Also from Blair HS - Independent Activity Fund Creativity at Blair

Here is a creative idea from the Blair HS Administration on how to get more money into your independent activity fund account. The letter was distributed in senior English classes (and thus is publicly available to all, not those just on the list or in those classes).

1. Overcharge your senior parents for graduation costs in October, by setting a higher than needed senior class fee based.

2. Limit the distribution of information to families by requiring that the student attend English class to receive the letter or the families read the listserve. Note that Blair HS has approximately 2800 students, but their PTSA yahoo list has 662 members, not all of them have current Blair students. The Blair announcement only list has 199 members, but some families have more than one account).

3. Add lots of caveats to obtain a refund
a. signatures of both parents and students
b. return must be requested within a limited time (less than two weeks)
c. Offer a donation option.

And the default position is. . . .
4. School gets to keep the refund if families don't respond.

Way to Go Blair!

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Senior Parents:

Please read the following letter carefully. For those that this applies, letter must be signed by both Parent and Student. Please allow two weeks turnaround time for check reimbursement. The deadline for return of this form is March 6.

Thank you for your help in this regard.

Dear Senior Parents:

We are happy to announce that we are adjusting the senior dues for the Class of 2009 based on recent cost and expenses for using the Comcast Center. Instead of the $35 senior dues, the new amount is $16.50. For those parents who have already paid the senior dues or senior package, you have the following options:

Option 1: Request a refund; check in the amount of $18.50

Option 2: The difference of $18.50 can be applied to the cost of the prom tickets

Option 3: Apply the difference to any outstanding obligations

Option 4: Donate the difference to help assist students with financial hardships

We are still encouraging our parents to pay the senior dues as soon as possible. All money orders and checks should be made out to Montgomery Blair High School. Payments can be made at the financial window during lunch or after school to Ms. Franklin.

We thank you for your cooperation and flexibility.

Sincerely,

Danyel Hartfield

Senior Class Sponsor

Darryl L. Williams

Principal

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Class of 2009 (who have already paid the senior dues)

Please complete and return to Ms. Franklin by March 6, 2009

Full Name (print) _________________________________________

Student ID # ___________________

_____Option 1: Request a refund; check in the amount of $18.50

_____Option 2: Apply the difference of $18.50 to the cost of the prom ticket.

_____Option 3: Apply the difference to any outstanding obligations

_____Option 4: Donate the difference to help assist students with financial hardships

Student’s Signature: __________________________________________

Parent’s Signature: ___________________________________________