What is Home & School Organization?
Introduction
Members
Communication
Social Events
Budget
Wish list
Secondary Wish
list
Major Fundraisers
Ongoing Fundraisers
Summary
Outreach Program
Contact Information
Introduction
In the spring of 1990, a dedicated group of
parents created the St. Mary’s Home and School Organization. According to
the Constitution and by-laws, the mission of this organization is to bring
about a closer understanding between parents and teachers and to provide
effective communication and promote meaningful activities among parents,
parish director / leadership, teachers, principal, and students.
Members
All school parents are members and an
important part of St. Mary’s Home and School Organization. Your input and
involvement are vital to the organization. The Executive Board of St.
Mary’s Home and School are parents, just like you, who have made a
commitment for two years to lead the organization. Executive Board meetings
are held once per month on the common meeting night, and two general membership meetings are held
throughout the school year. Your participation in general membership
meetings is vital ~ we encourage everyone to come to these meetings and be
an active voice in YOUR organization.
Communication
St. Mary’s Home and School Organization
assists in keeping open lines of communication between the faculty, the
parish, and school families. These efforts include the two general
membership meetings as well as the parent directory and the quarterly
newsletter, The Good News of St. Mary’s.
Social Events
St. Mary’s Home and School Organization
sponsors many social events to promote the school community and offer
fellowship among the school families. Events include the new families
social, the first day of school picnic, Birthday Mass celebrations, fish
frys, Santa’s workshop, concert socials, Catholic Schools
Week activities (including our Breakfast Buffet), and field day. We are
looking forward to all the social events ~ and hope you will be able to join
us!
Budget
The Executive Board establishes a budget
for the items or events that St. Mary’s Home and School Organization
purchase or sponsor during the school year. Discussed and approved prior to
the start of that school year, the budget includes a variety of activities
and extras for St. Mary’s School that the regular school budget is unable to
cover. Based on historical data of funds raised and the budgets from
previous years, a fundraising estimate is made. These funds are then
earmarked for various purposes listed on the budget. Some examples of
budgeted items include the “Teacher $150” ($150 is budgeted for each teacher
to use at their discretion for classroom items), first day of school picnic,
staff birthday gifts, Birthday Mass prizes and decorations, Catholic Schools
Week activities, teacher appreciation week, and the parent directory and
school newsletter printing costs.
Wish List
In addition to the budget, funds raised
above and beyond the budget goes toward a Wish List. Each May, this list is
compiled by the teachers and is approved by the St. Mary’s Home and School
Organization general membership. These items are at least $150 or more and
are items that the teachers and school staff have requested that are not
financed by the school budget. Examples of previous Wish List items include
computer and software purchases, books for the library, playground
equipment, and school furniture.
Secondary Classroom Wish List
During the last few years, St. Mary’s Home
and School Organization has been fortunate enough to “finish” the Wish List
at the end of each year. However, there were still some smaller items that
each classroom and/or teacher needed which did not fit on the annual Wish
List. Last year, St. Mary’s Home and School Organization added a secondary
Wish List featuring a different classroom each month. A flyer is sent home
in the Wednesday folder with a listing of new and/or used items that a
teacher needs. This is a completely voluntary and separate way to assist
St. Mary’s School.
Major
Fundraisers
The budget and Wish List items are
supported through fundraisers such as Market Day, Scrip, Fish Frys,
Chicken Dinner, and Brat Stands. Over the years, St. Mary’s Home and School Organization
has tried to pick quality programs that are well worth the time and money
put forth. All programs are reviewed annually to ensure the most funds are
being generated for St. Mary’s School. As money is raised, budget items are
funded first. After the budget amount is met, approved Wish List items are
then funded. Monies must be available before purchase of the Wish List
items to ensure that St. Mary’s Home and School Organization is fiscally
sound at all times. Waiting for items may be difficult, but all purchases
must be based on the amount of available funds received through the
fundraisers.
