Q: What is the Rocket Run (powered by Apex Leadership)?
A: The Rocket Run is El Rincon PTA’s biggest fundraiser. This two-week program combines character lessons with fitness and school spirit. Students will learn about leadership, confidence, and teamwork, gather pledges from family and friends, and then celebrate together by running laps at our exciting fun run event, which takes place on campus.
Q: Are you making changes in 2025?
A: As we do every year, the El Rincon PTA Board discusses and plans ways to make our partnership with Apex better. This year, we’ve heard from families on ways to improve the program:
Thank you gifts for pledges (provided by Apex) will be distributed outside of the classroom rather than in front of the whole class. While we know this change may impact our overall fundraising, we think this is the best approach for students and hope this change inspires more participation.
Each classroom's daily Level Up Cube Earner will receive a take-home thank you gift provided by Apex, along with the honor of having the Level Up Cube on their desk for the day. Level Up Cube Earners are chosen by their teachers for demonstrating the leadership habit of the day, whether or not the student has earned a single pledge.
At the end of the program, any student who demonstrated strong leadership skills during the two weeks of Apex, but did not receive a pledge thank-you gift, will receive a thank-you gift provided by Apex.
We are offering families the option to opt out of the thank you gifts by completing this form. If you choose to opt out, ALL thank you gifts earned after the form is submitted will be donated to another El Rincon student or a local charitable organization. Additionally, individual unused gifts can be donated in the front office.
Reminder: We DO NOT display individual students on a leaderboard. We remain committed to this in 2025.
Q: Does my student have to raise a certain amount of money to participate?
A: Absolutely not! Every El Rincon student gets to take part in the leadership lessons, the Rocket Run, and any classroom or schoolwide rewards that may be earned. Each child also receives a free Apex T-shirt on run day, daily leadership wristbands, and at least one thank you gift for participating—whether or not they raise funds.
Q: Where does the money go? How much is tax deductible?
A: All donations go directly to the El Rincon PTA and are fully tax-deductible. This one event funds 90% of PTA’s programs for the entire year—which means more programs, resources, and enrichment opportunities for our students. Check out our infographic from last year to see your dollars in action!. This year, we hope to fund even more!
Q: Does Apex take a cut?
A: Like all fundraisers, there are some costs. After the Rocket Run, the PTA pays Apex a set percentage for handling the program logistics - staffing, leadership lessons, student t-shirts, classroom rewards (think pizza and popsicle parties), thank you gifts, technology, and event support. Even with that, we raise way more—up to 10 times what we could on our own! We pre-negotiated with Apex a tiered percentage fee - the more we raise, the more we keep - that is on par or better than many other fundraising partners. This arrangement also allows our volunteers time to be focused on El Rincon students and the programming we provide.
Q: Why not just run our own volunteer-run jog-a-thon or other fundraiser? Why not do a direct donation drive instead?
A: We’ve tried! Running a fundraiser without Apex was extremely time and labor-intensive for our volunteers – and we raised FAR less. And while some schools are successful with other alternatives, we stick with Apex because:
It’s inclusive! Every child gets to participate in the fun, not just those who donate, and benefit from the outcome.
It works! Our fundraising with Apex consistently meets (or beats) El Rincon’s goals without needing lots of extra fundraisers.
It’s enriching! Our students learn leadership and teamwork while supporting their school.
Q: I don’t like my child coming home with all these thank you gifts, can I opt out?
A: Yes! Families have the option to opt out of the thank you gifts by completing this form. If you choose to opt out, ALL thank you gifts earned after the form is submitted will be donated to another El Rincon student or a local charitable organization. Additionally, individual unused gifts can be donated in the front office.
Q: Why do the PTA and other organizations need to do so much fundraising? Doesn’t the school/district pay for everything?
A: Unfortunately, no. California K-12 schools receive about $10,000 less per student compared to top-funded states. This means there’s a gap between what our district provides and the high-quality education our kids deserve. PTA, Booster, CCEF, and other groups all step in to bridge that gap, each in their own way, to make sure students have the best possible school experience. Starting in 2025, CCUSD has implemented significant budget cuts that are expected to continue beyond this school year, so organizations like the PTA are being asked to cover even more than before..
Q: Will there be additional fundraising opportunities set up by the PTA this year? Should I hold some resources for those?
A: The Rocket Run is the big one for PTA. You’ll see a few smaller efforts (like dine-outs or spirit wear), but this is the event that powers most of our budget for the year.
Q: Is the PTA funding Pali Camp? Doesn’t the district and/or CCEF cover that cost?
A: There have been multiple changes in the funding for Pali Camp over the past few years. For 2025-26, CCEF is covering all transportation costs for the 5th Grade Pali Science Camp. 5th Grade Committee will be primarily responsible for collecting and/or raising the money needed for tuition, and the PTA will be helping ensure that every 5th grader can attend through Pali Camp scholarships.
Q: Can sponsors pay for pledges via cash or check?
A: Yes, we accept cash or check flat donations only. Please email us at elrinconrocketspta@gmail.com to make arrangements and include your child’s name and teacher’s name so we can make sure the pledge is properly applied.
Q: Can I still donate directly to El Rincon PTA?
A: Yes! You can give directly at donate.elrinconpta.org. Just note: donations made outside of the Apex platform don’t count toward Apex student, classroom, or school-wide goals in the Apex program.
Q: I don’t see my question answered here, how can I get more help?
A:
For PTA-related questions, email: elrinconrocketspta@gmail.com
For Apex questions (pledges, access codes, tech), please visit their FAQ page.
Every pledge, every lap, and every cheer helps fuel the programs our kids love.
Thank you for supporting El Rincon!