By KATIE JOHNSON
Niles Daily Star

Students and teachers at one Niles school are financially responsible for their activities, and are partnering with Milano’s Pizza in their next effort.

Teams B and D from Oak Manor Sixth Grade Center have solicited help from the pizza parlor to fundraise for their annual camping trip to Bair Lake in Jones, Mich.

“Everything we do, we have to raise our money – the teachers do – to take any field trips or anything extra,” teacher Judi Findeisen said, explaining that the school does not have a parent-teacher organization.

“We do all of our own fundraising and all of our events together,” she said.

The fundraiser, which began Thursday, includes $10 pizza punch cards. Valid for one year, the cards allow you to buy one large pizza and receive a medium one-topping pizza free at the Milano’s location in Niles.

Each student has a goal of selling eight cards. Those who meet the goal receive free treats from the school candy store; those who sell eight cards in one evening receive a “free A.”
A parent donated the printing for the punch cards, which are available from any sixth-grader or the school. Kids also sell the cards at sporting events or other school activities.
Findeisen said the school was looking for a fundraiser that would keep business in the Niles community.

The school does not contribute to the trip, but students will not have any out-of-pocket expenses, Findeisen said.

“We never leave kids back because of fundraisers,” she said.

The three-day, two-night camping trip in May is an educational “team-building experience,” Findeisen said. The students stay in cabins.

“It’s one of the best trips we’ve gone on,” she said.

Milano’s Pizza is located at 215 North 17th St. To buy punch cards, contact Judi Findeisen at Oak Manor, 683-7484.