School Bulletin: Principal elevates playground fundraiser with memorable challenges

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A hometown principal took a school fundraiser to new heights. On Tuesday, May 9, Rose Meier spent nearly 12 hours up on the roof of Mount Olive Christian Day School.

"It was awesome," Meier said.

The principal said she wanted to up the ante on the school's recent 50-50 popcorn fundraiser. She agreed that if the students raised $5,000 for Mount Olive in just four days, she would go up on the roof.

"I thought, there's no way they're going to sell $10,000 worth of popcorn. There's just no way," Meier said while laughing. "Boy was I wrong."

The kids, of course, rose to the challenge. But there was another step before Meier was sent up to the roof. She said she let them throw water balloons at her once they raised $2,500.

In total, the students raised more than $8,000 during the spring fundraiser. Meier said the money will be used for phase-two of playground renovations, which includes redoing the parking lots and basketball courts and adding an urban garden along the retaining wall.

Meier got a good look at the school grounds and neighborhood while working from the roof, but she also had plenty of students stopping by before and after school. She said they wrote notes to be sent up in a bucket, and they also offered her candy and flowers.

"I do believe this will be something that they remember for a long time," Meier said.