Small Scale Online Educational Fundraising

Peace and Education Coalition, Second Chance Campus offers a year-round alternative high school that “services urban at-risk youth, ages sixteen to twenty-one, who have left their traditional neighborhood school for various reasons such as safety, teen parenthood, going into the workforce, [or] relocation.” For the last nine years, Nancy Salas-Herrera has taught literature and art at one of Peace and Education’s two Chicago campuses, where approximately eighty-five at-risk students work toward their Chicago Public Schools diploma on an accelerated track, in a program that acknowledges their unique needs with features such as on-site daycare and classes held later in the day than at traditional high schools.

Salas-Herrera’s love of teaching originated, she believes, in eight grade, when Ms. Rosemary Shedor at the Sacred Heart of Jesus asked her to teach a history lesson. She remembers, “I jumped at the opportunity!” and she “even threw in a pop quiz.” Then, she realized, “I knew I had to—not wanted, had to—get into teaching.” She wanted to “share, interpret, discuss, deconstruct…to inspire others.”

She describes her art classes as “organic and free,” including “touches of the traditional with a flavor of the unpredictable. I like to incorporate functional crafts, like paper lanterns and loom knitting, and multicultural art from around the world.” To imbue her students with a sense of ownership, she requires them to evaluate and critique their own work, with the help of a guiding rubric, and to defend the grade they feel they deserve.

As a literature teacher, she employs a decidedly interdisciplinary technique, bringing “art, food, film” into the lesson and using whatever methods she can think of to illuminate the subject. While teaching The Kite Runner, for instance, she invited an Afghani restaurateur to cater the class and speak about his homeland. The students also made and flew their own kites, researched the history of Afghanistan and, after they finished the book, watched the film. Other innovative lesson plans have included making papier-mâché helmets for Beowulf, hosting a costumed medieval feast for Canterbury Tales, and evaluating their own homemade Rorschach tests when they read “Flowers for Algernon.”

The Chicago Teacher’s Union provides all CPS teachers with a one hundred dollar stipend, Salas-Herrera’s yearly supply budget.

Typically, her principal provides a ballpark figure regarding available funds for art and selects and purchases student text books. Salas-Herrera researches economical novel sets. “Many times,” she explains, “I get free supplemental materials from the web or swap with other teachers in order to save money.” To supplement her funding, she finds free materials on Craigslist; asks friends, family, and students to donate materials; or chooses projects that require “recyclables or natural objects” such as “branches and sand.” But, to do the project she had in mind for this quarter, she needed markers.

Last year’s markers were done for: old, dried up, and unacceptable. Salas-Herrera required $186 for new markers, to complete a large poster project, as well as teach future lessons in which she wants to “introduce Seurat and pointillism, and pigment dispersion.”

The principal of Peace and Education Coalition, Second Chance Campus encouraged teachers to try a website called DonorsChoose to raise additional funds, and Salas-Herrera was further encouraged in this by the endorsement of other teachers, in addition to such personalities as Ophrah Winfrey and her “darling” Stephen Colbert (to whom she adds: “Mr. Colbert, I have another project brewing. Won’t you please, please help me?”). She found the site “easy to use” and its staff “quick to respond to questions.” She adds, “I like that they are honest [about] how and where the funds are being applied to satisfy the request.” To that end, she created her own DonorsChoose project, “Craving for Crayola Markers.”

Her students were encouraged to spread the word, and Salas-Herrera publicized the project on her own Facebook page. In short order, several patrons of the arts donated the money and she soon had her new materials. “It was a wonderful feeling,” she recalls. “People still believe in art education.” She will “definitely” be using DonorsChoose again.

The students at Peace and Education Coalition, Second Chance Campus face challenges that many high schoolers will never know. They may be culturally limited because they are “are afraid or reluctant to venture out of their neighborhoods,” and they often cope with “financial difficulties, run-ins with the law, drug/alcohol abuse, lots of peer pressure, and teen pregnancy.” Some of them are “struggling learners” who require assistance from special education teachers. Often, their emotional issues come to the fore of the classroom, resulting in “disruptions” and student who “shut down” until Salas-Herrera must talk to them individually to “get to the root of the matter, as much as they allow me to know. Sometimes, they just need to cool and calm themselves down before they can approach the daily lesson.”

