Update!

We are proud to announce that because of our efforts the School Board has put some of the field trips back into the budget for the 2010-2011 academic year. We are short on a lot of the other trips. Charter Bank has agreed to do another match this year for funds raised. THANK YOU CHARTER BANK!!!

If you would like to make a donation for fund any of these trips, mail your check to: Eau Claire Area School District, 500 Main St., Eau Claire, WI 54701. The money will go into the same account as last year so it would be tax deductible.

Here are the trips that have gone back into the budget.

a. Kindergarten Children’s Museum $4,550
b. Grade 1 Public Library $1,700
c. Grade 2 Beaver Creek Insect Study $4,600
d. Grade 3 Chippewa Valley Museum/Paul Bunyan Camp $3,900
e. Grade 4 Ice Age Trail $5,975
f. Grade 5 Blugold Beginnings no cost
Total $20,725

Goal Met!!!!

Thank you!

This pile of cards says it all! Thank you, thank you, thank you! The goal has been met!

Article in Leader Telegram

Field Trip Effort has Nearly Reached Goal

Posted: Sunday, February 14, 2010 11:00 pm
By Troy Espe Leader-Telegram staff

An Eau Claire parents group is approaching its goal of raising $70,000 for school field trips.
Eau Claire United PTA/PTO has collected $61,224, paying for nearly every field trip that had been eliminated when funding was cut from the 2009-10 district budget.

http://www.leadertelegram.com/news/front_page/article_b8d41f17-6431-5147-859a-bdaae2aae0a7.html

Kindergarten Field Trip Schedule - Children's Museum

3rd Grade Field Trip Schedule - CV Museum & Paul Bunyan Logging Camp Museaum

3rd Grade Field Trip Schedule - Beaver Creek

4th Grade Field Trip Schedule - Ice Age Trail

Trubilt Auto Body Team Up to Fund Field Trips

Double click on the picture above for more information!

Fryszki's Country Gardens

Fryszki's Country Gardens (downtown Careyville) will dontae $1.00 from the sale of ever 6" or larger poinsettia sold during their Christmas open house on December 5. Hours are 9 AM - 6 PM. They will also be serving refreshments. Thank you Fryszki's!

Avon

Place an order with Tina Wolfram, top selling Avon Rep and 20% of your order will benefit field trips! Please tell Tina you would like to donate to the Field Trip Fundraiser. Visit her website at: www.youravon.com/twolfgram or email her at tinaavon@charter.net. Thank you Tina!

Taco Johns

Beginning November 27 when you purchase Nacho's Navidad a portion of your sale will benefit field trips. You may also make a donation of $1 and an ornament will be on display or if you choose to make a donation of more than $1 a school bus with your name on it will be displayed. Thank you Taco John's!

Field Trips Funded & Events

I94 Kids Telethon

A few pictures from the I94 Kids Telethon!

In the news...

Interview on WQOW TV 18
October 27, 2009

Click on link below:
http://www.wqow.com/Global/category.asp?C=174901

Thanks I94 for the successful telethon!

I94 Kids Telethon

Thursday, October 22

Burger King on Golf Road

6:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Each donation will receive a free item from Burger King. A silent auction will be held throughout the day. Stop by and donate!

Events

Double click on the image below for details on upcoming events!
Thank you!

Thank you Sonic!

Double click to open, print and present at Sonic on these dates. 10% of sales will be donated to the Field Trip Campaign. Thank you!

Thank you - Chippewa Valley Museum

Chippewa Valley Museum Family Field Trip Night

Tuesday, October 13

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Participate in Object Theatre, crafts, purchase an ice cream treat in the old fashioned Ice Cream Parlor. Door prizes and silent auction throughout the evening.

Join us for some family fun!

Thank you Hoffy's Skate America!

Double click on the image below to find the date that your school is invited to Hoffy's. Reduced admission prices and guaranteed fun!

Thank you Applebees

Please double click, print and present this coupon on 9/28 and 15% of the proceeds will benefit the Field Trip Campaign. Thank you!

Double click to open.

Coldstone Creamery Coupon - Anytime in October

Double click, print and bring this coupon to Coldstone Creamery anytime during the month of October and 10 % of sales will be donated to the Field Trip Campaign!

