It wasn’t that long ago that science, music and art were all part of a student’s basic learning process at school. But how would those subjects work with no teachers?
Times have changed. Now those, and other important subjects, would fall by the wayside without community support to pay the teachers, student aides and those on yard duty.
That’s where the Vine Hill School PTA comes into play. With a little help from their friends in the community, the group of parents and community members raise funds to make a difference for the 570 children who attend Vine Hill School.
Two online fund-raising events are scheduled to help fund critical programs.
“Our kids desperately need support this year,” said Cheryl Ruyle, who is organizing the drive with Seana Sullivan. “With all the government cuts we need more and more help from the community.”
Silent online auction
The first fundraiser is a silent auction scheduled for Feb. 5 – 19. Potential bidders can put their offer in, and will be notified if someone outbids them. At that point, they can up their bid, if so desired.
Generous donors who have contributed goods and services to the online auction include Scotts Valley Market, Phil Allegri Electric, Inc., Otoro Sushi, Mathnasium, and Clean Space Cleaning.
Other goodies will surely be tempting: gift cards to their favorite restaurants, as well as shops such as Wonderland Toys and Dig Gardens. Local artists and photographers have donated art and photography sessions. Dentists have donated teeth whitening and medi spas have provided us with incredibly luxurious facials.
“This year has been particularly tough for everyone, with the pandemic and CZU Lightening Wildfire,” explains Sullivan. “But we have to continue to provide enrichment programs and resources for the kids.”
With the pandemic making group gatherings a thing of the past for now, virtual online auctions have been successful for many organizations and schools that continue to be in need of funding.
Virtual online live auction
The second fundraiser is a live stream virtual auction on the My Scotts Valley Facebook page from 6 – 9 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 20. This occasion will be hosted by real estate ace Robert Aldana, NBC reporter Garvin Thomas and singer deluxe Bobbie Ward.
Auction items include luxury getaways, vacation packages, a one-of-a-kind experience at a local brewery and more
Live entertainment will be provided by musical selections by Vine Hill students and teachers.
About the Vine Hill School PTA
We want our children to be inspired by all the different opportunities. Elementary school should be a time of enlightenment and discovery. It is important that we help provide an academic environment that is enriching. Not only are we, the PTA, a voice at the national level, but we are also a voice for the children at Vine Hill.
The programs we fund include art, music, computers, science, and life lab. We help to make sure our children can learn in an environment that is safe and welcoming by funding yard duties and providing Academic Intervention Assistants to support the classrooms. Without the PTA these programs simply wouldn’t exist.
Beyond these crucial programs, we fund cleaning equipment, landscaping, and supplies to help keep our school clean and fire safe. We have also been able to provide technology upgrades like LadyBug projectors, a classroom set of iPads and a mobile computer lab.
The Vine Hill Parent Teacher Association requires $420 for each and every child. That’s a lot and it continues to grow.
We need you to help make a difference by supporting the programs the children love.
David Leland
David is a local resident, a writer, MSV Columnist and a heck of a nice guy who cares about our commUNITY