It’s a challenging atmosphere, and while the work can be difficult, Salas-Herrera says it’s “awesome that I am teaching right by my old neighborhood, the Back of the Yards. I am grateful that I am giving back to the community where I was born and raised.” Alternative schools, she feels, often get a bad rap, but she wants the world to know that, “these kids are not bad. Most them just made some bad choices, but…aren’t we all flawed at some point in time? I commend them for trying to make it right and graduating with a high school diploma. I think it  is an excellent step onto the right path!”

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QR Code Posters for Educational Fundraising and School Events

What do you know about QR codes?

You’ve probably seen these distinctive, randomly-checkered, black and white squares on advertisements in magazines and other print publicity. Anyone with a smart phone can scan them in an instant, and be transported to a sponsor’s web page for more information.

How does that help your raise more money for your school?

What if that QR code sent students, parents, and other potential donors to a website where they could instantly purchase tickets to an upcoming dance, theatrical performance, fundraising event. What if that site allowed them to make an instant online donation? What if you could do it all at an affordable price?

By combining the power of QR codes with the convenience of our TicketRiver online box office, we’ve created a reliable tool for your school. TicketRiver helps you collect money, whether you’re selling tickets or just asking for charitable donations to support the arts, athletics, the building fund, or any other program that requires cash.

It’s Elementary

We know you’re busy, and that’s why we’ve made the process as streamlined as possible. You can start with a call to our friendly customer support staff at 888.771.0809 and tell them you’d like some QR Code Posters. While you’re setting up your page on TicketRiver (totally free, really easy), they’ll help get your Posters started. You can send our designers any image you’d like to use, have a custom design created just for you, or even choose a combination, like a custom design that incorporates your school logo.

We won’t print or ship your posters until you’re satisfied with the proof, so there’s no risk. When you receive them, the unique QR code will feature prominently in the image, letting everyone know that they can instantly buy tickets or send money with their smart phones.

Time to Shine

Just hang your Posters around the school or wherever you suspect your supporters may lurk. Wherever you go, whatever you do, those QR codes keep working for you, so you can sell tickets or collect donations literally any time, utilizing zero human resources. No one has to sell tickets, collect money, count change, or answer questions. Your TicketRiver page does it all for you!

If you’re looking for a way to move your fundraising campaign into the twenty-first century, capitalize on your students’ love of technology, or raise more money while committing fewer resources to the cause, QR Code Posters are smart way to achieve your goals!

 

 

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Selling Event Badge Lanyards for Educational Fundraising

I was a cheerleader all four years of high school, and now I coach high school cheerleading. My girls are real school boosters, always looking for ways to earn money for various programs—not just their own, but for other athletics, extracurriculars, and academics—and generate school spirit. So I can’t take credit for the lanyard idea. It was the girls’ from start to finish.

Why Lanyards?

Lanyards, I thought, were those ugly woven plastic keychains we had to make in overnight camp more years ago than I care to admit. Back then, we had one security guard in our school, and he knew all of us by name. But the school where I work now has over two thousand students, and each and every one of them is required to wear an ID tag on a lanyard (not plastic, but fabric) around their neck. The lanyards were pretty plain, and some kids liked to customize their with funky buttons. Some cliques had secret codes involving knots in the lanyard, and others tossed the lanyard entirely and brought their own colorful ribbons, shoelaces, or necklaces to hang the badges on.

My cheerleaders found out that the lanyards sold with event badges and printed name tags did not have to be boring, generic, or plain. They came in colors, and could be printed with custom messages. At first they thought about just buying their own cheerleading lanyards in school colors, but then they thought bigger.

The Competition

Why not challenge some of the biggest clubs in the school to a fundraising competition? Each group could design their own lanyard and try to sell as many as possible to raise money for the spring dance. Of course, the cheerleaders thought they would win the contest hands down, but they enlisted the football players, girls volleyball, the National Merit Scholars, AV club, and a few other groups. Each group was responsible for their own design and raising the initial funds to order the lanyards, and then worked all month to sell as many as possible.

