Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Fundraising with the Lands' End School Rewards Program

Lands' End LogoOn Lands End's website, they state that that they have made a commitment to give back $1 million to partner schools this year.  Schools can earn up to 6% on school uniform orders.  The tiered schedule starts at 1% on sales up to $4,999 annually. It bumps to 2% on sales between 5000 and 9,999 and 3% for sales over $10,000.  Then as additional incentives, schools can bump it up another 1% if you sign an exclusive contract and another 1% for a multi-year contract. And schools willing to share the parents address or email addresses can earn another additional 1%.

Each participating school is assigned a preferred school number. To find you school's number, you can use their search feature.  Parents are reminded to use it on purchases through the catalog, online, at inlet shops or at Sears. Schools with a tax status of 501 (c)3 or 509 (a) and a dress code are eligible to participate in this rewards program.  Checks are issued annually in February based on the past years' sales.

To learn more details, you can contact Land's End directly.

Have you worked with a school that was enrolled in the School Rewards Program?  Please let us know your thoughts about the program in the comments below.

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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

What to Wear Under a Skirt for Modesty on the Playground

I see London. I see France.  I see your little girl's underpants!

wild girl by borntobewild1946, on flickr


Egads!  You don't want to hear any kids singing that song with your daughter's name in it.  And as if that thought isn't motivating enough, here are three other good reasons you'll need to find a solution for what she can wear under skirts and jumpers at school:
  • Your little girl will want to play on the playground at recess.
  • Your little girl will have to sit crisscross applesauce at circle time. 
  • And just in case, your little girl doesn't always act like a little lady.
If skirts and jumpers are in your regular wardrobe rotation, then you need another article of clothing to retain a little modesty.  I've found three options:
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The Bike Short  


They are tight fitting shorts with stretch. You can find them at major retailers.  Over the years, we've had several pairs of these from various vendors.  The Circo brand bike shorts at Target (update - sorry this brand is no longer available) have held up well for us. The Children's Place leggings and bike shorts are my favorite because they seem to have just the right amount of stretch to them.  Gymboree brand are my least favorite because they don't seem to have enough stretch in them and they don't hold their shape as well as the others.  Here are links to you can check out bike shorts from these retailers:

Bootie shorts


I'm not crazy about the name either, but that's what the kids call them.



They are the boyshort style shorts usually worn by dancers and gymnasts over practice leotards. We recently bought a pair of Capezio Girls' Boy Cut Low Rise Short at our local dance-wear shop. They are also offered at major retailers such as Amazon or at a local specialty retailer. We found they ran true to size. They are made from 90% nylon and 10% spandex. You can launder them with your other workout wear, but hang them to dry.

 

Uniform Kick Short

Knit Shorts



I have only come across a handful of uniform retailers that carry knit shorts made for the purpose of wearing under skirts. The Gap and their sister store, Old Navy, used to carry a 3 pack, but I no longer see them available.

This year, French Toast began to offer what they call "Kick Shorts". We haven't tried them yet, but they are described as  a fitted pull-on shorts designed to be worn under a skirt or jumper. The price is right at $4.98 each. They come in all sizes from 2T through a size 16.

Cartwheel Shorts

Children's Place added a nylon Cartwheel Short with 5% spandex. They are sold in a two pack and retail for $16.95.

Children's Place also has a knit cartwheel short.  They are made from 94% cotton with 6% spandex.   Compared to other Children's Place matchables, we found these to run small.  While they are intended to be short and fit snugly, I'd recommend you go up a size.

JC Penney also carries a  2 pack of Maidenform Playground Pals (R).  While we wish they were offered in 2 packs of solids in uniform basic colors, they do offer a set in navy and white, as well as other colors.


(photo used with permission from borntobewild1946)
I selected this post to be featured on my blog’s page at Blog Nation.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

French Toast Dollars in Uniform Fundraiser Program

French Toast - America's Most Popular School Uniforms for Less!
Wouldn't your school like to Earn 5% Cash Back for your school when you shop at French Toast today! The French Toast program does not require the school to enter a contract. A school administrator can complete a simple sign up form online to get started.

French Toast offers bulk discounts to schools and can provide embroidery set up for the school logo.  The embroidery set up is free if the school logo is digitized.  If not, French Toast can assist for a one time $95 fee.

Participating schools are assigned a school code. If the school provides details on their uniform dress code, French Toast creates a customized online shopping experience for parents filtering the uniform items to just display the ones that comply with your school's dress code.  The school can also order customized catalogs to provide to parents.   I love how that can simplify the "Back to School" shopping for all families.

A friendly school marketing representative told me that over 5,000 schools participate in this program with French Toast.  Schools can receive royalty checks twice a year in August and February.  Checks are issued once a school's total sales reaches $2000, or a royalty of at least $100.  If a school doesn't reach that sales total in a period the amount rolls into the next period until that threshold is reached.  If your school is not contractual obligated to an exclusive contract with a specific vendor, then you have nothing to loose by registering for the French Toast Dollars for Uniforms program.  Participation can simplify shopping experience for the parents and the school may receive a royalty check in return. A Win, Win!

