Pepper Ridge Elementary School

The staff and PTO of Pepper Ridge Elementary are sensitive to the need for monitoring how much families are being asked to spend on school related expenses, especially with respect to fundraising. Given this sensitivity, I would like to share the following shift in focus related to money families may be asked for throughout the school year.

Field trips and special activities:  Each year, classes may take a field trip or participate in a special activity that requires a small fee, usually less than $5.00. While we try to limit this, please understand that no child will be denied participation in such activities due to the inability to pay such fees. Please notify the teacher in charge if you have difficulty paying fees related to field trips or special activities and we will be happy to help.

Fundraisers:  We are attempting to move away from all fundraisers that encourage students to sell items door-to-door and/or ask parents to purchase items that they would not normally purchase on a regular basis. For example, the PTO profits directly from programs such as SCRIP and Market Day, yet neither program sells anything that most households don’t already purchase. The school also receives a percentage of the profits from special arrangements with local businesses such as Office Depot on an ongoing basis and occasionally from various eating establishments. 

Student Council:  Occasionally, students raise money for various causes through our student council. These funds benefit groups such as United Way and Adopt-A-Family. Also, student council will sometimes have a one-time fundraiser in response to an unexpected need in the national or global community. Experience has shown us that as a result of tragedies such as these, not only can we help the victims and their families, but our students also come to realize that they have the ability to make a contribution to the world outside Bloomington, IL. 

I am very proud of the support our families give to the students and staff of Pepper Ridge.  Thank you for making a difference with our children!

Diana Coombs

Principal