Thursday, January 17, 2013

What makes The Mighty Fine Drive mighty fine?


Everyone gives. It’s that simple. Named from the school’s song, our fund drive is based on participation, not dollars. As a community, we believe that when every family invests in the PTA, we create a shared interest in making PS 39 the best possible learning environment for our kids. It’s not the amount that makes the difference. It’s the act of showing support. Giving feels good. And, when our kids know that we value their education, they value it more too.

Here, however, is the Mighty Fine truth: the 100% goal can only be achieved if EVERY family contributes to the campaign. That’s right: the 100% goal is not based on a dollar amount, but on the number of families contributing (so that means all of us). Human nature, our propensity to procrastinate, is the biggest obstacle to our success.

But good news: there is no minimum amount that you are required to contribute. If you only can afford a dollar, that’s awesome. Again, the most important thing is if you give something, even if it’s only a few bucks (or less!).  Of course, if you can afford to give much more, well, we can’t stop you! And your gift will benefit 377 kids. 377 futures.
In essence, give what you can afford. Every penny is much appreciated, and it means participation! It all counts toward that 100% goal.

The money raised by this campaign goes directly to to pay for consultants to improve the classroom teaching every single day, chess instruction that is integrated with the math curriculum, dance/music/arts enrichments and more mundane-but-essential supplies like copy paper.

Any class that reaches 100% participation receives a $300 classroom grant for their teacher to use at his/her discretion, PLUS a pizza and popsicle party in Prospect Park in the spring (how sweet is that?).

As well, any class with at least 85% of families participating will get $100 classroom grant for their teacher to spend at his/her discretion, PLUS a pizza party in the classroom.

Teachers are so excited by the prospect of grants to get new larger rugs, National Geographic animal books, and other library expansions. 

Let’s get this party started!  The deadline for pledges is February 14th, and our trusty call-a-thon will start soon.

It’s easy to donate: simply send a check in your child’s folder (make checks payable to PS 39 Parent Association) or, to charge it, go to www.ps39.org.  You can even set monthly automatic payments, so your gift keeps giving throughout the year without a big hit to your wallet. Our school song, which dates back close to a century, starts with the lyrics, “We have come to a Mighty Fine school.” Indeed we have. Let’s keep it that way. Together.