FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions Why did we have so many fundraisers this fall? Typically, our Fall Social is our biggest fundraiser. We hold our biggest fundraiser in the fall so that all the money raised can be used during the school year in which it was raised. This year we tried something new as our biggest fundraiser, Bancroft Bucks. Not knowing how successful it would be, it was decided to keep our Fall Social in the fall in case it was needed to make up for any shortfalls from Bancroft Bucks. Thanks to your generosity, Bancroft Bucks did very well. We are in the process of planning fundraisers for next year and will take the timing of our fundraisers into consideration. Thank you for your understanding. How do I get one of those Bancroft car stickers? Car stickers are given to those who make a contribution of $40 or more to the Bancroft PTO. A donation to the PTO in your child’s name or child’s teacher’s name would be a great gift for the Holidays from a parent or grandparent or other family member. You can make a donation on the website using your credit card. Click the DONATE button on the website. I’d like to chair an event next year. Who do I talk to? New this year, we have a Chair/Committee Member application. You can print a copy of this application on the website on the Help Wanted link on the homepage. Ann Tavenner, PTO secretary, will be collecting applications beginning at the PTO meeting on January 10th at 9am. If you cannot attend the meeting or if you decide later to apply for a chair position, you can send the application in with your child in an envelope addressed to Ann Tavenner c/o Tommy Tavenner in Ms Russo’s class. Likewise you can also apply for a Board Position in the same way. We are in need of a PTO treasurer and a Vice President for next year. When Ann receives an application, she will let the current Chair know that someone is interested in taking over the event. The current chair can decide to either:
1. stay in their position 2. take a co-chair 3. step down from being chair Ann will contact you after hearing back from the current chair. I have an idea for a fundraiser for the PTO. Who do I talk to? Lisa Grecoe and Namita Gupta are our Fundraising Chairs and the people you would need to contact if you have an idea for a fundraiser. It is difficult to add a fundraiser during the current school year because we plan our fundraisers during the previous year. Lisa and Namita keep a list of all suggested fundraisers and will choose how best to raise money for the following year. If you are interested in being part of the Fundraising Committee please contact Lisa or Namita. What is the policy for giving gifts to our child’s teachers? The policy is available on the website on the forms and documents link on the homepage. Principal Goldstein should receive a note regarding any gifts given to the class which are to become property of the school so that she can retain a copy for her records. What is the Curriculum Enrichment Fund? The Curriculum Enrichment Fund is just a name of the “pool” of money contributed to the PTO through unsolicited donations (not fundraisers). This money is used to help fund various programs and activities for all students throughout the year. This money is also tax deductible. Are my donations tax deductible? Yes, donations made in excess of items received are tax deductible. The Bancroft PTO is a 501 (c ) Non-Profit Organization, so you are able to deduct your generous donations. The Bancroft PTO Tax ID# 20-0341257. The PTO is responsible for, not all but, most of the activities, performances and events that happen at the school for the students. All these activities cost money. In order to pay for them, the PTO needs to raise money through fundraising and donations. At the end of every school year, the PTO sets up a budget for the following year. Money raised through fundraising and donations is “divvied up” among several different programs. Programs include cultural arts, “fun” events (like Pasta Night or Bingo Night), enrichment programs (like science fair, Expanding Horizons, or One More Story), as well as capital expenses (like Promethian Boards or classroom donations). Since not every year can be as financially abundant as we may like, it makes sense to have a small amount of saved money for scholarships or unexpected circumstances. Yes. Every year the PTO treats the teachers to a breakfast and luncheon during Teacher Appreciation Week. In addition, teachers are provided with cash to make improvements to their classrooms. Absolutely! Just coming to meetings and giving opinions is a big help. You can also join a committee (without chairing it) or just help out at an event or activity. The PTO will take any help – a little or a lot! Children are always welcome at meetings. Politics make me uncomfortable. Is the PTO a political organization? The PTO is not a political organization. The PTO has been set up to organize activities for the Bancroft students. The PTO does not try to influence school or district policy. Yes. You can make one (or more) donations to the Curriculum Enrichment Fund. To donate to the Curriculum Enrichment Fund, please make checks payable to “Bancroft PTO”. To have something posted to the PTO website (www.bancroftpto.org), contact the webmaster (hborenstein@hotmail.com) with the information you would like posted. To have something posted to the Bancroft school website (www.aps1.net), contact the principal, Ms. Goldstein (f2goldstein@aps1.net) with the information you would like posted. Please contact the president, Cathy Boese (jcboese@verizon.net) or the fundraising chair, Denise Wall (6walls@comcast.net) with your ideas. Please continue to check the Bancroft PTO website for upcoming events and activities. In addition, minutes to the PTO meeting are posted to the PTO website after every meeting. If there are activities/events that you are interested in, please contact the president, membership chair or that committee’s chair. I have a question about the PTO that’s not mentioned above. Who should I contact for an answer? Please feel free to contact the PTO President, Cathy Boese (jcboese@verizon.net) for an answer to your question. We may add it to this list!
Why does the PTO do so many fundraisers?
Where does the money go?
Why does the PTO have a rainy day fund?
Does the PTO give money to the teachers/classrooms?
I want to be involved, but I don't want to chair a committee or hold an office. Can I still be involved?
I have small children. Can I bring them to the meetings?
I get tired of buying things. Can I just make one donation for the year?
My child is in 5th grade. How do I know that money raised is going toward programs to benefit him/her? Much of the money raised during the year will go to the students enrolled during that year. Of course, some money will be rolled over into the following year. However please remember that your 5th grader has probably benefited from funds from past 5th graders while at Bancroft.
How do I request to have something posted to the website?
I have an idea for a new event or fundraiser. Who should I talk to?
Sometimes PTO meetings are hard for me to attend. Can I still be involved?