Let's Cross the Finish Line Strong

Dear Archway Families,

A highlight of fall at Archway is the annual walkathon—an event as colorful and exciting as our community itself—and this year's event was no exception. 85% of our students participated; and along with a number of costumed dogs, siblings, teachers, and supporters, we enthusiastically came together to raise money for our school's visual and performing arts programs. On top of that, the walkathon (as many of you are aware firsthand) is produced entirely because of the efforts and countless volunteer hours of its planners, all of whom are parents, and all of whom are invested in its success. Once again, the Archway community has stepped up (literally) to put feet where mouths are in a meaningful and gratifying demonstration of community support.

In a time of economic queasiness, it takes a little more courage than usual to ask friends and grandparents and colleagues for their pledges. With that in mind, the good news and the not-so-good news are the same. The goodnews is that walkathon pledges, based on preliminary calculations, total around $14,500. The not-so-good news is that pledges, based on preliminary calculations, total around $14,500.

Why? Even taking into account the pledge amounts not yet turned in, we are not on target to reach our goal of $20,000, and what's more, our enthusiastic participation belies the fact that the average per-student contribution appears thus far to be at an all-time low. Regardless of the reasons, we urge you to think about the following:

25% of the pledge sheets submitted at the Walk-a-thon were blank.

40% of the pledges we are expecting, based on the pledge sheets submitted at the Walk-a-thon, have not been turned in.

$60 per family is the average cost to host this event including incentive prizes.

If you did not sign up any pledges or if you have not collected all of your pledge money please consider a donation as a way to show support for your child's efforts and to cover the costs of the walk-a-thon -- the food, prizes, and all the fun activities throughout the day. There is no minimum contribution requirement, and any amount helps.

Without question we all feel in some way the effects of the current economy. Perhaps some of us feel uncomfortable about being asked to support the Annual Fund while also trying to raise Walk-a-Thon pledges. You may feel you have done what you can do, and we want you to feel no less appreciated.

Our Walk-a-thon chairs have said that they need ALL PLEDGE MONEY BY THIS WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29 IN ORDER FOR PARTICIPANTS TO BE ELIGIABLE FOR INCENTIVE PRIZES. Please help your children meet this final deadline and turn pledges in to Angela or Kym in front office of either campus. You may choose to write a single check to cover the whole pledged amount and then collect individual pledges at your leisure. Make checks payable to Archway School, with your child's name on the memo line, and please, no cash.

We appreciate all of your contributions and hard work. Thank you, once again, for illustrating the heart of our community so brilliantly.



Sincerely,

Bridget Rivezzo

Development Director