A Guide for New Families — or Anyone Who Needs a Refresher!
New to Ada? New to Ranger Rock Out? Or just can't remember what the envelope, yard signs, prizes and slime all have to do with each other? We've got you.
Ranger Rock Out (or RRO, as you'll quickly learn to call it) is Ada Elementary's biggest fundraiser of the year AND a school-wide celebration of the new school year.
It also has a lot of moving pieces — fundraising, envelopes, yard signs, business sponsors, prizes, volunteer sign-ups, T-shirts, bounce houses and, eventually, slime.
And back-to-school season isn't exactly known for leaving parents with tons of extra brain space.
Whether this is your family's first Ranger Rock Out or you just need a refresher, consider this your guide to what it is, why we do it, how your Ada Ranger participates and what you need to know.
Ranger Rock Out (or RRO, as you'll quickly learn to call it) is Ada Elementary's biggest fundraiser of the year AND a school-wide celebration of the new school year.
It also has a lot of moving pieces — fundraising, envelopes, yard signs, business sponsors, prizes, volunteer sign-ups, T-shirts, bounce houses and, eventually, slime.
And back-to-school season isn't exactly known for leaving parents with tons of extra brain space.
Whether this is your family's first Ranger Rock Out or you just need a refresher, consider this your guide to what it is, why we do it, how your Ada Ranger participates and what you need to know.
First: Why Are We Fundraising?
We make our biggest fundraising push right at the beginning of the school year for a reason.
The money raised through Ranger Rock Out allows the PTO and school to know early in the year what we can confidently commit to funding for our Rangers.
Traditional public school funding covers mostly the basics, but there are a LOT of "extras" that end up being what we'd consider essential, and some that make our kids' school experience EXTRA special, that simply aren't part of that budget.
Ranger Rock Out helps the PTO fund things like:
Those experiences add up quickly.
Starting the year with a successful RRO means we can work with school staff to plan confidently for the year ahead and provide a consistent experience for our students from grade to grade, year to year.
The money raised through Ranger Rock Out allows the PTO and school to know early in the year what we can confidently commit to funding for our Rangers.
Traditional public school funding covers mostly the basics, but there are a LOT of "extras" that end up being what we'd consider essential, and some that make our kids' school experience EXTRA special, that simply aren't part of that budget.
Ranger Rock Out helps the PTO fund things like:
- Field trips AND the buses to get there
- School-wide assemblies and enrichment opportunities
- Classroom grants for additional supplies, curriculum materials, books and other classroom needs
- Field Day, including the infamous inflatables
- Staff support and appreciation, including Staff Appreciation Week, when we celebrate every person who helps make Ada run — teachers, office staff, custodians, aides, support staff and more
- And, of course, the cost of putting on Ranger Rock Out itself!
Those experiences add up quickly.
Starting the year with a successful RRO means we can work with school staff to plan confidently for the year ahead and provide a consistent experience for our students from grade to grade, year to year.
Okay...So What Actually IS Ranger Rock Out?
This is the fun part.
During the school day, every Ranger participates in a special rotation of activities designed to get their bodies moving, minds working and school spirit going!
The day includes fun activity stations like a music relay, bounce houses, a special belonging/kindness craft, and a walk through a sea of personalized Ranger Rock Out yard signs celebrating our students and classrooms.
Then everyone comes together on the lawn for a school-wide assembly and one of our favorite Ada traditions:
Mr. Skinner, Mr. Culey and Dr. Kokenakes Get SLIMED!
It brings everything together, connects the dots. Our students spend the first couple weeks of the school year hearing about supporting their school, working toward goals and participating as a classroom — and then we give them a day to celebrate what they accomplished together.
It's part fundraiser, part field day, part school-wide party and one big kickoff to another year of being an Ada Ranger.
During the school day, every Ranger participates in a special rotation of activities designed to get their bodies moving, minds working and school spirit going!
The day includes fun activity stations like a music relay, bounce houses, a special belonging/kindness craft, and a walk through a sea of personalized Ranger Rock Out yard signs celebrating our students and classrooms.
Then everyone comes together on the lawn for a school-wide assembly and one of our favorite Ada traditions:
Mr. Skinner, Mr. Culey and Dr. Kokenakes Get SLIMED!
It brings everything together, connects the dots. Our students spend the first couple weeks of the school year hearing about supporting their school, working toward goals and participating as a classroom — and then we give them a day to celebrate what they accomplished together.
It's part fundraiser, part field day, part school-wide party and one big kickoff to another year of being an Ada Ranger.
