Dear School Leaders, we need to talk. We can definitely do better than this.
When we think about fundraising in our schools, it’s not just about collecting money! The role of fundraising activities extends far beyond raising funds; it significantly influences the school's culture and values. To put it plainly, it's about what we’re teaching our kids in the process. An event recently highlighted on my local school’s Facebook page made me pause and question whether we’re really teaching leadership or if we're unintentionally endorsing conflicting values, or perhaps we’re just masking bullying as fun.
Here is the scenario: as a reward for reaching a fundraising goal, a principal is taped to a flagpole. It’s meant to be fun, a light-hearted celebration of achievement. But let's reflect on the mixed message here. We teach our students to honor the flag and show reverence, yet we use its pole in a stunt like this? What does that say about our respect for symbols we otherwise deem significant?
Is this really the school culture we’re aiming for? Every decision we make, every activity we endorse, should align with our core values. Resorting to such spectacles for fundraising might seem like harmless fun, but it can subtly undermine the values we work hard to instill. Are we choosing simplicity and spectacle over substance?
What if it were a kid who was taped to a pole during recess? Sounds crazy, right? But isn't that the lesson learned by some students? After all, it was cool when it was the principal. Now, if this were to happen, you bet there’d be phone calls, maybe even police involvement. So why do we let it slide under the guise of fundraising?
Coming from three generations of educators, I understand the pressures and challenges schools face. The mission is tough, the responsibilities are heavy. But here’s the real talk: anything worth doing, especially when it comes to shaping young minds, is going to be hard. Just like you wouldn’t build a house on a swamp because it's cheap and easy, why settle for flimsy fundraising practices that don't support our educational foundation?
When schools choose to work with external fundraising companies, it's crucial that the activities align with the school's mission and ethics. Choosing convenience from fundraising companies like APEX might seem easy, but are we choosing ease over impact, and at what cost to our students' understanding of respect and leadership?
Instead of outsourcing to companies that offer convenience at the expense of appropriate educational experiences, schools should consider alternative fundraising methods that:
Encourage student creativity and entrepreneurship.
Align with educational values and promote positive student interactions.
Involve our local community more meaningfully, in ways that build lasting partnerships rather than one-off transactions.
Spark creativity and initiative among our students.
Investing in the right type of fundraising activities is an investment in the culture of our schools. It requires effort and may be challenging, but it is essential for fostering an environment where our children learn the right lessons about leadership, respect, and community. As leaders in education, it is our duty to ensure that our actions—and the partners we choose—reflect the values we wish to instill in our future generations.
Choose to build a school culture that prioritizes the well-being and development of our students over convenience. Together, we can create fundraising experiences that are not only effective but also enrich our students' educational journey. It’s high time we invest in fundraising activities that truly reflect the positive culture we want to cultivate. This isn’t just about money—it’s about our kids’ futures. Let’s commit to making every part of our students’ school experience valuable, including how we raise funds.
(Part#1 of a 2 part Series)
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