Folks at Sippican School are hoping to raise a little money for extracurricular activities while making the back-to-school ritual for parents both easier and less expensive.
The Marion School Committee on June 7 approved a new fundraiser with “SchoolKidz,” a subsidiary company of Staples, which allows parents to purchase the entire school supplies list for each grade level in one kit.
Teachers from each grade submit their supplies list, as well as an additional “wish list” for extra optional classroom supplies such as tissues and other office-like teacher supplies to offset the teachers’ costs.
The kits, which are 100 percent voluntary for parents, are customizable and coded for each grade level, and will be sent to the school one week before the start of the next school year.
The benefit: not only does it make it easier to purchase all the list items in one fell swoop, but it also offers a cost savings to the parents and an extra boost to the school fundraising efforts.
The kits range in price from $25 to $35, depending on the grade.
School Committee Chairman Christine Marcolini said she loves the idea, since the school is always looking for ways to save parents money and make things more convenient for parents, students, and teachers.
“I like the idea of the cost savings for sure,” said Marcolini, but she questioned the logistics of establishing a fundraiser like this one so close to the end of the school year.
Although the service will be offered to parents under a tight timeline, said one VASE representative to the committee, it is completely optional and would still be delivered in time for the first day of school.
“I think that this one would really benefit the parents as well,” said committee member Kate Houdelette.
The next scheduled meeting of the Marion School Committee is September 6 at 5:45 pm at the Marion Town House and will start with a tour of Sippican School.
Marion School Committee
By Jean Perry