SMA SPELL-A-THON

Friday, October 10th

Welcome Back to School!

Yes, that means the Spell-a-thon fund-raiser is here!

Fundraising is an important part of fulfilling the needs within our school. Over the last few years, Spell-a-thon funds have helped pay for Family Science Night, Mad Science in the classroom, facility improvements which included umbrellas for the junior and senior yards, the refurbishing of the 68Macs in the computer lab, new Smart Boards, new library furniture, new books, website redesign, among other SMA improvements and wish list items.  

This year, Spell-a-thon funds will go towards a SMARTboard for the lab to benefit science and art curriculum enrichment, facility improvements, and other Wish List items. As always we are hoping to surpass last year’s Spell-a-thon by raising at least $23,000. We can reach this goal if every student raises approximately $110 in pledge money.  

Parents and family members can also help the students raise money by becoming a Spell-a-thon Sponsor. Being a sponsor allows you or family and friends to make a fixed donation versus a pledged amount for each word spelled correctly.  A 2008 sponsorship form is enclosed. All sponsorships and pledges of any amount will help us reach our goal of $110 per student.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS

The Spell-a-thon is a written test that will be given in class by the teachers on Friday,

October 10^th.  Enclosed is a spelling list developed by your teacher. Students collect pledges of any amount of money for each word they spell correctly on the test. This year we are working on new and exciting prizes for the students so please stay tuned for the prizes to be announced next week.  In addition, all teachers will receive $100 in Scripp if their class achieves an average of 85% or better on the test. So please study hard and collect lots of pledges!

Friday, September 12

Spell-a-thon packets with pledge sheets and word lists are distributed. Students begin collecting pledges and sponsorships from family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.

Friday, September 19

Every Friday up to the Spell-a-thon, a raffle will be held for a prize. For every $25 worth of pledges, students will receive a ticket for the raffle. Students will show their pledge sheet to their teacher by Friday morning. Teachers will initial the pledges and submit raffle tickets into the drawing for the student. The student keeps their pledge sheet so they can continue to collect pledges. The winner will be announced the following Monday.

Friday, September 26

Raffle for students with $25 or more in pledges. Please show your teacher your pledge sheet by Friday morning to get your tickets in the drawing.

Friday, October 3

Raffle for students with $25 or more in pledges. Please show your teacher your pledge sheet by Friday morning to get your tickets in the drawing.

Friday, October 10

Test Day! Spell-a-thon tests to be given in the classrooms. The last raffle for students with $25 or more in pledges will be held.  Please show your teacher your pledge sheet by Friday morning to get your tickets in the drawing.

Tuesday, October 14

Corrected Spell-a-thon tests will be returned to the students along with directions to start collecting pledge money.

Tuesday, October 28

All collected pledge money is due in the office by 3:15pm. If possible, please submit all pledge money in a check payable to SMA PTO.

Monday, November 3

The winning classes and students with the most funds raised will be announced and prizes will be awarded.

. HELPFUL REMINDERS

·       We advise not letting your child solicit door to door pledges without an adult.

·       Please submit all collected pledge money and donations in a check payable to SMA PTO.

·       All pledges are due Tuesday, OCTOBER 28^th by 3:15 pm.

·       Students are encouraged to write thank you notes to family and friends who sponsored them.

·       Extra copies of word lists and sponsor sheets are available in the office and online at www.stellamarisacademy.org.

·       Please consider becoming a sponsor of the 2008 Spell-a-thon.

·       Please do not hesitate to contact Katherine Gomez if you have any questions, 537-9542.

Thank you for your support!