Fundraising

How PTA Funds Support Green Hills

We have great teachers, but they need updated classrooms and tools to teach effectively. That’s when the PTA steps in to help. Here is a list of school activities, community events, supplies and services that are funded or supported by our PTA:

WAYS TO GIVE

There are several ways for you to participate and donate to Green Hills through various planned fundraisers throughout the year. 

FAQs

We know that all of the various ways to donate to the school can feel overwhelming. We aim to make the process transparent and easy for families to understand how all of the various funds are used.

If you have more questions, please email us at info@greenhillspta.org or send us a message on Facebook.

Q: Why should I donate to the Annual Fund?

A: The fund provides a way for all our children to benefit from programs that are not funded or underfunded by the state and school district. Donations to the fund will be used to buy more laptops and help students learn valuable skills such as online research and typing. Standardized testing for 3rd-5th grade also require computers. To see more details on how the Annual Fund is used, visit our Annual Fund page.

Q: How do Millbrae Education Foundation (MEF) and PTA support my child's education?

A:  MEF and PTA both support your child’s education in complementary ways. PTA provides school-specific support, while MEF provides support for the whole district, including hiring teachers and funding district-wide programs. Supporting both means a better school system, which is better for all of us.

Q: Why do I need to donate to MEF and PTA if Measure N already passed?

Funds donated to MEF and PTA provide additional enrichment and support to further improve our children’s education. Measure N funds are estimated to only add approximately $270 per student. These dollars cannot replace your donations as they are committed to support hands-on STEM instruction, attract and retain qualified teachers, strengthen reading and writing programs, and restore art and music programs. Both Measure N funds and your generous support for MEF and PTA are needed by your children.

Q: I already pay for property taxes, doesn’t this money help our schools?

Some Millbrae residents pay a relatively high amount in property taxes because of high property values. Unfortunately there is no relationship between the amount any resident pays and the money received by our schools. The school district budget is effectively determined by the state and not by local property taxes. The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) means that all districts receive funding based on the average daily attendance (ADA) of students. The higher the attendance rate, the higher the funding received. Additional funds are distributed based on student demographics and socioeconomic status.

Q: What if I cannot afford to pay $300?

A: Any donation amount from your family will help to benefit your child and his/her education. $300 equates to $30/month while your child is at school. It is a small investment for a large impact on their education. You can consider making 3 monthly payments of $100. Alternatively, consider donating your time and talent by volunteering for the PTA and the school. There are many volunteering opportunities which cater to different needs.

Q: I thought public education is free. Why should I donate?

A: California ranked 41st in K-12 education spending for the year 2013. Free public education does not provide for activities which enhance the quality education our children receive at Green Hills. For example, enrichment programs such as Art, Music and Technology are not available, as well as community building activities, and technology resources. 

Q: What is the Corporate Matching Program? How can I find out if my company offers this?

A:  This is an easy and great way to double the impact of your donation! Your employer may match your donation to Green Hills Elementary PTA and MEF.  Check doublethedonation.com/millbraekids and enter your employer's name to check if they will match your donation and how to start the process. Your employer may need this information:

Q: Why does the PTA pay for field trips?

A:  State funding does not include field trips which enhance our children's education through hands-on learning. Did you know that the buses used for field trips can cost $500 - $700 for one grade? Students and teachers rely on the PTA to fund the field trip costs including ticket prices and transportation to the venue are not funded by the school district.  With enough donations, we hope that all grades are able to take one or two field trips each year.

Q: What school supplies do I need to buy?

A:  The Green Hills Annual Fund will pay for school supplies for the entire school. This means no back to school shopping so please donate to the Annual Fund.

Q: How do I become a PTA Member?

A: With your $300 donation, you can opt in to be a PTA member. Please join us at our first PTA meeting in Sep via Zoom. You can also find more information on our website at www.greenhillspta.org. 

Q: If I’m not a PTA member, can I participate in events or volunteer?

A: Yes, everyone can participate in any events or volunteer, membership is not required. We encourage everyone to join and get involved. However only members can vote on how funds raised are spent throughout the year.

Q: How else can I help the PTA and the school raise more money?

A: There are many ways you can help:

Q: How do other school districts have more funding than Millbrae Elementary School DIstrict?

Other school districts receive funds beyond minimum LCFF/state/federal funding through local revenue sources. This includes donations from their education foundations, parcel taxes and other site-based revenue (e.g. school facility rentals). A stronger education foundation is also essential to provide a competitive, well-rounded education for all our children.