General Appeal Letter
Dear Families and Friends,
We have all witnessed the great strides that PS 8 has made in the last several years and have good reason to feel proud, even lucky, that our children are enrolled in such an outstanding school.
But PS 8 is now at a critical crossroads. Our three-year magnet grant, which allowed us to enhance our core curriculum by adding art, dance, chess, science and many other valuable programs that enrich our children's education, has expired. In addition, the school is now operating at capacity.
We now need to raise $150,000 in order to continue our enrichment programs and retain our teaching assistants next year. To keep PS 8 the great school that it has become, we need your continued financial support.
You can donate by cash, check or money order by mailing your contribution to: the PS8 PTA at 37 Hicks Street, Brooklyn New York, 11201. Checks and money orders should be made out to the PTA of PS 8. Or, if you prefer, you can now use your credit card and make a secure online donation via NY Charities. Just click this button wherever you see it:
Due to the success of the Read-a-thon, we are off to a great start. In a truly impressive display of school spirit, our children read for over 250,000 minutes, raising over $26,000! But we still have a long way to go. We have planned a number of ways for you to contribute, including money-back programs with local merchants, bake sales, raffles and the PS 8 Auction this Spring. But perhaps the easiest and most effective way to contribute is through a direct donation.
Our goal is to receive a donation from every family at PS 8. Give according to your family's means, but please give all you can. Remember, donations are tax deductible and the easiest way to double your contribution is to see if your workplace has a matching program for charitable giving.
PAST SUCCESSES
Enrichment Programs and Teaching Assistants:
Organizations like the Guggenheim Museum, Marquis Studios and Bargemusic spark our children's imaginations and demonstrate the value of a good education beyond report cards and standardized testing. Unfortunately, the funding we receive from the City falls considerably short of what we need to pay for these programs. Thanks to last year's fundraising efforts, we raised the money necessary to hire four new teaching assistants and keep our enrichment programs going strong.
2007 Spring Auction:
Raising an estimated $22,000 after expenses, the March 14 event, held in Bargemusic's floating venue docked at Brooklyn's Fulton Ferry landing, drew 130 attendees.
Air Conditioners:
Two years ago we met an ambitious goal to purchase and install air conditioners throughout the school so that our children are in a comfortable environment during the months when NYC sweats. Every year we can thank the fundraising efforts of the PS 8 parents that made this happen.
"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" film premier night:
The evening raised $16,000 for PS 8's innovative new film program, in which fourth- and fifth-graders will learn script-writing, story-boarding, film editing, and production in partnership with Steiner Studios.
Thank you for your support and best wishes for the rest of the school year.
Posted on: December 10, 2007
