to spend $4000 on each grade because everyone will be getting the same experience once they get to 5th. Also, if you have extra money it does not have to granted to the district. It should be distributed to your school itself, the students and teachers. Many schools provide teacher grants which fund many of the clubs at the schools.
Not from the meetings I attended and these questions were specifically asked.
You are supposed to spend the same exact money on all grades each year; you can not use the excuse the kids will get it when they go to that grade.
The grants are def. needed if you want to pay for playgrounds and stuff of that nature and the school does not have to spend it the way you are requesting it too.
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| Posted 5/21/20 10:07 AM |
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Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
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Re: Purpose of PTA funds
I was on the PTA Executive Board for two years. Funds go towards the school festivals, end of the year parties for the entire school, family fun nights, grants for teachers, cultural arts programs, school dances, graduation gifts for departing students, things teachers need in their classrooms, staff appreciation events and on and on and on. Almost every single activity that takes place in the school is funded by the PTA monies. They are essential, without the PTA many things would be done away with.
Message edited 5/21/2020 10:34:59 AM.
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| Posted 5/21/20 10:32 AM |
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MrsO
Big Brothers to Be
Member since 1/07 4521 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Re: Purpose of PTA funds
Assemblies, field trip, moving up festivities, playground equipment, yearbook, etc-
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| Posted 5/21/20 11:07 AM |
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PitterPatter11
Baby Boy is Here!
Member since 5/11 7619 total posts
Name:
Momma <3
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Purpose of PTA funds
My PTA funds assemblies, field trips for kids in needs, end of year carnival, playground extras, etc.
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| Posted 5/21/20 2:41 PM |
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