I've added the third draft (and hopefully I've got the dates correct) of the Permission Slip for our upcoming trip to the Lawrence Hall of Science to the Project Requirements page. If you could print out a copy, fill it out, and turn it in ASAP that would be just lovely.
Thanks very much,
Colin Ritchie
Good Afternoon Everyone,
Several parents have asked me about the charity fundraiser we are attempting and mentioned a fairly strong reluctance to hit up friends and relatives, yet again, on behalf of their child's education. I completely understand and would like you know that this is in no way a mandatory activity. Mrs. Adams came to me today to offer an alternative to the letter writing campaign that I think is quite good. It is to collect recyclables to return to the recycling centers instead of tossing them in the curbside bins to be taken away with the trash. I think if we could assemble a team of volunteers to handle the goods at school and transport them to the centers downtown, we'd be off to a wonderful start. If there are any other fund raising ideas out there, I'd love to hear them. I thought of one a long time ago, but have since thought better of it.
Give it some thought and let me know if you come up with a good idea! The letter writing was just one idea and I'm in no way wedded to it.
Colin Ritchie
Mrs. Knight wanted me to pass along this information to all of the Band Kids.
4th and 5th grade band- no early practice this week.
5th grade strings- no after school practice on Friday.
4th grade strings- class will end at 3:15 on Friday, not 3:45
Please read the announcement below:
www.tomsshoes.com
The entire 5th grade is so excited to commence our TOMS Shoes fundraising project!
What is TOMS Shoes?
- TOMS Shoes is a company that gives away one pair of shoes for every pair purchased: “Buy one, Give one.”
Where do the donated shoes go?
- Argentina, Ethiopia, South Africa, New Orleans
Who started this company?
- TOMS Shoes was started in 2006 by Amazing Race alumnus, Blake Mycoskie.
Why Shoes?
- Mycoskie was traveling through Argentina and Ethiopia and befriended children from poor villages who did not the money to buy shoes. He learned that many children were contracting podoconiosis. This is a debilitating disease that plagues those who walk barefoot in silica-rich soil. Podoconiois is 100% preventable just by wearing shoes!
- Mycoskie also learned that shoes are a part of the school uniform in many countries and, therefore, without shoes, these children are unable to receive the education they deserve.
How many pairs of shoes has TOMS given away?
- As of August 2009, TOMS has donated 150,000 pairs of shoes.
- Mycoskie’s goal is to donate 300,000 in 2010.
What are WE doing about it?
- Each 5th grader at Greenbrook has committed to raising $40.00 each. This money will allow each student to purchase a pair of TOMS Shoes. Students will receive a pair for himself or herself to decorate at our culminating party and another pair will be donated to a child in need.
How will each student raise the money?
- Students will write letters to family and friends, as well as “dream letters” (think: Oprah, Michael Jordan, Barack Obama, etc.) where they will explain TOMS organization, its mission, and what our school is doing to help. They will be asking for a SMALL* check donation made out to Greenbrook School to help them reach their goal of $40.
*We REALLY want to stress the importance of small check donations. It is very important that each student works hard to earn this money and earns it over time, not with a single check written for $40.
- Snack sales at lunch recess. Snacks will be sold by all classes and profits will be evenly distributed among all 106 5th graders.
- Movie Night?? Book Sale??
What if students come up with additional ways to earn money?
- Students may work for this money in a variety of ways: lemonade stands, chores at home, craft sales, etc.
What if a student raises over $40.00?
- If students raise enough to purchase two pairs of shoes, they may purchase another pair of shoes for a guest (parent, sibling, friend) and this guest may accompany them to our shoe-decorating party!
What is the shoe-decorating party?
- Our culminating activity will be a Style Your Sole party. This will be a celebratory event in February in Greenbrook’s MPR (date to follow shortly). Students, and possible guests, will have a chance to come together to customize their own black, canvas TOMS shoes.