Fundraising

Direct Donations are Always Welcome!

April 11, 2008

Dear Merriam Families:

Merriam students are very fortunate to have such a dedicated group of parents working as a community to support their school. So many of you are incredibly generous with your time, talents and participation in PTO-sponsored events! For this reason, all of the PTO’s major fundraisers for this school year have been very successful. Our Auction, Camp Fair and most other fundraisers have accomplished or exceeded their goals thanks to the exceptional talents of the parents leading these events. Thank you and congratulations to all of you!

Many parents tell us that, rather than participating in some of the traditional fundraisers, they prefer to make direct donations. To this end, the PTO Board wishes to give you this opportunity to make a cash donation and to take advantage of matching corporate funds if available through your employer. As you know, these PTO funds are dedicated to keeping teaching assistants in every classroom and, as Merriam will experience previously unforeseen growth next year, additional PTO funds will be very useful and welcome.

For the 2008/09 school year, Acton Town Meeting approved a new 4^th grade section at Merriam to help alleviate classroom overcrowding across the town at this grade level. We will also maintain the four sections of 5^th and 6^th grades. The Merriam PTO would like to ensure that the current level of classroom assistant hours is continued next year. Please consider the benefits provided by Merriam’s classroom assistants: 

• opportunities for small group work and projects;
• continuity in the event of a teacher’s absence; and
• coverage on the playground and in the cafeteria with a trusted, familiar adult. 

We all know that having assistants in every classroom has enormous educational benefits for our children every day!

The Merriam Community PTO is a non-profit organization (i.e. 501c3). This means you may be eligible to have your donation matched by your employer. Over 1000 companies match gifts to non-profits from their employees. Please check with your personnel office today to see if your donation to Merriam could be doubled by a matching gift from your employer! For a document verifying our 501c3 status, please contact PTO Treasurer, Susan Russell.

To print a donation form, click here.  Please return or mail to the Merriam office. Thanks again for all your support. It is truly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Carol Leandro, PTO Co-Chair                     Cathy Utt, PTO Co-Chair

Lynn Armstrong, PTO Co-Chair                   Susan Russell, PTO Treasurer 

Hannah Bloch, PTO Secretary 

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For more information about the SCRIP program,  click here!

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Easy Money for Merriam:

Cashless Fundraising 

Would you like to participate in some “cashless” fundraisers to help Merriam School? Fundraising programs you can use on a weekly basis at NO cost to you – yet you’ll be helping to raise significant funds for Merriam School?

We are starting a campaign to revive participation in electronic and rebate programs (Cashless Fundraisers) that will benefit Merriam and be easy for all of us to use. We plan to publicize these programs on a regular basis, and hope you’ll make participation a regular activity in your household!

Tricia Forrester is the coordinator for this program.  if you have questions, she can be reached at pvforrester@gmail.com.

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