Welcome back to school! That means it’s time to organize, plan, and rally your community. Whether you’re running a PTA or managing a classroom, Cheddar Up has everything you need to kick off the year with less stress and way more style.
Here’s a quick rundown of everything you’ll find in your go-to guide for a smooth start:
Your “Welcome Back to School” Go-To Guide
Back-to-School Night Events
Start the year right with a back-to-school night that gets everyone excited and informed. Check out these Top 10 Back-to-School Night Ideas for inspiration. It’s packed with creative ways to bring your school community together.
Already planning the night? The Back-to-School Night Volunteers Template is your best friend. Customize it, and organize everything from set-up crews to concession shifts.
Streamline Registration and Reveal Days
Say goodbye to piles of paperwork. Our Back-to-School Registration Template makes it easy to collect fees and forms online, no printing or stapling required.
Hosting a teacher reveal event? The Teacher Reveal Event Template adds fun and function. It is perfect for class placement announcements and spirit gear sales.
Boost Engagement with Fundraisers
If you’re planning a fundraiser, we’ve rounded up our favorite back-to-school fundraiser ideas — from merchandise sales to “sponsor a classroom” campaigns.
One easy way to get started? Try a Readathon Fundraiser. It’s fun for students, simple to run, and works great as a first campaign of the year.
The School Fundraising Calendar is a great next step for planning your efforts throughout the year. It helps you keep things fresh and fun without the last-minute scramble.
Power Your PTA Membership Drive
Kicking off a membership drive? The Join the PTA Template and PTA Membership Form Guide make it simple to collect dues, gather member info, and get more families involved.
Make Giving Easy with Supply Drives and Wish Lists
Support your school community from day one with donation drives that are super simple to run. The School Supply Drive Volunteer Sign-Up Template and Teacher Wish List Drive Template let families contribute exactly what’s needed.
Need ideas or strategy? Our School Supply Donation Drive Guide shows you how to run a drive that actually delivers, whether it’s backpacks for students or dry-erase markers for teachers.
Get Loud with School Spirit
Support your school community from day one with donation drives that are super simple to run. The School Supply Drive Volunteer Sign-Up Template and Teacher Wish List Drive Template let families contribute exactly what’s needed.
Need ideas or strategy? Our School Supply Donation Drive Guide shows you how to run a drive that actually delivers, whether it’s backpacks for students or dry-erase markers for teachers.
Welcome Back to School, the Cheddar Up Way
Make your back-to-school collections feel tailor-made — because with Cheddar Up, they are! Every collection page is fully customizable. Drop in your school colors, add banners, upload item images, and tailor forms to gather anything from shirt sizes to emergency contacts.
When you’re ready to share, use a link, QR code, or email invite. Once it’s live, Cheddar Up handles the tracking by automatically logging payments and form responses in real time, so you always know where things stand.
Need more firepower? Unlock features like eCheck payments and discount codes (Pro and Team plans), plus ticketing and Group Pages (Team plan only). They’re simple to activate and built to make your collections more flexible and efficient.
All of this and more allows you to focus on welcoming families and building community.
Before you go
As you say, “Welcome back to school,” lean on tools that save time and spark connection. Whether you’re organizing one event or the whole school year, Cheddar Up helps you pull it all off with confidence.
You may also like:
Preschool Graduation Guide for Room Parents
Preschool graduation is one of those rare school moments that are equal parts adorable, chaotic, and meaningful. For room parents, it’s also a surprisingly complex production. You’re creating a milestone memory for families and supporting a teacher who is already stretched thin, while coordinating a group of very small humans with very big feelings.
This ultimate guide to preschool graduation is designed to help room parents navigate all of it with confidence. From organizing preschool graduation supplies to managing group gifts, invitations, and even preschool graduation t-shirts, this is your go-to resource for making the celebration feel polished without becoming overwhelming.
Before you start ordering supplies or sending messages to parents, take a step back and get clear on the goal. Preschool graduation doesn’t have to be over-the-top, it just needs to feel thoughtful and well put together.
Gifts for Preschool Teachers: 10+ Ideas & Easy Templates
Finding the perfect gifts for preschool teachers isn’t always easy. These are the people helping little ones learn to share, tie their shoes, and handle big feelings every single day. When it’s time to say “thank you,” the goal is simple: choose something meaningful that won’t just add to classroom clutter.
That’s where a little insight goes a long way. At Cheddar Up, we asked hundreds of educators what they actually want. The result? A clearer, more thoughtful way to approach gifting. Whether it’s for the holidays, an end-of-year celebration, or Teacher Appreciation Week 2026, here is your ultimate guide to the gifts preschool teachers want.Before picking up another “World’s Best Teacher” mug, it’s worth a quick reality check. Our recent Teacher Gift Survey found that 63% of teachers would rather skip the mugs altogether. The thought is kind, but there’s only so much shelf space to go around.
The Ultimate Guide to Preschool Fundraising
Looking for the best preschool fundraising ideas to support your early childhood center? The most successful fundraising ideas for preschool keep things simple, fun, and rooted in connection.
Here’s the reality: according to the Cheddar Up School Fundraising Report, only 64% of parents and educators feel their school is well-funded, leaving a gap many families are willing to help close. But with 1 in 3 schools running five or more fundraisers each year, it’s easy for enthusiasm to fade fast.
That’s where a smarter approach makes all the difference.
This ultimate guide to preschool fundraising brings together 20+ fresh preschool fundraising ideas for 2026, plus practical tips on how to plan and help you raise more with less effort. Think fewer headaches, stronger participation, and a plan your community can get excited about.
Choosing the right fundraising ideas for preschool starts with knowing your community and making every effort count. So what actually works?
8 Best Senior Class Fundraising Ideas & Planning Tips
Every year, graduating classes search for fun and highly effective senior class fundraising ideas so they can bring in the most donations. These contributions fund everything from grad night bashes and prom to scholarship gifts.
But, choosing the best senior fundraising ideas are just the first piece of the puzzle. Organizers also need the right fundraising planning and fundraising goals to keep their campaign on track and see great success.
This guide walks through 8 fundraising ideas for senior classes and gives easy-to-follow planning tips to turn enthusiasm into real dollars before graduation day!
A senior class fundraising project is any organized effort by graduating students (and their supporters, including teachers, parents, and other volunteers) to raise money for senior-year expenses.
The goal isn’t just hitting a dollar figure. Strong senior class fundraising campaigns encourage teamwork among classmates, teach real-world skills like budgeting and marketing, and leave a legacy that underclassmen remember.
When done well, the fundraiser itself becomes part of the senior-year experience.
