Thank you to the nearly 300 families who filled out the fundraising survey issued by the Spirit committee in May.  In the 2011-2012 school year, based on your survey responses, we will rely on a direct request to parents as our primary fundraiser. This will allow us to reduce the number of requests for money throughout the year by eliminating the QSP Magazine drive, Dance-a-thon pledges, Domino’s Pizza Dinners, Wrap-n-mats, and Gift Wrap drive.

The annual amount requested will be $50 per-child, and tax receipts will be provided for all donations over $25.

We will also:

• Continue to organize fun community-based fundraisers: Pizza Lunches, The Spring Thaw Art Show & FUNdraiser, and Parent Pub Night/Silent Auction
• Run the Dance-a-thon as a fun, active community spirit event, eliminating the pledge portion
• Run Chapters night or a similar holiday event as a school community builder
• Make information regarding QSP Magazines and Mabel’s Labels available should you wish to make a purchase however eliminate the pep rally and formal drive

This fundraising strategy will significantly reduce the number of requests for money and will also decrease the amount of time your child is exposed to fundraising messages throughout the year. However, this new strategy will not eliminate other requests for money such as:

• Charitable Giving: Requests for donations to charities (i.e. Terry Fox Run, Food Bank Drive, Toonies for Japan, Jump-Rope for Heart) are separate from fundraisers organized by the Spirit Committee and are initiatives lead by students, staff, or, in some cases, recommended by the TDSB.
• Class Field Trips and In-Class Enrichment Activities: Financial requests to pay for class field trips and enrichment activities will continue to be sent out by the teacher organizing the field trip.

Please send your questions and comments to the Spirit cvia co-chair Krista Wylie.

Runnymede is a finalist to win $25,000 from the Keg for a new SOUND SYSTEM  — but we need your help to get the most votes. The more votes the better! You can vote once each day. Tell your friends, family and contacts – heck, tell everyone you know. We need your votes…because we need that sound system!  Click here to cast your votes.

The Spirit Committee is considering some big changes in our fundraising strategy for 2011/2012 and we are looking for your input through a parent survey. You can complete the survey online or you can fill out the hard copy that was sent home and return it to your child’s teacher. Either way, please return the survey by Friday, May 13.

What is the Spirit Committee considering for 2011/2012? As parents ourselves, we know time is precious and that constantly being asked for money can feel frustrating. Some schools have been able to simplify fundraising when parents agreed to make an annual per-child donation. A similar fundraising strategy would allow us to reduce the number of requests for money but still allow students to receive the benefits that fundraising dollars provide. We also recognize that some fundraisers not only raise money but also promote community spirit. To maintain a balance, if Runnymede parents support the idea of an annual per-child donation, we propose to:

• Eliminate: Dance-a-thon Pledges, QSP Magazine Drive, Gift Wrap, and Domino’s Pizza Dinners.
• Continue: Pizza Lunches, Spring Thaw: Art Show & FUNdraiser, Parent Pub Night and T-shirt Sales.

Our goal is to make parents’ lives easier while allowing our children to continue to benefit from the amazing “extras” that fundraising dollars make possible. Please take the time to fill out the survey and if you have any questions, please contact Krista Wylie (co-chair, Spirit).