What is the Auction?


The WO Auction is the school's biggest and most important fundraiser of the year, and also one of the most fun community-building social events for the adults at WO!


The auction funds so many things that make WO what it is, and it is only possible with the support of the whole community.


The WOPFG emphasizes having kids benefit from programs, but leaving the fundraising and community-building to the parents. The auction fulfills both of these goals, and it is worth going to!


What are you supporting?


The WO Auction supports the majority of programs that make the school an enriching and special environment for our families.


Here are some programs that you are supporting:

  • 40% of the cost of Field Trips
  • Classroom funds
  • Art & Music education
  • Ceramics
  • Leadership Training
  • Yard Duty
  • Community Service Groups (Safety Patrol, Student Council, Green Team, Reader Leaders)
  • Project Cornerstone & Social Emotional Programs
  • Science Fair 
  • Technology
  • And much, much more!
    (85% of the WOPFG budget)


Auction Donations


We encourage every family to donate something to the auction to support our program! 


You can work with your class Auction Rep to develop several auction projects, both student-driven and parent-driven. You can also donate separately as a family/individual during the Donation Drop-Off Depots to help fill Silent Auction baskets.


Donations can take many forms and don't have to be costly. Some people donate:

  •  *New* items (e.g. speakers or headphones, Lego sets, scooter, InstantPot, handbags, books, skincare--truly anything!)
  • Time-shares/vacation homes
  • Tickets to sports games/events/local attractions (e.g. Warriors, Barracudas, Stanford Cardinals, touring Broadway shows, operas, ballets, zoos, museums)
  • Hosted events/parties (e.g. Karaoke night, Afternoon tea, ABC brunch, themed parties)
  • Solicited items from favorite businesses
  • Skills/talents/personal business connections to share with the community (e.g. surfing, tennis, guitar, cooking, bartending, or latte art lessons)
  • Handmade items (e.g. pet portraits, planters, crocheted animals)
  • Gift certificates
  • Collectibles/memorabilia (e.g. autographed merchandise) 
  • Food/wine/specialty items
  • Unique experiences/one-of-a-kind opportunities (e.g. tour of Pixar campus, ride to school with the Chief of Police)
  • Childcare/services (e.g. art/craft workshops, family photos, Kids Night Out)
  • ...and many other ideas!


Others donate cash or gift cards to help fill gaps in school-wide baskets, as well as the very appreciated support given to your class projects.


Ask your class Auction Reps if they need any further help. Everyone's involvement is needed and makes a huge difference!


Auction Volunteering


All families are encouraged to help our auction run smoothly and be successful by volunteering.


There are typically slots available for:

  • Setting up the auction the day before and morning of (e.g. packing and/or unloading the truck, staging items in the Auction Hall)
  • Working a period of time during the auction (e.g. checking people in and assigning paddles, helping people check out and pick up their winning bids)
  • Cleaning up afterwards


Volunteer sign-ups typically will be available the week before the auction. Keep an eye out in the Wednesday bulletin! 


We hope each family will commit to at least one volunteer spot for the auction!


What should I wear?


Dressing up is optional.


Some people get really into the theme and get together prior to the event to get ready or coordinate costumes. Some dress up in nice clothes, like going on a date. Others just come dressed in everyday clothes. Anything goes; you should wear what's comfortable. We just hope you'll be there to join in the fun!


Parking


Parking is available across the street from SES Hall, at the Larry J. Marsalli Park parking lot. The entrance is off Lafayette Street between Lewis St. and El Camino Real.


Street parking is also available around SES Hall. Please check street signs to make sure you are allowed to park there.


If you plan to drink at the auction, given the close proximity, the Auction Committee would like to remind you that services, such as Uber & Lyft, are available. The drinks are strong! 


Please party responsibly.


What should I expect?


About a week and a half before the auction...

  • All items will be viewable on this website. It's strongly suggested you go through the different sections to "save" which items you are interested in bidding on. Items are split into 5 categories:
    100. Live Auction: big-ticket items/events. Bid in-person only! 
    200. Silent Auction: items/packages ("baskets"). Bid online.
    300. Buy It Now (BIN): usually smaller events/classes. Sign up online only!
    400. Boutique: handmade items by each student (awww!). Add to cart online.
    500: Drawing: fun and exciting things! Receive a ticket at check-in to enter in-person only. Donate to receive more tickets! 
  • Menu and schedule of events will be shared. There will be food for purchase, as well as a cash (only!) bar, and we'll let you know exactly what time bidding will open for BIN and Silent items. 

Tip: You can also join our WO Families Facebook group to get updates on Auction items and other event info.


When you arrive...

  • Check in to get your auction paddle with your bidding number on it. You will use this number on all of your bids in all parts of the auction, and you'll use your paddle in the Live Auction if you are bidding.
  • Check out the Buy It Now and Silent items, and start buying/bidding once it's available! Popular BIN items go very quickly, so be ready!

Note: Buy It Now items will only be available online.

  • Enter your ticket for one of the Drawing items. See a cashier to purchase more tickets for a higher chance to win!
  • If you'll be staying for the Live Auction, you may want to find friends to sit with and reserve seats together at some point earlier in the night.
  • Most importantly, have fun! Take photos with friends in the photo area, toast with a drink (cash bar only!), and get some food!


What is the Live Auction?

The Live Auction is at the last part of the auction event at end of the night. It is run by a professional auctioneer and can be quite exciting to watch, even if you don't plan to bid.

  • The Auctioneer will begin bidding at a certain price. If you wish to bid that amount, raise your paddle number HIGH and wait until the Auctioneer or his spotter acknowledges your bid. Watch carefully to make sure they have seen your bid - this is NOT the time to chit chat!
  • All purchases are final when the Auctioneer declares the item "SOLD." Bidding will not be reopened under any circumstances, so be clear that you are bidding on the item you want and not the one before it.
  • If you are interested in a big-ticket item, like themed dinners and parties, organize ahead of time with your class, grade-level, or friends to bid as a group. The Live Auction also often includes vacation packages, parking spaces, and a special one-of-a-kind project from each class.
  • If there is someone in your group who gets *company matching* (e.g. Apple, Oracle, Cisco, etc.), have that person bid and pay for the event and have the other attendees pay the bidder back. Then WO gets twice the donation!


At the end of the night...

  • When you're done for the night, you will turn in your paddle and receive an invoice for your purchases (Buy It Now, Silent Auction, Live Auction all together) to check out.
  • You can pay with cash, check made out to "WOPFG", or credit card through GiveSmart.


You must be prepared to pay for and take all of your purchases home that night.


Fine Print


  1. We have attempted to describe and catalogue all items correctly, but all items are offered "as is, where is."
  2. The Auction Committee neither warrants nor represents and in no event shall be responsible for the correctness of descriptions, genuineness, authorship, provenance or condition of the items.
  3. The Auctioneer reserves the right to add or withdraw, without notice, items to or from the auction.
  4. On occasion, a second, identical item will become available during bidding. This is by prior arrangement with the Auction Committee. At no time should any donor be approached with a request to donate a second item because the bidder was outbid.