Welcome Back!

Another school year has officially begun! It got off to a soggy start at the Orientation Carnival September 1. We were up and running less than an hour when the heavens opened and ... well, let's just say the demand for Sno-Kones was far surpassed by the demand for a square foot of dry space under the Boosters tent.

To serve those families who were unable to make it to our booth before the weather turned, we are going to set up a table outside the school on Wednesday, September 15 from 2-3 p.m. At that time we will be taking orders for South Arbor merchandise (sweatshirts, polos, and house shirts), and accepting Booster Plus donations. We will also have a small quantity of mugs and other South Arbor merchandise for sale. Please make plans to join us!

Have you heard about Boosters Plus? This is the second year of the program, in which South Arbor families make a tax-deductible donation ($100 or more per family is suggested) to be used to benefit the educational environment of our children. Because charter schools receive on average $1800 less per student than traditional public schools, it is up to us as parents to make up this difference.

Last year Boosters held the Spring Auction and School Store to supplement our Boosters Plus income. However, this year Boosters Plus must bring in the lion's share of the money we need to support the school committee projects -- so please be as generous as you can. Thanks so much to the 20 families who have donated so far -- and to the 100 Boosters Plus families from last year!

Last year we heard from several families who hesitated to donate because they didn't know where the money was going. To respond to those concerns, we are inviting families to fill out a short survey, to let us know how you would like to see the money spent. The results of this survey are intended to guide the South Arbor Leadership Team (SALT) who is responsible to allocate Boosters funds.

We will post the results of this survey here on the blog, as well as the the results of each monthly SALT meeting. We believe it's important that donors have an opportunity to express their wishes and preferences. If you would like to express those in person, please join us at our first Boosters meeting of the school year, which will be held on Wednesday evening September 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the Parent Room. Our focus this year is to build up the Boosters Team, and to give parents an opportunity to participate, so our children will have a truly great school year!

If you would like another copy of the letter and/or donor form, please contact Heidi Saxton or stop by the Parents Room. If you are unable to contribute the full amount right now, feel free to make your contributions in installments -- say, $25 a month between now and December. Just note that this is your preference on the donor form, and we can send you a reminder each month. Although we are requesting $100 or more per family, no gift is too small - and every gift is appreciated (and tax deductible!). Please fill out your form and place it with payment in the secure Booster Box (on the back of the bathroom door in the Parent Room) or mail it directly to the school.

Thanks in advance for your generosity!

SABC Year-End Report

The following is an accounting of the expenses and allocations for this school year to date. Full report (including details of income and expenses/allocations) will be available at our Cinco de Mayo event on May 5, 2010 from 5-7 p.m.

This year the SABC raised approximately $22,000 from Boosters Plus, Spring Auction, and School Store (income less expenses). This means we ended the year a little over a thousand dollars short of where we started the school year. (Details will be available at Cinco de Mayo.) Because we do not anticipate running the Spring Auction in 2011 (our co-chairs are retiring), our Boosters Plus program will need to compensate for this lost income if we are going to sustain existing programs and respond to new requests.

This year Boosters/SALT approved the following expenses and allocations:

Expenses and Allocations:
Column A: Expenses (Spent with approval of SALT between 9/09 and 3/31/10)
Column B: Allocations (Approved by SALT, anticipated spending between 4/1/10 and 7/1/10) Column C: TOTAL Expenses and Allocations

Academic Programs: (A) $708.93 (B) $625 (C) $1333.93
(Science Fair, Spelling Bee, Literacy Night, etc.)
Athletics: (A) $0 (B)$2290 (C) $2290
(Soccer goals)
Band: (A) $1331 (B) 0 (C) $1331
(Memberships, tuba, medals)
Boosters: (A) 457.58 (B)$1373.82 (C)$1831.40
(Website development, storage, vending machine)
Building and Grounds: (A) $52.98 (B) 0 (C) $52.98
(Tulips and paint)
Health and Wellness: (A) $291.00 (B) $217.35 (C) $508.35
(First Aid, CPR, etc.)
Hospitality: (A) $2674.75 (B) $1500.00 (C) $4,154.75
(Teacher Conference Dinners, Teacher Appreciation, etc.)
Library: (A) $1170 (B)0 (C) $1170
(Library bags)
Moral Focus (A) $1195.52 (B) $3425 (C) $4620.52
(Food for Soul, quarterly pizza parties, year-end activities)
Teacher Requests (A) $873.39 (B) $401.75 (C) $1275.14
(School supplies, equipment, and resources)
Other (A) $1274.25 (B) $300 (C) $1574.25
(Orientation, Dad’s Pizza Night, Giving Tree)
(Total Expenses – Spent and Allocated by SALT) ($20,162.32)

Additional Anticipated Expenses – 5/1/10 – 9/1/10: $3,700.00, including ...
* Orientation - $600
* 6th grade camp deposit (loan) - $1500
* Booster Plus mailing - $300
* Dad's Night - $500
* Encyclopedias - $300
* Field Day (May 2010) - $500

TOTAL EXPENSES: (20,162.32) (Spent and allocated)
TOTAL EXPENSES: (3,700.00) (Anticipated)

April is BOOSTER'S PLUS for Teachers!

