At Douglas, every dollar raised by our community carries meaning—and responsibility. The Douglas Revitalization Fund was originally established to support a new learning center. However, due to circumstances outside of our control, we were required to redirect those funds to other areas of need within the school.

Since that time, the PTA has been intentional and thoughtful about how these funds were reinvested. The library quickly became a top priority, followed closely by the garden center and improvements to various outdoor learning spaces across campus. Each investment was made with one goal in mind: ensuring that the students who worked so hard to raise these funds would benefit from them before moving on.

Our current PTA President, Bette, made it her personal mission to see that the Revitalization Fund was used in its entirety—and used well—during her tenure. One area that quickly rose to the top of the list was our sound system.

As an Arts and Science Magnet School, Douglas is known for its rich cultural performances, student showcases, and community-wide celebrations. Unfortunately, our sound system did not reflect the caliber of talent on our stage. In fact, it dated back to the early 1990s—so dated that a tape deck was once the star component. Over the years, speakers had failed, and temporary fixes became the norm.

Through sheer dedication and creativity, Ms. Zelasky and the Douglas staff had wired and rigged the system to accommodate newer technology. Outside speakers were perched in front of the stage to compensate for equipment that no longer worked. While these efforts kept performances going, it was clear that a true, long-term solution was needed.

When the PTA approached Ms. Zelasky with the proposal to replace the antiquated system, she was instrumental in ensuring the project would serve Douglas for years to come. She worked closely for months with Strategic Connections, the sound system company, to thoughtfully design a system that met both current and future needs.

The result is nothing short of amazing:

• A new upgraded 32-channel mixer board
• Ten wireless microphones and 3 new wired microphones
• Properly mounted and protected speakers (monitoring speakers and audience speakers) and an amazing subwoofer
• Reconnected ceiling microphones
• Proper wiring for the new system (eliminating the exposed cords, making for a safer, more visually pleasing environment)
• A fully mobile unit that can be used for years to come!

The project began in late spring and was completed just in time for our first cultural performance of the school year—a true milestone moment.

This upgrade is an exciting reflection of the talent, creativity, and professionalism of our students and staff. It was a significant investment, and we are proud to share that the Revitalization Fund has now been fully and thoughtfully invested back into Douglas.

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who showed patience, dedication, and hard work throughout this process. Your impact will be felt for many, many years to come.

So the next time you attend a cultural arts program featuring your Dragon, enjoy the Variety Show, or sing along at our spring musical Willy Wonka, take a moment to appreciate the work behind the scenes—what I’ve lovingly dubbed “The Zelasky Zound Machine.”

You can find the PTA in the obvious places, and in the quiet ones, too. Sometimes, we are loud like a musical, filling the halls with celebration. Other times, we shine brightly like the fifth grade legacy project, showcasing creativity and pride. We are also silent, like the Dragon Box, making sure every Dragon has their basic needs met. We protect, like the umbrellas we provide to keep staff and students dry at pickup. We are festive, like the Fall Festival and the Spring Family Night, bringing joy and connection to our school community. We are supportive, supplying resources and training for teachers. And sometimes, we’re simply handy, fixing things behind the scenes so the show can go on. Whether front and center or quietly working in the background, the PTA is everywhere, helping piece by piece to create something truly special. With our big fundraiser coming in a few weeks, we want to explain in detail and the impact of Raise Craze.

What Is Raise Craze?

Raise Craze is an online fundraising platform that helps schools and organizations raise money through acts of kindness rather than product sales. Instead of asking friends and family to purchase something, students ask for donations in while doing good deeds in their community.

How It Works

1. Students register online and create a custom fundraising page.
2. Then enter a list of email addresses to reach out to potential donors: grandparents, friends, aunts and uncles, neighbors.
3. As donations are received, students complete Acts of Kindness to give back: from writing thank-you notes to teachers to picking up litter in the park.
4. The school keeps a large percentage of the funds raised (90% or more).

Behind the Scenes: How the PTA Powers Our School Every Single Day

You see the smiling faces at morning drop-off. You cheer at the school carnival. You read the weekly updates. But what you might not see is how deeply involved your Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is in the daily life and success of our school.

