Scotts Valley, Calif. – March 3, 2014: Vine Hill Elementary School today launches its second annual online auction. Vine Hill’s Auction Series is a targeted attempt on behalf of the school’s parent community to bridge the gap between state funding and the programs needed to maintain the school’s standard of excellence.
Vine Hill’s Auction Series includes an online auction, a live auction gala dinner on March 22 and the recently piloted Read-A-Thon. Every year, the school’s Parent Teacher Association attempts to raise $250,000 to provide critical academic and enrichment programs to maintain Vine Hill’s foundation of excellence and provide its students with a well-rounded education. The programs currently funded includes the radically successful academic support program which pays for part-time staff to support the classroom during critically identified learning times and thereby offset the effects of large class sizes. These staff members enable differentiated small-group learning and allow teachers to spend more quality time helping students learn. The Auction Series also allows Vine Hill’s PTA to pay for music, art, computer lab, in-class science programs, yard duties, physical movement classes, anti-bullying support and a life sciences garden.
New this year, Vine Hill is aiming to raise funds for a new applied mathematics program. The Innovative Math in Every Classroom (IMEC) program is part of the school’s commitment to helping students not only meet but excel beyond the state’s new Common Core standards. The program is set to include bi- monthly in-class lessons in innovative and applied mathematics, take-home math kits, math manipulatives and technology upgrades for each classroom as well as family math nights.
“The Common Core State Standards will be fully in effect next year. These standards are designed to be focused, coherent, clear, and rigorous, and they are anchored in college and career readiness. What that means for our students is we need to provide as much support as possible to help transition them toward these standards. The IMEC program will be a great opportunity to support all students at Vine Hill School in real-world, project-based math,” said Rhonda McEntee, Scotts Valley Unified School District Mathematics Coach.
Vine Hill Principal, Michelle Stewart, is in full support of the program. “Our goal with this math program is to bring excitement to math and guide our students into a deeper interest in math by providing them with project-based learning activities, rooted in real-world scenarios that expose our students to the wider fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).”
Local realtor Robert Aldana contributed, “Homeowners have a vested interest in the success of our schools, regardless of whether they are current parents. Scotts Valley is known for its commitment to excellence in education. The ratings of our local schools have a direct impact on the value of our homes and community as test scores are listed directly on all home listings. Rallying around our local schools is one of the most effective ways to ensure our home values remain high.”
The online auction will be live from March 3 until March 15. Items available range in price from $5 to $250 and include many gift certificates from local restaurants, services and businesses. Items are also available to purchase immediately. Please visit www.vinehillauction.com for more information.
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About the Vine Hill Elementary School PTA
The Vine Hill Elementary School PTA exists to positively impact the lives of all children and families by representing our members, and empowering and supporting them with skills in advocacy, leadership and communications. It is a professional, non-profit volunteer organization committed to the well-being of all children.
If you are interested in donating to the Vine Hill auction, please contact [email protected]. Additional information is available at www.vinehillauction.com or at http://www.vinehill.santacruz.k12.ca.us/.
For more information:
Marci-Beth Maple Vine Hill Elementary Auction Chair
831-588-0830
[email protected]