Ways & Means

Tuition covers only part of the cost of educating the children. Therefore, each family has agreed and signed a contract to earn a required amount of Ways and Mean money through fund raising or by paying the amount due. This 2004-2005 school year, the Ways and Means commitment is $150.00 per child.

Fundraisers

Fundraisers are held throughout the year in which a percentage of what you sell will count toward your Ways and Mean. Some fundraisers that are held annually are the Gift Wrap Sale, the Jog-a-Thon, SCRIP and Schoolpop. You may choose which fundraisers you would like to participate in.

You should note that some fundraisers like Football Mania, March Mania, the Golf tournament, the GALA, the 8th grade candy sales, and the student council fundraisers DO NOT count toward your Ways and Means credit, but do help other programs like technology, the athletic facilities and equipment, the school endowment fund, graduation, the library and student council.

SCRIP

SCRIP is the purchase of gift certificates to local stores and restaurants. You buy the gift certificates at face value and the school gets a percentage of the purchase. The percentage donated to the school varies and the donated percentage is what is credited to your Ways and Means. This is a very easy fundraiser and it doesn't cost you any more than you would be spending anyway. Also, family, friends and co-workers can participate. JC Penny's and Macy's allows you to pay your credit card bills with SCRIP gift certificates.

The SCRIP program works as follows:

• Gas cards and a other stores are available in the School Office daily from 9 to 10 a.m. We also make this SCRIP available to buy at Sunday Masses.

or

• You may order your SCRIP. You will receive an order form weekly in the Weekly Bulletin.
• Fill the form out with what you want to buy.
• Send it back to school Monday morning with your check.
• Your supermarket SCRIP will be available on Monday after school, in the car line or at Kids Club.
• The other SCRIP will be available on Friday. after school - again in car line or at Kids Club. If your child leaves early, you may collect your SCRIP order at the office.
• Look at the latest scrip merchant list from the Scrip Advantage.
• Any questions can be sent to the scrip coordinator.

eSCRIP

Vons shoppers can register their Vonsclub cards with eSCRIP to earn Ways and Mean credit. eSCRIP is an electronic SCRIP program. You may also register credit cards and a percentage of purchases will be credited to your account for participating stores. There is no longer a $10.00 annual fee for this program. Please visit the eSCRIP web site for more information and to sign up. Here is a pdf of the registration form. If you sign up other people who do not attend St.. Elizabeth, be sure to inform us of their name so you can get the proper credit. Don't forget to make your recommittment to Vons annually on the Web by the end of October. Also review your valid end date on any other cards you register.

Ralph's and Food 4 Less are now a paperless system. If you haven't already done so, sign-up your Ralph's club card with the ESCRIP coordinator. For Food 4 Less, you will need to get a card from the ESCRIP coordinator and then fill the number on the card on a form.

Schoolpop

If you shop online, visit www.schoolpop.com. With Schoolpop, shop the stores you like on the web (over 250 retailers like Gap, ToysRUs and Barnes and Nobles) while benefiting St. Elizabeth. A few stores, like amazon.com. do not give us the information about individual family purchases. There is a list of these stores on the Schoolpop web page. Should you make a purchase from one of these stores, please send a copy of your e-receipt to the SCRIP committee so we can credit your Ways and Means. Renew your magazine subscriptions via schoolpop. Our school ID is 0149252.

Target Take Charge of Education (no Ways and Means Credit)

Target stores will donate 1% of all Target credit card purchases to a school of your choice. Please sign up St. Elizabeth as your school.. Unfortunately, Target does not supply a list of Parents who are participating in this program so we are unable to give credit for this Fundraiser, but your participation is appreciated. Sign up at any Target Store at the check out or visit www.target.com.

Office Depot - Give back to the schools program. (no Ways and Means Credit)

Office Depot will donate a percentage of purchases to a school of your choice. Please specify St. Elizabeth as your school. Unfortunately, Office Depot does not supply a list of Parents who are participating in this program so we are unable to give credit for this Fundraiser, but your participation is appreciated.

Ways and Mean Statements

1-2 times a year, you will receive a statement showing your Ways and Means progress. In June, you will receive a Ways and Mean Bill with any outstanding balance. This must be paid by the end of the school year. If you would like to find out your Ways and Mean Status any other time or you have any Ways and Means questions, send email to Teresa Smith.