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And Every Ranger Gets a T-Shirt!
Here's another important thing for new families to know:
Every Ada Elementary student receives a Ranger T-shirt as part of Ranger Rock Out — so there's no need to run out and buy spirit wear just to make sure your child has something for school spirit days!
But this year, we're doing things a little differently.
Historically, Ranger Rock Out included a student art contest, with the winning design printed on the front of the RRO shirt and our generous business sponsors featured on the back.
We love the student-art tradition and we know the kids look forward to it, but we also heard pretty overwhelming feedback from families and staff: the brightly colored RRO shirts weren't getting much wear after the event, and many would rather our students receive Ranger gear they can wear again and again.
So we're making a change!
This year, every Ada student will receive the FHC Homecoming shirt, customized for Ada Elementary. That means every Ranger will start the school year with a piece of green-and-white Ranger gear they can wear for spirit days, school events and beyond.
Even better, when Ada heads to Ranger Rumble, the FHC-wide pep rally, our students can match the rest of the Forest Hills Central community in their Homecoming shirts!
We're still keeping the student art contest alive — the winning artwork will be celebrated and displayed at school — we're just separating it from the T-shirt so we can give students something we hope they'll reach for all year long.
One shirt. More school spirit. More opportunities to wear it. And one less thing for families to figure out during back-to-school season.
Every Ada Elementary student receives a Ranger T-shirt as part of Ranger Rock Out — so there's no need to run out and buy spirit wear just to make sure your child has something for school spirit days!
But this year, we're doing things a little differently.
Historically, Ranger Rock Out included a student art contest, with the winning design printed on the front of the RRO shirt and our generous business sponsors featured on the back.
We love the student-art tradition and we know the kids look forward to it, but we also heard pretty overwhelming feedback from families and staff: the brightly colored RRO shirts weren't getting much wear after the event, and many would rather our students receive Ranger gear they can wear again and again.
So we're making a change!
This year, every Ada student will receive the FHC Homecoming shirt, customized for Ada Elementary. That means every Ranger will start the school year with a piece of green-and-white Ranger gear they can wear for spirit days, school events and beyond.
Even better, when Ada heads to Ranger Rumble, the FHC-wide pep rally, our students can match the rest of the Forest Hills Central community in their Homecoming shirts!
We're still keeping the student art contest alive — the winning artwork will be celebrated and displayed at school — we're just separating it from the T-shirt so we can give students something we hope they'll reach for all year long.
One shirt. More school spirit. More opportunities to wear it. And one less thing for families to figure out during back-to-school season.
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What's This RRO Envelope My Child Brought Home?
Hang onto it!
Your child will bring home a Ranger Rock Out envelope and information sheet in their backpack/Friday Folder.
Put it on the refrigerator. Put it on the family command center. Tack it to the corkboard. Whatever system you use for important school papers, this is one you don't want disappearing into the backpack abyss.
The sheet that comes with the envelope includes a tracker your Ranger can use to follow their fundraising progress. Let them color it in, check it off or keep track as donations come in.
It's a simple way to involve the kids and give them a little ownership over working toward a goal for their school.
And here's one of the MOST important things to understand:
Participation Does NOT Require Donating Money.
Your Ranger can participate by:
Simply returning the envelope counts toward your child's classroom participation goal.
We intentionally structure it this way because every Ranger should be able to participate regardless of their family's ability or desire to make a financial contribution.
It also gives the kids a little responsibility: keep track of that envelope, bring it back to school and help your classroom get to 100%!
Your child will bring home a Ranger Rock Out envelope and information sheet in their backpack/Friday Folder.
Put it on the refrigerator. Put it on the family command center. Tack it to the corkboard. Whatever system you use for important school papers, this is one you don't want disappearing into the backpack abyss.
The sheet that comes with the envelope includes a tracker your Ranger can use to follow their fundraising progress. Let them color it in, check it off or keep track as donations come in.
It's a simple way to involve the kids and give them a little ownership over working toward a goal for their school.
And here's one of the MOST important things to understand:
Participation Does NOT Require Donating Money.
Your Ranger can participate by:
- Returning their RRO envelope — even if it comes back with $0
- Asking family and friends to support their school
- Sending a monetary donation via Venmo or check
- Purchasing a personalized Ranger Rock Out yard sign
- Connecting us with a business sponsor
Simply returning the envelope counts toward your child's classroom participation goal.
We intentionally structure it this way because every Ranger should be able to participate regardless of their family's ability or desire to make a financial contribution.