Beaver Creek Family Field Trip - October 25

Double click to open for more information

The Huggables - Bats, Toads, Spiders & Snakes

Sunday, October 25

1:00 - 2:00 PM

Wise Nature Center

Warning! This hands-on program is not for the squeamish. Wildlife Entertainer David Stokes will discuss animals nobody loves - the unhuggables. Registration and full payment required by October 21. See website for registration form: http://beavercreekreserve.org/events/show/19

Friends: Adults $5/Child $2/ Family $13
Non-members: Adults $7/ Child $3/ Family $18

50% of the proceeds benefit the Field Trip Campaign!

International Fall Festival

Thank you for stopping by our table at the International Fall Festival in Eau Claire on Saturday!

How are you supporting the Field Trip Campaign?

This young man donated his allowance. What a wonderful example of connecting kids to community. Thanks!

Fun at the Bus!

Thank you to the The New Jazz Sextet

In the news...

Eau Claire United PTA-PTO Interview on WEAU TV 13

9/14/09

Click on links below:

Today Interview - Eau Claire United PTA/PTO pt. 1 (9/14/09)

Today Interview - Eau Claire United PTA/PTO pt. 2 (9/14/09)

Thank you Erbert & Gerbert's!

Eat at Erbert & Gerbert's on September 17 between 11 AM - 2 PM and 10% of sales will be donated to the Field Trip Campaign.

Thank you Texas Roadhouse!

Double click to enlarge poster for more information.

Double click to open coupon (below), print and bring it with you. When you submit this coupon, 10% of sales will go to the Eau Claire United PTA/PTO to fund field trips!

Buy A Bus!

Visit these fine local businesses and "buy a bus" to support the Field Trip Campaign.

• Mega Foods Grocery Stores


• Burger Kings


• Dairy Queens

Thank you - Children's Museum of Eau Claire

Bring your family to the Children's Museum of Eau Claire on Sunday, September 13 between 6:00 - 8:00 PM and your admission will be donated to the Field Trip Campaign!

We hope to see you there! Double click on the image below for details.

http://www.cmec.cc/

Events

Participate in Eau Claire United PTA/PTO events and support the campaign!
Double click to enlarge image below.

In the news...

Eau Claire United PTA/PTO interview on WEAU TV
9/9/09

Click here to see WEAU Video: Lesley Pauls and Sara Thacker join us on set

Kids will be able to go on at least some field trips this year in the Eau Claire School District. The group, Eau Claire United PTA/PTO, is gathering money. Businesses, parents, and community members have been generous and about $20,000 have been raised. However, there's an immediate goal of $70,000 dollars at a fundraiser coming up this weekend at the Eau Claire Children's Museum.

Lesley Pauls and Sara Thacker, two parents, and members of the group are with us this morning. This group formed after the money for school field trip's got cut from the district's budget.

In the news...

Leader-Telegram - Voice of the People
School field trips bring learning to life
By Angie Stokes

Take a moment and think back to your school days. What are your most memorable learning experiences? Was there a point when history truly came alive? Or when textbook science finally clicked in a real-world way? Chances are that for some of you, the most memorable moments took place not at school, but on a field trip.

Field trips enable teachers to expand children's learning beyond the walls of the classroom into the vast community outside. They provide children with experiences that cannot be duplicated in the school but are nonetheless an integral part of school instruction. Perhaps a field trip can best be described as a living laboratory in which learning is acquired through active, hands-on experience with the rich resources of the local community.

Significant budget constraints forced the Eau Claire school board to cut funding for school-sponsored field trips in May. Students no longer will be able to attend field trips previously covered by district money. These include visits to Beaver Creek Reserve, the Children's Museum of Eau Claire, the Ice Age Trail, the Paul Bunyan Logging Camp Museum and the Chippewa Valley Museum. All of these field trips were designed for maximum educational value and address Wisconsin academic standards.

My 6-year-old will begin first grade in the Eau Claire school district this fall. I am lucky to be able to send my child to a safe school where students consistently score above the state average on standardized tests. When my son's class embarks on a field trip, I feel fortunate to be able to provide the small fee asked of me. Unfortunately, this is not the case for every parent. And without district funding, paying for field trips will be an even bigger challenge this year. That's why a dedicated and enthusiastic group of volunteers is working to ensure all students attending a public school in the Eau Claire district can attend curricular-based field trips. Our group, the Eau Claire United PTA/PTO, feels strongly that field trip experiences not only cement the learning occurring in the classroom but also build positive connections between young people and community members. These experiences represent an investment in the future of our community. Our hope is that people will step forward to financially support our endeavor.

