Fundraising

The PTA helps our school pay for experiences, programs, and materials that are not in their budget. This year we are raising money for new activities for student, continuing our increasingly popular teacher grants program, and many more things which you can view in our proposed 2026-27 PTA budget.

 

2025-26 Fundraising Recap: $69,880.11

 

In the most recent school year we raised $69,880.11 through our community's generous donations and participation in fundraising and special events.

 

It's hard to overstate how much this directly benefits our students and teachers through the programs and events this money will support for them in the 2026-27 school year!

 

Impact Recap:

In the 2025-26 school year we used our budget to support the following initiatives (not including the no-budget events powered purely by volunteers and willpower):

 

Supported student learning and enrichment through:

  • 21 class field trips, 3 in-school field trips, and 1 5th grade graduation trip
  • Providing Cool Culture passes for all students in 3K-3rd grade
  • Funding the guidance counselor’s student hygiene fund (shampoo, toothpaste, undies, etc)
  • Purchasing recess equipment (basketball hoop, soccer/basketball/tetherball equipment)
  • Purchasing Locke Library supplies
  • Programs, experiences, and resources that benefited students across every grade

 

Invested in our teachers, staff, and programs through:

  • 12 teacher mini-grants totaling more than $2,300 in project supplies or equipment to facilitate our teachers' amazing ideas and creativity including:
    • A new 3D printer for Mr. Mike
    • Digital cameras for Ms. Amaya’s student photography project
    • Headphones and computer mice for all 4th grade (test prep)
    • Student cooking equipment for the Hydroponics Lab
    • Enrichment Day (Field Day) snacks and supplies for Ms. Castillo and Ms. Julia
  • 2 large classroom supply infusions across all classes
  • A truly spectacular Staff and Teacher Appreciation week and appreciation events throughout the year
  • Purchasing risers for the auditorium, allowing our students to see and be seen during concerts, performances, and graduations
  • Purchasing risers for the auditorium for concerts, performances, and graduations
  • Supplying $2,500 in grocery store gift cards for Locke families in need during the SNAP crisis
  • School garden beds refresh - new metal beds and fresh soil (installed by volunteers)
  • Funding school PBIS StarBucks store prizes
  • Purchasing a large storage shed and inside storage systems for PTA supplies to make up for lack of school
    space, prevent loss/misplacement of supplies, etc.

Strengthened our school community through:

  • Our first annual Locke on the Block fall street festival (formerly a spring festival), welcoming an estimated ~1200 people.
  • Staff & Teacher Appreciation Week
  • Many community events and family gatherings to connect, engage, and support one another, such as:
    • 2 summer popsicle playdates to facilitate connection before starting school
    • Tears or Cheers welcome back to school event
    • A little Garden Party with head garden gnome, Matt Cook
    • The Marathon Day Cheer Zone, cheering for parents, neighbors, and Ms. Ally!
    • Picture Day, planned and run by volunteers!
    • The Gratitude Breakfast for Thanksgiving
    • “Coffee in the Green Room” ahead of the Holiday Singalong
    • Parents Night Out with Wild Arts + a meet-up at Harlem Tavern
    • Free Family Portrait Sessions with Andie & Alpha
    • Spring Coffee in the Garden with prospective K parents
    • Two Scholastic Book Fairs!
    • Locke Spring Fair (with Looney Louie for preschool!)
    • Brami Pasta & Movie Night pilot with Ms. Preston
  • Several partnerships with local organizations and community members

 

The PTA budget process:

Each year, we set our budget based on the funds raised in the prior year. Because of this, we are always stewarding our PTA's funds and raising additional funds from a position of strength.  

 

This year, our 2026-27 fundraising target is $75,000, to continue to build on our momentum and impact in our school and for our students, families, and teachers.

 

Note: Our annual budget is typically approved by the end of each school year for the next school year, but this year's budget approval is an agenda item in our first PTA meeting of the school year. We collected and incorporated PTA feedback at the end of last year, so we expected the proposed budget to reflect the group's stated priorities. 

 

Ways to Give or Contribute:

We need YOUR help to ensure next year's field trips, fun events like Locke on the Block, classroom grants, and more are funded! Teachers, families, and local businesses work together to accomplish these goals by: 

  • Contributing to our fundraising initiatives throughout the year

    • 2026-27 Locke Fall Giving Challenge: coming soon

    • The annual Coin Race: (May the odds be in your favor)

  • Attending and/or sponsoring Locke on the Block

    • Note: Locke on the Block is not an official fundraiser for the PTA. The primary goal of Locke on the Block's entry fees and food sales is to cover the PTA's costs of the event to invest in and build community in Harlem. 

  • Donating directly to the PTA via:

    • Venmo: @LockePTA185

       

    • Zelle or CashApp: PTA.LockeSchool@gmail.com

       

    • Cash, Check, Stocks or Crypto: Email PTA.LockSchool@gmail.com to arrange

       

      Please be sure to specify your class/teacher/purpose in the payment notes if you are contributing to a specific initiative or fund.  

 

 

 

Thanks for all you do to make our school great!