From the big celebrations to the small but critical details, the PTA is there, every single day.

So, What Does the PTA Really Do?

Short answer? A lot.

 Vital Academic Support

• Classroom supplies and teacher grants
• Library books and learning tools
• Douglas Spelling Bee
• Staff Training and Curriculum

 Arts, Enrichment & Experiences

• Cultural Arts assemblies and Author/Artist-in-Residencies
• 5th grade Legacy Project
• Spring Musical
• Variety Show
• Educational Gardens

 Community & Wellness

• Staff Appreciation
• Field Day
• Family nights and community-building events
• Emergency support for families in need

These are not just “extras.” They are essential experiences that create the kind of school our children need: vibrant, safe, inspiring, and connected.

Every Student. Every Day.

The PTA’s mission touches every single student, every single day — whether they know it or not.

• The books at the book fair? PTA hosted it.
• The musical playground improvements? PTA stepped in.
• That smile on a teacher’s face during appreciation week? PTA made it happen.

None of This Happens Without You

Here’s the truth: No funds = no fun and sometimes, no fundamentals either.

We don’t receive extra funding from the district for these programs. If we don’t raise it, we can’t do it.

Your support — whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word — is what makes the magic happen. It’s not optional. It’s essential.

This year, our fundraising approach is going to look a little different. Instead of spreading efforts throughout the year, we’ll be focusing on raising the bulk of our funds through the Fall Fundraiser. This intentional shift allows us to streamline our efforts and make space later in the year to shift the spotlight to our school’s newly reformed Foundation. By front-loading our fundraising, we can better plan, prioritize, and maximize the impact of every dollar—while still leaving room for community-building events, teacher support, and student enrichment all year long. Our goal this year is $45,000 and 1500 acts of kindness, we have done amazing things in the past and there is no doubt that we will achieve this and more!

Is there a more exciting time than sitting at your desk in elementary school, eagerly awaiting the colorful Scholastic catalog with your Weekly Readers? Long before we had the endless scrolling of Amazon’s library, we relied on those thin pamphlets to inform us about the must-have books of the season. Book Fairs remind us of simpler times and the childhood joy that a few Goosebumps or Babysitter’s Club books can bring. You can relive those moments by volunteering for a shift! Grab a fellow parent and share stories about your favorite Book Fair purchases. You’ll earn bonus points if you remember titles like “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” or the “Guinness Book of World Records”!

Feel the excitement as students leave class and step into a transformed library, a true book paradise! This year we have a new Committee Chair, Georganne Sanders, who is eager to host a successful fair. However, she needs your help by volunteering for one or two shifts. The Book fair runs from April 21st to 29th, and we have several time slots available for your convenience. Sign up for a shift today!

Support the Douglas Library by buying a book!

This year, the PTA has prioritized the library. With $10,000 from the Revitalization Fund and an additional $5,000 from previous Scholastic Book Fairs, we have added 663 library-bound books. This investment has raised the average age of the library collection to 2009¹ (up 3 years since the beginning of this year), and included many high-demand popular titles. Staff members and teachers have noted a positive change; the students are excited to read and more engaged than ever.

So how does the Book Fair benefit our school’s library? 100% of the proceeds from the fair go back to our school in the form of credits. When you purchase a book from the fair, you help ensure a broader and more current selection for our library in the years to come. It’s a true win-win situation!

Ms. Hall has so many exciting plans for the library and has been tirelessly working to rejuvenate the space. “I want everyone to know that the Book Fair 100% supports me and my vision. I have such a small budget, and if it wasn’t for the Book Fair and the PTA, I would be in a difficult position,” she said.

In the United States, many children struggle with literacy and do not read at proficient levels. However, access to engaging books in a vibrant library, along with reading role models, can ignite excitement for reading in a child’s life. Together, we can enhance our library and make it an even better place. Additionally, reading with your children can improve their language skills, strengthen emotional connections, and prepare them for academic success!² Use this link to preview this year’s fair and take advantage of the convenient cash-free e-wallet option.

1. The average age of the Fiction section should be within 15 years of the calendar date. Non-fiction titles should be within 10 years (or less). ↩︎
2. Kids and Family Reading Report ↩︎