FAQs
 

What is the Swigert Auction?

The auction is our biggest fundraiser--and biggest party--of the year! It's a chance for families, teachers, staff and friends to come together for an evening of laughs, drinks, appetizers, games and dancing. All this, while raising money for our school, to boot!!

There will be an open bar and buffet and all attendees will have a seat.

Who can come to the auction?

Anyone who loves our school! Please note that the auction is an adults-only event.

How can I purchase tickets? Are there pricing options? 

Tickets go on sale Feb 28th.  All ticket sales contribute towards our auction fundraising goal of $100,000.

Feb 28- March 23rd tickets are $100, after March 23rd, price increases to $125 per person
Staff receive complimentary tickets!
Ten person tables sell for $1,500 - this is a great way to enjoy the event with close friends!
 

What happens to the money we raise?

The PTA donates over $200,000 to the school every year.

The money we donate is given to the school to cover expenses from the current year. We are funding in arrears; meaning the money we raise at the spring auction will actually pay for the programming your children received THIS YEAR. This money is critical to the continuation of these programs.

If your child came home and shared a new Spanish vocabulary word or an IB Learner Profile certificate, they were impacted by money we need to raise at the auction!

Some of the things that have been paid for by auction money include: 

IB Curriculum including IB Teacher Training
Our Spanish program
STEM Training at NASA
The school garden
International Night
Winterfest
Outdoor classroom creation and maintenance
Field Trips Busing
IB Provocations like igneous rock fudge, visual performances, speakers, time machines, etc.
Virtual field trips
Caroline Dane's, our IB Coordinator, fieldwork initiatives: Stanley Social Action posters, Food Pantry Volunteering, Balfour visits, speakers, etc.
Teacher funds for rugs, books, stickers, consumables
Service Day projects benefiting the wider community
12 Paraprofessionals to lower student:teacher ratios
Weekly backpacks of food to families with food insecurity
The 5th Grade Dance
The Welcome Breakfast
Trunk or Treat
The Color Run
Bingo Night
Presentations of Learning supplies like posters and costumes
Feature tables highlighting cultural celebrations around the world
New flags on the playground
Arts Integration Units

What kind of items will be auctioned?

A wide variety of items have been donated so far:

Buy-a-Share Parties for adults and kids (learn more here)
Vacations and Mountain Homes
Rounds of Golf
Concert Tickets with Overnight Accommodations
Professional Sports Tickets
Class Art 
Teacher Experiences 
Grade Baskets - each grade will create a basket 
Swigert family owned and other local business services (fitness, spa, health, painting, pet)

I can't attend the auction. Is there another way I can participate in this fundraiser?

Absolutely. You can still bid on "silent auction items" and "buy it now items" without attending the event. You can register to participate here.  You can also donate directly anytime on the auction website's "Donate Now" page.

Do I have to spend a lot of money?

You don't have to spend a lot to make an impact!

Items can range in price from $25 Heads or Tails entries to $1,000+ live auction items like vacation getaways. We promise, there will be something for everyone. This event is about fundraising, but it's also about community building. We want as many people to attend as possible! If you are experiencing financial hardship and want to attend, please contact the PTA Presidents directly and confidentially, and we will do our best to reduce or waive the cost of your ticket. 

What is Heads or Tails?

Heads & Tails participants stand and choose either "heads" (shown by putting their hands on their head) or "tails" (shown by putting their hands on their rear ends). Then a coin is tossed calling out the result, "Heads" or "Tails". Those whose hands are placed to match side of the coin tossed, remain standing. All others must sit and have been eliminated until only one is remaining. That person wins a prize.

More Info

GENERAL ACQUISITIONS

The PTA has launched outreach to local businesses, past donors, and Swigert families for items or experiences we can present for live auction or mobile bidding.  If you have a business gift certificate, vacation home, or product you would like to donate, please contact president@swigertpta.com

BUY-A-SHARES

Rosie Bellville (mrosiewirth@hotmail.com) and Laura Bird are our chairs for this category, and it's a fun one! These are group experiences or parties donated by Swigert families.  A group of families offer to host an event, at their own expense, and we sell a set number of tickets via the auction website to attend the event. When all spots have been purchased, the party is full! One successful example from last year was the Holiday Carriage Ride.  If you would rather donate a good time than cash, reach out to Rosie!  

CHILD ART

Christina Either (ckethier@gmail.com) is partnering with the school to make special art. The final products will be available for bidding at the auction. 

GRADE ITEMS

Andrea Murer (amb1482@gmail.com ) is our chair for this category. This year in an effort to reduce the ask of parents and the workload for our volunteer room parents, we will be continuing grade level baskets in lieu of class baskets. We will have one basket per grade. The process for contributing is a grade level registry or donation.  The link will come from your Room Parent,  and purchases will be shipped directly to the auction team. More information will come after Spring Break.

TEACHER EXPERIENCES

Our fabulous teachers and staff come up with fun experiences they can share with winning families.  These are always a big hit with our students and raise significant funds!  You may want to reach out to your teachers (specials teachers too) to see if they need any help coordinating these events or coming up with fun ideas!

You can stay involved in all the auction happenings by reading the Eagle Post or joining Swigert's Facebook (Friends of Swigert International School)

Thank you for your support and dedication to Swigert and we hope to see you at the auction!