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.
Monday, August 31, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
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
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
Monday, August 24, 2009
Thank you Culvers!
Eat at Culvers between 5-8 PM today. Double click on flyer to enlarge. No coupon needed.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
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.
Double click on coupon above and print! Copies are accepted. Culver's eClub: http://www.culvers.com/culverized/e-club.aspx
Monday, August 17, 2009
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
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
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
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
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
Saturday, August 1, 2009
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