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Thanks for your interest in receiving easily implemented public relations and
fundraising tips specifically for your school. Read on to learn more about
reaping the PR benefits of reaching out to your extended families.
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Should you have any questions about any of my day school services, please call me at (516) 569-8070 or send me an email.
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Greetings!
Yes, it's Rosh Chodesh ... and a leap year. Yet, that
doesn't mean that Purim and Pesach are not around the corner. If you haven't
been making a special effort to reach your extended family - students' aunts,
uncles and grandparents - Im Lo Achshav, Eimatai? If not now, when? |
| Mi Dor L'dor - Embrace Your Students' Extended Families!
| Purim and Pesach are
family events. In many ways the fruits
of your labor will be guests at every Purim Seudah and Pesach Seder
that your
students attend. A preschool child's handmade mask, handcrafted frogs
(that
jump everywhere during the Seder), a high school student's insightful Divrei
Torah; all are concrete examples that epitomize your school
during the Chagim. Now is the time to think
about inviting your student's extended families to be your guests as
well. If
you don't have one, start your own Intergenerational League. Whether you
call
it a Grandparent/Special Person Association, Mi Dor L'dor Club, or KesherConnection, your goal is to involve grandparents. Let me show you how.
Dedicated Events
Conduct these annually, at least at the K-8 level. Depending
on the nature of your school, staff, and volunteers decide which is most
practical: a weekend or after hours event? A weekday event? Options include:
Sunday Breakfast
Malave Malke
Evening program
Daytime assembly followed by in-class programs or projects
Collaborate with your staff; let their strengths shine. The
dramatic teacher might have student "radio show hosts" interview
grandparents, while the artistic teacher's students create a project with their
grandparents, the history buff's class works on an oral history project or
genealogy tree, the literary teacher's guests write collaborative poetry, and
the "curator's" guests explain the significance of the family
"artifact" they brought to share with the class. Not enough time? Teachers
can also involve their guests in the regular curriculum. They key is not making
your teachers work harder: it is creating opportunities for sharing and caring.
Follow-up
Take a picture of each child with his or her guest and then
mail it to the guest in an inexpensive frame embossed with your school's name
and the event's date. The picture taking is not only a Kodak moment: it is an
opportunity to collect contact information.
Invite/Involve Grandparents Throughout the Year
Don't underestimate your grandparents; they are interesting
and interested. Of course, you should encourage their attendance at plays,
chagigot, and special events. But, get to know them. Poll them. In addition to
discovering a wealth of talented people who will be happy to speak at your
junior and high school career days you may discover a cadre of dedicated
volunteers ready to share their expertise.
Give or. . . Give to Get
The adage "it's always better to give than
receive" may seem counter-intuitive from a fundraising point of view. However, first you give.
Promotional Items
Give inexpensive tokens. Key rings, mugs, and letter openers
emblazoned with "I love my NAME OF YOUR SCHOOL student" will get
daily use.
Student Creations
Hand crafted ritual objects will be treasured. Although I
set my Seder table with crystal and china, my Seder plate, Matza cover, washing
cup, Afikoman bag, and pillows were created by my children. Their grandmothers
are similarly proud to use their hand made Challah boards and Chanukiot (full
disclosure: the children are now 26 and 23).
High School Administrators
If you are thinking, "well this is fine for lower
schools, but our schedule is too demanding," please think again. Sure,
Thanksgiving pageants, Chanukah Chagigot, and model Sedarim have been replaced
by the growing demands of your pre-college dual curriculum. How can you turn grandparents
into integral partners? Perhaps some are honored speakers at Yom Ha Shoa
programs. Invite them to speak at Career Night, Family Life Day, and other
programs as well. See if they might be interested in serving as mentors or
sharing their skills in your office, art room, or lab.
You've Got Mail
Stay in touch with your extended families on a regular basis
... enough to be informative but not too much to be annoying. Relatives will be more receptive to your
solicitations if you are not asking for money each time you contact them. A quarterly newsletter or monthly email
update will suffice. (Please do not bombard extended families with emails or
you'll end up in a "time-out" a/k/a junk mail box!)
As Jewish educators, you embrace the mandate of passing our
precious legacy from generation to generation. Invite the previous generations
to help the torch burn brighter as, together, you pass it along to tomorrow's
leaders.
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Should you have any questions about implementing this inter generational
plan or about any of my day school services, please call me at (516) 569-8070 or send me an email.
Until the next issue, Kol Tuv!
Sincerely,
Candace Plotsker-Herman Creative Communications
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