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Below is a 3 minute video highlighting the program:



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Monday, June 10, 2013

Children's Wear Outlet - Retail Round Up Series

Since 1966, The Children's Wear Outlet is a third generation family owned business, specializing in children's clothing and school uniforms.  On their website, they claim to offer more than 80 different styles of discount school uniforms from K12, Elderwear and Genuine School Uniforms. The store is located in Georgia and the online store ships throughout the US.  Pricing is very reasonable.  Returns of unworn and unwashed items can be made within 30 days, you cover the shipping.

Boys Uniforms

Short and long sleeve pique shirts are offered in white, burgundy, hunter, red, gold, purple, yellow, royal blue, light blue, navy. The Genuine School Uniform boys sweater is offered in navy. Shorts are offered in a flat front or a pleated style in khaki and navy. Boys flat front pants come in regular and husky sizes in khaki and navy.  Young men's uniform pants are offered in khaki and navy.

Girls Uniforms

The US Polo Assn uniform shirt with a collar and front pocket is offered in white and light blue. Short and long sleeve pique shirts are offered in white, burgundy, hunter, red, gold, purple, yellow, royal blue, light blue, navy.  The Genuine School Uniform girls Peter Pan shirt is offered in both short sleeve and long sleeve in white, yellow and light blue and a long sleeve button down is available in white. The girls cardigans are offered in two styles, button up and a zip up in navy.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Video Pick: NSJ crew releases Khaki Pants, the song and the dance

Do you remember last summer's hit "Hot Cheetos and Takis" by the Y.N.RichKids.? No? Check it out on YouTube; it is at 6.5 million views and still climbing. Grantland recently did a great piece explaining the background of this group and the Beats and Rhymes program at what is obviously a very innovative after-school program at the Nellie Stone Johnson Beacons Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The NSJ Crew, made up of students from Nellie Stone Johnson Community School, just released an ode to the classic school uniform bottoms, Khaki pants. You gotta take a minute (okay - 5 and a half minutes) to watch this video.  Even if you're not a fan of hip hop music, you'll recognize that these kids have talent and the video is well produced and edited.  As a dancer, I love that the video features a khaki dance to accompany the song.

Love it!



Kudos to the NSJ Crew and the folks at Nellie Stone Johnson Beacons Center!  This song has potential to be the runaway YouTube hit of the summer. Khaki wearing kids all over are going to be singing along and by fall school kids everywhere will know the Khaki dance.  I predict that another group of creative young kids at a summer camp somewhere will create a flash mob style video response.  I look forward to watching those.

If you'd like to download the song, here is the link from the Beats and Rhymes website where you can find links to other songs, lyrics and videos.
 



Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Izod Flat Front Uniform Skirt, a review

One of the first uniform items I bookmarked to purchase for my daughter was the Izod Flat Front Uniform Skirt. The flat front a-line style is a bit different from the standard scooters and pleated skirts.  Maybe I was drawn to it because it is a style I would choose for my wardrobe. It is available to purchase at JCPenney. It comes in navy and khaki in girls sizes 4-16. It is made from a cotton polyester blend.  

I ordered the navy one online. It has held it's color well through many washings, but it does need pressed to return to a crisp smart look.  The skirt has a zip fly with a hook and latch closure at the top that is easy for little fingers. But it also has a tab of fabric that snaps over to the left under, yes, under and between a double belt loop.  It couldn't be in a worse spot and is therefore difficult to button. Since it is a skirt and not a skort, I can assist my young daughter with this snap in the morning, and then she doesn't have to mess with it during restroom visits during the school day.  But that brings me to my second criticism of this item, I have developed a strong preference for my daughter to wear skorts or scooters instead of skirts. The convenience of a built in shorts beats having to wear bike shorts underneath.

Despite my criticisms, I do keep this skirt in her regular wardrobe rotation. Why? Because she looks SO darn cute in it.   In the warmer months, she wears it with bike shorts underneath and basic cuff socks.  As it got cooler, we switched to knee socks, then tights through the winter months.  
The classic style of the skirt paired with a polo is just perfect throughout the school year.  At the regular retail price of $10, it is worth a little ironing. 

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Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Myself Belts School Fundraiser Program

schoolsteps group by Myself Belts

If your school is looking for a fundraiser idea, you might want to check out Myself Belts. Myself Belts TM, the belt kids can fasten themselves, is a product and company owned by two Moms. Their product is simple enough for kids to use themselves during potty training, but functional and stylish enough to use as they grow older too. Earlier this Spring, I met Talia Bahr Goldfarb on Twitter. She sent us a complementary belt for my daughter to try. Here you can read our review of the Myself Belt for School Uniforms.

The company also offers a fundraising program that offers a generous 20% donation back to the school. They will assist the organizer with flyers and order forms. The order is shipped free in bulk to the organizer or school for local distribution. They even offer to set up the school logo which can be embroidered on the belts.

If you're looking for a more passive fundraiser, you can provide a copy of the school logo to Myself Belts. They will digitize the logo for a small fee. You can then spread the word in your regular PTA newsletters or email blasts. Parents can then order themselves online. When they add the school's logo, the school gets a 20% of the proceeds. Couldn't be simpler.

If you're ready to get started, contact MyselfBelts at sales@myselfbelts.com. Please tell her the Uniform Mom sent you.

(photo used with permission from Myself Belts)

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