MARKET DAY is a unique
and profitable monthly fundraiser that offers quality foods available to
fine restaurants and hotels. Order forms come home each month in the
Wednesday folder. St. Mary’s Home and School Organization earns a 10%
profit on each item ordered. If an apple is next to an item, this is an
“Apple Plus” item, which generates 15% to 45% profit. These Apple Plus
items vary during the course of the year. The quality of Market Day
products is excellent. To participate in this fundraiser, just fill out the
order blank and return it to school by the due date. You can also order
online at
www.marketday.com or call their toll-free number 1-888-MDAPPLE
(1-888-632-7753). Pickup is on designated Saturdays in the gym from 9:30 am
to 10:30 am. Each month, parents of different classes are responsible to
help with set up and pick up of orders. This takes about two to three
hours. It’s a great way to meet other parents from your child’s class.
SCRIP
is a weekly fundraiser which is a no-cost investment for the families
of St. Mary’s. Many schools use this national fundraiser because it is so
easy. Certain manufacturers, both local and national, participate in the
program. St. Mary’s Home and School Organization purchases certificates
from these manufacturers at a discount and sells them at face value. The
discount ranges from 2.5% to 22%, with most at a 3% to 5% discount. The
discount is our profit. The profit is then used to order more Scrip and pay
for the St. Mary’s Home and School Organization budget and Wish List items.
Currently, only about 20% of our school families utilize Scrip. Just
think if 80% or 90% of our families participated!! We could do great things
for St. Mary’s School. Here is an example of what more participation
would mean:
Several supermarkets are in our Scrip
program including Pick ‘n Save and Piggly Wiggly. If each family at
St. Mary’s School bought $100 in gift certificates per month to one of these
supermarkets, each family, during a 10-month school year, would buy $1,000
of Scrip. At 3% discount, the profit from this fundraiser is $3 for every
$100 in certificates purchased. For $1,000, the profit amount is $30. Now,
that doesn’t seem like a lot if only 20 families are doing this: it only
comes to $600. However, with 100 families, profit increases to
$3,000! This is only with buying $100 a month in Scrip!
A Scrip order form is in the Wednesday
folder each week. After the form is filled out, payment and the order form
should be sent to school by the following Monday morning by 9:00 am. On
the following Thursday or Friday, you will receive your Scrip order. You may also order
Scrip after any Mass every weekend. If you would like to have a standing
order each week (i.e., $50 Pick ‘N Save etc.), please make a note of it on
your order form. Contact Yvonne Stucke (675-0898) for more information.
This fundraiser is one of the few Scrip
programs left in the West Bend area. We have made considerable profit with
this fundraiser, and we appreciate all those who consistently use Scrip.
This includes some parishioners without children in our school, and we are
very grateful to them for their generous support. Our goal is to increase
the number of school families using Scrip because as shown by the previous
example, profits could really increase with greater participation.
Remember, this is a no-cost fundraiser for the participants. If the
process still seems confusing, please contact our Fundraising chairperson
Theresa Albertson. She will be very happy to provide additional
information. The certificates make great gifts, and usually the
certificates have an expiration date of a year. Please think about it and
then give it a try.
FISH FRYS
are sponsored by St. Mary’s Home and School Organization throughout the
year. These events are currently catered by Tom Schwai, who is well-known
and respected throughout the area. Fish Fry Fridays are not only
fundraisers, but they also are a great chance for socializing with school
and church families. There is also an area designated for the kids to watch
movies. Many volunteers are needed to make these events a success! We hope
you can take a turn at setup, serving, making a desert, or cleanup during one or more of our
Fish Frys. Watch the Wednesday folder for volunteer forms!
BRAT STANDS
are usually held during the summer. St. Mary’s Home and School Organization
had one brat stand this year which was held at Pick ‘N Save South on August
4th (Maxwell Street Day).
SAL'S PIZZERIA -161
N. Main Street (East side of the street across from the pavilion downtown)
Download coupon below and use ever Wednesday
or Sunday during the school year (not just at night)
Coupon
-
Fill your child/children's name and teacher's name on the
coupon.
-
Make copies of the coupon and pass out to family, friends
and neighbors.
-
Turn in coupon at the pizzeria ro give to the delivery
driver (free delivery available)
-
Sal's will complete the lower portion of the coupon and
return the donations to the school.