The contest is still going on, so it’s hard to know who will ultimately win. What I have figured out is that the student body is buying lanyards, and they’re not taking sides. Some kids are collecting them and color-coordinating their outfits, or braiding them together, or decorating their backpacks with them.

Great Idea, Great Execution

Wearing ID tags at school is an unfortunate reality of the modern world, but my kids have made the best of it. They’ve got to wear their name badges, they might as well make them fashionable. And while they’re working on making the school more stylish, they might as well be earning some money to support the programs they love. It’s a win-win situation.

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Education Fund Raising and Making Money for Public Schools

Arizona has long lagged in educational funding: typically, the state ranks forty-eighth among American states, with property taxes paying an unusually small percentage of the total, and a greater emphasis on sales and income taxes. An aging and often conservative population does not prioritize school funding and often votes down ballot initiatives designed to bail out financially struggling systems. Parents who care about their children’s education soon learn that it’s up to them to make their local schools great.

Lupe Leon is one such parent. Three years ago, she joined the PTA at Lineweaver Elementary, home of the Lineweaver Lions, understanding the importance of being involved in her child’s school and committed to helping out and volunteering whenever possible. With “a passion for helping others,” Leon felt that PTA involvement “would be a great way to support not only the school my children attend but their teachers and administrators as well.”

Today, her support is a huge element in Lineweaver’s success. Not only was she elected PTA president by her fellow parents, she was hired to serve as the school’s Community Representative and also works as Cafeteria Monitor, as well as with the before and after school program, affectionately known as Cub Club.

Responsible for nearly all the fundraising activities that go on at Lineweaver, Leon has her work cut out for her, to the tune of $50,000. That’s the amount she’s committed to raising for the 2010-11 school year. How bad is the shortfall? For the last two years, the PTA has committed to purchasing the school’s paper, pencils, and toilet paper. The school relies on extensive fundraising efforts to fund full-day kindergarten and its spectacular arts program (OMA). The PTA even had to raise the funds for the Cub Club’s license.

Tax Credit Donations and direct donations provide important support. Traditionally, students and parents look forward to seven annual fundraising activities (multiple skate nights, cookie dough fundraiser, original artwork fundraiser, walk-a-thon, spell-a-thon, carnival, and Scholastic book fair) with a new activity, TGIF family dinner night, added this year. Leon divides them into two categories. For corporate activities, such as the skate nights at a local rink, she uses a different metric to measure success. “The thing with corporate fundraisers,” she explains, “is that we only get a certain percentage of the earnings.” Skate nights, for instance, “only raise money if we get more than 60 people.” Rather than worry about money, she sees them as “community building fundraisers. We don’t expect to make a whole lot of money, what we want is for families to come together outside of school and build friendships.”

Homegrown fundraisers, like the walk-a-thon and spell-a-thon, cost very little to stage, and allow the school to keep one hundred percent of the profits. Other activities, such as selling pizza and soda at evening events, usually break even, but don’t add additional revenue to the school’s coffers. Leon explains, “We do those just so families can come out and enjoy an evening with family and not have to worry about dinner.”

She defines success a little bit differently than some fundraisers. The dollar amount is unimportant: “Like I tell my kids, $20 is $20 more than we would have had.” In her role as Community Representative, she’s equally interested in ensuring that the kids have fun, that families come together, and that the products, such as the extremely popular cookie dough sold each year, are enjoyable. The book fair helps get kids excited about reading, and helps “raise money for our library, which is always in need of upgrading books, or just getting books that kids like, or replacing ones that have been worn out.”

An extensive virtual network “plays a big role” in keeping the lines of communication open. Gone are the days when notices for parents disappeared in the black hole of a messy backpack. Everything is available “via email and our Lineweaver Parent Facebook page,” and, since “Most of our PTA board is on Facebook…we update things constantly.” The PTA also maintains its own email address “where families and friends…email questions and get information.” They’re even “in the process of developing a PTA website.” Communication is key is keeping families and supporters aware of the school’s needs and upcoming activities.

