The Multipurpose Room themultipurposeroom

There are an estimated 12 million children struggling with hunger in America. Schools play an integral part in not only teaching our children but also providing a steady meal source. In this episode, we speak with Andrew “Kappy” Kaplan about the challenges schools face in providing healthy and delicious-tasting meals and ways PTA's can help.
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About Deb & Wes' Guest:
Today we will talk to Andrew “Kappy” Kaplan. Andrew currently serves as the VP of Culinary Operations for the Rachael Ray brand. He is the Co-Founder and Director of Rachael Ray’s cooking and kids charity, Yum-o! He is also the Founder and CEO of Culinary Advisors LLC, a strategic culinary advisory service, he hosts a popular food podcast and is a partner of Beyond the Plate Tees, a food-inspired apparel line.
This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing
Additional Resources:
Yum-O
https://www.yum-o.org
Share Our Strength
https://www.shareourstrength.org
Feeding America
https://www.feedingamerica.org
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
https://chooserestaurants.org
Prostart Grow Grant
https://chooserestaurants.org/programs/scholarships-grants/rachael-ray-prostart-grow-grant
Wellness in the Schools (WITS)
https://www.wellnessintheschools.org
Urban School Food Alliance
https://urbanschoolfoodalliance.org/
Chefs Brigaid
https://www.chefsbrigaid.com
Hunger Free America
https://www.hungerfreeamerica.org
Beyond The Plate Podcast
https://beyondtheplatepodcast.com
Rachael Ray Foundation
https://www.rachaelrayfoundation.org

 

Writing grants can be a great way to boost your PTA or PTO funds without asking families for more money but it can also seem daunting! How do you get these grants? Where do you find them? What’s a winning submission? This episode will share leaders’ tips on these questions and more.

Additional Resources:
https://www.pta.org/home/run-your-pta/Awards-Grants
https://www.pta.org/docs/default-source/files/why-pta/2019/grant-writing-tips.pdf
https://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/86-finding-and-winning-grants

Games, prizes, kids and fun are what a school carnival is all about. But it can be a lot of work for a PTA. This episode will give you the details you need to plan your carnival from start to finish. Or, if you’re a carnival expert, tune in for some new ideas from other school leaders.
 
This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel (spirit wear and uniforms) while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing

If you’re like most PTAs, PTOs, and PTSAs, you struggle to get enough parent volunteers for your group. You’re not alone - this is one of the most common questions on parent teacher association Facebook groups! In this episode, we will share the top tips that have worked to increase the number of participants in your school group.
 
This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel (spirit wear and uniforms) while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing

The recent “Devious Lick” and “Slap a Teacher” campaigns on TikTok are extremely concerning and must be stopped. As PTA and PTO leaders, we are responsible for creating a positive impact on our students and that arguably includes helping to stop violent campaigns such as these but how? What's our role versus that of the administrators and what should we do? This episode is shares what PTAs and PTOs are doing across the country.
 
This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel (spirit wear and uniforms) while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing

Whether you’re new to running a read-a-thon, or want some tips from experienced planners to boost your success, this episode’s for you. We share the basics, the learnings, and even sample language to make your event a success.
This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel (spirit wear and uniforms) while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing
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Show Notes:
 
Here is some sample language to describe your read-a-thon:
 
Every day beginning (DAY, DATE) through (DAY, DATE) readers will earn prizes by reading books.  Participants will get pledges from family and friends to support their efforts.  Sponsors can either pledge a certain amount of money per minute read or make a flat donation.
 
Here is a sample prize structure:
Fundraising Prizes - prizes are additive                                                             

      Amount Raised


Reward


 


      $10.00 - $29.99 in pledges =


Invisible Ink Pen


      $30.00 - $49.99 in pledges =


Free Kona Ice


      $50.00 - $99.99 in pledges =


$5 Target Gift Card


      $100.00 - $199.99 in pledges =


$25.00 Bookstore Gift Card


      $200.00 and over in pledges =


$50.00 Bookstore Gift Card

 
Other Prizes

Most Minutes Read
The students from each grade who read the most minutes will each receive the top prize.


Top Pledge Amount
The student who earned the highest amount in pledges will receive an iPad!


Top Classrooms
The classroom that received the highest amount in pledges and the classroom that read the most minutes will win an ice cream sunday party. 

 
Sample Student Letter Language:
Dear ________________ [Grandpa/Aunt Mary, etc.], 
Hi! I am sending this note to tell you about an exciting event coming up at my school, _____________. We are having a Read-a-thon! My whole school will spend [date] to [date] doing as much reading as we can, and we will be raising money for our school to fund ________________________! 
 
I have thought carefully about how much reading I will try to do that week, and I am setting my goal at _________ minutes for the week. 
 
Do you think you could sponsor me in the Read-a-thon? You could sponsor me by the minute or you could sponsor me for a flat amount. What do you say? Can you help me with my Read-a-thon this year? If so, let me know whether you want to do flat or per minute. I will reach back out on _______________ to let you know how much I read. All checks should be made out to _______________.
 
Thanks, 
Student Name
 
Sample Business Letter:
The _________________PTA would like to take this opportunity to announce our annual Read-a-Thon fundraiser. We will begin this fundraiser on ____________ and our goal is to read 100,000 minutes and raise $10,000 to support our school! Funds raised will help the ______________________________________ and so much more!  There are many opportunities to win prizes. Thank you for supporting our young tigers as they establish a love for reading!
 
As a business in our local community, we would like to ask for your support in meeting our goal. As a read-a-thon sponsor, our PTA will recognize you as one of our Circle of Sponsors:
 
Platinum Sponsor - $1000+
 
Gold Sponsor - $500 - $999
 
Silver Sponsor - $250 - $499
 
Bronze Sponsor - $126 - $249
 
Classroom Sponsor - $125
 
We are open to cash donations or prize item donations that rise to the levels above. The descriptions of how we honor our Circle of Sponsors are in the following page. We are a 501(c)(3) so all donations are tax deductible. 
 
Thank you in advance for your consideration,
School PTA