F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)

So, what is P.I.E anyways?!?
So...is P.I.E. just about fundraising?!?
But there's going to be fundraising, right?!?
So..does that mean that we are going to be inundated with the typical door-to-door sales fundraisers?!?
So...how else can I support P.I.E.?

So, what is P.I.E anyways?!?

 P.I.E. stands for Partners in Education.  We are Chatfield's parent partnership organization, similar to PTA, PTO or PTC at other schools, but like Chatfield School itself, different and unique in many ways. 

Our goal is to foster and encourage true partnership between parents and Chatfield School.  All parents and staff are wecome and encouraged to participate in P.I.E. meetings and activities.

 

So...is P.I.E. just about fundraising?!?

NO - our goal for P.I.E. this year is to introduce all the new parents into the Chatfield community (and to re-engage some of those Chatfield parents who have been around a while) and provide opportunities for everyone to get involved.  We hope to plan several family activities, and even offer some topical and informative guest speakers/educational opportunities to help with the challenges that we all face as parents of school-age children.

 

But there's going to be fundraising, right?!?

The reality is, that part of supporting the school does require monetary funds.  Traditionally, P.I.E. has financially supported the school by providing a set amount of funds to each classroom to help defray the cost of field trips and/or to help provide additional supplies to enhance the learning environment.  In addition, in the past P.I.E. has also helped in supporting larger projects on the Chatfield campus such as purchasing computers, playground equipment, a climbing wall, etc.  We hope to continue this practice for the 2014-15 school year.

 

So..does that mean that we are going to be inundated with the typical door-to-door sales fundraisers?!?

NO.  Our goal is to avoid "selling" fundraisers if at all possible this year--but that doesn't mean we don't need to raise funds to support the school.

Last year we piloted the "Chatfield Family Contribution" program, in which we asked each Chatfield family to contribute a suggested donation of $50 to support P.I.E. initiatives--in lieu of traditional fundraisers.  When we surveyed parents at the end of last school year, responses were overwhelmingly in favor of the program.  In fact, even parents that noted that they were not able to contribute due to financial circumstances told us that they were in favor of the program.

In addition, we encouraged Chatfield families to partipate in programs like "Meijer Rewards", "Box Tops for Education" and "Applebee's Dine to Donate" that through generous corporate programs allowed familes to help raise funds for P.I.E., simply by spending money they were likely to be spending anyways.

Acting on feedback from parents, we are also looking to expand these types of opportunities to include Target's "Take Charge of Education", "SCRIPS" and "Market Day"...more details will be communicated in the coming weeks!

So...how else can I support P.I.E.?

First, by coming to P.I.E. meetings and sharing your thoughts and ideas.  Our goal for this year is for every family to attend at least one P.I.E. meeting during the year.  At the first meeting of the year, we will set the meeting dates and times for the remainder of the school year to provide ample time to plan on attending--and we hope to alternate between daytime and evening meetings so that everyone has an opportunity to attend. 

Throughout the year there will be plenty of opportunities for parents to give of their time and talents, in small ways, so that P.I.E. can raise funds and support activities without there being an undue burden on just a few parents.

Volunteer Opportunity Examples