Spell-a-Thon

WHAT?

It's spring fundraiser time! The Spell-a-Thon is our biggest fundraiser of the year bringing in over one-third of the total budget. It's the best fundraiser of the year in that 100% of the money earned goes to the school, half directly to the classrooms, the other half to the overall school budget.

GOAL?

Our goal this year is to raise $100 per student. If we reach this goal, we will be able to purchase the remaining laptops needed for each classroom to have their own set. This would greatly accelerate the incorporation of new curriculum into the classrooms!

HOW?

The kids will be taking a 20 word test on 2/28. The words for each grade level are attached at the very bottom of this page or can be found HERE. Students collect pledges based on the number of words they get correct or a flat rate. This year, we are excited to streamline our fundraiser by going online. You will now be able to reach out to friends and family by email, Facebook, and Twitter, instead of going door-to-door, tracking commitments, and handling checks. Simply search and find your participant's online pledge page here: www.99pledges.com/fund/ACES2020

You do not need to login or change anything. Simply make a donation for whatever you can, and share your participant's link with friends and family.

Alternately, or in addition to using the online process, you can collect pledges in the form of cash or checks and track them on a paper pledge form. Pledge forms will come home a couple of weeks before the test. If you need another, you can find one attached at the bottom of this page, or you can print one HERE.

WHEN?

Pledge money is due to their teacher by 3/9. Payment can be made with cash, check made out to ACES PTG, or with credit/debit using the secure online donation system at www.99pledges.com/fund/ACES2020 . All donations are tax deductible. Our Tax ID number is 86-0556222.

OTHER QUESTIONS?

Check out the FAQ section below.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Dates to remember:

  • Thursday, February 27th - Sponsor sheets due. They will be returned to you with calculated pledges after the test.
  • Friday, February 28th - Testing
  • Friday, March 6th - Pledge money due.

Prizes!

Students that turn in their pledge money by March 9th will be eligible for these prizes:

  • Collect $25 in pledges and receive a coupon for free Eegees.
  • Collect $50 in pledges and receive a coupon for free Bahama Bucks.
  • Every student who collects $100 or more will be invited to attend a popcorn and Eegees party at school.
  • For every $200 collected, receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a four pack of tickets to Disneyland.
  • Top earning families and students* will receive: (*only one prize per student.)
    • 1st place = $75 in Scrip gift certificates
    • 2nd place = $50 in Scrip gift certificates
    • 3rd place = $25 in Scrip gift certificates
  • Top earning class will earn outdoor lunch for 3 Fridays.
  • All classrooms with ≧ 80% participation will receive a class donut party.
  • If the school raises more than $30,000, the students will receive a surprise! Stay tuned for clues as to what the surprise is…

Earnings status can be viewed in the online system and will include both your online earnings and cash/check earnings.

FAQs

What are we raising money for?

Prior to 2014, Tanque Verde Unified School District received over $1 million per year of soft capital funding from the state to pay for everything from school buses to textbooks, computers, facility repairs, safety upgrades, educational enrichment materials, etc. For the past 3 years, with significant cuts to the state education budget, we received only $125,000 per year, not even enough to cover the replacement of one of our 1990s-vintage school buses ($150,000). Yet our district remains one of the top-rated in the state. This is largely due to the continued support of our community – both families and businesses.

PTG fundraising helps cover these gaps in funding while also fostering a sense of community among our families. To keep our most critical and favorite programs going, Our PTG has committed to providing $50,000 per year, approximately $100 per student. The breakdown of this spending is as shown on the right.

Why hold a Spell-a-Thon?

Many of our fundraisers primarily rely on the support of our students’ immediate families. The Spell-a-Thon is an opportunity to reach out to a broader network of extended family, friends, neighbors, and community members for support. This straightforward and 100% tax deductible approach results in the Spell-a-Thon being our largest fundraiser of the year, typically bringing in more than $30,000. Another unique feature of this fundraiser is that half of the money brought in by each classroom, up to $300, stays in the classroom to be spent at the teacher’s discretion.

Can I collect pledges using both the online system and the paper form?

Yes! You can use the online system to easily collect credit card pledges from family and friends. The paper form can be used to track any cash or check pledges. Once you return your paper form and related cash/checks, we will enter that total into the online system so you can see your student’s overall earnings.

Do we have to use the online pledge system?

