Support Our School
To keep our school running smoothly and safely, we rely on a variety of volunteer help. Whether it’s assisting in the lunchroom, the classroom or at special events, we have plenty of opportunities for families to be involved.
Many, but not all, of our volunteer activities involve completion of a background check, required by the Diocese of Harrisburg and the state of Pennsylvania. The clearance process can take up to a few weeks. Clearances are good for three years. The process is in place to ensure that all adults who may spend any time alone with our children have the proper clearances, for the safety of everyone involved.
Volunteer Opportunities
Classroom Helpers
A variety of opportunities are available for those who have their clearances and wish to help in the classroom. Some of the younger grades seek the help of parents for “Centers” or in chaperoning class field trips. Sometimes the teachers will request help with a special class party or event.
In some cases, teachers or the office will put out a special call for helpers. If you have a special skill or talent you’re looking to share, please contact your child’s teacher or the office and we will see how we might best use your service.
Uniform Closet
SPS has a uniform closet which serves families year-round by offering gently used uniforms to families. We accept clean gently used uniforms all year-round as well. From time to time the closet needs a reorganization due to the many exchanges that take place!
Library
Our librarian sometimes requests help in the library and the biannual book fairs that we host.
Special Events
Throughout the year, PATS and the school seek volunteers to help staff some of our larger events. These include our annual Spirit Day/Race for Education, teacher appreciation events (where the teachers are given some time away from the classroom while volunteers staff them) and monthly Teacher Appreciation Lunches.
Playground Brick Program
Each May, we bless and install commemorative bricks in the playground area. These bricks can honor loved ones, students or your own family. The funds from these bricks go toward maintaining and improving our school playground area.
Bricks are available to purchase year-round. A brick blessing ceremony and reception are held on a Friday in May, determined closer to the event.
Finnegan's Fun Run
Saint Patrick School’s only family fundraising event of the year is held in the Spring. Finnegan’s Fun Run raises funds for educational technology used within our school. Success in meeting our yearly goal will have a real and immediate impact on our students’ technology learning tools in the classrooms. **Click here to visit the Finnegan’s Fun Run Website for more information about the current year’s event.**
Emerald Earnings
Emerald Earnings is a scrip program sponsored by Saint Patrick School. Families purchase gift cards at face value and the school earns a rebate on all gift cards purchased. The school shares the rebates (varying by retailer, from 3 percent to 20 percent with participating families through the EE program.
Every purchase benefits the school and you can earn a scholarship just by purchasing gift cards. Each of last year’s qualifying families received a scholarship of more than $150, and the program has contributed up to $12,000 per year to the school.
You can purchase grocery, gas and gift cards daily from our inventory by sending a Daily Order form and check (made out to Emerald Earnings) to school with your child (or turn in your order by 10:30 a.m.). Gift cards from our inventory will be sent home the same day with your child. For all gift cards not available on the Daily Order form, a large group order is placed each Tuesday to ShopWithScrip. Send in the Weekly Order form and check (made out to Emerald Earnings) by 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday and your cards will be sent home with your child on Thursday. You can also purchase gift cards online at ShopWithScrip.com.
To earn a scholarship, participating families are asked to purchase an average of $200 a month, or a minimum of $2,400 for the program year. (The program year runs from March 1 to February 28.) Rebates accrued by Emerald Earnings throughout the year will be divided equally among all participants who meet or exceed the $2,400 minimum. For example, if $5,000 is accrued in the EE rebate pool and 50 families who meet or exceed the minimum purchase requirement, each of the 50 families will receive a $100 scholarship. Scholarships will be calculated in March and credited toward your April tuition payment.
Fill out and sign the EE Program Agreement Form and turn it in to the school office with your first order. You can contact Dorine Haberman (dorinehaberman@verizon.net) with questions.
Click here for additional program information and Emerald Earnings Forms.
Golf Outing
Saint Patrick School hosts an annual golf outing, this year on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018. All proceeds from the outing benefit our scholarship fund. The tournament is played at the Carlisle Barracks Golf Course in a scramble format.
We welcome golfers, hole sponsors, and other business donations. For more information, contact Development Director Lisa Maddux at development@spscarlisle.org.
EITC (Tax Incentive Program)
In 2001, Pennsylvania became the first state to pass the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, which allows businesses to direct funds that would otherwise go to taxes toward a non-profit scholarship organization.
Not only does participation in the EITC program increase a student’s chance to receive the education of their choice, but also it results in a tax credit for the business and the money stays right in our community.
Although standard charitable donations reduce your amount of taxable income, tax credits reduce your actual tax bill, dollar-for-dollar.
For more information on how your or your business could benefit from the EITC program, click on the link below or contact Development Director Lisa Maddux at development@spscarlisle.org.
Annual Fund
Saint Patrick School organizes an Annual Fund campaign from December through February. Contributions are primarily received from school and parish families. The fund raises about $75,000 each year for educational tools and resources for students and teachers. For more information about contributing to the Annual Fund, please contact Development Director Lisa Maddux at development@spscarlisle.org.