From April 1 through May 5, Boosters is sponsoring a targeted fund raiser as part of the Boosters Plus program. We are raising money to (1) give each of our teachers a classroom and field trip spending allowance, and (2) to purchase recess equipment for use during indoor and outdoor recess.

Families who make a tax-deductible donation to the Boosters Plus program will have their donation go directly to this cause. Just fill out a form (on the Boosters Bulletin Board in the Parent Room) and place it with your check in the locked box on the back of the bathroom door in the Parent Room. The suggested per-family donation is $100 -- all contributions are welcome.

Be sure to join us on Wednesday, May 5 for our special "Cinco de Mayo Celebration," when we will celebrate the end of the fund-raiser. Bring your family to enjoy good food, fun activities for the whole family ... music, dancing, and lots of fun! Family Fun Packs (4 admissions and activity tickets for $20) on sale throughout the month of April.

Boosters Plus families will receive one free admission.

Boosters Plus Tax Receipts

Are you looking for your donation receipt for donations to Boosters' Boosters Plus Program?

The receipts will be in the office next week (Tuesday through Friday) for you to pick up. Any receipts that have not been picked up by Friday will be sent through the mail.

Questions? Contaxt Kathy Tucker or Heidi Saxton.

Thanks for participating in the program, and supporting Boosters!

"Where is my tax receipt?!?!"

For those who donated to Booster Plus (or other Boosters program), please know that your 2009 tax receipt will be coming to you this week through "child delivery service."

Keep an eye on those backpacks!

Boosters Plus: Free Jean Day Ahead!

If you joined Boosters Plus this year, you should have received a coupon for a "free jean day in November."

Today Mr. DiLaura told me that you can choose between two days: Either wear your jeans on Thursday, November 19 . . . Or if you're in the Blue House and already get to wear jeans that day, you can wear them on Wednesday, November 24.

If you have not yet joined Boosters Plus, but would like to get in on the free jeans day, just put your $100 check in the Boosters Box in the Parent Room this week!

Questions? Contact Heidi.

Anonymous Donor contributes $1300 to Boosters Plus!

Yesterday the most amazing thing happened ... The pastor of the church that meets in our school stopped by the office and handed me a check for $1300, which an anonymous donor had given to the Boosters Plus program!

What a blessing to our whole school! And how inspiring to know that such generous hearts are remembering and supporting us during these hard times, when we are working so hard together to meet our goal.

Today and tomorrow we will be holding our Holiday Store in the Parent Room, our "Santa's Store" (hosted by the 8th graders to fund their Washington Trip), the Scholastic Book Fair, and the NJHS Jean Day Raffle (to contribute toward our Giving Tree, which has been set up in the hallway by the library). A number of South Arbor Families have also set up tables to sell their products and services -- be sure to stop by!

WE DID IT!

C

o

n

g

r

a

t

u

l

a

t

i

o

n

s,

South Arbor Families!!!

We received our final four donations today! That means we have met our first Boosters goal for the 2009-2010 school year! It also means we are eligible for the $800 grant!

For those of you who have not yet sent in your checks ... It's not too late! We want to raise $50,000 this year -- 1/10th of the money that was lost through state funding. No gift is too small; every gift is appreciated . . . and tax deductible!

Stay tuned for additional Boosters Plus challenges, coming soon to a classroom near you!

Orientation Night Was a Great Success!!!

I want to thank all our terrific South Arbor families who attended Orientation Night last night, and responded with such generosity to the Boosters Plus program.

As I mentioned last night, South Arbor lost about $500,000 in state funding for this school year, due to across-the-board budget cutbacks. Our goal for Boosters this year is to make up 1/10th of that . . . $50,000. More than ever before, we need to work together to give our teachers and kids the resources they need.

We have received a "challenge grant" from two South Arbor families, which would give us an additional $800 if we manage to get four more families by Friday morning. You can send your check to our PO Box (261, Milan MI 48160), or you can drop off your check in the Boosters Mailbox in the Parents' Room (the plastic box on the back of the restroom door).

We are also still looking for families who are willing to donate $25/month between now and December, and receive their $100 contribution tax receipt in January. Even if you cannot give the full $100, we appreciate donations of any amount. Thank you for supporting South Arbor Boosters!