Our group has launched a fundraiser that runs through Sept. 15. The goal is to raise approximately $70,000 to be given to the school district to fund the trips that otherwise would be eliminated this year. We know that members of the Eau Claire community value the education of our children. The strength and success of our local schools is not an accident. One of the key reasons for our consistent success is parent and community involvement. Now, more than ever, we need your support.

Please consider contributing to this effort. Every contribution helps to support a local nonprofit while also giving our children a jump-start on lifelong learning. If you are unable to give financially, consider giving of your time. Volunteer at a local school in your neighborhood this fall, or contact a local nonprofit. Show your support by attending a high school football game on a Friday night or a band or theater performance at one of the schools. It is not by chance that Eau Claire has strong schools and diverse nonprofit groups, both of which enhance our community and make this a great place to live.

Stokes, of Eau Claire, is the mother of a Montessori School first-grader and a member of the Eau Claire United PTA/PTO. To learn more about the fundraising project, visit www.EauClaireUnitedPTA-PTO.blogspot.com.

In the news...

Video on WEAU TV 13
Parents Organization Raises Thousands of Dollars for Students

Click on link for video: Parents Organization Raises Thousands of Dollars for Students

Fifth graders in Eau Claire got a big gift from a local parents organization. The Eau Claire United PTA/PTO presented a check for more than $6,000 to the school board Monday night. The money is for a fifth grade field trip to Beaver Creek Reserve.

The Eau Claire Area School District recently had to cut some field trips that had been planned for the 2009-2010 school year. So members of the PTA began planning a district-wide fundraiser so the students can still go on those trips.

Monday night they also passed around a donation jar to the board members and audience to continue their fundraising efforts. So far the group has raised more than $12,000 for the field trips.

Shared via AddThis

Thank you Culvers!

Eat at Culvers between 5-8 PM today. Double click on flyer to enlarge. No coupon needed.

Thank you Culvers!

Eat at Culvers (Folsom Street) today (Tuesday, September 8) and 10% of all sales between 10 AM - 10 PM will be donated to Eau Claire United PTA/PTO.

Double click on coupon above and print! Copies are accepted.

Culver's eClub: http://www.culvers.com/culverized/e-club.aspx

In the news...

8/15/09 - WEAU TV 13
Raising funds to have fun outside the classroom

Click on link for video: Raising funds to have fun outside the classroom

Sisters Maggie and Carly Sauls love being on school busses, especially if they're headed on a field trip.

Their mom Lesley, and other parents are trying to save the program in the Eau Claire Area School District. "We're making a difference by pulling together and raising $1 at a time to make sure our kids go on field trips,” says Lesley Sauls. “She's told me that she's doing this so we can have our own field trips and we can have fun," says her daughter Maggie Sauls.

The Eau Claire United PTA/PTO has raised more than $11 thousand in the past few weeks from community and business donations. "People in their 50s and 60s are saying 'I remember my field trip' and it's making a difference to everybody," says Lesley Sauls.

A check for more than $6 thousand will be presented at the next school board meeting to help cover the cost of all fifth grader's trips to Beaver Creek Reserve in September.

The third grader's trip to the Chippewa Valley Museum already has an $18 hundred donation by the Kiwanis Club for transportation costs, which could help save it this year. "It would be the first time in 30 years that it hasn't gone on, so we're really hopeful that this effort is successful," says museum director Susan McLeod.

Sauls says this year's goal of $70 thousand seems attainable, and her girls hold out hope that they'll get to experience learning in the community for years to come. "I hope we can keep doing field trips," says first-grader Carly Sauls.

For more information, or to donate to the Eau Claire United PTA/PTO, visit www.EauClaireUnitedPTA-PTO.blogspot.com

Shared via AddThis

Thank you 9 Degrees!

Click on image to enlarge.

In the news...

Community Pulls Together to Fund Field Trips
Cancelled by Deep Budget Cuts
Article: Family Times Magazine

Parents in Eau Claire have pulled together to overcome school district budget cuts that would prevent children from experiencing field trips that were formerly district-funded. Such deep cuts are being felt around the country, but here, parents have stepped in to protect children from being affected with a campaign that will kick off on August 15 and run through September 15.