It also gives the kids a little responsibility: keep track of that envelope, bring it back to school and help your classroom get to 100%!
Wait...There Are Prizes?
Of course there are prizes.
Because school spirit is great, but sometimes Squishies, NeeDohs and the opportunity to dump a bucket of slime on your principal really get the job done.
Any student who returns an envelope has an equal chance each week to be 1 of 5, drawn randomly, to pick out of a treasure box of smaller prizes. Think of those carnival prizes or little rewards from the dentist office.
Every student who raises $50 or more gets to pick a prize from our assortment of fundraiser "motivators" i.e. larger prizes — and we've heard there are some VERY cool prizes coming this year.
We're hoping this approach helps connect the dots a little better between raising money as an individual and the celebration of reaching the classroom and school-wide goals. We'll see how it goes this year!
We're also tracking participation and fundraising by classroom:
100% CLASS PARTICIPATION
Free recess for the whole class!
TOP FUNDRAISING CLASSROOM
A special read-in with Principal Kokenakes — complete with a pajama and pizza party!
TOP INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISER
A guaranteed spot on the SLIME CREW!
But don't worry — you definitely don't have to be the top fundraiser to get your hands on a bucket of slime.
We'll continue our long tradition of randomly drawing a couple of students from each grade from all participating Ada Rangers to join the slime crew, too!
So return that envelope, track your progress and get your name in the running.
Someone has to slime Mr. Skinner and Principal Kokenakes.
Because school spirit is great, but sometimes Squishies, NeeDohs and the opportunity to dump a bucket of slime on your principal really get the job done.
Any student who returns an envelope has an equal chance each week to be 1 of 5, drawn randomly, to pick out of a treasure box of smaller prizes. Think of those carnival prizes or little rewards from the dentist office.
Every student who raises $50 or more gets to pick a prize from our assortment of fundraiser "motivators" i.e. larger prizes — and we've heard there are some VERY cool prizes coming this year.
We're hoping this approach helps connect the dots a little better between raising money as an individual and the celebration of reaching the classroom and school-wide goals. We'll see how it goes this year!
We're also tracking participation and fundraising by classroom:
100% CLASS PARTICIPATION
Free recess for the whole class!
TOP FUNDRAISING CLASSROOM
A special read-in with Principal Kokenakes — complete with a pajama and pizza party!
TOP INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISER
A guaranteed spot on the SLIME CREW!
But don't worry — you definitely don't have to be the top fundraiser to get your hands on a bucket of slime.
We'll continue our long tradition of randomly drawing a couple of students from each grade from all participating Ada Rangers to join the slime crew, too!
So return that envelope, track your progress and get your name in the running.
Someone has to slime Mr. Skinner and Principal Kokenakes.
Tell Me About These Yard Signs...
Here's some advice from parents who learned this particular lesson the hard way:
Just Order the Sign.
There's nothing quite like realizing after the deadline that your kindergartener is about to walk through a sea of signs celebrating their classmates...and you forgot to order theirs.
Ask us how we know.
But here's another important tip for families with multiple Rangers:
You don't necessarily need a separate sign for every child!
Plenty of families order one family sign with all of their kids' names on it.
One kid? One sign.
Three kids? Three signs.
Three kids? One family sign.
Your kids, your yard, your yard-sign preference!
Remember, after Ranger Rock Out, that sign is coming home and going in your yard. Decide what works for your family.
Most importantly, please don't let cost be the reason your Ranger doesn't get to see their name during the RRO walk.
Financial assistance is available right in the order form, no questions asked.
Our parents and community partners are incredibly generous, and there's no reason every child who wants to be represented shouldn't be.
The important part is that when our Rangers walk through that sea of signs on Rock Out day, they see a whole community cheering them on.
Just Order the Sign.
There's nothing quite like realizing after the deadline that your kindergartener is about to walk through a sea of signs celebrating their classmates...and you forgot to order theirs.
Ask us how we know.
But here's another important tip for families with multiple Rangers:
You don't necessarily need a separate sign for every child!
Plenty of families order one family sign with all of their kids' names on it.
One kid? One sign.
Three kids? Three signs.
Three kids? One family sign.
Your kids, your yard, your yard-sign preference!
Remember, after Ranger Rock Out, that sign is coming home and going in your yard. Decide what works for your family.
Most importantly, please don't let cost be the reason your Ranger doesn't get to see their name during the RRO walk.
Financial assistance is available right in the order form, no questions asked.