Once you start working as an educational fundraiser, one thing you’ll never lack, it seems, is motivation. Much depends on the success of Leon’s work and she’s well aware of how much rides on raising enough cash to provide students with the basics. “If PTA falls short on fundraising, it affects the whole school,” she says. “It means we cannot help with major things like technology or supplies. Which are two major necessities at our school.”

 

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TicketPrinting Event Series: The High School Prom

We have used TicketPrinting.com for every major event our school has had for the past three years.  I always get compliments on the posters hanging in the hallway advertising the event, and the tickets we receive always look so nice and make keeping track of our tickets sales easy.

~Kristen Kelly, Event Coordinator

Senior Prom is a special time for high school students. It’s a rite of passage that marks an important part of a young person’s life, a time of celebration and fun. Like any event involving a large number of attendees, a Senior Prom needs to be planned and coordinated carefully to ensure everything go es off without an problem and everyone has a good time.

I recently had the opportunity to discuss, Cleveland Heights High School 2011 Senior Prom with its coordinator, Kristen Kelly. Commonly called just “Heights,” the high school was founded in 1901. With an enrollment of approximately 1,800 students, the high school is built around a mod el of smaller schools within the main one, which allows faculty to offer a unique learning experience to its students.

The Senior Prom was held on June 3, 2011. Kristen tells me, ” The Prom went off without a hitch.  The students all looked lovely, the dinner was wonderful and they had a great time dancing.  Some of them wore masks that they had made at home.  The students seemed to think the best part was the dancing.  They really like the DJ this year.  They also enjoyed the crowning of the prom king and queen.”

In an academic environment, the primary focus is making sure students are spending their time learning. Faculty and staff have to maintain a fine balance when preparing for events like prom. Of course, they want to make sure students get excited about the event and have a great time, but they also need to make sure they are paying attention to their lessons. I asked Kristen how they managed ticket sales this year?

“We sold tickets after school 3 days a week for a month, which worked well for our Seniors.  It gave them plenty of time to arrange to purchase their tickets, and didn’t interrupt the school day.” Kristen told me. Students had plenty of opportunity to buy their prom tickets outside of class hours.

For someone planning a similar event, Kristen offers this advice: “Make sure to stay organized, publicize, and have plenty of chaperones.  Having a company that specialized in event planning take care of the event ensures that it runs smoothly.”

Whether you’re planning a  themed Senior Prom or a Fundraiser for your school, you will find plenty of customizable tickets and collateral to match your needs in the TicketPrinting.com design gallery.

Thanks again, Kristen and Cleveland Heights High School for sharing your experience and advice with TicketPrinting.com. Best wishes and congratulations to your 2011 Graduating Class.

 

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Safe Schools: ID Badges for Educational Safety

Let me begin by saying that I do believe asking teenagers to wear ID badges at school is a sort of radical idea. It’s not completely radical, though; I know other principals who have implemented them with positive results, and I think ID badges are a lot less of an imposition on students and parents than, say, school uniforms, which we also considered. When I was in school, it went without saying that you dressed appropriately, or you would be asked to leave. The same was true for behavior. As long as everyone agreed on some formal boundaries, there could be informality in other areas.

Out of Control

But my students seemed to be losing control. It’s a good high school, a well-kept campus in suburbia, where high property taxes ensure that arts and athletics programs are well-funded, in addition to our award-winning English, math, and science departments. But some students took their prosperity for granted. There were incidents: small but disturbing. Vandalism, public sexual behavior, and violence, and they were all taking place on school grounds during school hours!

The idea of ID badges occurred to me when a new teacher came to me almost in tears. She had caught two students smoking and defacing a bathroom mirror, and when she confronted them, they refused to reveal their names! With nearly two thousand students in our school, it seemed unlikely the culprits would be brought to justice. The last straw came when a security guard brought one of the teens to my office: the girl wasn’t even a student at my school!

If each student were required to wear an ID badge, I thought, teachers would never have this problem. They’d always know the name of the teen they were dealing with, and we could tell at a glance whether or not someone belonged on campus.

