Our story: forming the Sandy Ridge PTO in 2020-2021

In June 2020, a new executive board of directors, made up of eight SRE mom volunteers, was established to support parent/teacher activities and events for the upcoming and uncertain school year. With state mandated social distancing requirements, the new hybrid in person/virtual school format, and based on recommendations from the previous board members, the new board determined the time was right to dissolve the parent/teacher association (PTA) and reincorporate as a parent/teacher organization (PTO). 

This change meant a pause in many activities like promotions, member recruitment -- and fundraising. It also meant that the newly formed PTO would be able to keep 100% of parent donations in the school, versus owing regular PTA affiliation fees to the state of North Carolina. As part of the switch, we began this school year with a $0 account balance to support PTO activities. Our PTO status was officially finalized in December 2020. 

Fall Boosterthon, historically a student favorite, couldn’t be held in 2020 due to COVID limitations, and because we were not yet officially incorporated as a PTO. This annual event requires upfront costs to Boosterthon, and typically secures approximately $40,000 profit directly to SRE. Because it is held at the beginning of the school year, past PTA boards have depended on the proceeds from this event to support multiple student, school and teacher appreciation events throughout the remainder of the school year. The Spring Basket Raffle Event, a family-centered fundraiser which typically falls in March, usually brings in approximately $10,000 in SRE earnings, and supports end of year events. This raffle has also been cancelled due to COVID limitations. 

“Feed the Ram”: What impact will my donation have?

Many of our traditional events and activities have been reimagined to meet changing state requirements due to COVID, and because of our previously pending PTO status. Our spring direct donation campaign replaces our traditional fundraisers, and is now underway to help build PTO funds back from where we started - at $0 - at the beginning of the school year. 

“Feed the Ram” was created to support several PTO activities and events that will fall from April-August. 100% of donations given will stay at Sandy Ridge (with no PTA fees or dues owed to outside organizations). Key initiatives that your donations will support include:

1. Teacher grants for classroom enhancements and needs ($10,000) 
2. Campus and playground improvements like painting, upgrades, equipment, low-touch water stations, etc. ($5,000)
3. Annual end- and beginning-of-year activities, including Fifth Grade Celebration, teacher thank you and welcome gifts/events, Open House, Kindergarten Welcome, etc. ($5,000) 

Campaign Goals

Our two primary goals are:

1. To have every Plan A and Plan D student participate at any level
2. To earn $20,000 dollars to cover the above costs. 

Raffles, Incentives and Prizes! 

As a token of our appreciation to our generous parent community, we have secured school approval to offer several incentives and prizes, which are outlined below. 

All winners will be announced on March 30 at SRE Leadership Day. 

• Family Rewards

1. Donate any amount to enter to win a sweet treat coupon
2. Donate $40+ and be entered to win a gift card drawing to a local restaurant or business (TRUE Crafted Pizza, Nothing but Noodles, The SRE Spiritwear store, etc.)
3. Donate $100+ and you’ll be entered into a drawing to name the Sandy Ridge playgrounds. There will be one drawing to name the K-2 playground and one to name the 3-5 playground.
4. Donate $200+ and you’ll be entered to win four one-day Disney Park Hopper Tickets ($800 value, expires 12-24-21)

• Student Rewards

1. The student in each class with the highest dollar amount in donations will earn the role of “Specials Teacher for the Day” (Art, Media Center, Music, PE and Steam). Plan D Student winners will earn a free pass waiving Specials participation for one day. 
2. The student in each grade with the highest dollar amount of donations will receive a free large cheese pizza, delivered to their home.
3. The student with the overall highest dollar amount in donations will earn the role as “Principal for the Day” (Plan A) or a one-day pass, waiving their Canvas assignments (Plan D). 

1. Class Rewards 
1. The class with the highest dollar amount in donations will earn a Zoom lunch with their parents (Plan A)  or their virtual pen pal (Plan D).
2. The class with the second highest dollar amount in donations will earn an extra recess (Plan A) or Go Noodle (Plan D). 
3. The class that brings in the most number of donations from grandparents, or extended family/friends, will earn an extra recess (Plan A) or Go Noodle/Movie Day (Plan D). 

• Teacher Rewards

1. The teacher whose class raises the highest dollar amount in donations, will earn a duty free lunch and a $25 Amazon gift card. 

• Schoolwide Reward 

1. If we meet our $20,000 goal, students will be able to toss water balloons at Principal Kerstetter and Assistant Principal Yetter while they ride tricycles around the track. This special event will be broadcasted live so our Plan D families can join. 

• Grandparents/Extended Family & Friends Rewards

1. The class that brings in the most number of donations from grandparents, or extended family/friends, will earn an extra recess (Plan A) or Go Noodle/Movie Day (Plan D). 

Contact our VPs of Fundraising, Dorothy Marin & Megan Nicolette at sresptofund@gmail.com with any questions, or for more information about “Feed the Ram”. 

Special thanks to our Sandy Ridge Elementary Families for supporting our PTO!