Box Tops for Education

I've been flirting with the idea of contests for our Jr. High as well, and not sure which path to take. Currently our school only actively collects from the Elementary, not really sure why since the program is K-8.

My idea is to do like what you are doing, offering gifts card, but instead of deciding myself what to give, let the winners tell me where they'd like a gift card from. So if 1st place wants a Walmart gift card, and 2nd wants iTunes, then that's what they get. I also think a raffle would work better for us than who brings in the most. That way no one is discouraged if they only have a small amount to bring in. I held a raffle in December, 10 Box Tops earned 1 entry. Some kids were only able to turn in 10, other turned in hundreds. One of the winners was one of those who turned in only 1 entry, so it proved to all the students they should turn in their Box Tops no matter how many they've got.

I have found that food rewards with Jr. High Schoolers are the best. Man will they work for a pizza day! Or an ice cream social.

I have been coordinating for a middle school for the last 3 years and this has been our best year ever.  The most we collected before this year was $500.00.  Right now we are at $788.00.  I have drawings for gift cards every month somtimes every two months.  I got approval from the principal last year to do a pizza party and that help out a lot!  The winning home room who turns in the most box tops by 3/31 gets a pizza party.  She is letting me do it this year also.

Good luck to you!

Laurie

Our school has always had Pre-K through 6th involved in Box Tops, but our school goes up to 12th grade, so when I became the coordinator in September, I decided to get the jr/sr high involved and put up posters for their parents to see during fall conference time.  I understand how hard it is to motivate the olders students, so I brainstormed with some 9th graders on how to entice them to collect the Box Tops.  I asked several restaurants to donate gift cards for $5-$25 for food and ice cream, and not one restaurant turned me down.  I have been able to give away 3 gift cards a month along with other prizes such as music CDs, hats that hold ipods, T-shirts, and a Diva locker makeover for every 10 Box Tops brought in.  The first collection day only 4 students brought in Box Tops, but I was encouraged as the amount was worth $100+.  Since the middle of October, the jr/sr high has collected $1,000 worth which we will use to purchase computers for their library.  We may only have 10% collecting them, but it is still 10% more than before, so we are very thankful for those that have participated and can only hope that the amount collected will go up next year.  Good luck and I hope this helps you.

I am the coordinator for 6-8 grades.  I have had two contests this year and have $1400 so far.  The first contest was boys vs. girls - and the boys won!  They got to have a free "Hat Day".  The second contest was "Favorite Teacher" and the kids also got a gift.  For every 10 boxtops they turned in, they got their name in a drawing.  I had hockey tickets, movie passes, football tickets and autographed profession athelete pictures.  The teacher who received the most boxtops got a new Keurig machine (donated by the company).  Now I am running a contest where whichever principal (1 principal, 2 assistants) gets the most boxtops in their name, will get a pie in their face.  The students get a ticket for every 10 boxtops they turn in.  At the end of the contest, the student who's name gets drawn gets to throw the pie in the principal's face.  Just some ideas to help you. :)

The gift card idea for prizes is great.   Even better is using the Scrip program for gift cards.   Our PTL orders the gift card chosen by the winner from a list provided by Scrip.  After the order is turned in to Scrip, they donate a certain percentage back to the school, depending on the company.  I am not sure what areas of the country Scrip covers, but we are in Central Illinois and use the program.            Coordinator for Box Tops, Carol

We started the year with pizza certificates and prizes for the students that brought in the most - we have now moved to a "Chance to win with every 10" promotion.  For every 10 boxtops brought in students are entered into a random drawing for a pizza certificate and a prize (donated items from local businesses).  So far we have brought in over $800 with a student population of only 400.

what is Scrip all about?? i dont understand

To see how other coordinators are motivating middle schoolers to bring in box tops!

Laurie

I second FOOD (& candy!) I have a middle school child at home and that kid loves food! 

I have been trying a new thing with the older grades at the elementary school. My middle school child inspired me to do it from the book Diary Of a Wimpy Kid - the mom has mom bucks. 

Our younger grades have a huge life sized stuffed boxer dog as a traveling trophy. His name is Boxer Tops so I spun the idea from that and created fake money with his picture. I call them "BOXER BUCKS". I printed them on neon colored paper so the kids cant make their own easily! ;-) Only the students in 4th and 5th grade have the privilege of 'spending' their Boxer Bucks. Prizes are 10%-20% of the Box Top Value. I price items clearly and only accept Boxer Bucks - Cash not good here! 

The PTO does not have a spot to leave items so I must carry it back and forth with a 3 year old tagging along. Me and another mom come in on Friday's during the kids lunch. I made a store out of a Large Hanes Box, and cute pink Betty crocker boxes from displays Walmart let me to snag. It works as a store banner and a walking billboard as I walk in. Kids flag me down in the Hallway to see what new things I have added! 

I add seasonal items in February you could buy Valentines and heart shaped suckers, fun dips etc. I also have pencils and other fun themed school supplies. I price educational items at 20% or better of the face value for the boxtops. I plan on doing frozen pops this week. The will be 1 Boxer Buck and they will be able to pick 1 silly band out of the open stock. Its been HOT in the school and I'm willing to bet kids are raiding pantries for Box Tops!

With older kids you have to remember you cant please the student AND the parent. At this age its about doing the being least like mom/dad!

Since the kid is the one bring them in - pleasing them works best! Rewards! With rewards think outside the box and don't think like a mom. Many things are LAME at this age. 

If you really want parents to get the flier I would suggest asking for the copy to go home with report cards. Or reward them for giving it to mom/dad with a little proof. Sign saying they can get reward or something. 

Middle schools are all about money, food, and dances, and getting back at the teachers and parents. 

Another thought when you raise $____ we will have a dance (include student council) or John's mom or Mrs.Smith will have a pie to the face or kiss a monkey, or Mr.Brown will wear his pretties dress at school or the next event. Use a thermometer to track the progress. Newspaper may come and take pictures of Mr. Brown at the big basketball game ;-)

We have been doing this successfuly for 3 years....

For every 25 boxtops turned in they get a free ice cream pass. The pass is equal to $1 for the student...but the cost is only 50 cents (on average) to the PTO.  PTO sells ice cream during lunch each week on Wednesdays. So the school nets $2 from the boxtops.

In process of trying something new...for each 10 boxtops turned in, they receive an entry to a drawing for $25 cash. The criteria is once there are 125 entries ($125 in boxtop money), we would draw. Only been running this for 2 weeks...without advertising to parents to date, only thru the homeroom teachers...and have received 55 entries.  Looks good so far, we'll see how it goes after the drawing & only have 1 winner.