Our parents and community partners are incredibly generous, and there's no reason every child who wants to be represented shouldn't be.
The important part is that when our Rangers walk through that sea of signs on Rock Out day, they see a whole community cheering them on.
Can Parents Come to Ranger Rock Out?
Yes — by volunteering!
There are opportunities to see the RRO magic unfold in person, and we need a LOT of parent volunteers to make the day happen.
We typically need 3–4 parent volunteers at each activity station, plus volunteers for setup the night before and additional help throughout the school day.
One especially important volunteer job happens during lunch and recess.
We bring in parent volunteers so our teachers, staff AND our wonderful lunch and playground aides can enjoy lunch together that day.
That means we need plenty of extra hands with our students — especially our littlest Rangers who need help opening lunch pouches, milk cartons and those mysteriously impossible snack packages before they take off to play!
How Do I Get a Volunteer Spot?
This is another one of those things we wish someone had told us when we were new.
Watch the PTO newsletter and our social media accounts for the Ranger Rock Out volunteer SignUpGenius.
If you aren't following along, there's a good chance you'll miss it.
Again...ask us how we know.
We were all new, overwhelmed Ada parents once, too, and we want to make the process as clear and fair as possible for new families.
Just know you're going up against some veteran fourth-grade parents who have been doing this for years.
They know the drill. They click FAST.
There are also rules we have to follow. All volunteers must complete the district's volunteer consent form/background check process, and the school needs to know exactly who is on campus during the school day. For safety and space reasons, there's also a limit to how many adults we can accommodate.
That's why Ranger Rock Out isn't an open event where everyone can simply come watch. We create as many volunteer positions as we reasonably can while still following school procedures and keeping the event manageable and safe.
If you don't get a spot this year, please don't take it personally. There will be lots of other opportunities to get involved at Ada throughout the year!
There are opportunities to see the RRO magic unfold in person, and we need a LOT of parent volunteers to make the day happen.
We typically need 3–4 parent volunteers at each activity station, plus volunteers for setup the night before and additional help throughout the school day.
One especially important volunteer job happens during lunch and recess.
We bring in parent volunteers so our teachers, staff AND our wonderful lunch and playground aides can enjoy lunch together that day.
That means we need plenty of extra hands with our students — especially our littlest Rangers who need help opening lunch pouches, milk cartons and those mysteriously impossible snack packages before they take off to play!
How Do I Get a Volunteer Spot?
This is another one of those things we wish someone had told us when we were new.
Watch the PTO newsletter and our social media accounts for the Ranger Rock Out volunteer SignUpGenius.
If you aren't following along, there's a good chance you'll miss it.
Again...ask us how we know.
We were all new, overwhelmed Ada parents once, too, and we want to make the process as clear and fair as possible for new families.
Just know you're going up against some veteran fourth-grade parents who have been doing this for years.
They know the drill. They click FAST.
There are also rules we have to follow. All volunteers must complete the district's volunteer consent form/background check process, and the school needs to know exactly who is on campus during the school day. For safety and space reasons, there's also a limit to how many adults we can accommodate.
That's why Ranger Rock Out isn't an open event where everyone can simply come watch. We create as many volunteer positions as we reasonably can while still following school procedures and keeping the event manageable and safe.
If you don't get a spot this year, please don't take it personally. There will be lots of other opportunities to get involved at Ada throughout the year!
Own a Business? Or Know Someone Who Does?
Ranger Rock Out isn't supported only by our families. Our business and community partners are an important part of making it successful.
If you own a business, work for a business that supports local schools, or have a family member or friend who does, please check out our Ranger Rock Out sponsorship opportunities.
Our business supporters receive "Ada Elementary Supporter" window clings to proudly display, and we'll recognize sponsors throughout the school year with their logos displayed in our school and RRO communications.
It's a great way for local businesses to support Ada students while letting our families know which businesses are investing back into their community.
Don't be afraid to ask your employer! Sometimes all it takes is getting the sponsorship information into the right person's hands.
If you own a business, work for a business that supports local schools, or have a family member or friend who does, please check out our Ranger Rock Out sponsorship opportunities.
Our business supporters receive "Ada Elementary Supporter" window clings to proudly display, and we'll recognize sponsors throughout the school year with their logos displayed in our school and RRO communications.
It's a great way for local businesses to support Ada students while letting our families know which businesses are investing back into their community.
Don't be afraid to ask your employer! Sometimes all it takes is getting the sponsorship information into the right person's hands.
Your RRO Survival Guide
Back-to-school season is BUSY.