-
The class turning in the most coupons for that month
receives a pizza party.
CULVERS - Starting Tuesday 9/18/07 (see
coupons below) 2350 W. Washington Street (In front of Pick 'n Save
North on Hwy 33)
Coupon (will be available after Masses)
-
Use coupon ever third Tuesday during the school year
-
Make copies of the coupon and pass out to family, friends
and neighbors
-
Turn in coupon at Culvers
-
Culvers will complete the purchase total of the coupon
and return donations to the school
-
We will be working with Culvers to offer something to the
class turning in the most coupons
Ongoing
Fundraisers
Several ongoing fundraisers are in place to
further help St. Mary’s Church and School. Here is a listing of those
fundraisers:
Outreach Program Overview
St. Mary’s Family Outreach Program is aimed at reaching out
to our families in times of celebration, sadness, or need. The four areas
of the Family Outreach Program include Birthday Mass, Sacramental/Special
Events, Hospital Stays/Home Help/ Christmas Card Outreach, and Life Events ~
Baptisms/Marriages/Deaths.
BIRTHDAY MASS
During
Birthday Mass, the birthday children process in to church with
battery-operated candles and place them on wooden stands in front of the
altar. During Mass, the birthday children are also recognized by having
their names read in the petitions. Parents are invited to sit with their
birthday child(ren) during Mass. The children also receive a birthday goody
bag, which includes a book gift certificate to redeem via the teacher
monthly Scholastic book orders.
SACRAMENTAL/SPECIAL EVENTS
All parish children who receive a Sacrament
will be given a remembrance and/or a card from the St. Mary’s Family
Outreach Program. Kindergarten and 8th-Grade graduates will
receive a remembrance and a card from the St. Mary’s Family Outreach
Program. The Religious Education Staff provides the names to the St. Mary’s
Family Outreach Coordinator.
HOSPITAL STAYS/HOME HELP/CHRISTMAS CARD
OUTREACH
A card
is sent for any hospital stay of a school or staff family member.
Additional help may be available. All information should be provided on a
St. Mary’s Family Outreach Request Form. Extra forms are in the classrooms
and the school office.
The
Christmas Card Outreach Program encourages student involvement. Students
make handmade Christmas Cards for seniors or nursing home residents.
LIFE EVENTS ~ BAPTISMS/MARRIAGES/DEATHS
For major life events,
St. Mary’s Family Outreach provides the following:
Baptism ~ $100 Tuition
Gift Certificate (out of School Budget Funds, not Home & School Funds) for
each child baptized at St. Mary’s Church.
Marriage ~ $25 $crip
Gift Certificate for the marriage of a school staff member.
Death ~ $15 Endowment
Fund contribution will be made in the deceased’s name on the death of a
parent/guardian or sibling of a student or staff member.
For more information or if you have an idea or suggestion
on this NEW program, contact Jane Hignite, Family Outreach Program
Coordinator at hignite@charter.net
or 629-9348.
To request one of these programs, download the form
below.
Request Form
Summary
We hope that this article has helped you
learn a little bit more about St. Mary’s Home and School Organization. We
have established our budget for the school year 2007-2008 and are looking
forward to sponsoring activities and programs at St. Mary’s School and
making our school a better place.
St. Mary’s Home and School Organization
offers many ways for you to become involved and get to know other parents.
At the start of each school year, a volunteer list is sent home in the
Wednesday folder. It takes many volunteers to coordinate and execute the
various and extensive programs, events, and fundraisers for our school.
Please remember to give of your time, treasure, and talent for St. Mary’s
Home and School. Please also consider attending as many of our general
membership meetings as possible.
A complete history of St. Mary’s Home and
School Organization is available at our meetings and events.
Contact
Information
If at any time during the school year, you
have a question or concern, please feel free to contact any Executive Board
member. Your 2007-2008 Executive Board members are:
President - Angi Geydoshek
Vice-President - Kristin Kozlowski
Treasurer - Kim Nass
Secretary - Karin Kaczmarek
