CAZENOVIA — On April 18, the Burton Street Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) launched a new fundraiser, “Raise Craze,” which will run through May 13.

Students can participate by registering with Raise Craze, an online platform that enables them to set up secure, custom websites where they can request donations from friends and family via email, text, or social media. The students then go out and pay it forward by completing Acts of Kindness (AOKs) in their homes, school, and community.

Each AOK is represented as a leaf on the school’s “Kindness Tree.” Under the tree are bins for students to donate non-perishable food items and toiletries to CazCares food pantry and clothing closet.

According to Nicole Maggio, who is co-president of Burton Street PTA this year along with Nikki Skeele, the Raise Craze platform suggests doing something “Craze-y” to mark the end of a successful fundraiser.

If the Burton Street students reach their goal of $10,000, Principal Kara May will kiss a piglet owned by third grade teacher Kara Burry. If they reach $15,000, Superintendent Christopher J. DiFulvio will be slimed.

“I really have no idea how we decided on the piglet kissing and slime,” said Maggio. “Nikki and I were meeting with Mrs. May about our tentative plans for Raise Craze, we threw it out there, and she agreed! If we reach our goals, the students will get to see it at our closing ceremony. I think the kids are going to really enjoy it. . . Mrs. May has been incredibly supportive in helping us get this fundraiser off the ground. She is invaluable to our success as a PTA, and we couldn’t do it without her.”

The grade level and class that complete the most AOKs over the course of the fundraiser will also be awarded fun activities.

The funds raised will go toward supporting Burton Street PTA programs, helping to create an inclusive equipment pathway, and assisting in furnishing the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics) Room.

One of the PTA programs that will benefit is an Additional Funding Request (AFR) program that enables teachers and staff to submit requests for funding that would not ordinarily be supported through the school’s budget.

According to Maggio, the PTA has received approximately $15,000 in requests in 2022 for next year.

Examples of current AFR submissions include a field trip to Rogers Environmental Center, the Cazenovia Public Library Enrichment Program, flexible adaptive seating, like wobble stools, and high-interest classroom books that support and engage readers of differing abilities.

“We love being able to say yes to as much as possible and our fundraisers help make that a reality,” said Maggio.

In partnership with Hazel’s Hope — a local not-for-profit established to help families of children with special needs through increased access to adaptive equipment — and Burton Street, the PTA is planning to help fund the construction of a pathway to the school’s soon-to-be installed inclusive playground equipment.

“Last summer, Burton Street received a beautiful new playground and blacktop area,” said Maggio. “In addition to the new playground, Mrs. May and the amazing team of therapists at Burton Street Elementary selected inclusive playground equipment that they felt would be beneficial to the school’s outdoor play space and that all students could utilize. The Burton Street PTA donated over $24,000 to the district to help fund this equipment. After some COVID-related delays, the new playground equipment has finally arrived and it will be installed later this spring or during the summer.”

According to Maggio, the new pathway will make the equipment more accessible to students of all abilities.

Burton Street’s STEAM Room, which is available for use by staff and students daily, is equipped with “makerspace” technologies, robotics, construction supplies, and space for various activities, experiments, and project storage.

“Many science classes take place in the STEAM Room,” said Library Media Specialist Katie McGinnis. “. . . All classes are encouraged to use the space for instruction in order to enhance lessons and allow room for exploration within the curriculum.”

According to Maggio, the mission of the Burton Street PTA is to put children first in its initiatives, to maintain a great rapport with fellow parents, teachers, support staff, and administrators, and to donate time and other valuable resources to the community.

For more information, visit burtonstreetpta.weebly.com.

To learn more about Raise Craze and how it works, visit raisecraze.com/how-rc-works.