“Some schools might be able to rise above budget cuts by calling on strong PTA/PTOs,” says Shannon Young, treasurer of Eau Claire United PTA/PTO, the group created to raise funds for local field trips. “But not every school has the resources to do that, and that’s where we come in. If every person in the city donates $1, we can achieve our goal and jump-start kids’ life-long learning.”

By ambitiously raising $70,000 in 30 days to replace cuts made by the school board in May, Eau Claire United PTA/PTO plans to reinstate field trips for every school in the district before even one year goes by without them. Third-graders will visit the Chippewa Valley Museum to learn community history, fifth-graders will connect with nature at Beaver Creek Reserve, and kids in junior high may dress up and be bused to Minneapolis for a performance at Guthrie Theater.

Tax-deductible donations can be made at local companies where jars will be placed near cash registers during the campaign, and paper buses to hang in windows will be available for donations at Mega Pick-n-Save, Burger King and other area businesses. Additionally, checks and pledges for fund-matching can be sent directly to ECASD Field Trip Fund in care of Shannon Young, Eau Claire United PTA/PTO Treasurer at 1020 Cummings Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54701.

Already local businesses have stepped forward to contribute services, goods and discounts as the group gears up for this important fundraiser, and some have volunteered to match funds. Burrachos will donate 20 percent of their sales from 5:00-9:00pm on August 20 and September 13. Culvers on Clairemont Dr. has pledged 10 percent of their sales from 10:00am-10:00pm on August 24 and September 8. The Chippewa Valley Museum and Paul Bunyan Logging Camp have lowered fees in an effort to keep that field trip possible, and Burger King has offered to match the group’s first $5,000 raised and will host the fundraiser’s kickoff event on August 15.

The enthusiasm and energy being generated by this grass-roots effort to focus on kids, education and community gives hope to the committee that its goals will be reached. Regardless of the amount raised, all funds will be used to support as many trips as possible.

“Everyone has fond memories of their class field trips,” explains Diane Willer, chair of the Eau Claire United PTA/PTO. “By keeping kids involved in their community, we are encouraging future growth and goodwill in Eau Claire.”

For more information, log onto Eau Claire United PTA/PTO’s web site: www.EauClaireUnitedPTA-PTO.blogspot.com

Thank you Burrachos!

No coupon necessary. Click on poster above for more information!

Field Trip Memory

“Going on the overnight Beaver Creek field trip is a like a right of passage for middle schoolers in this town and a memory that I will never forget. I hope the rest of the community jumps on board so that future generations will be able to create their own field trip memories.”

-Matt O’Meara
Peoples Bank of Wisconsin

Field Trip Memory

"I can vividly recall a field trip to Niagara Cave in MN and forgetting a drink in my sack lunch. Sara S. shared her extra can of Mr. Pibb, which I'd never had before. The details that come back!! Keep up the good work, everyone!" ~Amy Dominski

Field Trip Memory

"I remember how exciting it was to get to drink POP, especially at school! I can still see my can of root beer wrapped in aluminum foil to keep it sort of cool while we sat in the pavilion at Irvine Park." ~ Wendy Sue Johnson

Memories

I was having dinner with some friends last evening when I was asked about this cause. I explained how Eau Claire United PTA-PTO was formed and why. This lead to some reminiscing about field trips as a child. Each person at dinner shared memories of their school field trips. Pieces of the conversation included:

• I remember the excitement of packing a sack lunch and the days of anticipation before leaving on a field trip.
• Our class visited a jail. I remember the mint green walls.
• My class visited my teachers farm.
• We rode a bus for over an hour to go to Wilderness Walk in Hayward. I remember a goat climbing up on our picnic table during lunch and a deer walking into the gift shop.

As I listened to each person's story, it reinforced why this effort is so important. Field trips create memories for children. It gives them a sense of adventure and excitement. It gives them the opportunity to be chatting with friends as adults and have a story to tell. What do you remember about going on a field trip?

Submitted by Monica Obrycki

Jars/Containers Needed

Eau Claire United PTA-PTO is in need of large, lidded jars or containers to use for our fundraising campaign. Containers that would work well are coffee cans (tin or plastic), ice cream buckets, large mustard jars, etc.

If you or your business has containers of this nature that you would be willing to donate, please contact Diane Willer at 835-8046 or any of the Eau Claire United PTA-PTO members. Thank you!

