This is typical of both DCPS and charters that have auctions. My DCPS charged $60/ticket.

Anonymous wrote:After a while, I realized schools need to offer something for everyone (income, work schedule, etc.), but every event or activity does not have to work for every person. And for events like this, it's always been clear that discounted tickets or fee waivers were available to those who wanted to participate but could not afford to.

Variety is needed for personalities too. Some people love "socials" and some people would MUCH rather send a check to the school and then stay home to watch Netflix alone.

After a while, I realized schools need to offer something for everyone (income, work schedule, etc.), but every event or activity does not have to work for every person. And for events like this, it's always been clear that discounted tickets or fee waivers were available to those who wanted to participate but could not afford to.

We went from a school that had NO gala to a school that charged $60-75 pp. Coming right after spring break & summer camp signup season, and not long after the holidays and two birthdays and visiting family with health issues, the admission is a hardship for us and we have skipped it two years in a row now. No fault of the organizers, I appreciate what they are doing. Maybe next year we'll stash some money away in advance so we won't feel the pinch quite as much.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much extra do I have to pay to support the school but NOT have to attend the gala and where can I sign up?

With you 100%. Understand why people are attracted to these events and that they do generate interest and funding that otherwise is tough to tap into. But can't actually going to them.

Sorry, can't actually STAND going to them.

Anonymous wrote:How much extra do I have to pay to support the school but NOT have to attend the gala and where can I sign up?

With you 100%. Understand why people are attracted to these events and that they do generate interest and funding that otherwise is tough to tap into. But can't actually going to them.

Our DCPS had an admission price for its auction, but it also had an online auction where there was no charge to participate. We couldn't afford a babysitter + tickets to the auction and then buy something at the auction, so we just did the online auction. I thought it was a great way to get people like us to join in on the fun.

Anonymous wrote:How much extra do I have to pay to support the school but NOT have to attend the gala and where can I sign up?

I"m sure they will happily accept a check. No need to attend. More donated food for everyone else.

Our DCPS does this.

How much extra do I have to pay to support the school but NOT have to attend the gala and where can I sign up?

I wouldn't assume that HRCS isn't getting tickets to school families who can't afford them just because they're not publicizing that effort. In fact, I assume they probably are.

Our Ward 4 charter has a fundraising event with $30 tickets, though you can get them early for a discounted price, and they also make an effort to ask families who can afford more tickets than they need to buy extras that they can use to donate to others. Seems hard to pull off an event that's intended to raise money without, you know, raising money.

Agree with what others have said -- it's the biggest fundraiser of the year, there is a play space that needs to built, and there are many other events throughout the year (some that are for fundraising and some that are not) that are all inclusive. Also, families had weeks of early-bird pricing (and a sale today) where the tickets are $40.00 instead of $60.00.

Many PTAs proceed in this way, hard not to if the goal is to raise money. What any PTA needs to think about is where to draw the line (I find $60 really a lot, and I'm not in need) and how to offer a range of PTA engagement opportunities - fundraising included - that keep everyone engaged and invested, not just those who'd rather whip open their checkbook that get their hands dirty helping to run things.

Anonymous wrote:Maury's is $50 admission but the PTA sets aside tickets for famileis who might not be able to pay but want to attend.

*families