There was some resistance, mostly from parents who thought the plan draconian and compared it to the metal detectors through which some students must pass each morning if their school is in a rough neighborhood. But, when they saw the statistics on crime and other offenses, most of them accepted my idea.

Getting Badges on Kids

The badges are not expensive to print. I found them online as “event badges”. They were ready quickly: within a week of my final decision, homerrom teachers were distributing ID tags with matching lanyards. The rules were explained: every student was responsible for his or her own ID. They were expected to wear them at all times (except in their gym uniforms—the coaches convinced me that might be dangerous). Lost or stolen badges must be reported at once. They would be responsible for the cost of any replacements. If they didn’t care for the lanyards, they were welcome to purchase their own bulldog clips. Badges simply had to be displayed right way up, where they were clearly visible. Obscene or inappropriate display resulted in an in-school suspension. I let them know I meant business.

To be fair, I ask everyone on campus to wear an ID card. I created one design for students, one for faculty, one for staff, and one for administrators. Yes, I wear my ID badge proudly every day!

Of course, handing out ID badges did not  solve all the problems in my school, but it made things easier. The next time a non-enrolled teen decided to have a little fun in my high school, the security guard caught him walking through the door. Teachers reported less sass from students they didn’t personally know. We even found fun ways to use the badges: with bar codes and unique numbers, they could serve as raffle tickets during pep rallies, and every Friday, I would draw a number and announce the winner over our intercom. Prizes varied, but the kids did enjoy the free ice cream for themselves and their friends, and the logo T-shirts I sometimes distributed to the winners.

It’s not a perfect solution, but ID badges for high schools was the solution for us.

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Want a Successful School Event? Choose Tyvek Wristbands

You’re not sure what your classroom budget is going to be this year, but you are sure it won’t be enough. As you look out over the faces of your young students sounding out words and carefully calculating math problems, you wish you could give them something more to reinforce their education.  Whether you want to raise the money for extra books, school supplies or creative materials, holding a fundraising event using custom printed wristbands can be key to bringing cash into your classroom.

A School Carnival

Paper bracelets or Tyvek Wristbands go hand in hand with your fundraising plans, especially if you’re planning a school carnival. A carnival is a traditional choice for a school fundraiser. It is the type of event that opens the doors of the school to the community. Individuals get to see the cause they are donating to, and faculty and students get a chance to show off their place of learning to the public. As an added bonus, school carnivals are just plain fun!

Security and Safety

Making sure that an event on school grounds is secure and safe should be a top priority of any planning committee. Tyvek wristbands can help you reach this goal. Somewhere between paper and plastic, these wristbands fit snugly around your attendees wrists. They cannot be transferred or removed without being cut off, so you can rest assured that the right folks are at your event.

Event wristbands are available in several colors. You can set aside ones for faculty and staff, parents, students and friends of the school. When individuals see the colored wristbands, they can easily identify the type of relationship an individual has to the school.

Raffles

Your school carnival will likely have games, food, student performances and displays. Another big draw might be door prizes or raffles, based on wristband numbering. In order to save additional money, you may want to solicit a local vendor or merchant sponsor the event by donating a prize. Prizes can be big or small. What counts is the spirit behind them and the enthusiasm with which your attendees participate.

Because event wristbands can be securely numbered, they can serve a dual purpose at your event.  They will help to keep your event secure, but they will also double as a raffle ticket. Each guest with an event wristband gets a chance at the prize.  And, they won’t run the risk of losing their chance at the raffle.

Guests can feel safe participating in carnival games and rides. The Tyvek wristbands will stay securely around their wrists no matter how many rounds of skee ball they play. They can even take a few rounds in the dunk tank because these event wristbands are waterproof!

Your Students are Worth It

It’s easy and cost effective to design and print custom wristbands. Event wristbands can be customized with your school’s logo making them unique and memorable.  Not only will members of your school’s community have a fun time, you’ll be earning money so that you can buy the much needed extras the budget may not cover this year.

 

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All across the country, parents who value education have stepped up for their children. Where funding is cut, PTAs and other concerned groups have begun organizing their own fundraising efforts and selling event tickets to carnivals, dances, fairs, athletic events, and any other gathering for which they see a high level of interest among the student body and a potential for ticket sales.

