Like school districts across the state, District 300 is struggling financially.  The same is true for the families and businesses in D300.  So what's a school to do when it needs additional funding?

"In times like these, you really have to think 'out of the box'," said Jeff King, principal of Gilberts Elementary School. "At Gilberts Elementary, we are trying to be creative in our search for funding.  We're willing to do whatever it takes to help our school."

Next Friday (Sept. 10), the school will compete in a national contest sponsored by the NFL called "Back to Football Friday."  The 34 schools nationwide that show the most NFL team pride while demonstrating a commitment to health and wellness will be visited by an NFL player and - most importantly - will receive a $10,000 grant.  Gilberts Elementary would use this funding to help purchase new playground equipment, furthering their commitment to a healthy life.

King believes his school has a legitimate shot at winning the NFL PLAY 60 contest.  He encouraged all students and staff to wear Chicago Bears apparel and colors on Sept. 10.  Students who are involved in football or cheerleading can wear their own uniforms the day of the event.

"For that day, we're actually encouraging people to paint black lines under their eyes, wear Chicago Bears ballcaps, and do almost anything they can to demonstrate their NFL spirit," he said. "We're pulling out all the stops."

Back to Football Friday is just the latest in the school's efforts to earn funding through non-traditional resources.  Earlier this summer, Gilberts families made a concerted effort to earn enough votes from Facebook members to win $500,000 from Kohl's department store.  The Kohl's Cares contest on Facebook will grant a half-million dollars to the top 20 vote-getting schools in the United States.

In late July, Gilberts was still in the top 20 nationwide.  Gilberts teachers and families dared to dream of how they would spend the money - on SMART Boards, student laptops, and other school improvements. But soon they were eclipsed by the social networking power of parochial schools, who worked with their regional administration to spread the word among other religious schools.  At last check, 19 of the top 20 schools in the Kohl's Cares contest, which ends this week, were private schools.

"We did the best we could, but we just couldn't keep up with the Archdiocese," King said. "So we're putting our money on the NFL next Friday.  Go Bears!"

SCHEDULE FOR GILBERTS ELEMENTARY "BACK TO FOOTBALL FRIDAY"

FRIDAY, SEPT. 10, 2010 

• 9:15 a.m. - Kick off! School assembly in gymnasium. Students learn to sing the Bear Down Fight Song. A guest speaker teaches them about living a healthy life. Students watch a short video of Bears clips.
• 10:40 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Lunch with a few football-themed menu items.
• 2 p.m. - Group rally. Students and staff convene on the playground for a group photo.