There are an estimated 12 million children struggling with hunger in America. Schools play an integral part in not only teaching our children but also providing a steady meal source. In this episode, we speak with Andrew “Kappy” Kaplan about the challenges schools face in providing healthy and delicious-tasting meals and ways PTA's can help. ----more---- About Deb & Wes' Guest: Today we will talk to Andrew “Kappy” Kaplan. Andrew currently serves as the VP of Culinary Operations for the Rachael Ray brand. He is the Co-Founder and Director of Rachael Ray’s cooking and kids charity, Yum-o! He is also the Founder and CEO of Culinary Advisors LLC, a strategic culinary advisory service, he hosts a popular food podcast and is a partner of Beyond the Plate Tees, a food-inspired apparel line. This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing Additional Resources: Yum-O https://www.yum-o.org Share Our Strength https://www.shareourstrength.org Feeding America https://www.feedingamerica.org The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation https://chooserestaurants.org Prostart Grow Grant https://chooserestaurants.org/programs/scholarships-grants/rachael-ray-prostart-grow-grant Wellness in the Schools (WITS) https://www.wellnessintheschools.org Urban School Food Alliance https://urbanschoolfoodalliance.org/ Chefs Brigaid https://www.chefsbrigaid.com Hunger Free America https://www.hungerfreeamerica.org Beyond The Plate Podcast https://beyondtheplatepodcast.com Rachael Ray Foundation https://www.rachaelrayfoundation.org

Writing grants can be a great way to boost your PTA or PTO funds without asking families for more money but it can also seem daunting! How do you get these grants? Where do you find them? What’s a winning submission? This episode will share leaders’ tips on these questions and more. Additional Resources: https://www.pta.org/home/run-your-pta/Awards-Grants https://www.pta.org/docs/default-source/files/why-pta/2019/grant-writing-tips.pdf https://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/86-finding-and-winning-grants

Games, prizes, kids and fun are what a school carnival is all about. But it can be a lot of work for a PTA. This episode will give you the details you need to plan your carnival from start to finish. Or, if you’re a carnival expert, tune in for some new ideas from other school leaders.   This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel (spirit wear and uniforms) while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing

If you’re like most PTAs, PTOs, and PTSAs, you struggle to get enough parent volunteers for your group. You’re not alone - this is one of the most common questions on parent teacher association Facebook groups! In this episode, we will share the top tips that have worked to increase the number of participants in your school group.   This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel (spirit wear and uniforms) while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing

The recent “Devious Lick” and “Slap a Teacher” campaigns on TikTok are extremely concerning and must be stopped. As PTA and PTO leaders, we are responsible for creating a positive impact on our students and that arguably includes helping to stop violent campaigns such as these but how? What's our role versus that of the administrators and what should we do? This episode is shares what PTAs and PTOs are doing across the country.   This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel (spirit wear and uniforms) while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing

Whether you’re new to running a read-a-thon, or want some tips from experienced planners to boost your success, this episode’s for you. We share the basics, the learnings, and even sample language to make your event a success. This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel (spirit wear and uniforms) while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing ----more---- Show Notes:   Here is some sample language to describe your read-a-thon:   Every day beginning (DAY, DATE) through (DAY, DATE) readers will earn prizes by reading books.  Participants will get pledges from family and friends to support their efforts.  Sponsors can either pledge a certain amount of money per minute read or make a flat donation.   Here is a sample prize structure: Fundraising Prizes - prizes are additive                                                                    Amount Raised Reward         $10.00 - $29.99 in pledges = Invisible Ink Pen       $30.00 - $49.99 in pledges = Free Kona Ice       $50.00 - $99.99 in pledges = $5 Target Gift Card       $100.00 - $199.99 in pledges = $25.00 Bookstore Gift Card       $200.00 and over in pledges = $50.00 Bookstore Gift Card   Other Prizes Most Minutes Read The students from each grade who read the most minutes will each receive the top prize. Top Pledge Amount The student who earned the highest amount in pledges will receive an iPad! Top Classrooms The classroom that received the highest amount in pledges and the classroom that read the most minutes will win an ice cream sunday party.    Sample Student Letter Language: Dear ________________ [Grandpa/Aunt Mary, etc.],  Hi! I am sending this note to tell you about an exciting event coming up at my school, _____________. We are having a Read-a-thon! My whole school will spend [date] to [date] doing as much reading as we can, and we will be raising money for our school to fund ________________________!    I have thought carefully about how much reading I will try to do that week, and I am setting my goal at _________ minutes for the week.    Do you think you could sponsor me in the Read-a-thon? You could sponsor me by the minute or you could sponsor me for a flat amount. What do you say? Can you help me with my Read-a-thon this year? If so, let me know whether you want to do flat or per minute. I will reach back out on _______________ to let you know how much I read. All checks should be made out to _______________.   Thanks,  Student Name   Sample Business Letter: The _________________PTA would like to take this opportunity to announce our annual Read-a-Thon fundraiser. We will begin this fundraiser on ____________ and our goal is to read 100,000 minutes and raise $10,000 to support our school! Funds raised will help the ______________________________________ and so much more!  There are many opportunities to win prizes. Thank you for supporting our young tigers as they establish a love for reading!   As a business in our local community, we would like to ask for your support in meeting our goal. As a read-a-thon sponsor, our PTA will recognize you as one of our Circle of Sponsors:   Platinum Sponsor - $1000+   Gold Sponsor - $500 - $999   Silver Sponsor - $250 - $499   Bronze Sponsor - $126 - $249   Classroom Sponsor - $125   We are open to cash donations or prize item donations that rise to the levels above. The descriptions of how we honor our Circle of Sponsors are in the following page. We are a 501(c)(3) so all donations are tax deductible.    Thank you in advance for your consideration, School PTA

