Why are parents fundraising for a playground? Shouldn't the school have come with a playground?
We hear this question often. Currently there is no room in Provincial budgets to build a playground when a new school is opened up . It is expected that parent groups such as Friends of Okotoks Westmount School Society be formed to fundraise. Although this is a large task and may not make sense to most of us; this experience has given us an opportunity to develop an amazing sense of community both within the school walls and with the businesses and people that surround us. It has allowed the children to work towards a goal and in the end they will have a sense of pride when they walk onto the playground knowing that their efforts help make it possible. So although this seems like a long frustrating road I urge you to try to see the benefits we will get from this and continue to support us in our efforts.
I have heard that you can raise a lot of money in a Casino, why aren't you having a casino?
FOWSS is in the works of applying for a casino. You have probably heard that this is an excellent way to raise a lot of money in a short period of time. We are in the process of applying for a casino, but because this is a relatively easy way to raise money there is approximately an 18 month wait to get a casino. So, in the meantime we have opted to raise funds in other ways.
What happens if you raise all this money then get a casino?
Although the Playground is our goal right now FOWSS will continue to fundraise for other things in the school after the playground has been built. we will continue to support Westmount school for things such as materials for the library. the music department, extra phys ed equipment etc. Rest assured though our fundraising, once the playground has been built will not be as intense!
How do I get involved.
The more the merrier. If you are interested please e mail us at westmountschoolsociety@gmail.com we typically meet the last Tuesday of the month at Westmount School, You are more then welcome to stop by.
How can I help?
There are many ways you can help:
1. Support our fundraisers
2. Donations requiring tax receipt you can make payment to the Foothills School Division, just request that your donation be allotted for the Westmount School Playground , these donations are not eligible to use towards the matching grant.
3. Donations that do not require a tax receipt, payment can be made payable to Friends of Okotoks Westmount School Society. We would be happy to issue a receipt but it cannot be used for income tax purposes as a charitable donation.
4. You or your business can purchase a bench or picnic table with your company logo on it, benches and tables will be installed at the time of the playground and will be situated though out the school yard.
5. SPREAD THE WORD! The more people that are aware of our efforts the quicker we will reach our goal .
Friday, 9 November 2012
How Close Are We.....do the math!
An installed playground for a school the size of Westmount carries a price tag of approximately $189,000 dollars. This number is quite daunting at first glance. So I thought that perhaps maybe we should break down the numbers....
1. First of all we are eligible to apply for matching government grants. So if we raise $95,000 we can apply for a $95, 000 grant .
2. The Friends of Okotoks Westmount School Society has raised almost $25 000 to date through various fundraisers and donations
3. In addition to the $25, 000 we have there is approximately $36, 000 in trust with the Foothills School Division that is to be used towards the playground but is not eligible for the matching grant.
4. There are 693 students at Westmount school, when you break it all down we really not very far away from reaching our goal to have a playground installed by the end of the 2012-13 school year.
We Need $189, 000
We have in Trust with Foothills School Division $36, 000
This being said we now need $153, 000
Divide this number by 2 to get the total we need to raise for matching grant $76, 500
$76, 500 minus the $25, 000 we already have = $51, 500
$51, 500 divided by 693 (number of students) $74.31 per student!
1. First of all we are eligible to apply for matching government grants. So if we raise $95,000 we can apply for a $95, 000 grant .
2. The Friends of Okotoks Westmount School Society has raised almost $25 000 to date through various fundraisers and donations
3. In addition to the $25, 000 we have there is approximately $36, 000 in trust with the Foothills School Division that is to be used towards the playground but is not eligible for the matching grant.
4. There are 693 students at Westmount school, when you break it all down we really not very far away from reaching our goal to have a playground installed by the end of the 2012-13 school year.
We Need $189, 000
We have in Trust with Foothills School Division $36, 000
This being said we now need $153, 000
Divide this number by 2 to get the total we need to raise for matching grant $76, 500
$76, 500 minus the $25, 000 we already have = $51, 500
$51, 500 divided by 693 (number of students) $74.31 per student!
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