Dear Parent,

As you will remember from our discussion during last months all-parents meeting, our school is again participate in the Great American SpellCheck—and this year we need to make it a key fundraising activity in the life of our St. John’s community. Students from First through Eighth Grades. Now that the children have had a month to collect pledges, each family should by now each have a long list. If you need additional pledge form a PDF is attached to this posting.

The Great American SpellCheck is designed to be a program that erases objections many parents have to traditional fund-raisers. It makes sure 100% of the money raised benefits our school, involves no students knocking on the doors of strangers, and is rooted in academics. One PTA president whose school used spelling to raise $6,000 said it “is now our No. 1 fund-raiser” (Wall Street Journal, March 29, 2007).

Here’s how it works: Your child studies 50 spelling words and collects pledges from family and friends for every word that he or she spells correctly on the Great American SpellCheck 50-word test. Your child improves his or her spelling skills and our school enjoys the financial benefits!

Our goal is to raise $10,000 - $20,000.00 for our school’s strategic plans and development.

Here is the Great American SpellCheck fund-raising timeline:

•    Friday, February 4^th, 2011: Students begin in earnest to study the words appearing on their Great                American SpellCheck Study Words sheets. Also, students collect pledges from family and friends. We        hope every student can collect at least $200.00 worth of potential pledges—but some families have            shown that far more is possible!

•    Monday, February 28^th, 2011: Students must return pledge sheets to School Official/Teacher.

•    Tuesday, March 1^st, 2011: We will conduct the Great American SpellCheck.

•    Wednesday, March 2^nd, 2011: Teachers send home with each participating student the student’s graded     test and pledge form.

•    Friday, March 18^th, 2011: This is the deadline for supporters to return their pledged funds.

•    Friday, March 25^th, 2011: This is the day when we plan to treat/activity/honor for the top class/grade           /scorers/fund-raisers.

We ask that you:

•    Help your child learn to spell correctly the 50 Great American SpellCheck study words.

•    Indicate your level of support on the Great American SpellCheck Pledge Form (attached). Also, ask family     and friends to make pledges.

•    Ensure that your child returns the pledge form to their homeroom teacher by Monday, February 28^th,              2011.

I hope you share my excitement about your child’s participation in the Great American SpellCheck. Together we can encourage strong spelling skills and help our school meet its fundraising needs.

Sincerely,

 St. John’s Administration