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.
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Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up: Free Template + How to Schedule (Step by Step)
Parent-teacher conferences are one of the best opportunities to connect with families, but coordinating them can get hectic. Between packed calendars, back-and-forth emails, and last-minute changes, building a conference schedule can feel like the hardest part.
A parent teacher conference sign up is an online schedule that lets families book a specific time to meet with a teacher, without the back-and-forth of email. Setting one up is simple, and this guide walks you through how to create a sign up, plan your schedule, and encourage more families to participate.
A digital sign up is the easiest way to manage conference scheduling. Instead of paper sign up sheets or endless email chains, families can reserve a time that works for them while you keep everything organized in one place.
Cheddar Up makes it even easier with a free Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up template. Customize the schedule with your conference dates and available time slots, then share your sign up with families in minutes. Parents can book their preferred time from any device, and you’ll always have an up-to-date schedule.
What does a PTA president do? Duties and responsibilities
Getting elected PTA president is equal parts exciting and terrifying. One minute you’re celebrating, and the next you’re wondering what comes next. So what does the job involve? As PTA president, you’ll lead the organization, keep the board working together, and help your group stay focused on supporting students and families.
This guide walks through what to expect, from working alongside the rest of your board to navigating a typical school year. You’ll also find tools and tips that can make the administrative side of the role easier.
A PTA president is the elected leader of a parent-teacher association who guides the organization, leads meetings, and serves as the main point of contact between the PTA, school leaders, and your community. You help keep the board aligned, members informed, and everyone working toward the same goals. Local PTAs are part of a nationwide network connected to the National PTA, which offers resources and guidance for leaders at every level.
PTA vs. PTO: Which Parent Group Is Right for Your School?
PTA and PTO are often used interchangeably, but they’re actually two different types of parent organizations. The difference matters because it affects everything from where membership dues go to how your group is governed and what resources are available.
Starting a new parent group? Joining the board? Just curious what all those letters mean? This guide breaks down the PTA vs. PTO difference, compares each option side by side, and helps you decide which is the best fit for your school.
A PTA (Parent Teacher Association) is a chartered member of the National PTA. Members pay dues, a portion of which goes to the national and state organizations, and the group follows PTA bylaws in exchange for training, resources, and a voice in education advocacy. A PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) is an independent group with no national affiliation. It keeps all its funds local, writes its own bylaws, and handles its own nonprofit status and insurance.
PTA Virtual Fundraising: 10 Ideas That Raise Real Money
Running a fundraiser entirely online isn’t a backup plan anymore. For a lot of PTAs, it’s the smarter plan. No venue to book, no weather to worry about, no families who can’t make it because of work or a conflict on the calendar.
The strongest virtual PTA fundraisers share three things: a specific dollar goal, a clear deadline, and a payment link that’s easy to find and easy to use. This post covers 10 virtual PTA fundraiser ideas, from simple donation campaigns to ticketed events, plus practical guidance on running an online PTA fundraiser and collecting payments without the usual friction.
For a broader look at PTA fundraising options including in-person formats, see our PTA fundraising ideas guide.
