School Community Nights That Pop!

Thanks to Chuck E. Cheese's for this great guest post! 

Hit a homerun this Back to School season with a community event school families will be talking about all year!

Back to School Night: Looking to pull off the best Back to School Night ever? Even among the chaos of meet-the-teacher, volunteer SignUps, and fundraising announcements, PTA groups can find memorable opportunities to leave a lasting impact on school parents. Post QR codes parents can scan with their mobile devices (or custom shortlinks) that take them to online volunteer SignUps – preventing long lines at the volunteer table. Don’t forget food – even mini refreshments like coffee, water and cookies can make a difference. And find fun ways to encourage participants to socialize the night too like bringing the school mascot in for a special appearance so families can take selfies with them and post on facebook and Instagram. 

Chuck E. Cheese’s Family Night: Great fundraisers bring school families together AND celebrate teachers! When you plan a school fundraiser at Chuck E. Cheese’s, the restaurant offers all teachers in attendance at your fundraising night a free meal, PLUS 15% back on all checks to your school. There’s something for the kids, too—ten free tokens. It’s super easy to get started, and Chuck E. Cheese’s provides both promotional materials to help you spread the word and a very special visit by Chuck E. Cheese himself to your school the afternoon of the big fundraiser. Learn more >

Movie Night: Screen a family-friendly movie in the school gym on a Friday night that ties into your school’s fundraising goals, i.e. raising money for the school garden? Screen an ‘eco’ movie like Happy Feet. Trying to fund new school technology? Screen a tech-minded family movie like Wall-E. Check for required licensing and copyright fees and raise extra dollars by charging admission, selling concessions like popcorn and movie candy.

Game Night: Board games are making a huge resurgence and this is a great opportunity for your school to take advantage! Encourage families to donate gently used board games for this school event, or use fundraiser budget to purchase new games which families can “win” in a tournament style game night at school. Charge admission and boost profits with a concessions stand and a booth where you sell school spirit wear.

School Appreciation Night: Set up the gym for a night of appreciation where students (and parents) can create notes, cards and small gifts of appreciation not just for teachers and staff, but for local community leaders and public servants, i.e. the volunteer fire department, and for our troops abroad. Offer supplies and envelopes, provide snacks and make sure to take lots of photos for the yearbook!