Music Annual Fund
Music Annual Fund – 2009-2010
Frequently Asked Questions about the LMMA Annual Fund Drive
FAQ: Why are we conducting this Annual Fund?
As parents and business professionals, we know fundraising is necessary for every school. However, it is not necessary to expose all of us to spending hundreds of hours planning a gala, dinner, raffle or calendar/gift-wrap event. We want to focus on the need to accomplish our goal in a simple, straightforward manner.
FAQ: What are the objectives for this year?
To have 100% family participation in the fund.
Raise $35,000 to expand both the primary and elementary music curriculums.
FAQ: Why expand the music curriculum?
As Montessori teachers, we believe that the musical experience for the child should be organic and continual throughout their school day. We approach music as a way of awakening the child’s soul. It is an integral part of the child’s learning and provides vibrancy and enriches each day. For this to occur, the teachers need specific music training and expanded musical instruments need to be purchased for both primary and elementary programs.
FAQ: How much are we expected to give?
Consistent with the long-standing “LMMA Community Approach” and the specific objectives for this year, we would like for you to provide as much or as little as you can. No contribution is too small—100% participation is the key to our success. This is our school and our community; knowing that every family participated demonstrates the sense of community that we have. Due to the confidential nature of the Annual Fund, only Scott and Sheila are in receipt of the checks.
FAQ: How does it benefit my child?
Primary Children: The children will have the benefit of having their teachers attend two levels of MusikGarten training. The children will have a rich curriculum designed for children ages 3-6 taught to them. They will have trained primary teachers, a Music Specialist teaching (2) eight weeks cycles of music curriculum, and have access to a complete set of rhythm and percussion materials readily available in their own classroom.
Elementary Children: The children will benefit by having an expanded component of musical instruments available for Mrs. Troum, our Music Specialist. This will enhance the amount of time each child will have to play on the instruments. Additionally, their classroom teacher will have training on how to integrate music into other areas of the classroom.
FAQ: Why should I give if my children may not be attending school at LMMA next year?
You may still want to participate in the campaign for a number of reasons: to thank the school for what they have provided your child, to provide the benefit for your child next semester, or simply to provide an ongoing legacy to our school.
FAQ: Why is there a committee working on this and not Scott and Sheila?
There is a long-standing practice in schools to not have the leaders of the school directly involved in these fundraising activities. Scott and Sheila are focusing on the operations of the school. We have volunteered our time to help improve the school. However, Scott and Sheila will be the only individual’s privy to the collected funds.
FAQ: Why can’t the tuition increase cover these investments?
The focus of the tuition is on everyday operations. We are choosing as parents to invest in our school and children to enhance and enrich their overall music development.
FAQ: Who will be conducting the training and purchasing the instruments?
Jill Hannagan, a National Trainer for MusikGarten with 20 years of experience will train the primary teachers.
The first training session will occur in November and the second session in May.
Julie Troum, our Music Specialist, will train the elementary teachers. She holds B. Music from the University of Miami, a M.Ed. in Music Education from UCF, a Doctoral Candidate in Music Education from The University South Florida. She will train the elementary teachers.
An AMS certified trainer will visit to train us on the Montessori Bells. This session will be two days.
Sheila Linville, Liz Stiers, and Julie Troum will purchase the materials.
FAQ: How can I help and what is the deadline?
You can help by simply participating and sharing your enthusiasm with others. Remember what this community stands for and how we have achieved what we have. We are successful based on our selfless participation in our children’s lives. We would like all contributions by October 30th.
FAQ: How will I be recognized? Why don’t we have a master list of contributors like other charities I give to?
Scott and Sheila originally suggested a formal recognition. The committee discussed this and felt that any money raised should be recognized in a manner consistent with the “LMMA Community Approach”. We want to highlight the 100% contribution, not the level of contribution. The committee values the sense of community over individual recognition. Sheila will personally pen notes to thank each family.
FAQ: Why are the children being asked to contribute?
Consistent with LMMA’s pillar of “life-long commitment to give something back through service to others who are in need”, we believe the children should see that giving back to their school is important and valued.
We intend for the children’s contribution to be a token and to allow them to participate in the excitement.
FAQ: Why are we asking “Friends and Family” to contribute?
At the suggestion of the committee, last year we sent out a “Friends and Family” letter asking families to pass this along. Aunts, Uncles, grandparents and friends responded and gave. So it is with this that we want to share their grandchild’s school life with them. We feel that their grandchild is a gift to us. We will ask at the Back to School Night if there is a family who wishes that we do not contact the grandparents or other family and we will be respectful of this request.
FAQ: Who are the Annual Fund committee members? Can I contact them with questions?
Yes, you may contact them as they have graciously provided their information below
Dottie and Allan VonDette dvondette@embarqmail.com
allanv@embarqmail.com
Cheryl Fitch Cheryl.Fitch@hewitt.com
Chad Drummond cddrummond@gmail.com
Lisa Vratanina lisav@tpcflorida.com
Nathalie VanderStichele nbruynooghe@imcg.us
Chris MacInnis cmacinnis@cfl.rr.com
Montgomery Escue Montgomery.escue@agenergy.com
Reid Oetjen roetjen@ucf.edu
Maria Zankl mariazankl@gmail.com
Rob Zankl rzankl@gmail.com
Parents may find these sites helpful to grasp the Orff Approach:
Additional Information:
http://www.sd68.k12.il.us/schools/devonshire/musicsite/Houseproject/index.html
Primary Music Objectives
Meaningful Music Learning
Annual Fund Update
2009 FAQ – {pdf download}
Annual Fund Newsletter
