Friends of BNS-BCS

        Each year, Friends of Brooklyn New School-Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies (BNS/BCS) raises money to support the activities of the schools and the PTA through its direct appeal and its fundraising events. Each year, some parent asks “why should I give money to a public school?,” “how much money is raised?,” “where does the money go?” and “how does it get spent?”

        Last year, through Friends and school-based fundraising activities, approximately $150,000 was raised.  Friends of BNS/BCS is a not-for-profit corporation established for the benefit of our schools, with a board of directors composed of parents from both schools.  Friends operates as the fundraising committee of the PTA as well as the financial manager of the monies that are raised.

       $   About half that amount was raised during the readathons and other events, for the  

       environmental overnight trips - Frost Valley and Camp Speers-Eljibar.

        $     Almost a third was spent on things that enrich the curriculum in the two schools such as the teaching artists from BAX, middle school boat building, middle school dance costumes, the primitive technologist who works with the fourth grade, first grade community gardening, etc.

        $    Fifteen percent was given to teachers as stipends to spend on their classrooms.

        $    The rest went for parent handbooks and directories, work day expenses, child care and snacks for meetings

      Each year, the PTA puts together a budget outline to guide spending for both schools and for the shared community.  Parents, teachers and administrators come to PTA meetings to present projects and request support.  The monies are voted on and approved by the PTA.

      So why give?  You give to your child’s classroom and for their trips, why more?  The activities and projects supported by the PTA generally involve a whole grade or grades and that enriches a part of the curriculum.  These activities impact on a school, the whole building or to strengthen our community.  Most importantly, the PTA funds make all of the trip and curriculum enrichment experiences available to all the students - regardless of the ability to pay. Your donation is tax-deductible and the money raised through this direct appeal goes for the little things that make a big difference for our schools 

                                                                                                           Thank you,

                                                                                                           Friends Co Presidents