Hi Everyone,
Well we have survived the first week of school and we are starting to gear up for Howard’s biggest fundraising event! For the veteran parents at Howard – you know the drill, but for all the new parents here is some info about this amazing school event.
What is the Fall Fete?
We are fortunate to live in such a vibrant community and Fall Fete is one of the many events that makes Howard so special. For returning families and those new to Howard, the Fall Fete is always a great family fun day, as well as being one of the school’s top fundraising events!
This year’s Fall Fete will take place on Saturday, October 15th from 10am to 2pm.
Come out and enjoy Fall Fete Classics like:
- Spooky Haunted House
- Talent Show run by Michael Johnston Music Studio
- Popular Cake Walk (spin the wheel, win a cake!)
- Terrific hot lunch available at the Lunch Table and the bake sale
- Deep-fried Goodies prepared by our FryDaddies
- Wine Raffle and Basket Raffle
- Games for kids of all ages
- Face Painting, Cookie Decorating, Bouncy Castles
- Used Costume and Book Sale
- Extensive Silent Auction
- Fortune Teller
What do we do with the money raised by the Fall Fete?
As parents, we are aware that our children at Howard enjoy many enriched learning experiences that most schools in the TDSB do not. These “extras” that we have come to accept as our standard are entirely self-funded. Examples include:
- Visiting artists and scientists in the classroom
- Field trips, classroom supplies, books, school computers
- Graduation parties, end of year potluck, parent workshops, the learning garden
Each of these programs/enriched supplies are purchased with funds raised by us, the parents, through fundraising activities run through the Howard Home and School Association (formally known as the PTA). We are very fortunate to live in an area where the culture of giving is as strong as it is, and the parent volunteers are so dedicated! H&S raises approximately $60,000 each year for the above activities.
The Fall Fete accounts for approximately 1/2 of our fundraising dollars, but, more importantly, it acts as a tremendous community builder and is a great opportunity for parents and their children to spend time together, and for you to meet other parents at the school. And yes, it is also a ton of fun!
How can you get involved?
This year’s Fall Fete will be a success only because of parent volunteers and their donations. There are several ways to get involved:
- Donate your time: before, during, or after the Fete.
- Donate items to the silent auction, book/costume sale, gift basket raffle, wine raffle, make a treat for the bake table, or a cake for the popular cake walk.
This year, many “old guard” parent volunteers are moving on with their children to other schools, and we are looking for new volunteer blood (metaphorically speaking) to grow the event and keep it successful!
We know that this year we need help with: the Silent Auction, Set-up and tear down, the Games, the Wine Raffle, and the Bouncy Castle.
Want to find out more? Come to our Fall Fete Meeting/ Social being held at High Park Lofts Rooftop Meeting Room (7th Floor) at 437 Roncesvalles Ave on Monday September 19th at 7:00pm. There will be refreshments served:)
You can look for more information on how to donate or volunteer to be brought home by your child or by subscribing to our HPS blog at howardpublicschool.com. Also, keep up-to-date on all Fall Fete news at www.fallfete.ca or by following us on Facebook at Howard Public School Fall Fete and on Twitter@HowardJrPS
If you are interested in knowing more, want to get involved, or have some great ideas/suggestions for the Fete, you can email Erin at erin.mccaughan@gmail.com or use the contact form at the bottom of the Fall Fete page.
Thank you!
Howard Public School Council 