To get in the groove for this Saturday’s PTSA auction, check out these great video ads by Joel Walters’ Vashon High School video students

http://www.youtube.com/v/RqlH_vQZ544

and

http://www.youtube.com/v/RqlH_vQZ544

 Tickets are going fast for the upcoming Vashon PTSA Auction, "Memories of Tomorrow". The event is set for Saturday, May 3rd, at K2 Commons (formerly K2 Sports). You can get tickets at the Vashon Bookshop or Books by the Way, or online at Brown Paper tickets.

(www.brownpapertickets.com)

This year, tickets are $30 or $60 per person. The $60 seats are "reserved" seating. These tickets get you:

• the "Preview Gathering" from 4:30 to 5:30, before the auction begins. This gathering gives you appetizers, champagne, and a special look at items and a chance to plan your bidding strategy;

• concierge check-out. This gives you a chance to enjoy the rest of the night, complete with service throughout. Your concierge will bring your invoice to your table and have your items ready for you at check out. All you need to do is relax;

• a free 5x7 photo, taken that night.  Every reserved seats gets its own professional photo, taken by photographer Michael Sage.  Those who don't do the reserved seating will pay $10 for each photo;

• seating close to the stage; and

• the chance to choose who you sit with at special tables in advance. Reserved seats can choose their table of 10. Those in the general seating seats will find seats when they arrive that night.

So, take advantage of the reserved seats this year, if you can. Either way, get your ticket soon for this wonderful Vashon event!

Child Care For the Event

And don't forget, we are offering child care again this year, located at McMurray. It will be offered from 5 until 10 with a suggested donation of $10 per child for an incredible deal.  The child care is offered by the Vashon Jr. Civic Ballet (and parents) and pre-registration is requested. Please call Victoria Davies at 832-6773 if you have questions about child care.   

For more information on the auction, go to www.vashonptsaauction.org

By Rose Edgecombe
Vashon PTSA Communications Chair {and mother of two students at VHS}

In January every Vashon Island School District teacher received a gift from the PTSA in the form of a check for $50.  “The message to our teachers is we appreciate you and we want to say thank you.  We are honored to participate.” said Denise Katz, PTSA President.  This year’s PTSA Back to School Drive, spearheaded by Bob and Lauri Hennessey, was very successful with funds remaining after students’ school supply needs had been met.  It was suggested to Bob Hennessey that the balance go to teachers for classroom supplies.  The PTSA Board embraced the idea.  In December the Board voted to “top off” the balance with money from the 2007 PTSA Auction budget, allowing for a disbursement of $50 to every teacher.  

This year has been a difficult time at the school district in terms of finances.  Superintendent Terry Lindquist is leading the district towards fiscal soundness and that includes some necessary belt-tighten along the way.   Many teachers have bridged the financial gap by procuring supplies and materials out-of-pocket with no expectation of reimbursement.  For some teachers that amounts hundreds of dollars.

So this little windfall discovered in teachers’ in-boxes was a nice surprise and a big morale booster.  The $50 was handy, but the message that the Vashon community values our teachers was priceless.   One teacher expressed, “I can't tell you how blessed I felt to know that our community understands and appreciates us.”   Another comments “Thanks again for your generosity and support of our teachers and students.  It really makes a difference.”

Here is a sampling of what teachers from CES, MMS, VHS and Family link have been able to purchase:  Lots of books; Shakespeare, reading books, resource books, dictionaries, book club books, Spanish instructional materials, food and supplies for the “Revolutionary Brunch” at MMS, art supplies, classroom prizes for motivators, project boards, markers, crayons, glue sticks, colored construction paper, music, a pencil sharpener, and materials for a class play on Native Americans.  Go to the PTSA website www.vashonptsa.org to read teachers’ comments.

The Vashon PTSA will provide opportunity for continued support to our teachers at the 2008 PTSA auction in May, with a special “Raise-the-Paddle” to raise money for teacher training.  

For more comments from teachers press read more