Opstad PTA

help us meet our goal of raising $70,000 for Oes!

Welcome to the 7th Annual Otter Dash Fun Run & Fundraiser for Opstad Elementary!

While the students take to the track, your support is invaluable in helping us fund essential programs and activities. The donations received through Otter Dash make up the majority of the funds the PTA has to support Opstad and will go towards enriching our students’ educational experiences, funding field trips, 4th & 5th grade camp, classroom supplies, teacher grants, events and other exciting programs. No amount is too small!

So, let’s get ready to move, groove, and have a blast! Thank you for being here and making this event a memorable one. Let’s make every step count!

Schedule of events

Mon, September 22

Kick-off Assembly and Fundraising starts! Students will come home with t-shirts and important information

Wed, October 8

Fundraising ends

Envelopes with cash/check must be turned into school.
Online payments must be made by 11:59PM (donations after this time will be accepted, but will not count towards classroom goals)

Thur, October 9

Prize winners will be determined and communicated to the school

Week of October 13

SPIRIT WEEK!

Mon 10/13: Crazy Hair Day
Tue 10/14: Dress like a Teacher
Wed 10/15: Sports Day
Thur 10/16: Otter Dash Shirt Day
Fri 10/17: Fancy Friday or PJ Day

Thursday, October 17

Otter Dash Day!

Don’t miss the fun - wear your Otter Dash shirt!

Friday, October 18

Snow cones for all classes if we hit our $70,000 fundraising goal

prizes

DAILY prizes during Fundraising

2 students per grade/per day will be randomly drawn to win a prize! All students will be entered for a chance to win.

Top class of the Day

DAILY prizes during Fundraising

Top class from the previous day's fundraising will earn a certificate and the Traveling Otter. The class that has the most dollars raised (by percent to goal) on the first day of fundraising (9/22) will get to name the Otter.

100% of class goal

DAILY prizes during Fundraising

Top Class per Grade

Every classroom that meets their class goal will earn a battery powered zebra to name and enter in the zebra race on Otter Dash Day and will earn a popsicle party.

Top Class per Grade

Hit Fundraising Goal

Top Class per Grade

The Top class (by percent to goal) in each grade level will earn an extra recess on the playground of their choice plus a fun treat!

Top Class Overall

Hit Fundraising Goal

The class that raises the overall highest dollar amount AND the class that raises the highest amount by percent to class goal will earn a Pizza and Movie Party!

The teachers will each receive a $100 Amazon Gift Card!

Hit Fundraising Goal

If we hit our $70,000 fundraising goal, all students will get Snow Cones on Friday, October 17th!

NEW THIS YEAR! Participation Goal

Our goal is to have 80% of the students participate.

Last year, we had a participation rate of 69% (of the 584 students, 404 raised funds)

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at opstadpta@yahoo.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What is Otter Dash?

Otter Dash is Opstad Elementary PTA's largest fundraiser of the school year! Donations received during Otter Dash make up the majority of funds the PTA has to support our teachers and students that year.

Students are encouraged to help raise money for their school

How do you get friends & family to donate?

We want our students safe -no going door to door- only ask people they know. Each student has an envelope for collecting cash/checks as well as the online fundraising page that they can share with family and friends. Here are a few ideas on ways your student may choose to raise funds:

Make a quick video that includes details about the fundraiser and share it with friends and family
Use your talents in exchange for donations!
- Draw or paint pictures
- Bake your favorite treat
- Set a reading or running goal and ask for pledges in support

Can donations be matched?

YES! Many companies will match your donation dollars. If eligible, submit your donation for corporate matching and let us know (opstadpta@yahoo.com) so we can add your matching gift to the fundraising total!

What is spirit week?

After all the effort put into fundraising, students get to celebrate and have a ton of fun dressing up for each themed day. They love this and have an absolute blast. It’s so fun to see their creativity!

What do kids do on Otter Dash Day?

Otter Dash Day is celebrated during Spirit Week! A running course is setup on the back field and each grade gets to come out and run, sporting their Otter Dash t-shirt! The run wouldn’t be complete without music, bubbles, and the big rainbow arch. When they’re all finished, they get to cool down with an Otter pop!

What happens with all the money raised?

Glad you asked! Here are some of the many ways we used Otter Dash funds last year: Yearbooks for all students, Mad Scientist Assembly, New Sound System, Otter Dash T-shirts, New Books for book club, Staff Appreciation, Headphones for every student, Popcorn Fridays, Field Trips, Birthday bags, New chairs for additional concert seating, Toy Maker Workshops, A book for every student to promote summer reading, Trunk or Treat, Movie Nights, Bingo Night, Family Dance Party, Otters Outside, Egg Drop and so much more!

Otter dash 2025

help us meet our goal of raising $70,000 for Oes!

Schedule of events

Mon, September 22

Wed, October 8

Thur, October 9

Week of October 13

Thursday, October 17

Friday, October 18

prizes

DAILY prizes during Fundraising

DAILY prizes during Fundraising

DAILY prizes during Fundraising

Top class of the Day

DAILY prizes during Fundraising

DAILY prizes during Fundraising

100% of class goal

DAILY prizes during Fundraising

Top Class per Grade

Top Class per Grade

Hit Fundraising Goal

Top Class per Grade

Top Class Overall

Hit Fundraising Goal

Hit Fundraising Goal

Hit Fundraising Goal

Hit Fundraising Goal

Hit Fundraising Goal

NEW THIS YEAR! Participation Goal

NEW THIS YEAR! Participation Goal

NEW THIS YEAR! Participation Goal

Frequently Asked Questions

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