Annual Benefit Auction
Connect with us through the Auction website,
the Auction blog, and the
Auction Facebook
page!
Update May 2: 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.
Thanks also to the DVA students in the Media and Design Club who
produced this video about how the Auction
supports our students.
What is the DVA Auction?
Each spring, Da Vinci Academy hosts an Auction which is the
biggest and most imporant 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 the space at the St. Charles 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.
Generous support for Fund-A-Project at the 2011 Auction is
already making an impact in the classroom for 2011-12:
- Sixteen new HP netbook computers, enough for every student in a
class
- Two new iPads for use throughout the school
- Completion of a new outdoor reading area in memory of Aurora
McQueen
- A collection of five new art textbooks, including three
high-school level books for our middle school students
- Upgraded internet service to enhance classroom and computer lab
technology
- Sycamore Education web-based school information system to
improve communication with current families
- ISACS Learning Bridges for professional development of teachers
and staff
"The iPads have been a wonderful tool to incorporate technology
into the music curriculum. Our young musicians use Music
for Little Mozarts to explore music through contrasting
sounds, movements, and stories. There also are numerous apps
for practicing note recognition and intervals. The sixth
graders will be composing music on the iPads with Garage
Band in addition to the Finale and Sibelius
programs. Thank you to all who helped fund these great
learning tools!" - Jaime Surdynski, Music teacher
"The new collection of art textbooks provides a contemporary
approach to teaching art, which helps students make connections
between art, culture, and their personal lives. We now have
three high school level studio books on Drawing, Painting, and
Graphic Design that add intensity and depth to Da Vinci's art
program." - Karyl Shields, Art teacher