Booster Plus .... "Challenge!!!"

Boosters has received $800 in matching grants from two anonymous South Arbor families.

The first seventy-two families who donate at least $100 on or before Orientation Night can release this money! Each time 18 families sign up, South Arbor Boosters will receive an an additional $200 donation. That's $8000 for our teachers and kids!

Are there any other challenges out there? Let's work together and make Boosters Plus a success! Send your check today to ...

South Arbor Boosters Club
PO Box 261
Milan, MI 48160

News Alert: Boosters Plus Is On the Way!

The Boosters Plus mailing should be hitting your mailbox any day now! I'd like to thank those who helped me get this new Boosters program off and running: Laura Holiday, who designed the letterhead, and Kathy and Marley Tucker and Jerlee Bond, who worked for four hours to get the letters ready to mail. (Thanks also to Andrew Tucker, who babysat our children so we could focus on the mailing!)

This year we're asking each family for a tax-deductible donation (rather than having a lot of smaller, less-profitable fundraisers during the school year).

Be sure to bring your checkbook to the New Parents Picnic or Orientation Meetings. Let's work together to meet our goal!

If $100 seems like a stretch for you right now, why not challenge your kids to find ways to raise a few bucks? A garage sale or lemonade stand, a bake sale, mowing a few lawns ... At South Arbor, we get a private school education for the cost of a public school. Let's all do our part to support our school!

South Arbor Boosters Plus

The South Arbor Booster Club is a non-profit (501 c 3) organization that supports the teachers and programs at South Arbor. Last year we funded or subsidized the following:

Science Fair

Writer’s Fair,

Teacher Appreciation Activities,

Parent Orientation,

Dad’s Pizza Night,

Chess Club,

House Picnic,

Field Day,

Special assemblies,

Quarterly house pizza parties,

Library bags for new students and kindergarteners,

New tuba for the band,
Hands on Museum night,

Accelerated Reading Program,

Drama Club (subsidy),

Spelling bee,

Middle school fish t-shirts and discipline incentive program,

Soul food dinner,

Playground upkeep.

Won't you please consider making a tax-deductible, annual $100 donation to support the South Arbor community? Bring your checkbook to Orientation, join Boosters Plus, and get a thank-you gift! Or send your check, payable to "South Arbor Boosters Club" to

South Arbor Boosters Club

PO Box 261

Milan, MI 48160

Welcome to South Arbor Academy Boosters!

On behalf of the faculty, staff, and other parents at South Arbor Charter Academy, I'd like to welcome you to our "Boosters Blog"!

About a month ago I got involved in Boosters, and discovered what a busy, dedicated group of parents we have at South Arbor. The Booster Club provides financial and moral support for the other groups that serve the school:

* The Academic Committee arranges for educational enrichment opportunities such as Chess Club, Robot Club, Culture Club, and summer enrichment opportunities. The Academics Committee President is Jennifer Young.

* The Athletics Committee organizes special fundraisers and events to help South Arbor Student sports programs be the best they can be. The Athletics Committee President is Katie Rittenhouse.

* The Health and Wellness Committee raises awareness and educates our parents and students concerning the physical wellbeing of our community. The Health and Wellness Committee President is Beth Peterson.

* The Hospitality Committee coordinates events for teachers, community members, and students including Teacher Appreciation Week, Parent Orientation, Principal Coffee Meetings. The Hospitality Committee President is Stacey Foley.

* The Library Committee helps our librarian, Mrs. Keefer, get the resources she needs to help our students learn and grow. The Library Commitee President is Cheri Elwell.

* The Moral Focus Committee provides events that help our students grow in "global virues" such as integrity, compassion, service, self-control, and perseverance. The Moral Focus Committee President is Klaycie Browning.

* The Parent Ambassador is responsible for recruiting and welcoming prospective families to the South Arbor community. The Parent Ambassador is Laura Holiday.

* When special needs arise -- such as a tuba for our Music Department, or bleachers for our gym -- the Leadership Committee works with Boosters to provide for these needs.

Like every school in Michigan, the money we receive from the state doesn't begin to cover everything our children need to reach their full academic potential. Unlike many schools, however, South Arbor has not sacrificed the quality of its enrichment programs -- including art, music, foreign language, and physical education programs -- thanks to the dedicated efforts of our parents, who volunteer their time and resources to support our kids and their teachers.

In the coming months, we will be introducing new programs that will maximize the effectiveness of our current Boosters projects. Check back here frequently to find the latest information!

If you have any questions, drop us a line at southarborboosters@gmail.com.

Have a great summer!

Heidi Saxton
VP Boosters, South Arbor Charter Academy