Radburn PTA Survey FAQ

Thank you to everyone who completed the PTA Planning Survey. We received helpful feedback about fundraising, events, after-school programs, communication, volunteering, and how families would like PTA funds used next year.

Below are some of the biggest themes and questions that came through.

SURVEY TAKEAWAYS

What were the biggest takeaways from the survey?

Families value what the PTA provides and appreciate the current level of communication and support.

The strongest priorities were:

Student assemblies and enrichment
Student wellness and social-emotional learning
Teacher grants and classroom support
Playground and outdoor improvements
School community events

The survey also showed that families have different preferences. Some want fewer fundraising asks and a simple donation option. Others want more family events, after-school programs, and community-building opportunities.

The PTA’s job is to balance those needs while being realistic about funding, space, volunteers, and school priorities.

What did families say about communication?

Overall, communication feedback was very positive.

Families most often reported getting PTA updates through WhatsApp, Mrs. Lindsay's Weekly Update, PTA emails, and Facebook.

We will continue using multiple communication channels because families receive information in different ways. We also heard that advance notice is helpful, especially for working parents and families balancing multiple schedules.

What does the PTA do besides fundraise?

The PTA is not just a fundraising group.

The Radburn PTA supports student programs, assemblies, enrichment, teacher/classroom needs, school traditions, family events, communication, and volunteer coordination.

Fundraising is one tool that helps make these things possible, but it is not the PTA’s only purpose. The PTA also helps build school community, gather parent feedback, support teachers and students, and create opportunities for families to be involved.

FUNDRAISING

How does the PTA decide how many and which fundraisers to run?

The PTA tries to fundraise with intention, not just for the sake of fundraising.

Each year, we look at our budget, planned programs, school needs, past fundraiser results, volunteer capacity, and feedback from families. Fundraisers are chosen based on whether they support a clear goal, provide value to students or the school community, and are realistic for volunteers to run.

The Read-a-thon has been very successful, which means the PTA does not currently need to add several additional large fundraisers. We also try to be mindful of how often families are asked to give money or participate in fundraising activities.

Our goal is to raise what we need, spend it thoughtfully, and balance fundraising with student experiences and community-building events.

Why doesn't the PTA offer a simple donation option instead of fundraisers?

Some families said they would prefer making a single donation rather than participating in fundraisers.

For families who prefer that option, the annual Read-a-thon already allows direct donations and larger contributions. Many families choose to support the PTA that way.

At the same time, other families asked for more family events and community-building opportunities. The PTA tries to balance both preferences.

Most PTA fundraisers take place outside of school hours. The exceptions are the Book Fair, Pumpkin Sale, and Plant Sale, which are also student experiences. When we hold the Pumpkin Sale and Plant Sale, we try to keep them inclusive by offering every student a free item with no obligation to buy.

Why doesn't the PTA bring back the 5K/Color Run, or Tricky Tray?

Several families mentioned missing events like the Color Run, 5K, Fun Run, or Tricky Tray.

These are fun ideas, but they are also large undertakings. They require volunteers, planning time, vendors, insurance considerations, permits or approvals, and a clear fundraising or community-building purpose.

Since the Read-a-thon currently funds many PTA priorities, we do not need to add another large fundraiser simply to raise money. That said, we heard the interest and may continue exploring whether a future version could work as a community event if there is enough volunteer support.

Why can't the PTA just raise more money and figure out how to spend it later?

The PTA does not fundraise just to build up extra money. As a nonprofit organization, fundraising should be tied to our mission and to specific programs, projects, or student benefits.

The Radburn PTA also does not make all of its own rules. Many of our financial procedures, approval requirements, fundraising guidelines, and nonprofit responsibilities are based on IRS rules for 501(c)(3) organizations, as well as guidance from New Jersey PTA and National PTA.

Spending PTA funds also takes planning. New programs, assemblies, events, and school improvements often require research, pricing, school approval, insurance or contract review, volunteers, and membership approval.

Having money available is only one part of the process. We also need clear goals, executable ideas, and volunteers ready to help carry them out.

PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Why doesn't the PTA offer more after-school programs?

Many families requested more after-school options, especially sports, STEM, coding, cooking, art, chess, dance, yoga, and wellness programs.