In the news...

Eau Claire parents' group aims to fund school field trips
By Christena T. O'Brien
Leader-Telegram staff

Parents are launching a fundraiser next month in hopes of raising $70,000 to maintain Eau Claire school district curriculum-based field trips for the 2009-10 academic year. "These parents are energized, and I'm 100 percent confident they're going to raise this money," said school board member Wendy Sue Johnson, who called a group of parent leaders together earlier this year after the board approved eliminating district-funded field trips for 2009-10 as one way to address a projected budget shortfall that exceeded $4 million.

While some individual parent-teacher associations and organizations might be able to raise enough to cover the cost of field trips at their own schools, others might not, said Johnson, former chairwoman of the district's Parent Advisory Council and former co-president of the Northwoods PTO. By joining together, the group Eau Claire United PTA/PTO hopes to raise enough money so all students can go.

"Field trips are just a good thing for all kids," said Diane Willer, a north side parent who is heading up the group. "I'd really hate to see them lose out."

Possible elementary field trips for 2009-10 include to Beaver Creek Reserve, Children's Museum of Eau Claire, Chippewa Moraine Ice Age Trail, Chippewa Valley Museum and Paul Bunyan Logging Camp.

The fundraiser will run from Aug. 15 through Sept. 15. People interested in taking part can contribute. Area businesses are being solicited for assistance by asking their customers to donate $1 to the cause, displaying a collection box or agreeing to match a certain dollar amount.
Ryan and Laura Bembnister, owners of The Goat Coffee House, 408 Water St., is one business that has agreed to participate.

"The second I heard about (the fundraising effort) I wanted to be involved," said Ryan Bembnister, co-chairman of the Locust Lane PTO, a member of Eau Claire United PTA/PTO and a parent of three, who sees value in field trips.

"We're not talking about sending kids to the mall or Wisconsin Dells," he said. "They're taking trips to ... places that can benefit them outside the classroom."

EAU-D Inc., which owns several local Burger King restaurants, has agreed to match the first $5,000 raised.

"Everybody in this economy is having problems, ... but the more everybody helps, the less everybody has to put in," said Mike DeRosa, company president and parent.

O'Brien can be reached at 830-5838, 800-236-7077 or christena.obrien@ecpc.com.

Letter to area businesses - click to enlarge

In the news...

Eau Claire parents hope to bring back school field trips
07/13/09 - 10:00 PM News Report on WQOW News Channel 18 - Eau Claire

Eau Claire (WQOW) - Funding for Eau Claire school district field trips have been cut from the budget. In order to bring them back, a group of parents is hoping to raise $70,000 though a community-wide fundraiser.

The group is a combination of parents and members of various PTA's and PTO's. They are joining forces to make sure that all of the district's students will be able to go on field trips, no matter what school they go to.

Many parents chose to get involved after going to school board meetings and seeing how much the district had to cut. The group felt that some individual PTA's or PTO's would be able to fund their schools field trips on their own, but other schools would be left out.

The campaign will kick off August 15th and continue through September 15th. If they raise at least $70,000, the group says it should be able to fund all the field trips that kids went on last year.

The group's Chair Diane Willer says, "Field trips are life long learning experiences for these kids, they learn about the community and we would just hate to see them lose that."

Lesley Sauls, a parent, says, "It's the memory everyone takes with them, you know, it's the only time my daughters get to go on a school bus, it's a chance for a lot of kids to see things they've never seen before"

The group hopes to be able to hand a check for at least $70,000 to the district by October 1st.
The money will go into what is called the District 21 fund, which is through the school district, but is tax deductible.

If they don't meet their goal, they will have to pick and choose which field trips to fund. Again, the fundraising campaign will begin August 15th.

Thank you for hosting our meetings..

The Eau Claire United PTA/PTO Committee would like to thank Dooley's, Princeton Valley Golf Course, Northwood Brew Pub, and Grizzly's for hosting our meetings.

New Logo

Thank you so much to Kris Erickson of Graphics Girl Design for creating this fantastic logo! Kris has donated her time to create all of the graphic materials for this campaign including our letterhead, collection jar labels, "school bus" sheets for window donations, etc. Thanks again Kris.

Our Goal

Eau Claire United PTA/PTO has a goal of raising $70,000.