FAMILY INVOLVEMENT & PARTICIPATION

The Montessori School of Louisville views the school as a learning community and values family participation. As in any successful Montessori school community, we expect parental involvement and understanding of the Montessori philosophy. Volunteer opportunities are available from morning to night, daily, and on the weekends. Parents can be found volunteering in the classroom, in the boardroom, as well as in the lunchroom. Not only do parents benefit by these growth opportunities, but also these occasions set examples of reverence, respect, responsibility, and resourcefulness for our students to model.

Appeal from the Heart Campaign

Annual Operating Funds
At Montessori School of Louisville (MSL), we are no different from other schools that rely heavily on fundraising activities to achieve their annual operating budget. In fact, statistics show that schools similar to MSL generate an average of 20-30% of their annual budgets from fundraising activities. MSL is new and working up to that average. The 2008-9 fundraising goal is less than 15% of the annual budget.

MSL strives to keep tuition as affordable as possible for our students. Comparing MSL’s tuition to other private schools in the Louisville area, reveals MSL to be a true value.

Building on Success
Last year, MSL’s second year of operation, was a tremendous success. Since the inception of MSL, enrollment has doubled. Fundraising activities last year enabled MSL to purchase beautiful Montessori materials, provide professional development for teachers and launch the accreditation process. As you can see, unlike at larger schools where it may be difficult to see the impact of your donations, your children do directly benefit from your contributions and gifts.

To continue the success experienced thus far, MSL must rely on the generosity and philanthropy of its families and friends. We have developed a robust Annual Fund calendar for the 2008-9 school year. The calendar involves many fun and rewarding activities for the entire family, including MSL’s first annual Harvest Festival and first annual Butterfly Benefit, an auction gala.

Appeal from the Heart
Appeal from the Heart is our drive to solicit from each family whatever financial gift would be feasible given your personal situation. Any contribution is meaningful. Your pledge can be added to your FACTS contract.

MSL is respectful of the fact that some families may not be able to contribute $315 throughout the year. That is why we encourage each family to reach out to those you know who also have an interest in seeing MSL succeed. Grandparents, friends who are considering MSL as an option, corporate partners, even those who simply want to see the Louisville community thrive. We know that working together, we will make great strides this year. Thank you for your continued support.

A Goal for Families
There are many ways to raise our goal of approximately $315 per student. There are many events throughout the year to help us achieve that goal. As an example, please see below how an average family may arrive at the $315 per student contribution.

	Appeal from the Heart Annual Fund Employer Match Holiday Shopping in For Small Hands $2,000 spent on Target Visa Sell holiday gift wrap to coworkers Sell 15 Flapjack tickets	$100 $50 $50 $20 $35 $60
	Total Contribution	$315

In addition to specific events, ongoing activities such as Kroger Gift Cards, Target rebates and Box Tops for Education provide further opportunities to support MSL.

Ongoing Fundraising Opportunities
We have several ongoing fundraising opportunities for family and friends to participate in through out the year. Please take a minute to look over some of the ways that you can support our school.

Kroger Cards - family and friends can purchase from the school a reusable Kroger shopping card for 5 dollars which come loaded with 5 dollars (making it free). You then can load money onto the card and use the card to purchase your groceries. Our school gets 4% of the money spent using these cards.

Greenraising - Montessori School of Louisville has partnered with an online fundraising company that sells eco-friendly cleaners, fair trade craft items, reusable bottles and bags and many other fine items. You can shop at www.greenraising.com and enter the code 519 for our school. We will receive 25%of the sales from this site when our code is entered.

Target Credit cards and Meijer Rewards cards- you can request a pamphlet from the school with information on how to sign up for these opportunities or you may pick up a pamphlet at a school event.

Box Tops for Education - Families and friends can collect box top coupons off of specially marked products and turn them into the collection box at school.

Coke Rewards - This is a new opportunity for families to help earn gym equipment and books for our school. Just save your Coke rewards codes found on Coke products including 12/24 packs and individual bottle caps and turn them into the collection box at school. You can find more information about what products the codes are found on at: www.mycokerewards.com

Terracycle Recycling program - Collect empty foil lined drink pouches (Capri sun, Honest Kids, etc.) and foil lined granola or energy bar wrappers and turn into school. We get 2 cents for each pouch or wrapper turned in. This is also a great way to recycle and keep these www.terracycle.com things out of landfills.

Goodsearch - Change your browser homepage to Goodsearch.com, and each time you search MSL will earn approximately $0.01. The first time you log in, be sure to select Montessori School of Louisville as the charity you want to support- and then choose “verify”. www.goodsearch.com

Please check back for more information about Kroger cards
and other ways to support our school.

Tax-deductible donations can be sent to:

Montessori School of Louisville, Inc.
10263 Champion Farms Drive
Louisville, KY 40241