September 16-20: Blackhawk Walk Week
The Blackhawk Walk is SES PTO’s only student fundraiser. Students receive and collect donations during the week of the Blackhawk walk. During that week, students earn the opportunity to win daily prizes, along with awards for the top three earners, and the top class. At the end of the week, each class celebrates with a walk-a-thon obstacle course! This is our biggest fundraiser of the year- the funds we raise help not only support PTO events, but also assist with classroom, school, and student needs. How much we bring in determines our budget for the year, so every bit of support helps. These funds go to support EVERYTHING we do during the school year- community, student, and parent support this week is so important!
Walk with us to support Ses!
This year, our biggest fundraiser is going digital! Donations will be collected online through Givebutter, making it easier than ever for friends and family to support your student from anywhere.
Step 1: Register your student at givebutter.com/3qWDDY/join.
Enter your student’s first name and last initial (or your preferred display), add a photo if you want, and set a personal goal. Our suggested goal is 50 dollars.
Select your child’s classroom as their team so donations count for class prizes. Example listing: “Mrs. Smith – 2nd Grade.” If you don’t see your class, pick “Not listed” and email SESinPTO@gmail.com so we can help
Add a message- a one or two sentence “why I’m walking” note helps friends and family give. Keep it simple and upbeat!
Step 2: Share their personal fundraising link.
Copy your student’s page link and share it by text, email, or social with family and friends. Out‑of‑town supporters can give in seconds.
Step 3: Send Cash or Checks, too!
Use the Blackhawk Walk envelope to send cash, checks, or change to school each morning from September 8–12. Make checks to Sheridan Elementary PTO and write your child’s name and teacher in the memo. We will enter these as offline donations so your student and class totals update on Givebutter.
Step 4: Watch the leaderboard and cheer them on.
Visit your student’s page anytime to see their total. Watch the class leaderboard during the week. Each day we draw two names per grade from students who donated that day for a library prize. End‑of‑week prizes include a new bike for the top boy and top girl, a family fun basket for third place, an ice cream party for the top class, and a popcorn party for second place. Students who reach 50 dollars are also entered to pie a teacher or administrator during the walk.
Step 5: Celebrate at the Blackhawk Walk.
Students will walk the course and enjoy fun activity stations on September 12.
Every donation counts toward our $15,000 goal and helps fund the events, programs, and classroom support that make Sheridan Elementary such a special place to learn and grow.
We need your support
There are many ways PTO, parents, and community members can help make this event a success. This fundraiser covers costs for all the PTO sponsored events held at our elementary school, including: Back-to-School Night, the annual Donuts with Grownups, our annual Christmas reward program (Blitzen’s Barn) that allows students to choose gifts for their family at no charge, our school wide behavioral recognition reward program, STEM program, and much, much more. We are seeking volunteers to help with the day to day operations the week of the event (just hit the “sign up to volunteer” button above), as well as local sponsors, donations for prizes, and volunteers to help run the walkathon activities as well as walk with classrooms on the final day (Friday, Sept 20). Please contact us if you or someone you know may be able to help- every little bit counts!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I register my child?
Visit our Givebutter Blackhawk Walk page and click “Register.” Follow the step-by-step instructions to create your child’s fundraising page. Once registered, you’ll receive a unique link to share with friends and family.
2. What if I have more than one child but only one email address?
Givebutter requires a unique login for each student page, but here’s a simple Gmail trick:
First child:
example@gmail.comSecond child:
example+1@gmail.comThird child:
example+2@gmail.com
All messages still go to your main inbox (example@gmail.com). You can also use names (likeexample+henry@gmail.com).
⚠️ This trick only works with Gmail. If you use another provider, email us at SESinPTO@gmail.com and we’ll help.
3. Can donors stay anonymous?
Yes! Donors can choose whether to display their name and/or donation amount when they give. Even if hidden, the donation still counts toward your child’s and class totals.
4. What is the fundraising goal per student?
Each student’s goal is $50. Reaching this goal not only supports SES programs, but also enters your child into a drawing to pie a teacher or admin in the face during the walk!
5. How do donors give?
Donors can give directly through your child’s fundraising page using debit/credit card, Venmo, or PayPal. They’ll also see an option to cover transaction fees so that 100% of their gift goes straight to SES PTO.
6. What if someone prefers to donate offline?
That’s fine! Cash or check donations (made out to SES PTO) can be turned in with your child’s envelope. We’ll add these to your child’s total so they still get credit toward prizes.
7. How are prizes awarded?
Daily Drawings: Each day of the fundraiser, two names per grade are drawn from students who received a donation that day (any amount!) to pick from the prize display.
Student Grand Prizes:
Top boy and top girl overall: each win a new bike
3rd place overall: Family Fun Basket
Classroom Prizes:
1st place: Ice cream party
2nd place: Popcorn party
$50 Goal Reward: Every student who meets their $50 goal is entered into their class’s drawing to pie a teacher/admin at the walk.
8. Do donations really make a difference?
Absolutely. This is our only student-run fundraiser, and it funds everything the PTO does for SES — classroom books and supplies, teacher support, the BBucks Store, the new gaga ball pit, the rock wall in the gym, choir t-shirts, and free events for all students throughout the year.
9. How should we share our child’s fundraising link?
The best way to raise support is to share your child’s link via text, email, or social media with friends and family. A personal message like “Emma is raising funds for her school, will you help her reach her goal?” goes a long way!