Fundraiser FAQ
*Note: This page is a work in progress.
Why does Clover Avenue Booster raise money?
The Clover Avenue Booster Club raises money to make sure that all students at Clover Avenue Elementary receive an interesting, challenging, and well-rounded education.
Isn’t Clover Avenue a public school with public funds?
The District provides school facilities, administration, custodial and cafeteria services, and teacher salaries with public funds. Additional services and activities are paid for by Clover Avenue Booster.
How much money does Booster raise each year?
Clover Avenue Booster Club raises approximately $250,000 each school year.
Where does that money go?
Exact expenses vary year to year, but general costs are:
- Computer lab/Teacher $50,000
- Music Teacher $40,000
- Art Teacher $30,000
- P.E. Coaches $34,000
In addition, Clover Avenue Booster pays for most of the classroom aides and yard duty supervisors, provides each teacher with $150 a year for classroom supplies, pays for copy machine leases and maintenance, covers gardener services and school beautification supplies, and pays for a wide range of emergency expenses that come up over the course of the year. As you can see the money goes fast!
Where does the money come from?
- Pledge for Education $150,000
- Halloween Hurrah $30,000
- Fun Run $40,000
- Book Fairs $20,000
I know that some schools ask for less money than Clover does, and they have a lot of the same services. How is that possible?
If 40% or more of a school’s student body is low-income (40% of students or more qualify for free or reduced lunch), the school qualifies for Title I funds to provide additional services. Many low income schools use those funds for extras that boost educational improvement or engagement. Clover Avenue does not qualify for Title I funds. We need to raise those funds through Booster.
If Booster only raises money with PFE, Halloween Hurrah, Fun Run, and Book Fairs, why do I always receive notices about other fundraisers like food trucks or restaurant fundraisers?
Booster only raises funds for the general budget through PFE, Halloween Hurrah, Fun Run, and Book Fairs. However, Clover tries to make sure that every culminating 5th grader has a fun, and memorable last year at Clover. Fifth grade activities include: fifth grade camp (currently AstroCamp), a special fifth grade field trip, sweatshirts (with the year of their culmination and the names of all of their classmates) for all students, yearbooks for all students, and a class gift. These activities cost about $40,000. To make sure that every child participates in all activities (regardless of an individual family’s financial situation) and to lower the cost for every 5th grade student, 5th grade parents raise money to cover 5th grade activities start in the spring of 4th grade (with International Night) and through the spring of 5th grade (when they hand fundraising over to the rising 5th grade class).
All fundraisers that have to do with food are 5th grade fundraisers. And, although the 5th grade is part of Booster, their funds are kept separate and used exclusively for 5th grade activities.
- Fifth grade fundraisers include:
- International Night
- Book Fair Dinners
- Food Trucks
- Restaurant Fundraisers
- After school ice cream sales
- Ice cream birthday parties
The more 5th graders raise, the less money each family has to pay at the end of 5th grade.
What is the Kindergarten Meet & Greet?
The Kindergarten Meet & Greet is part of the Halloween Hurrah. Clover’s Halloween Hurrah is famous for its elaborate and scary Haunted House. About five years ago, some kindergarten parents wanted to create a similar attraction for younger (less fright-motivated) students and the Enchanted Glow Forest was born. The Glow Forest now rivals the Haunted House in popularity. One of the Glow Forest’s goals to us raise as much money as possible— without using any Booster funds. To that end, they run the Kinder Meet & Greet, which is a fun afternoon/evening get together in which kinder students hang out, do activities, and eat together. All of the activities are provided by volunteers and all food is contributed by volunteers. All money raised at the Meet and Greet funds the materials for the Glow Forest (any extra funds go to Booster).
Why am I asked to bring food that is then sold to other students?
For food events (book fair dinners, Halloween Hurrah, International Night), fifth grade families are asked to bring desserts and drinks which are sold at the event. Having families donate drinks and desserts allows them to be sold at very reasonable prices, still allows fifth grade to earn money from the sales. Most families chip in and bring something: it’s a way of getting all families to help out.
Kinder families are also asked to bring food to the Kinder Meet and Greet and, again, selling those donations is a way of asking the community to pitch in to raise money for Clover.
May I donate money instead of food?
Fifth grade requests for food often include an “opt out” option that allows you to send in a predetermined amount of money in lieu of a food donation. Opt out is not always offered because opt-out tends to decrease variety in food offerings and creates additional work for volunteers (who need to purchase and transport the food purchased with opt out funds).