Urge Clemson Elementary to Eliminate Competitive Prize-Based Fundraisers
- by: Patricia Davis and Concerned Parents of CES
- recipient: Mrs. Michelle Craddock, Principal of Clemson Elementary School
We believe that competitive and prize-driven fundraisers such as Boosterthon are not in the best interest of our students or their families. We object to a fundraiser that puts some children on display and publicly awards them with prizes in front of their classmates, while other students are left feeling that they aren’t “good enough” to win. The visibility and pressure of the Boosterthon program leads many students, especially younger ones, to feel upset if they can’t collect “enough” pledges or because they can’t earn a certain item or reach the next prize level. The desire to win a prize or make a large donation places an extra financial burden on many families, especially when there is a minimum amount required for a donation to “count” towards the fundraising goals.
Many parents choose other ways to support the school, such as donating supplies, working in the classrooms, going on field trips, etc. The strong emphasis on getting financial pledges for Boosterthon gives the impression that other types of parental support are not valued by the school. Some of us also object to the class time that is sacrificed for Boosterthon events and activities. Finally, almost half of the donated funds go to Boosterthon rather than to the school. There are other ways to raise money without sacrificing so much to professional fundraising companies and without causing bad feelings among the students and parents.
Dear Mrs. Craddock,
As parents of students at Clemson Elementary, we wish to express our disapproval of Boosterthon and other competitive, prize-driven fundraising programs at our school. We realize that funds are needed for supplies and materials, but we don’t believe this type of program is, overall, in the best interest of our students or their families.
The visibility and pressure of the Boosterthon program leads many students, especially younger ones, to feel upset if they can’t collect “enough” pledges. Some children end up in tears because they can’t earn a certain item or reach the next prize level. The desire to win a prize or make a large donation places an extra financial burden on many families, especially when there is a minimum amount required for a donation to “count” towards the fundraising goals. We object to a fundraiser that puts some children on display and publicly awards them with gifts and prizes in front of their classmates, while other students are left feeling that they aren’t “good enough” to win.
Further, some of us are offended that the school seems to discount the other ways we support the school (by donating supplies, working in the classrooms, supporting school-initiated fundraisers, going on field trips, etc.). The strong emphasis on getting financial pledges for Boosterthon gives the impression that other types of parental support are not as valuable to the school. Some of us also object to the class time that is sacrificed for Boosterthon events and activities. Finally, almost half of the donated funds go to Boosterthon rather than to the school. There are other ways to raise this money without sacrificing so much to professional fundraising companies.
Please consider eliminating Boosterthon and other competitive, prize-based, professionally-run fundraisers at Clemson Elementary and looking for new school-initiated means to raise funds for our school. At the very least, please consider omitting the younger grades (kindergarten, first, and second) whose students are more likely to be confused and upset when they don’t get all the same toys and rewards that some of their classmates are receiving.
We are proud to be part of such a strong school and community, and we join with the teachers, staff, and administration of the school in our desire to see Clemson Elementary reach its full potential in every way!
Sincerely,
Clemson Elementary School Parents
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