Yes, it’s sad that federal, state, and local governments can no longer afford the full cost of public schooling for every child in the nation, but empowered parents aren’t dwelling on those deficits. They’re hitting the streets and selling tickets to make up the difference.

Elementary

The youngest children clamor for all kinds of extracurricular activities and don’t need much advance notice to get excited for a fair or carnival. Some organization may have the cash to hire a professional carnival with a midway and rides, but others will find they get the same results with a home-grown event. Ask older kids and teens to work the games and sell treats. You can sell event tickets in advance or at the door, and you can offer different levels of event tickets, offering a certain number of games or snacks with each level of contribution.

Other kid-friendly party events are skating nights (your local rink will work with you to create the perfect fundraiser), book fairs (ask a local author to speak), sports days (organize childrens’ games or work with a local minor league to create a fundraising night), art parties, bicycle races, walk-a-thons, or musical events. Event Tickets for these events will go fast if you advertise properly. Getting popular teachers and parents to act as chaperons is another draw.

Middle School

Older kids, tweens, and younger teens like to do things for themselves, and events for this middle-aged group should be tailored to their new skills. You’ll sell more event tickets if you can organize something that allows them to feel like they’re taking charge of the party. Talent shows are an especially good choice for this age group, as it allows them to showcase their skills in music, acting, and other interests they may be gaining mastery over. Those who don’t wish to perform may be flattered to serve as stage managers or backstage coordinators. Kids will help you create programs, set up the venue, and sell event tickets if they or their friends are performing.

This is also a good age group for day trips. Factor in the cost of transportation, food, and other expenses and calculate how much money you would need to earn to make the trip worth your while as an organizer. A weekend trip to the beach is inexpensive, but generates high interest. Many museums offer free days or student discounts. If you live near a big city, a simple sightseeing bus tour is a huge draw for kids who crave their independence but still need adult supervision. You can sell event tickets to these events well in advance: get a few kids interested and everyone will want a ticket.

High School

As children approach adulthood, they’ll be interested in more grown-up activities. The formal or semi-formal dance is a big deal for teenagers. Especially armed with the knowledge that the profit from every event ticket they buy will go back into their education, most teenagers anticipate such events and plan for them eagerly. Even an informal dance with a DJ or live band will help you sell event tickets and earn more money.

If there is a lot of musical talent in your school, a Battle of the Bands event is another great way to generate interest and sell event tickets. However, most teens aren’t too old for many children’s events. Try to run your own haunted house around Halloween, or hold a field day in the spring with silly events like a sack race or an egg roll. Your best bet is to ask students what kind of events they would prefer.

Teenagers can also take enough interest in their school finances to plan, organize, and execute their own fundraisers: washing cars or selling candy bars to pay for trips and other educational extras. The truly ambitious can learn about business while they earn more money. Some teens will go that extra mile and make baked goods or crafts that they can sell on their own, or in conjunction with other fundraising events.

Ready, Set, Print

Every age group can help you meet your fundraising goals. All you need to do it gauge your students. What event will inspire them to show up? How much can they afford to pay for an event ticket? Once you’ve figured out what, when, where, and how much, you can fill out a free ticket template, print out inexpensive event tickets with colorful designs, and start selling out your educational fundraising event.

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When local governments are falling far short of their desired budgets and school districts across the country are cutting once essential programs just to stay open, parents, students and affected communities are starting to get creative. Instead of waiting for new revenue to come in through tax hikes or ballot proposals, many groups are taking a proactive approach to fill the budget gaps.

While some communities are standing by traditional fundraising techniques, such as car washes and bake sales, other communities are going for the gold, participating in high stakes fundraising in hopes of high stakes returns.

One such group based in Orange County, California Irvine Public Schools Foundation, currently raffling a house worth $700,000!

While a traditional raffle might offer small value tickets to a large number of individuals for a mid-level prize, a high value raffle involves selling a limited number of high value tickets for a very coveted grand prize such as a house or large cash payoff. The tickets for the Irvine Public Schools Foundation raffle are $150 each.

