Spirit Rocks

> WHAT IS A SPIRIT ROCK?

A Spirit Rock is a rock that families can reserve and paint with their own personalized message to share with the Buffalo Trail Elementary School community. Create your own message for any special occasion, including:

• 🎂 A student’s birthday

• 🍎 Thanking a teacher or staff member

• 🎉 Celebrating an accomplishment or milestone

• 🏆 Cheering on a competition or tournament

• 💛 Sharing an encouraging or positive message

• 🌟 Recognizing a special achievement

The possibilities are endless!

Please note: Profanity, political messages or symbols, religious content or symbols, discriminatory statements or symbols, and business advertisements or commercial promotions are NOT permitted.

Families are responsible for providing their own paint, supplies, and labor. Please leave the rock and surrounding area clean and ready for the next family when your reservation ends.

> WHERE IS THE SPIRIT ROCK?

The PTCO worked hard to install TWO Spirit Rocks at Buffalo Trail Elementary School:

1. Front Rock - One rock is located at the front of the school, near the marquee. Families will see this rock as they drive by the school!

2. Back Rock - Another rock is located at the back of the school, across from the playground. All students will pass this rock daily on the way from lunch to recess! 

> RESERVATIONS & PAYMENT

All reservations and payments are made online only through SignUpGenius.

● Reservation: $15 + service fee

Reservations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you reserve, the more likely you are to get your desired date(s). You may reserve one or both rocks and multiple dates. All available reservation dates are listed on SignUpGenius, and date slots will not be modified. 

Please mark your calendar! The PTCO does not provide refunds for reservations. If you are unable to paint the rock on your scheduled date due to a scheduling conflict or forgetfulness, please try to trade your reservation with another Buffalo Trail Elementary School family.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to SignUpGenius limitations, we have two separate Spirit Rock sign-ups for the school year:

● August–December – Sign-up Here

● January–May – Sign-up Here

> YOUR RESERVATION TIME

Your reservation runs from 4:00 PM the day before your reserved date through 3:59 PM on your reserved date.  Example: If you reserve the rock for Tuesday, you may begin painting at 4:00 PM on Monday.

If weather or something else prevents you from painting on the evening before your reserved date, you may paint during the school day if you are careful to avoid getting paint on surrounding areas or school property. PLEASE check-in at the front office if you are painting during a school day so they know you are on campus. Your design may remain on the rock for multiple days if there are no reservations immediately following yours.

> WEATHER

If inclement weather prevents you from painting during your reservation, please email fundraisers@btptco.org to request the next available open reservation. The PTCO will only be able to accommodate weather-related rescheduling requests if you notify us.

> CONTENT GUIDELINES

The Spirit Rock operates on the honor system, and we ask every family to respect these guidelines.

All designs and messages must:

• Be in good taste and appropriate for the Buffalo Trail Elementary School community.

• Be positive, caring, affirming, and nurturing.

• Not contain foul language, profanity, or obscenities.

• Not contain discriminatory statements or symbols.

• Not contain religious content or symbols.

• Not contain political messages or symbols.

• Not contain business advertisements or commercial promotions.

• All wording and symbols should be positive and respectful.

> PAINTING GUIDELINES

Please follow these important rules while painting:

• ONLY the Spirit Rock may be painted. Painting other rocks, gravel, sidewalks, lamp posts, buildings, landscaping, or other school property is prohibited.

• Use only exterior latex paint, water-based acrylic paint, or outdoor spray paint intended for use on exterior surfaces. Do not use puffy paint, glue, chemicals, or other specialty products not intended for outdoor use.

• Please use a drop cloth or other protective covering to protect the sidewalk, curb, and surrounding areas while painting.

• When using spray paint, take extra care to prevent overspray from reaching vehicles, buildings, sidewalks, landscaping, or other school property.

• Any damage or destruction to surrounding areas or buildings will make the family financially responsible for cleaning and repair costs.

• The family painting the rock assumes responsibility for any individual in their group who may be injured or whose clothing or personal property may be damaged.

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES

For the Background:

You may use outdoor spray paint or standard exterior latex paint for the background.

If using spray paint:

• 2–3 cans of outdoor spray paint should generally be sufficient for the background.

• Additional cans may be needed depending on the size of the rock and how much coverage is needed.

• Use a drop cloth or other protective covering to prevent over-spray from reaching the surrounding area.

• Allow adequate drying time before adding your design. 

If using latex paint:

• 1–2 quarts of standard exterior latex paint should generally be sufficient for the background.

• A rough roller or large brush works well for covering the existing design.

• Additional coats may be necessary, so allow adequate drying time before adding your design.

For Your Design:

• Water-based acrylic or latex paint in your desired colors

• Small brushes (approximately 1" or smaller)

• Foam brushes or sponges for lettering and designs

• Chalk for sketching letters or designs before painting

Tip: Designs are easiest to read when the background and lettering colors provide strong contrast—for example, a light background with dark lettering or a dark background with light lettering.

To Protect the Area:

• Plastic or canvas drop cloths to protect the sidewalk, curb, and surrounding areas while painting.

Water & Cleanup:

There is NO water access at the Spirit Rock. Please bring:

• A small bucket

• Approximately 1 gallon of water from home for rinsing brushes and rollers

Trash & Paint Disposal:

• Please bring a large trash bag and take all supplies and trash home with you when you are finished.

• Do not dispose of painting supplies on school grounds.

• Used paint cans and/or spray-paint cans must not be placed in campus trash bins or dumpsters.

• Please dispose of paint cans and other painting materials properly off campus, at home.

Thank you for supporting the Buffalo Trail Elementary School PTCO!

We hope the Spirit Rock becomes a fun and exciting tradition that brings smiles to our school community for years to come! 🙂