PTSA Direct Drive Fundraiser

B.F. Day PTSA’s Annual Direct Drive Fall Fundraiser. This fundraiser is the only direct appeal to the parents for contributions to the PTSA to fund the efforts into fulfilling its mission around “enabling the success of each student learner.” This includes supporting hiring of much needed staff, like counselor and support teachers, grants to support teacher enrichment programs and materials, as well as some targeted social support programs for families of our students.

Some fun facts around Direct Drive…

1. Direct Drive usually accounts for greater than two-thirds of PTSA’s revenue.
2. About one-third of the Direct Drive collections come through employers’ matching programs. So, if your employer matches your giving, be sure to take advantage of it to amplify your contribution.
3. While we have a goal for raising money, the focus is always around hitting participation targets for the whole school. One of the more ambitious goals for every year is 75% all school participation where participation is measured by just the return of the pledge cards. We have managed to cross 70% the last few years, and we’re hoping we can meet the 75% threshold this year!

Wide-Ranging impacts of PTSA Support For Previous Years

• Academic Support
  • During the 21- 22 school year, 43 students in K – 2nd grade met in small reading groups 3-5 times per week, instructed by a support teacher partially funded by PTSA. Within 3 months, 37% of targeted students had either met or nearly met grade-level standards in reading. Exiting Kindergarteners within this group, (now first graders), showed tremendous growth; 60% of them tested above grade level on the beginning of the year assessments in 22-23.
• Social-Emotional Support
  • The PTSA continues to fund .5 of our school counselor’s position, allowing Mr. Taylor to be a full-time counselor at B.F. Day. Mr. Taylor was a finalist for the 2021-2022 Seattle Public School’s School Counselor of the Year.
  • Outcomes from a full-time school counselor include:
    • All students were supported through a comprehensive school counseling program in the 21-22 school year.
• Supporting families in need
  • Coordinated monetary and clothing support for 20 families, totaling approximately $ 5,000 for families furthest from educational justice.
  • Conducted 32 home visits to support families in need. 
• Classroom Lessons
  • 62 classroom lessons on subjects including, but not limited to, empathy, problem solving, anti-bullying, mindfulness and academic anxiety. Each classroom received at least three lessons.
• Small Group & 1:1 Counseling
  • 71 students served through weekly small group sessions (6-8 weeks)
  • 149 students served through weekly one on one sessions (6-8 weeks)
  • 86 students served through unplanned, walk-in counseling support
    • Topics included: anxiety, family separation, depression, academic confidence, emotion regulation, and social skills.
• Family Support
  • The PTSA funds a “Families in Need” program to provide clothing and monetary support for 20+ families. B.F. Day PTSA also contributed to a PTSA equity fund to ensure that PTSAs across the region can meet their needs.

We will share more specifics about the Direct Drive in the B.F. Day Dayette!