October 13, 2026

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

It’s time for our Winter Teacher Bonus Fund Drive!

Every day, our teachers greet your children at the door, comfort them through hard moments, celebrate their firsts, and help them grow into curious, kind, confident kids. Our Winter Teacher Bonus Fund Drive is your chance to say thank you in a way that really matters.

What the fund does

Twice a year we ask families to contribute to a bonus for our staff. This winter our goal is to give about $2,000 to each full-time employee, plus a gift for part-time staff, in time for the holiday season. For many of our teachers, this bonus makes a real difference in a region where the cost of living is high and early childhood educators are paid far less than the value of their work.

Families often ask how they can thank a favorite teacher. Our staff can gladly accept cards, handmade items, and home-baked treats, but not cash or other gifts directly from families. The bonus fund is the way to give a meaningful thank-you that reaches everyone who cares for your child: lead teachers, assistants, floaters, and support staff.

How much to give

To keep the bonus at its current level, our budget assumes an average gift of about $750 per family. Please give what works for your family. Every contribution counts, and families who are able to give more help make up the difference for those who can’t. Any funds beyond our goal go toward staff appreciation throughout the year, and if we raise more, we will increase the size of the bonus.

Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law, and many employers will match it. Please check with your HR department, since a match can double your impact.

How to give

  1. Pledge by November 1 using this form below

  2. Pay by February 15, 2027. We’ll invoice you through Brightwheel if you pay tuition there, or through QuickBooks if you pay by ACH.

You can also give through our PayPal Giving Fund at paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/1778362. If you do, please still fill out the pledge form so we can count your gift.

Tip: If you’d like your gift to count toward your 2026 taxes, please pay by December 31, 2026.

Questions? Please reach out to Liz anytime.

Thank you for trusting us with your children, and for showing our team how much their work means to you.

With gratitude,
The Common Ground Board of Trustees