What is the DVA Auction?
Each spring, Da Vinci Academy hosts
an Auction which is the biggest and most important social event for
the school community. The Auction is one of the two main
fundraisers at Da Vinci, along with the Annual Giving Campaign.
Each year, the Auction raises approximately $80,000.
The semi-formal evening includes
drinks and appetizers, a gourmet dinner, raffle drawings, silent
auction items, and a professional auctioneer for the live
auction. Attendance is approximately 150 people, but
Eaglebrook Country Club can accommodate more people with even
better attendance from current families and more guests from
outside our parent community (grandparents, family, friends,
neighbors, colleagues). While the event is an important
fundraiser, the evening offers something for everyone regardless of
budget. Good food, good company, and a good cause make the
Auction the must-attend event of the Da Vinci year!
Auction revenue is divided between
unrestricted and restricted funds. Unrestricted donations
support the $1,600 per student gap between tuition and the actual
cost of educating each student. Unrestricted funds are raised
through raffle ticket sales, silent and live auction items, class
projects, event sponsorships and catalog advertisements, and cash
donations.
Restricted giving at the Auction is
coordinated through Fund-a-Project, which directly supports
specific needs and enhancements to the academic program or
facility. Fund-A-Project typically supports key areas like
technology, new curriculum materials, professional development
opportunities for teachers, and additions to the facility. Support
for Fund-A-Project directly benefits students and teachers.
Thanks also to the DVA
students in the Media and Design Club who produced
this video about how the
Auction supports our students.
Generous support for
Fund-A-Project at the 2012 Auction immediately impacted the
classrooms for 2012-13:
Technology
Our teachers are already enjoying
the nine new HP Laptop computers that were purchased this summer to
replace some of our outdated technology. Additionally, we
upgraded our firewall for enhanced school-wide Internet security to
match our new lobby security system! Soon to come - portable
MimioBoard Interactive Whiteboards. To learn more about this
exciting classroom technology, check out www.mimio.com.
Facilities
The first step towards Da Vinci Academy's long term growth plan
went into effect this summer. With the money raised for
facilities, three classrooms were enlarged on the west side of the
building to create a better learning environment for our larger
classes. During the remodeling, building security was improved with
the addition of encoded entry doors, allowing access to the lobby,
while restricting access to classrooms.
A sincere thanks to everyone who made the 2012 Auction held
April 28th a great evening for the DVA community. We had
nearly 200 attendees, a beautifully decorated venue at the St.
Charles Country Club, and the fun new mobile text bidding.
Connect with us
through the Auction blog and the Auction Facebook
page!