Runstr Q3 Newsletter - Empowering Education Together (Copy)

As we reflect on the strides we’ve made this quarter, we’re reminded of John Doerr’s insightful words:

“The most screwed up part of the American economy is the fact that the teachers, the parents, and the students are not linked in any rational economic system.”

At Runstr, we’re committed to bridging this gap by creating an ecosystem where teachers, parents, and students collaborate seamlessly. Here’s a look back at our accomplishments throughout the year.

Key Highlights of Q3

1. Launch of the Aspiring Innovators Scholarship Program

• Introducing Aspiring Innovators: A scholarship initiative aimed at providing transparent and impactful support to education.

• Collaboration with Runstr: Starting in 2025, $5,000 will be donated to ten high schools using Runstr, focusing on STEM programs and student development.

• Tailored Support: Funds may go directly to students or enhance school programs, fostering creativity and innovation.

2. Welcoming Melanie Battistelli to Runstr

• Background: Founder of Duxbury Digital with extensive experience in education.

• Contributions:

• Developed the Teachers Need More program.

• Streamlined support for teachers facing financial challenges.

• Formed strategic partnerships with schools to expand Runstr’s reach.

• Impact: Enhancing our mission to support both teachers and students effectively.

3. Creative Student Engagement: Golden Tickets and Chocolate Bars

• Initiative: Inspired by “Willy Wonka,” we distributed chocolate bars with hidden golden tickets to students.

• Purpose:

• Spark excitement and joy among students.

• Open dialogues about their experiences and how to improve Runstr.

• Outcome: Gained valuable insights into student motivations and interests.

4. A Toast to Teachers: Building Bridges Through Appreciation

• Gesture of Gratitude: Curated wines labeled “Made for Teachers” to appreciate educators.

• Objective:

• Create opportunities for meaningful conversations.

• Understand teachers’ needs and challenges.

• Result: Strengthened relationships and gathered feedback to enhance Runstr and Teachers Need More.

5. Empowering Educators: Shaping Runstr with Direct Feedback

• Approach:

• Interviewed teachers and education professionals using platforms like care.com.

• Offered stipends for their time and insights.

• Findings:

• Traditional fundraising methods are outdated and ineffective.

• Teachers often pay out of pocket for classroom supplies.

• Emphasized the need for transparency between students and parents.

• Action: Incorporated feedback to refine Runstr and develop Teachers Need More, creating an organic ecosystem benefiting all parties.

6. Runstr 2.0: Ready for Beta Testing and Expansion

• Improvements: Polished design and streamlined features.

• Beta Testing:

• Launching in January 2025 with a school in West Virginia.

• Onboarding 1,000 students, each aiming for an average of three subscribers at $13/month.

• Projected Impact:

• Estimated $39,000 monthly revenue for the school.

• Plans to expand to four additional schools by fall 2025.

7. Revolutionizing Athletic Fundraising with Runstr

• Challenges with Traditional Methods: Limited effectiveness of booster dinners, bake sales, and car washes.

• Runstr’s Solution:

• Year-round fundraising platform for athletic programs.

• Students share updates on achievements, training, and goals.

• Benefits:

• Engages the broader community and booster clubs.

• Provides a safer and more efficient fundraising method.

8. Introducing Class Crafters: Celebrating Extraordinary Teachers

• Launch: Starting January 2025, a bi-weekly blog highlighting outstanding teachers.

• Features:

• In-depth stories of educators making a significant impact.

• Branding: “Welcome to Class Crafters, where we highlight amazing teachers who do great things.”

• Goals:

• Build an organic following alongside Runstr.

• Offer recognition and possibly prizes to featured teachers.

9. Empowering Educators with Runstr GPT

• What is Runstr GPT?: An AI tool built on ChatGPT to assist teachers.

• Uses:

• Lesson planning assistance.

• Proofreading assignments.

• Brainstorming creative homework ideas.

• Aim: Encourage thoughtful integration of AI into classrooms, enhancing efficiency and creativity.

10. Safeguarding Students: Prioritizing Privacy and Safety

• Privacy Measures:

• Content shared only with trusted subscribers.

• Parental and teacher oversight controls.

• No sharing of personal information with third parties.

• Safety Advantages:

• Eliminates risks associated with traditional fundraising (door-to-door sales, interacting with strangers).

• Provides a secure digital space for students to share achievements.

11. Introducing the Runstr Yearbook

• Purpose: A dynamic platform for students to showcase achievements and growth.

• Benefits:

• Highlights academic and extracurricular accomplishments.

• Assists in college, internship, and job applications.

• Simplifies evaluations for guidance counselors, teachers, and parents.

12. Promising Results from Manual Trials

• Pilot Program:

• Conducted with 58 students in New Hampshire.

• Students secured subscribers at $13 each.

• Results:

• July: 174 transactions, $2,262 revenue.

• August: 290 transactions, $3,770 revenue.

• Insights:

• Student engagement improved over time.

• Demonstrated potential for scalability when fully automated.

13. Insights from Students: Shaping Runstr’s Future

• Method:

• Interviewed over 100 students through college job boards.

• Explored their goals, challenges, and needs.

• Key Findings:

• Even small financial support (e.g., $13/month) significantly impacts students.

• Students have strong support networks willing to contribute.

• Desire for autonomy in presenting themselves on the platform.

• Impact: Adjusted Runstr’s design to allow personalized sharing and shifted focus to benefit high school and middle school students.

14. Pioneering Development with Runstr’s Initial Prototype

• Early Version:

• Collaborated with 100 students to test core features.

• Prioritized functionality over aesthetics.

• Outcomes:

• Identified operational challenges and areas for improvement.

• Collected critical user feedback.

• Contribution: Informed the strategic direction for future iterations, ensuring alignment with user needs.

Closing Remarks

Our journey this quarter has been one of growth, learning, and collaboration. By actively engaging with teachers, students, and parents, we’ve made significant strides in linking these vital components of the educational ecosystem.

We’re grateful for your continued support and enthusiasm. Together, we’re transforming the way education is funded and experienced, creating a more connected and supportive community for all.

Warm regards,

The Runstr Team

Stay Connected

• Website: www.runstr.com

• Email: support@runstr.com