Dear Peirce Families,

We’re writing to ask for your support of the 2024-25 Annual Appeal for donations to the Peirce Parent/Caregiver & Teacher Organization (PTO).

Every caregiver of a Peirce student is automatically a member of the PTO and benefits from its work to support the Peirce community! This year (the 2024-25 school year), the Peirce PTO is forecasted to spend a total of $76,753 (about $309 per student) on:

• Creative Arts & Sciences programs (3 enrichment programs for all students in each grade)
• Support for our Teachers, Staff & Principal (e.g., stipends to offset the cost of supplies, staff appreciation initiatives)
• Community Events & Programs (e.g., Back to School Picnic, Movie Night, 4th & 5th Grade Dance, Multicultural Night, Family Dance)
• Technology purchases for the building and classrooms (e.g., projectors, document cameras, charging carts)
• Educational Enrichment Initiatives (e.g., library books, anti-bias workshops, Community Impact initiatives)
• Other School Support (e.g., building improvements, 5 th grade graduation support, Color Day supplies, etc.)
• Grounds Improvement (specifically the new semi-circle bench at the front of the school and two honorary benches to be installed this Spring in the playground area)
• The PTO’s Operating Budget (While powered exclusively by volunteers, the PTO is an independent nonprofit organization and requires a small operating budget for accounting software, the website, insurance, and the like.)

The Peirce Mystery Dinner ticket sales, directory advertising, and other smaller sources of revenue have generated a total of $19,688 so far this year. During budget planning, the PTO also decided to use savings from past years to support the cost of the benches and some community events thus leaving a gap of $29,012 (about $117 per student) to raise via Annual Appeal fundraising by March 31, 2025. Achieving this goal will allow the PTO to fully fund this school year’s budget and ensure the long-term sustainability and financial health of the organization.

For more details regarding the 2024-25 financials, see below. We have also compiled an FAQ document related to how the PTO raises and spends money that you can find at www.peircepto.com/FAQs. If you have further questions, please contact [email protected].

If your family can, please consider giving to the Annual Appeal. Every contribution is appreciated and every child at Peirce benefits from the money raised. All donations are 100% tax-deductible.

Ways To Donate:
Check: Peirce School PTO (mail to 170 Temple St., West Newton, MA 02465)
PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/PeirceAA
DAF: Peirce PTO Tax ID: 04-3534763

Thanks so much for your consideration! We are grateful for the generosity and support of the Peirce community.

Kathryn Thorndike, PTO Fundraising Chair
Abby Blake & Erica Chamberlain, PTO Co-Presidents