You're learning teachers, schedules, pickup procedures, Friday Folders, Spirit Days, PTO events and approximately 47 other things at once.
That's exactly why we created this guide.
There will be plenty of Ranger Rock Out information coming your way through our normal PTO and school communication channels, but we wanted to give families a place to come back to when you need to remember what it all means.
Here's What to Do:
Opt into the communication, follow along and help us help you keep it all straight.
You're learning teachers, schedules, pickup procedures, Friday Folders, Spirit Days, PTO events and approximately 47 other things at once.
That's exactly why we created this guide.
There will be plenty of Ranger Rock Out information coming your way through our normal PTO and school communication channels, but we wanted to give families a place to come back to when you need to remember what it all means.
Here's What to Do:
- Watch for your child's RRO envelope and tracker. Put it somewhere you won't lose it and let your Ranger help track their progress.
- Order the yard sign early. Seriously. Learn from us.
- Ask family and friends to support your Ranger. Tell them what their donation actually helps provide — field trips, assemblies, classroom grants, staff support and more.
- Think about your workplace. If you own a business or have an employer who may want to participate, check out the sponsorship opportunities.
- Check out the Ranger Rock Out information online for important dates, fundraising information, sponsorship details and more.
- Follow Ada Elementary PTO on Facebook and Instagram.
- Make sure you're receiving the PTO newsletter. It comes through Mailchimp, so check your spam/promotions folder if you haven't seen it.
- Watch for the volunteer SignUpGenius — and move quickly if volunteering during RRO is important to you!
- Ask questions. You are absolutely not expected to remember how all of this works.
Opt into the communication, follow along and help us help you keep it all straight.
One Little PTO Favor...
Ranger Rock Out is a BIG undertaking.
And every person organizing it is a volunteer, too.
We're parents with jobs, kids, practices, homework, laundry and everything else you've got going on at home. None of us has unlimited time or professional event-planning expertise. We do this because we love our school and want to give back.
We absolutely want your feedback — it's how Ranger Rock Out gets better every year.
If something doesn't work, you have an idea and, maybe more importantly the time, that could make the experience more inclusive or more fun, or you see an opportunity we're missing, please tell us and then get more involved.
Feedback is a gift, candor is kindness, but please remember we're all just doing our best.
And every person organizing it is a volunteer, too.
We're parents with jobs, kids, practices, homework, laundry and everything else you've got going on at home. None of us has unlimited time or professional event-planning expertise. We do this because we love our school and want to give back.
We absolutely want your feedback — it's how Ranger Rock Out gets better every year.
If something doesn't work, you have an idea and, maybe more importantly the time, that could make the experience more inclusive or more fun, or you see an opportunity we're missing, please tell us and then get more involved.
Feedback is a gift, candor is kindness, but please remember we're all just doing our best.
The Most Important Thing to Know
Ranger Rock Out isn't really about who raises the most money.
It's about our entire community showing up for our school in whatever way we're able.
That might mean donating. Volunteering. Asking Grandma and Grandpa for $10. Connecting us with a business sponsor. Returning an envelope with $0 inside. Ordering a yard sign. Sharing a PTO post with another parent. Or simply helping your child understand that they're part of something bigger than their own classroom.
That parent participation and community support allows us to provide experiences for our students and support for our staff that otherwise wouldn't be possible.
That's what makes Ada special.
We're on your side, we've got your back, and we're all figuring out this school-parent thing together.
Welcome to Ada — and Get Ready to ROCK OUT!
Questions? Something still confusing?
Reach out anytime at [email protected].
We try to be as responsive as possible — keeping in mind that we're volunteers and most of us are balancing full-time jobs, families and everything else right alongside you!
It's about our entire community showing up for our school in whatever way we're able.
That might mean donating. Volunteering. Asking Grandma and Grandpa for $10. Connecting us with a business sponsor. Returning an envelope with $0 inside. Ordering a yard sign. Sharing a PTO post with another parent. Or simply helping your child understand that they're part of something bigger than their own classroom.
That parent participation and community support allows us to provide experiences for our students and support for our staff that otherwise wouldn't be possible.
That's what makes Ada special.
We're on your side, we've got your back, and we're all figuring out this school-parent thing together.
Welcome to Ada — and Get Ready to ROCK OUT!
Questions? Something still confusing?
Reach out anytime at [email protected].
We try to be as responsive as possible — keeping in mind that we're volunteers and most of us are balancing full-time jobs, families and everything else right alongside you!
