Chapman School

Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year!  Friends of Chapman is a new partnership between the Chapman Educational Foundation and the Chapman PTA.  As returning families know, and new families are soon to discover, Chapman is a very special school.   A big part of our success is a supportive partnership between the staff, parents and community.  We would like to expand the spirit of collaboration this year through Friends of Chapman.  In addition to a closer partnership between the PTA and the Foundation, Friends of Chapman will reach out to local businesses and, most importantly, call on Chapman families to participate in our fundraising at whatever level works for you.

Our Goals

• Maintain current levels of Music, PE and Technology positions
• Provide Education Assistants to where they are most needed
• Continue enrichment programs such as outreach, our partnership with OMSI, Science Fair, Art Ball, artist-in-residency programs, library books, musicals, field day, field trips, teacher allocations for classroom supplies and activities and much more!

How much will this cost?

We need to raise $200,000, which is approximately $400 per child, to be able to continue to provide the high quality of education at Chapman.   Of course, some families won’t be able to give that much money, while other families will contribute more.  You will be able to choose what level of giving is right for your family.  Participation is the most important thing!

Monthly Giving

To make it easier for everyone, we are introducing a monthly giving plan so that families can spread their donation over the year.  Any amount helps. Even $10 a month makes a big difference! Fill out the Monthly Giving and Donation Form on the last page of this flyer and turn it in to the Friends of Chapman box in the office Online, go to the Chapman website or directly to friendsofchapman.com.

Your employer may match your charitable contributions!

Many companies will match whatever you give to to Chapman as both the PTA and Foundation are 501(c)3 non-profit organizations.  Nike, Intel and soon Adidas, will match whatever you give, so be sure to check with your employer before making any contribution or setting up a monthly payment plan to ensure that your donation is matched. Matched donations may have to go through a separate process, set-up by your employer.

What else can I do?

The more we work together, the stronger our school and community become.  Here are some ways that you can be a Friend of Chapman:

• Buy a Chapman tee shirt or sweat shirt and have your child wear it to school on Fridays to show their school pride.  Buy one for yourself, too!
• Join us behind the school Monday through Friday nights in September for swift watching and buy a slice of pizza or a tee shirt.
•  Read the Spotlight and participate in the social activities like movie nights and Parents’ Night Out that raise money and build community.  Cheap fun for the whole family!
• Eat out at local restaurants and shop at local businesses. Every month we will be partnering with local businesses and a percentage of the proceeds will go to Chapman.  Look for Friends of Chapman Dining Club announcements.
• Join the PTA.  Membership fees support programs at Chapman. 
•  Attend the Chapman Auction on December 2!  Enjoy a night of grown-up fun and get great deals on vacation getaways, local dining, services, and one of a kind art.
• Use eScrip.  eScrip and merchant partners have created a system that rewards customer loyalty by contributing a percentage of purchases to schools.  Register your credit, debit and Safeway Club cards with the eScrip program. A percentage of all purchases made at eScrip merchants will be given back to the school. Popular businesses include Safeway, iTunes, REI, Adidas, Nordstrom, Amazon, and Gap.   Log on to www.eScrip.com, go to Sign-Up and designate Chapman Elementary PTA (500017118) to receive contributions.
• Volunteer at school.  One of Chapman’s secret weapons is a great group of parent volunteers.

Building Community

Read the Spotlight, check out our bulletin board, ‘like’ the Friends of Chapman on facebook or look at our page on the Chapman website to keep up with social events and our fundraising progress.  This is more than raising money for our school; by working together as a community, we can all be Friends of Chapman and keep our school strong.

If you have questions or ideas, please contact:

Sue Harrison – sueharrison1@gmail.com, Amy Loy – amyloy71@hotmail.com, or Linda Salinsky – mlsalin@yahoo.com

Looking forward to a great year!