AmazonSmile is a great passive fundraiser for your PTA, PTO, PTSA or school group. But how much do you really make, how do you get started, and what are some tips for success? This episode will answer all those questions and more.   This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel (spirit wear and uniforms) while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing

Are you looking for creative ways to fundraise for your PTA, PTO, PTSA or other school group? Tired of catalogue sales or just asking for cash? This episode will talk about a fundraiser that doesn't require buying any trinkets, raises money for your school group and can be a lot of fun. Join us to hear about how to run a calendar fundraiser.   This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel (spirit wear and uniforms) while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing

Looking to modernize your PTO/A payment solutions? Some parents want to pay via credit card online yet others are totally opposed. How do PTAs and PTOs decide what’s right for their school and how do they decide between Venmo, cash, check and more robust online payment solutions. In today’s episode, we will discuss everything about online payment options for school groups.    About Our Guest: Tracy Smith, Customer Success Manager, Cheddar Up Tracy is the Customer Success Lead and PTA Vertical Lead for Cheddar Up. She is a tenured customer service and communications professional with over fifteen years of experience across a variety of industries. Tracy primarily focuses on addressing customer inquiries with empathy and an objective to improve their experience using the Cheddar Up platform. Prior to joining Cheddar Up, Tracy spent her career in corporate communications and community impact campaign management. Over the last seven years, Tracy invested a considerable amount of her time doing volunteer work, including three years as an elementary PTO president and several other years volunteering for church, Girl Scouts, and other school and community roles ranging from program leadership to fundraising management. Tracy grew up in Wisconsin and received her bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. She currently resides in Denver, Colorado with her husband and two children.   This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel (spirit wear and uniforms) while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing

Want to get the kids back into the spirit for back to school? A logo design contest can be a great way to do so. This episode will walk you through how to run a logo design contest at your school.   This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel (spirit wear and uniforms) while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing

Have you ever wondered how schools raise over six-digits in a single drive? This episode gives you a step-by-step method to running a school drive that leaders report raises over $100k each year. Tips and tricks are a compilation of years of PTA and PTO experience. This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel (spirit wear and uniforms) while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing

Including all children and families is central to PTA and PTO missions - how do you make sure you do that? This episode will share how some school structures can create roadblocks, how to overcome those challenges, and how to ensure your school group is including all children. Our guest, a teacher herself, also has some great tips for how teachers can ensure they are feeling included as well. About Our Guest, Dawn Menge, Teacher & Author ----more---- Dr. Dawn Menge has won forty-one International awards as the author of the Queen Vernita educational series including the Special Recognition Champion award from conquering disabilities with film festival.  She holds a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, a Master's Degree and a Clear Credential in moderate/severe disabilities, and a Bachelor's Degree in human development. Dr. Menge has been teaching students with severe cognitive delays for over twenty years, lecturer and mentor. She has three children and five beautiful grandchildren and lives in Southern California.   Additional Show Notes: Dawn refers to two children featured in her books - the two images she refers to are found below, in the order they appear. We hope you enjoy these images as well as Dawn's books.   This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel (spirit wear and uniforms) while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing

If you are looking for some new fundraising ideas and ways to make them successful, you’re in the right place. This episode will share ways to make pledge-based and donation-based fundraisers a success. Our guest, Claire Seymour, will also give you some info about a new fundraising idea: a kindness fundraiser. About Our Guest: Claire Seymour, Marketing Director, Raise Craze ----more---- Claire Seymour is the Marketing Director for Raise Craze: Fundraising Through Kindness. A wife & mother of two based out of Greenville, SC, she has seen first hand the positive change schools have achieved by switching to a more meaningful, responsible way to fundraise. Previously in government affairs, coming to Raise Craze in 2015 has allowed her to continue pursuing her passion for advocacy & change - in this case, within the fundraising industry. She looks forward to seeing how schools and organizations continue to implement more inclusive, community-centered, and financially responsible fundraisers. This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel (spirit wear and uniforms) while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing

To 501(3)(c) or not to 501(3)(c), that is the PTA and PTO question. We will discuss the pros and cons of incorporation and becoming a tax exempt organization as well as some considerations. We will also answer PTA, PTSA, and PTO frequently asked questions on this topic.   This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel (spirit wear and uniforms) while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing

Getting your PTA or PTO organized now, before the school year begins, is a critical key to success. This episode contains tips for organizing your board, events, and communications.   This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing

The effectiveness of your PTA or PTO can be amplified when there is a strong partnership with your school administration. But how do you create such a strong relationship and what kind of things destroy the relationship? This episode is a short one focusing on the top 3 dos and top 3 don't of creating a strong PTA-Principal bond.   This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing

Do you want to know how much your PTO or PTA can make from different fundraisers? This episode shares the top school fundraisers, including how much you can expect to make, based on feedback from parent teacher group leaders from across the country.   This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing

What are Robert's Rules and how do they apply to my PTA or PTO? If you're newer to non-profit boards, or want a refresher, this episode will share some of the fundamentals of Robert's Rules of Order and how to apply them. Whether you're a school board member, a parent teacher group leader, or just interested in parliamentary rules, you'll enjoy this episode.   This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing

What does your PTA, PTO or school group do for back to school? Are you including the right information in your welcome back packet? Are you events engaging? Hear tips and creative ideas from leaders across the country to make your back to school, or new family welcome efforts a success.     This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing

Your PTO or PTA has some excited new board members and fewer activities over the summer. Why not leverage the time to get ready for fall with these quick and easy tips. You won't have to invest too much time to make your PTA or PTO more productive. This episode breaks down two things you can do each month over your summer break. This show is brought to you by K-12 Clothing. K-12 Clothing is a PTA-Dad created business focused on providing high-quality school apparel while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/k12clothing