Make Up the Difference Campaign

Budget Crisis -- 2010/2011 School Year

Available for download: 
1. Principal's Report
2. BNS stoop sale flyer 
3. BNS moveable feast flyer
4. Suggested fundraising letter

 Please read the Principal's Report.  You will note the Items At Risk are:
1. Substitute Teachers 
2. Teaching Supplies (i.e. reading materials, paper, educational aids, etc.) 
3. Enrichment Programs (Early Intervention, Science)

In order to get our budget, such as it is, we have to increase our class size which means an extra 30 students in total: specifically, kindergarten and 1st grade will be increased to 25 students per class, 2nd - 5th grades will be increased to 28 - 30 students per class.

If we run out of money for substitute teachers, classes will be split up and sent to other classrooms when teachers are absent.  Imagine the challenges that will create, adding 8, 9 or more students to a classroom of 25 or more for however long the teacher needs to be out. Anna said we would have to use the first money that comes in (from fundraising) toward supplies. This would mean our kids would no longer see Barbara, our wonderful science teacher, etc.  Science with Barbara is one of the joys of our kids' time at school.

Our budget has been cut by $188,864.00. This comes to $417.00 per child.  We talked about how some of our families might be able to afford this, and perhaps even a bit more.  Consider the cost of a week's worth of summer camp...

Friends of BNS/BCS holds funds raised for BNS intiatives and BCS initiatives. Friends also raises money for building-wide initiatives.

How To Donate:

  1. Step 1: Go to NYCharities.org (enter amount + Indicate One-Time Donation)
  2. Step 2: Select "Donate Now" button 
  3. Step 3: Enter credit card payment information

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Below are some of our “MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE” initiatives that we hope you can join. 
Here are 3 things we can do over the summer.

1) Stoop sales and lemonade stands – Hold your own BNS “MAKE UP THE
     DIFFERENCE” stoop sale this summer and donate the profits.  This
     is a great way to raise money for our school and get rid of your old
     stuff.  If you decide to hold a stoop sale,
     don’t forget to send a notice about your sale to Park Slope Parents on the
     Thursday prior so that it’s included in their weekly stoop sale round-up.
     Get the kids involved: have them sell their toys or set up a BNS “MAKE UP THE
     DIFFERENCE” lemonade and bake sale
     stand.  And here’s a link to the Park Slope Parents website which has
     some great tips on how to hold a successful stoop sale: The PSP Guide to Successful Stoop (http://www.parkslopeparents.com/index.php?option=com_wordpress&p=11&Itemid=711)

2) Movie night – Help us make up the difference by joining us for family-friendly a movie night one night this summer on a roofdeck. $10 fee (includes popcorn), $15 fee (includes wine + popcorn). Date, time & movie will be announced soon! Email: Briam@hotmail.com for schedules. 

3) Throw a summertime ‘moveable feast’ – Get together with a few neighborhood friends, charge a ticket price that goes to BNS and plan a moveable feast. Appetizers at one house, main course at another and dessert at another.