Fundraising

Fundraising Committee Chair: Liz Healey, redhead27701@yahoo.com, 688-7546

The PTA Fundraising Committee raises the vast majority of funds that support all of PTAs programs and initiatives that enrich our children’s academic experience and build community in our school.  The PTA sends children on valuable field trips and teachers for additional Montessori training. The PTA sponsors teacher-developed curriculum in writing and science, and scholarships for afterschool enrichment. The PTA helps our community celebrate its heritage and roots, while giving teachers and administrators flexibility to buy new and worthwhile materials that makes learning fun and accessible to every child.

Major Fundraisers

• October – Annual Fund Drive: Previously called “Just One Check,” our Annual Fund Drive provides the single largest source of funds to the Watts PTA.  We can now accept donations online using PayPal.  Talk about easy — it takes less than five minutes!!  No donation is too small (or too big). All donations are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE.
• December  – George Watts Book Fair: This event runs for one week in the Media Center. There are several ways to participate: 1) Purchase a book as a gift for a class. Each teacher makes a “wish list,” and school librarian Mrs. Ham posts the lists at the fair. 2) Donate money so that children who cannot afford to purchase a book can take home something new to read. 3) Purchase a book for your child – or for anyone.  The Book Fair is a fundraiser for the library.  And as part of the profit from sales, Mrs. Ham can pull hard cover books from the book fair shelves for our Media Center and the Media Center receives money to purchase additional books for our school’s collection!
• March – Great Human Race: Grownups and kids are invited to walk or run in this 5K event to raise money for our school — and to feel healthier.  In 2008-2009, we raised $2200!
• Spring Carnival: Our most popular PTA event! Families come to bounce in the moonwalk, play games and win prizes, eat hot dogs and tamales, listen to live music, and bond with other families. In 2011, the Spring Carnival brought in over $8000! 

4 free, easy ways to support your school:

1. Box Tops for Education: George Watts Montessori participates in the Box Tops for Education program. Simply collect the Box Tops symbol from your eligible grocery store purchases and send them to school with your child or bring them to the office. The school earns 10¢ for every Box Top collected. Contact Jerrica Melvin, school secretary, at 560-3947.  Click here for more info.
2. GoodSearch.com: Start using GoodSearch.com as your search engine and online shopping mall. Every time you search the Internet or make an online purchase at one of their partner merchants, GoodSearch makes a donation to George Watts. How to get started: On the main page, under “Who do you GoodSearch for?” type in “George Watts Montessori Magnet,” then “Verify.” You can also add GoodSearch to your browser toolbar.
3. Harris Teeter VIC and Food Lion MVP cards: At Harris Teeter, you can have your card linked to our school, so the school gets 12% of the amount you spend every week. Any HT cashier can set up the link (school is listed as “George Watts Elementary”). At Food Lion, customers can link their MVP cards to their school of choice by either registering online at “Lion Shop and Share” or calling 704-633-8250 extension 3810. How much our school receives is a little more complicated, but it’s possible for the school to earn up to $1,400 per year through the program.
4. Target Credit Card Reimbursement: Through the “Take Charge of Education” program, Target will donate a percentage of your Target Visa or REDcard purchases to our school. To participate, just register online and designate “George Watts Elementary” as the recipient of funds. And tell grandparents, neighbors and friends to do the same!

**Bonus tip**

DonorsChoose.org: It isn’t a freebie, but it’s a great way to give. Teachers ask for what they want for their class, and you choose which project you’d like to donate to. Simple, right?  To find out if our teachers need your help with a project, do a quick search for “George Watts” on DonorsChoose.org.