Fundraising for Our School

Tuition does not pay the entire cost of running a small, independent school like the Susan Odell Taylor School for Children.

It is not a requirement that friends and families of the school help us to raise additional funds but it is something we hope every family will try to help with as best they can. This is not simply about giving money to the school. Our goal is to provide families with a variety of ways that they can contribute depending on their resources, time and energy.

Annual Appeal Fund Drive

This fund raising effort begins in October 2007 and lasts until March 2008. Donors have a choice to give to general operating, library fund, financial aid or our endowment fund.

Our goal - $25,000 for the 2007/2008 school year.  Money raised goes to operating funds.

Thank you to friends and family of the Taylor School for their support.

10th Anniversery Gala Celebration was held on May 31, 2008- we- we raised over $32,00

This annual event was held at the Taylor School! This 10th year celebration was filled with opportunities to share our collective history, honor our founding families, and celebrate the success of the Taylor School. The money raised from this event went towards the Fund for the Future.  The Gala raised over $32,000 on May 31st.

The honorary committee was made up of people who gave a higher level of financial support to the event. Corporations and businesses also supported the school. We had silent and live auctions. Many people came together to plan this event and solicit donations from the community. The result of this fabulous evening was unimaginable when we raised so much money towards our Fund for the Future.

On behalf of the entire school community we want to thank everyone who helped make this event possible.  Many thanks to Jennifer Hallock and Kathy Van De Loo for being our co-sponsors for this event!

Giving Opportunities for the Major Gifts Campaign

 * Learning in a Child-centered Environment:  The Children’s Reading Room –at the front entrance of our new space will provide an area for children to read, use their laptops (which are wireless), consult with teachers and peers. The room will have built in book shelves and comfortable seating.  As part of our entrance it signifies to everyone who comes to the Taylor School that our primary focus is

on learning in a child-centered environment.

 We have received a gift of $25,000 from Elizabeth Odell for this and anticipate needing an additional $25,000 for completion. Thank you! *

• Remembering our Heritage: An entranceway display wall of glass tile that will display the children’s art work and honor Susan Odell Taylor - $10,000 *

               This gift has been pledged to the school by the Robison                     

               Foundation. Thank you!

• Safe & Welcoming Environment: A new enhanced entrance with a wide overhang will provide shelter to the children as they wait for buses and parent pick up. The new doorway with a security system ensures safety and welcomes guests. - $15,000 *

• Room to Learn: A refurbished media room in the new space that was previously the kindergarten classroom. We will create a quiet space at the end of the room for our laptop computers, library books and listening centers. Children will have access to this space during and after school for projects, homework and independent work. $10,000. *

• Easing Transitions: The new kindergarten classroom will be a wondrous place for children to begin their formal academic years. At last we are able to have a stand alone kindergarten class – something we have wanted to have in our curriculum for many years. Children of many different educational backgrounds will join together for a year of learning positive school norms while experiencing how exciting learning can be. What a great way for a child to launch into their elementary school years! $65,000. *

• Ready to Launch: The new combined fifth and sixth grade classroom will have a more mature feel with lockers and computers but will still have the cozy meeting spaces for discussions and sharing. This expansion to the sixth grade allows us to truly meet the needs of students that will be transitioning into larger settings in their education. They will leave the Taylor School confident in their ability to problem solve, challenge themselves and actively participate in their learning. This classroom is symbolically the closest to the new entranceway as they prepare to launch into the larger community and make a difference! $65,000. *

• Access for All: Additional new parking with expanded handicapped access will allow the Taylor School to freely welcome guests, friends, and families. $20,000 *

• Community Space: Repair, sound proofing and renovation of the movable wall between the two program spaces. One of the best outcomes of the additional classroom space is that the two program spaces can become one by folding the movable wall and allowing the entire space to be used by the community for performances, gatherings and celebrations. This is what the Taylor School is all about; celebrating our joyful learning and sharing it with friends and family.- $5,000 **

           We have received a gift for this renovation from the Robison                

           Foundation. Thank you!

• Tools to Learn: A state-of-the-art teaching wall in the new 5/6 and Kindergarten classrooms which includes smart boards, projector screens, and storage - $10,000 **

• Building Strong Bodies: Enhancement of our playground/outdoor space to meet the needs of our older students including a small track, play equipment for building upper body strength and endurance, and larger swing sets. -  $15,000 **

• Caring for the World: Building of two support structures for a greenhouse and a kiln which have been donated to the school. The greenhouse will be an integral part of the curriculum, teaching the children environmental sustainability and the importance of balance of eco-systems. - $10,000 **

• Increased Access to Education: Gifts to either our endowment fund or operating fund to be designated for need based scholarship funds to students K-6th grade. - $2,500 – $5,000 **

• Experiencing our Community:  Gifts to pay for the purchase or rental of a bus which will be used for the many wonderful field trip opportunities in the community that enrich our student’s curriculum and community outreach. - $30,000 **

          RECOGNITION OPPORTUNITIES

             *  These donors will be recognized with a naming opportunity for each of these spaces. A plaque will be placed in each space showing our appreciation for your support.

         ** These donors will be recognized in our entranceway with a thank you display that again shows our appreciation for your support.

The school accepts donations in the form of cash, checks, money orders or credit card (Mastercard/VISA).

If you are interested in donating stock certificates or bonds, please contact our Executive Director at (518) 274-4994.

PTO Initiatives

Our PTO has many activities throughout the year to raise funds for things needed by the teachers and students in the school. This money goes a long way to enrich the curriculum of the school. Some examples of the activities held are cooking lessons by local chefs, wreath sales, SCRIP sales (gift cards that return rebates to the school), gift wrapping, a spaghetti supper and spring seed sale.

Making Your Dollars Count

There are currently many initiatives out there in the marketing world that will contribute a percentage of what you buy towards the school of your choice. Here are the ones we have set up:

Price Chopper and Hannaford Supermarkets – These markets designate a part of each year when your purchases go towards points or funds for the school. Flyers are sent out each year announcing how to participate.

Target – This store will give us 1% of your purchases if you apply for and use a Target credit card. Our ID # is 115-551.

Box Tops for Education – Save those boxtops from General Mills and Campbell Soup labels. We can turn them in for cash.

Volunteering Your Time

We hope that you will share your time and expertise with the children in the classrooms and morning meetings. There are so many ways to help the school by driving for field trips, making healthy snacks, coming to clean up days, reading to the children and helping out with our special events.

We hope that this information can help you choose where and when you want to help out. Let us know if you have any other ideas for helping to support the school. Thank you in advance for all of your help!