West Seattle schools: Fundraiser updates, and how you can help

(UPDATED 8:50 PM for a total of 8 school fundraisers, current and upcoming)

It’s fundraising season for local schools – and four SIX EIGHT local PTSA/PTA groups have shared updates on how you can help, as well as how the community has helped already:

LAFAYETTE WALK-A-THON: Lafayette Elementary‘s minute-long video recaps last Friday’s Walk-A-Thon; Kelly Johnston from the PTA tells us: “As a school, the students ran a combined total of 9,477 Laps. This is about 1,898 miles! The students collected $58,000, and local business donated over $15,000! We are so grateful to all of our business sponsors. A link featuring them can be found here.”

ARBOR HEIGHTS DIRECT DRIVE: Some PTAs have launched “Direct Donation Drives” – including Arbor Heights Elementary, which is running through November 6th, and is welcoming donations from the community as well as from those with kids at/ties to the school: “Funds go toward our Young Authors Day activities, Kindergarten Aides, stipends for teacher projects, and much more.” The school website features multiple alternatives for donating, including online.

CHIEF SEALTH ‘PASSPORT TO EXCELLENCE’ AUCTION/DINNER: The biggest annual benefit for Chief Sealth International High School is set for 6 pm Friday, November 15th, at The Hall at Fauntleroy, with a sit-down dinner, entertainment, and auction. You can buy tickets online by going here; you can browse auction items here.

WEST SEATTLE HS ‘REACHING FOR THE STARS’ AUCTION/DINNER: One week after that, it’s the biggest annual benefit for West Seattle High School – 5:30 pm Friday, November 22nd, in the Brockey Center at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor). You can buy tickets online by going here; auction items are previewable here.

ADDED 2:16 PM: Since we first published this roundup, we’ve received word of two more fundraisers:

K-5 STEM DIRECT DONATION DRIVE: Our area’s newest public school has a direct-give drive under way; the K-5 STEM PTA points out that the district didn’t give them any money for library books, for example, so they have only what the PTA is raising money for, and that’s just part of what they need. Their plan, and the link for donating online, can be seen here.

NOVEMBER READ-A-THON MONTH AT DENNY: Also just received word of Denny International Middle School’s upcoming Read-A-Thon during December:

Students set reading goals with their literacy teachers (a number of pages or books) and then collect pledges from friends family or the community toward those goals. The first week in December we collect on the pledges and hope for a great double reward money for the school and learning by our students. If anyone is interested in sponsoring a student, please contact the Read-a-Thon chair Nicole Sipila at alipis@clearwire.net. We’ll finish our literacy fundraising with a book fair celebration at the Westwood Barnes and Noble on Dec. 12th. Purchases that night (actually all that week) can go toward Denny if you tell the clerk at checkout. We’ll be featuring some Denny student art, music, and writing that Tuesday evening.

ADDED 8:50 PM: Two more!

WEST SEATTLE ELEMENTARY CAMP FUNDRAISER: 4th and 5th graders from West Seattle Elementary School are going to Islandwood, with donors’ help – they’re crowdfunding, so you can donate (and find out more) here.

ALKI ELEMENTARY AUCTION: Got word tonight of the Alki Elementary PTA Gold Rush Auction & Dinner at 5:30 pm Saturday, November 16th, at The Hall at Fauntleroy. You can browse items for this auction online by going here; and you can buy your tickets online here.

Other major school fundraisers in progress/coming up? Let us know!

2 Replies to "West Seattle schools: Fundraiser updates, and how you can help"

  • ProudMadisonMom October 30, 2013 (5:28 pm)

    For the bibliophiles:

    The holidays are right around the corner and now is the perfect time to do some early holiday book shopping. Luckily, Madison’s first Book Fair of the year (hosted by Westwood Village Barnes & Noble) is coming up next week on November 6th and 7th–Wednesday and Thursday. Students can shop for books during advisory and lunch on the main stage in the cafeteria. The book fair will also be open during Math Night on Thursday, November 7th. Cash, check (made out to Barnes & Noble) and credit card will be accepted. You can also shop online from November 6-15th at http://www.bn.com/bookfairs (be sure to use the Bookfair ID 11211661 at checkout) to benefit Madison’s book fair. A portion of every sale will come back to Madison to help us purchase new books for our library. You can also pass this message on to other interested family and friends that might want to help out Madison students by purchasing some books for themselves or loved ones.
    The Barnes & Noble café is also partnering with The Cheesecake Factory this year and will be selling holiday Cheesecakes (Original, Hershey’s, Pumpkin, and Red Velvet) for $40 at our book fair. A portion of every cheesecake sold will directly benefit our Madison Library. You can order a cheesecake at the book fair the evening of Math Night or you can pre-order one using the attached order form. All cheesecakes will be available for pick-up at the Westwood Village Barnes & Noble.

  • WS Mom October 30, 2013 (9:28 pm)

    As a long-time Lafayette parent, I am so thankful for the West Seattle community for their continued support of our school, and the other great West Seattle schools. These funds help provide everything from tutors and a school counselor, to new classroom chairs and books. Thank you West Seattle and awesome Lafayette community.

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