No! But we encourage you to at least check it out as we think you’ll love the convenience of it! Campaigns using online pledge systems raise over twice the funds as paper-based fundraisers!

Why are we using an online pledge system this year?

Data shows that campaigns using online pledge systems raise over twice the funds as paper-based fundraisers! This system will make fundraising easier on everyone. No more going door-to-door, tracking donations, or handling cash. Spend minutes instead of days managing your fundraiser.

How much does the online pledge system charge us?

We keep 100% of all cash and check donations (which we can track in the system) and 96% of the credit card donations. They pay all the credit card processing fees. NO minimums. NO setup fees. NO support fees. NO monthly charges. NO contracts.

Will my supporters get charged any fees?

No way!

Will my supporters need an account?

Nope. Your supporters simply complete their pledges using a debit or credit card.

Are there limits to how much money I can raise?

Heck no. You can raise as much money as you want. Here's to blowing through your goal!

How do we collect pledges online?

You simply go to the website at www.99pledges.com/fund/ACES2020 . From the home page, search for your student by FIRST NAME, last initial and grade-teacher in the search box on the upper right side of the page. Once you select your student’s name, you can make a donation by clicking the blue Donate button. You can also share your student’s page via Facebook, Twitter or e-mail by clicking the applicable icons below the Donate button.

How do the online pledges get credited to my student(s)?

When donors pledge online, they need to make sure they are selecting your student’s FIRST name from the search box in the upper right-hand corner of the page. Their donation will then automatically be credited to your student. We will manually enter your cash and check donations after you have turned them in with your pledge form.

I prefer not to have my student listed on the online pledge system. Can I have them removed?

Sure. Send us an e-mail at AguaCalientePTG@gmail.com and we can remove them.

Can I change the goal that is shown for my student on the online system?

Yes. Send us an e-mail at AguaCalientePTG@gmail.com and we can change it to whatever you’d like. Setting a higher goal might encourage your donors to donate more!

How can I see how many donations my student has received online?

Simply go to your student’s page on 99Pledges.com and it will show you their total donations in the upper right-hand portion of the page. We will update this total with your cash and check donations within a few days after you turn them in.

Can I change how my student’s name is listed?

Yes. Send us an e-mail at AguaCalientePTG@gmail.com and let us know what you’d like changed.

How much does my student’s classroom get to keep?

Your student’s classroom keeps 50% of all proceeds, up to $300, to be spent at the teacher’s discretion. The teachers really rely on these funds to purchase materials for the curriculum they planned for the year.

Who should the checks be made out to?

ACES PTG

Is the donation tax-deductible? What is the tax ID number?

Yes, 100%! Our tax ID number is 86-0556222.

When do I need to turn in my pledge sheet? What is the deadline to turn in pledge money?

The paper pledge forms are due Thursday, February 27th and will be returned to you the following week with the number of words your student got correct listed and the total pledge amount due. We suggest you make a copy of the pledge form before you turn it in to continue to collect pledges in the meantime.

Can I continue to collect pledges after the test?

Yes! Pledges can be collected until March 6th. Pledges can even be turned in after then, but they won’t count toward the prizes.

Can my donor write just one check for both of my students?

Yes! Just make a note of it on your pledge form and we’ll credit your students accordingly. It’s a little harder for us to track, but we understand it’s easier for the donor.

Can my donor just make one donation online for both of my students?

Yes, BUT the donation will only count toward that one student’s classroom. We are unable to split online donations.

How much have we raised with Spell-a-Thon in the past?

Historically, we have raised $12,000-$14,000 with Spell-a-Thon. However, that was when we only had 350-425 students. This year we’re at an unprecedented 515 students, so we’re setting our goals higher! And, we’re anticipating the ease of 99Pledges system will increase donations significantly.

When is the test? How many words are on it? What if my student is absent that day?

The test will be conducted on Friday, February 28th during the normal school day. There are 20 words on the test. The words were sent home with your student. You can find another copy on our website. If your student is absent, they will be able to take the test upon their return.

I have already donated to the Coyote Fund. Will that count towards my overall Spell-a-Thon earnings?

Unfortunately, no. Coyote Fund donations were requested of the parents and we understand that every student’s family has differing budgets and abilities to donate. However, Spell-a-thon is directed outside of the family where every student has equal ability to collect donations outside of their immediate family, e.g. from neighbors, businesses, family friends, and extended family.