Fundraisers
Ashford Park PTA coordinates several fundraising campaigns and events throughout the year. These include:
• Sally Foster sale – September and early spring
• Scholastic Book Fair – October and March
• Fall Festival – November
• Spirit Wear sales – Ongoing
• School spirit nights at local eateries – Ongoing
• Box Tops and Campbell’s Labels for Education collections – Ongoing
• Kroger and Publix school support programs – Ongoing
• Special events like Valentine Lollipops
The money raised supports the school in two ways:
Classroom Support/Academic Enrichment Fund – Did you know Ashford Park School receives only about $14,000 from the County towards classroom supplies, cleaning and maintenance products and tools, copy paper, and just about everything else that keeps our school functioning as it should? So our Classroom Support/Academic Enrichment Fund goes towards necessities like handwriting tablets and journals, math and reading activity books, step stools, audio and video equipment, and privacy boards for students to use during testing. Teachers make their requests to their Grade Lead who sends them to the Principal for approval, who then lets us know their needs.
Also as part of this fund, we bring “in-house field trips” to the school, such as visits from the Atlanta Opera, dance troupes, musical performers and storytellers to inspire students and enrich their academic experience of cultural history and fine arts. We fund the annual Field Day and buy PE equipment to encourage life-long physical activity and healthy living choices. For Red Ribbon Week, we buy the ribbons, buttons and prizes that children receive. During Teacher Recognition Week, we host a breakfast, a luncheon, drawings for gifts, and other expressions of appreciation to bolster our teachers’ morale reaffirm their value. We also buy the supplies for the Academic Awards ceremonies.
Discretionary Fund – This is used to address unforeseen needs. For example, recent school system budget cuts left our Media Center about $35 short on audio-visual equipment purchases that had been made in expectation of having the funds. We stepped up to cover the difference. We also give Ms. Meeks discretionary funds to help children with various urgent needs, from personal grooming items to school supplies. We stock her “treasure chest” with rewards for students who are making an extra effort or showing improvement.