With the skyrocketing costs of educational tools and implements, the role of the School Community Councils (SCCs) is often one of fundraising for special project and materials for their respective schools.
The SCC for Carlyle Elementary School (CES) has been supporting the school in its pursuit of educational SMART Boards for each and every classroom in the school.
The SMART Boards, interactive educational tools that combine projector technology with wireless to create a surface that teachers and students can interact with, play films or show images on, are considered to be on the leading edge of educational tools.
Sadly, as anyone who has bought a state-of-the-art computer knows, technology on the cutting edge can be expensive, and the SMART Boards are no exception to this rule, running at a cool $2,500 per unit.
CES presently has one system, with 12 more needed to fill all the classrooms.
In an innovative and fun fundraiser planned by the SCC to support SMART Board purchases, you will soon be able to send to jail anyone who you might wish to for the low, low cost of just $25.
"We began talking about this plan in May of this year," said one of the planners, Tammie Riddell. "The idea was to allow people to have someone of their choosing 'locked-up.'"
"Once the person is put into custody, they will appear before a judge, then they will have one-hour to raise enough pledges to pay their bail," Riddell said. "We will give them a desk, and let them keep their cell phones to make the calls with. Once they have reached their pledge level, or their 'Bail,' we let them go."
The Carlyle Detachment of the RCMP are supporting the fundraising initiative.
"We haven't yet verified everything with them, but what we are hoping for is a uniformed member and a vehicle to pick up our fake-felons," Riddell said. "This way the people being arrested will be transported safely to our holding cells, which will be made on the stage of the CES gym."
With a minimum bail amount to be set at $100, and a $25 fee to suggest someone to be arrested (and the person issuing the 'arrest warrant will remain anonymous,) Riddell hopes that the event will raise enough money to help along the SMART Board purchases.
"We hope the community really comes together behind this project," Riddell said. "We want people to have fun, and to really embrace this as a community event."
"We set the fee to issue an arrest warrant at $25 so only the people you really want imprisoned will get the call," Riddell said. "And those who do get selected, with a minimum of $100 for bail, I'm certain they could find five friends to each pitch in $20 towards their freedom.
Fear not however, as not everyone who has a warrant issued will actually be arrested. Those who are arrested will take part voluntarily, and everyone with a warrant issued will be contacted in advance to secure their permission for the arrest.
Those who cannot make the arrest date can still take part if they so desire, however they will be asked to raise more than their set bail amount in pledges to make up for their additional freedom.
"It should be really fun," Riddell said. "Think of it, you can arrest your boss, brother, or anyone else you think might be worthwhile."
Any donations of more than $50 will be eligible for a charity donation receipt.
The judge, who has been selected, is being kept confidential so to avoid any pre-trial tampering by the accused.
The arrest warrants will be sent home with students over the coming weeks. Further warrants are available by contacting Deb Chalus at [email protected]