One important clarification: not all after-school programs at Radburn are run by the PTA. Some programs mentioned in the survey, including programs like Code Ninjas, Chef It Up, and Mad Science, were Board of Education or Community School programs, not PTA programs.

The PTA has to work within the space and schedule available to us. The Board of Education gets priority for school space, and Community School programs and aftercare also use classrooms and gym space.

The PTA also tries not to compete with programs already being offered by the BOE or Community School. For example, if a cooking class is already being offered through another school-affiliated program, the PTA would typically look for a different type of enrichment instead of duplicating it.

What new community events did families suggest?

Ideas included:

Game night
Movie night
Family paint or craft night
Bingo
Mahjong night
Dance
Restaurant night
Book swap
Parent night out
Mini carnival or family spirit day

The PTA will review these ideas based on cost, space, volunteer availability, and whether they are realistic to execute.

How can families help bring a cultural celebration or tradition to Radburn?

Several survey responses mentioned interest in celebrating more cultures, holidays, and traditions at Radburn.

There are two good ways families can help make that happen:

Volunteer or suggest an assembly/vendor to the PTA.
Families can email Culture@radburnpta.org with ideas, contacts, performers, presenters, or vendors who may be a good fit for cultural programming.
Share directly with your child’s class when opportunities are offered by the school.
Mrs. Lindsay recently shared in the Weekly Update that if your family celebrates a holiday or tradition and would like to share a tradition, artifact, or story with your child’s class, families are welcome to reach out.

Parent input helps make these celebrations more meaningful, authentic, and inclusive.

GETTING INVOLVED

Why doesn't the PTA offer every idea suggested in the survey?

We love hearing new ideas, but every event or program needs volunteers, planning, school approval, space, and a realistic budget.

Before adding something new, the PTA has to ask:

Do we have volunteers to run it?
Is there available space?
Does the school approve it?
Is there enough family interest?
Is it affordable and realistic?
Does a similar program already exist?

Many great ideas can only happen if there are volunteers willing to help lead or support them.

Why doesn't the PTA offer virtual or hybrid meetings?

Several families said virtual meetings would make it easier to participate.

The main challenge has been technology. A successful hybrid meeting requires more than opening a laptop. We would need reliable equipment, microphones that can pick up multiple speakers throughout the room, stable internet, and someone with the technical experience to set it up and manage it during the meeting.

PTA meetings often include board members, administrators, committee chairs, and parents speaking from different parts of the room. We want virtual participants to be able to hear and participate meaningfully.

We understand the interest and will continue exploring options if we can find the right technology and volunteer support.

How can more parents get involved?

The PTA is volunteer-run, and many programs depend on parent help.

Some families said they want to volunteer but cannot always attend meetings or sign up quickly enough when spots are first posted. We hear that feedback.

The PTA will continue looking for ways to make volunteer opportunities clear, accessible, and manageable. Some roles require being in school during the day, but others can be done from home or with a smaller time commitment.

If there is an event or idea you care about, volunteering to help plan it is one of the best ways to make it possible.

QUESTIONS THAT WEREN'T ASKED, BUT ARE HELPFUL TO EXPLAIN

Do I have to attend meetings or volunteer if I join the PTA?

No.

Joining the PTA does not require you to attend meetings, volunteer, or take on a committee role. Membership helps support the PTA and gives you a voice in the organization.

Families can be involved in many different ways: joining, reading updates, completing surveys, attending events, volunteering once, helping from home, joining a committee, or serving on the board.

Any level of involvement is appreciated.

Who gets to vote on PTA decisions?

PTA members vote on certain PTA business, including the annual budget, budget changes when needed, officer elections, and other items that require membership approval.

The PTA Board helps organize and recommend plans, but PTA funds belong to the organization and are managed through PTA procedures, not by one person.

This is one reason membership matters, even for families who cannot attend every meeting.

Can the PTA advocate for things it does not directly control?

Yes, but with limits.

The PTA can share parent feedback with the school or district, but it does not control everything families asked about in the survey. For example, aftercare capacity, BOE programs, Community School programs, classroom space, staffing, and some facility decisions are not controlled by the PTA.

When an issue falls outside the PTA’s authority, the PTA can help elevate feedback, suggest ideas, or connect families to the right school or district contact.

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