Box Tops for Education

I haven't actually tried this yet but go to customer service and speak with the manager. Tell him how box tops has helped your school.

I've been a first time box top collector for 2010-11, and now going into 2011-12 for the school my daughter attends. However, I have no idea where or how our collected Box Top funds ($535/2010-11, and future funds) was or is to be distributed at any given time. 

The school's PTO did not specify its reason for collection. Therefore, it is my understanding that since there is no discriptive rule once our school recieves the retuned funds from the collections of Box Tops that they (PTO) can spend the funds at their leisure.

My hope to this effort of helping out by collecting "Free Money" is to support our teachers by supplying them with extra funds that can go towards their expences within the classrooms and should be separate (not combind with) the PTO's seasonal fundraisers i.e. Winter, Spring, Fall, and Book Fair Fundraisers.

Sadly to say...I do not have any successful reports to give at this time. However, if anyone can direct or have any tips I am much appreciated.

Looking for answers,

Laureen

Our Box Tops money also goes in a "general" fund.  When I took over as coordinator, I worked with the PTA and chose a budget item that these funds could pay for.  We give each student a book during the Book Fair and that is where we concentrate our Box Top money.  We also have a theater group come in twice a year and our Box Top money helps pay for one of the performances.  Talk with the PTA Board and look at the budget and then pick an item that you can advertise as where the Box Top money is being used.  It can also give you a goal amount to reach if you chose something above what Box Tops has been earning.  Good luck. 

First off, box tops money does not have to go through your PTA.  It does in many schools, but that's up to the school.  In our school, it does not belong to the PTA.  It is totally separate and is set aside specifically for the teachers for "something to make their lives easier in the classroom."  The teachers meet twice a year when the checks come in and decide how to spend it.  One of the things they got the year before I started was an expensive die cutter machine.  Since then they've gotten a bunch of dies for it, etc.  Now that I've taken over, we're starting to get into bigger money so their purchases are going to be reflecting that soon.

Start with talking to the PTA board and the principal about what the best use of the money is.  I'd sit down and meet with them and get a feel for it.  Box tops does go better when there is something tangible on the other end.  The generic "general fund" thing is harder for parents and kids to get behind.  It is a lot easier to get them to "build a new playground" or "put books in our library".  You might even offer up to put up a suggestion box and ask both kids and parents what they'd like to buy.  If you do that, I'd word it like this:

What would you buy to support our school if we had $500 to spend?

$1000?

$5000?

And see what they say.  There might be some really terrific ideas there!

Good luck!

Tess

I'm new to box tops as well, our school started collecting in November of last year.  I joined with the PTO so that I knew where the funds were going.  This year I am an elected official in the schools PTO so I can keep a closer eye on how our funds are used.

Last year our school raised$136.00, since I was a PTO member, I was able to suggest where the money we raised through box tops went.  We chose to use the money to show our appreciation to our teachers by taking them all out to lunch.  Our Box Tops money, and some of the PTO funds paid for all 40 members of the schools staff to have a nice lunch at a nice resturant.

I hope this helps.

  Hi Tess.  I'm PapaEd. I've been the BoxTops Coordinator for three years at the Healthy Learning Academy 2101 NW 39th Ave Gainesville Florida 32605.  We are a very small Charter School K-4.  62 "KIDS enrolled.  We are adding 5th Grade next year.  We are earmarking our BoxTops earnings this year to purchase a Smart Board for the new classroom.  We are going to need a "LOT" of help to raise $3000.(cost of the Smart Board).  Will (can) you help by notifing as many school Coordinators in our BTFE community.  Any amount of Boxtops will be greatly appreciated.  I am in AWE of your advice and acomplishments you have Given to our BoxTops community.  THANK YOU Sooo Much!!!!!  May we ALL acheive Our Goals.  Please send your BoxTops to the above address. attn papaed. 

I was at a meeting for Box Tops a couple weeks ago with several different schools.  One person had a flyer that had the bar code for smart phones.  If you have a smart phone you can scan the box on the flyer and that would I think, sign you up?  How do I find that flyer and information?

Wow -  that conversation seems to have gone WAY off topic.  To get back to the collection box idea, Cookie77....I made a collection box and went to the store manager and asked if we could put this near the service desk or exit door.  Since we are the elementary school closest to his store, he had no hesitation.  We usually get at least $100/ year in boxtops from this store. Once it was so packed, that they put it in the back office until I came by to ask for it.  It was too packed to put ANYTHING else in.   I think their in-store sampler saves them for us, along with lots of customers.  It's great!  Be sure to put your contact info on it and your school name.  I keep one in my office break room also and encourage parents to put them in their offices, too. 

I have made small collection boxes from old Kleenex boxes and put them at the grocery store(we only have one), the 3 convenient stores, and the Dollar General. Even though I'm not a Coordinator (I would love to eventually because our current one isn't entirely motivated, focused, and enthusiatic like I am) I've taken it upon myself to get as much given to our school as possible. My son loves creating and putting the box tops on the collection sheets and he's not even attending yet, he will next year. I've also placed Box Tops Wanted on our Freecycle page and have gotten great responses back from people, even those who aren't in our city but still in the same county. I have only started collecting Box Tops this year but turned in $50 already a couple months ago and my son and I have managed to get another $23 already this month. I have also gotten my in laws to place little cannisters at there work (call centers) for employees who would normally just toss the empty products. But now those employees can help a school. Just because they don't have a child in school or live in that city doesn't mean they can't support a school. I just remind people when they throw products away that have box tops they are throwing away money that a school could use for equipment or supplies for the classroom. I also do the online marketplace but not nearly as much because I don't do a whole lot of online shopping. But I have used facebook to be able to connect with family and friends across the states to benefit my child's soon to be school.