While the tickets may be out of some buyer's budgets, the foundation has provided other opportunities so everyone in the community can contribute. In addition to the raffle, a fundraisng concert is also being held. Tickets to the event are between $12 – $15, and raffle ticket holders get in for free. The whole community gets to participate.

Other communities are also getting creative. In Cupertino, California  parents got together and raised $2 million dollars for their local school district in less than two months. Some of this was done through traditional fundraisers like garage sales and silent auctions. The parents also asked each member of the school community to donate a specific amount of money. Again, in this fundraiser, no one was left out. If one family couldn't donate, a family with more means stepped in and contributed on their behalf.

The money will go to save over 100 teachers jobs.

While times are especially tough on education, glimmers of hope can be found when teachers, parents and communities get creative with their fundraising efforts.

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Kids and Stickers. They go together like sparkles and glue, like gift-wrap and tape, like paste and construction paper. Kids love Stickers. Educators know that kids love Stickers. Marketing professionals know that kids love Stickers. Isn’t it time you used a resource your school has in abundance—kids—and one that you can obtain easily—Stickers—to promote your school, motivate your students, and create something unique to represent your values?

Adherence: Marketing 101

The best way to sell something is to get your customers to sell it for you. If you’ve ever invited corporate sponsors into your school, or participated in any large, multi-school program, you’ve most likely noticed that free Stickers are offered to your kids. Some of them may end up in the trash, the laundry, or the bottoms of your students’ sneakers, but it only takes one Sticker, stuck in the right place, to create free advertising.

Some adults may be wary of sticking ads on their personal property. Not so with kids! Those who love Stickers the most will be happy to stick any corporate logo on their notebook. Why not take advantage of this trend to market your school? If a child will happily display the name of a company that has offered him or her a free water bottle, how much more will they be willing to spread the word about the school they love?

Follow Instructions

All you need to do is print your school’s name on a stack of Vinyl, Economy, or Bumper Stickers. But don’t stop there. You’ve got a website, right? Prominent inclusion of the URL makes it easier for potential parents to find you online. What about a logo? If you haven’t got a logo, hold a contest and get the kids to draw one for you. Now you’ve got a beautiful, child-centric design to attract the people you want.

Other options include adding an image of your school, your mascot, prominent alumni, or anything else that appeals to your students. This is a creative medium! Stretch your mind: find the images that work for you, and add your names and website to create the perfect marketing tool.

The Old Math

You may already be using Stickers to spread the word. Many schools offer Bumper Stickers to parents of honors children, and more recently, these Stickers have been customized for parents of children in the band, on sports teams, with perfect attendance, or even those who simply show up on a semi-regular basis. “Proud Parent of an XYZ School Student” may be enough.

If you’re not already offering Bumper Stickers along these lines to your parents, either as rewards for their children’s performance or as part of your fundraising efforts, this is one situation when you want to be on the bandwagon.

The New Math

Bumper Stickers are, as they say, Old School. They certainly get around, but there’s more to the story. Why aren’t you offering your kids custom Stickers with their school’s name on them?

If you begin with an assortment, you can use them as incentives and rewards for different activities. You can create Stickers for each athletic team, each after-school activity, each instrument in the band. You can create Stickers that celebrate grades, attendance, or community service.

You can create a range of collectible Stickers to motivate young children to complete a series of tasks so they can collect them all. You can create customized rewards that will be highly coveted. Just find an inexpensive source for items that children need or want anyway, then slap a Sticker in the center:

• Notebooks
• Pencil cases
• Water bottles
• Kleenex packets
• Binders
• ID cards or badges
• Folders

Better yet, ask your students what kind of prizes they’d like to earn!

The more items available, the more stealth marketing you can do. Wherever your kids take their Stickers, they’re offering your school free publicity.

Final Exam

Small and portable, the possibilities are pretty much limited by how many Stickers you’re willing to buy and your creativity in finding ways to use and distribute them. Once they’re in the kids’ hands, those Stickers will announce to the world you’re your school is on the map. Whether you choose to sell them or give them away, offer them as prizes or incentives, Stickers in schools create a winning situation all around.

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