GUIDE TO GIVING & GETTING INVOLVED
Welcome from the Head
Since 1972, Giddens has thrived because of our exceptional and caring parent community. People like you have carried on the tradition and role modeled for our children the importance of volunteerism and community engagement. •
A successful community and events at Giddens rely on the active involvement of our families to make them happen.
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Families of the school share a common dedication; ensuring that all students receive a superb education in a supportive and engaging environment.
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We ask each family to provide 25 hours of volunteer service per year. Many will give beyond that, further strengthening the school/family partnership. Volunteering is a great way to get to know other families and share information and ideas, while at the same time setting a good philanthropic example for our children.
I’m excited to work with you at Giddens as we all give and get involved, together.
Dr. Morva McDonald Head of School
Introduction
Giddens School is known for its sense of community. Our families, students and alumni show their love of our school in many ways, both in and out of the classroom. Spend some time at our school - in the classrooms, browsing the library, playing on the playground or attending a special event - and here’s why: active learners benefit from a fully committed, supportive community, and that is the basis of the Giddens way‌ a partnership between you and the school. Giddens is fortunate to have significantly broad participation for our many school events. Here are two ways you can become involved at Giddens:
Active Participation: We encourage you to participate in the Giddens experience by being involved in the classroom, volunteering to help with projects, sponsoring activities or joining the Board of Trustees of a committee. Philanthropy: Like most independent schools, Giddens relies on the generous support of families and friends to augment its operating budget every year. We encourage all parents to make the school their number one philanthropic priority.
Philanthropy at Giddens School
Annual Fund The Annual Fund is the lifeblood of all fundraising efforts for Giddens. Our entire community comes together each year in support of the Annual Fund. The need is real and each student benefits. Beyond the very important dollars we must raise each and every year, your participation in the Annual Fund reflects the strength of our community, and our shared commitment to our students. An unmistakable generosity of spirit infuses our school. The commitment of our entire community, past and present, to the financial strength of our school
makes ambitious teaching and learning possible here each day. Auction The Auction supports key priorities of the school, like financial assistance, technology, professional development, and more. This annual event is not only a key fundraiser, but it is
also an important community event! All parents are strongly encouraged to attend and to invite friends and family to the Auction to celebrate the children and the school!
To be successful, the Auction needs support from every family. We rely on families to procure the amazing items we auction that night, to participate in the online auctions and the Auction night, and to help in the many volunteer positions available both in the months leading up to the event and on the big night. Why does Giddens need to raise money? The Annual Fund helps pay for everything from faculty salaries and professional development opportunities to new curriculum initiatives, from financial assistance programs to technology maintenance and upgrades, from the electricity needed to keep the lights on to supplies and books. It helps Giddens attract and retain a
talented and committed faculty and provides support for activities, arts initiatives and other programs. Who is asked to participate? Through the Annual Fund, the bedrock of our fundraising each and every year, our steadfast supporters fuel the mission of Giddens and the vision for moving it forward. We thank the many alumnae, parents, parents of alumnae, grandparents, trustees, faculty, staff and friends who stand strong together in purpose and joy through their gifts to Giddens. Why does Giddens need fundraising when parents already pay tuition? As in most independent schools, there is a gap between the cost of tuition and the true cost of providing a high -quality education for each child. At Giddens School the gap is $2,400 per child. Raising tuition by this much would undoubtedly drive away many of our current families and discourage many new families from applying. How much should we give? Only you can decide how much to contribute to Giddens each year. We hope that our families will make the school a philanthropic priority.
Ways to Participate : Community
Committee join a standing or ad hoc
committee of the board. These teams of subject matter experts help us to make decisions about the future of the school, craft policies, and greatly contribute towards a positive community for students, faculty and staff, and families. Buddy Families welcome new Giddens
families and participate in events designed to build community spirit and celebrate our newest families. Field Trips & Outdoor Education Trips We value our students interacting with the world outside of our school. We often plan field trips as opportunities for students to apply their learning in a variety of contexts. Some fieldtrips are for a few hours and others in older grades are overnight experiences. Parent chaperones make these events possible. Garden Support Weed and water the our Outdoor Learning Lab or adopt one of the smaller, dedicated garden areas to tend this year. Work with others or be selfdirected; hours are flexible. Garden work parties are held at least twice per year.
Library Volunteer Lend a hand with
shelving, labeling or repairing library books. Support Poetry Month (April). Check with the Librarian about drop-in projects or setting up an ongoing library volunteer schedule. Class Representatives There are at least two Classroom Representatives from each
class who work with the teachers to enrich the academic and social life of the school. Class Reps fulfill a vital role at Giddens, linking the school, classroom teachers and their families. As liaisons throughout the year, Class Reps recruit helpers for their teachers, share classroom news and needs, and send out announcements of
school programs and events. Class Reps are asked to plan at least two community building family activities each year (fall and spring.) Additionally, Class Reps serve as volunteers for the Annual Fund and support the class project for the Annual
Auction. Class Reps are a vital part of the fundraising team and promote Giddens’ ambitious goal of 100% parent participation in the Annual Fund.
Ways to Participate : Events Back to School Picnic : September Join Giddens families to welcome the school year by sharing food and creating community. Speaker Series : Ongoing Learn together with us as we explore issues that are important to our community. Topics range from conversations around justice and diversity to parenting and current events.
Book Fair : October Books will be available for sale on the school stage both before and after school. Proceeds from the sale help fund our library. Grandparents & Special Friends Day Each fall, Giddens hosts our yearly Grandparents and Special Friends Day, an fun day that showcases student work, activities and classrooms. Visitors are welcomed at either a brunch or tea and enjoy our All School Sing. There will be a time for questions and answers with the Head of School. Admissions Open Houses : Nov & Jan Current parents act as hosts for visitors to the school at the fall and winter Open Houses. There are roles both in and out of the classrooms such as general greeting, tour guides, and working registration.
MLK Student March For Peace and Justice : January Giddens School hosts an annual student march and rally to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday and his powerful work for peace and justice. Giddens kids, parents, and teachers carry handcrafted signs and banners as they march to Pratt park and host a rally. Upon return to Giddens, we celebrate with an all school assembly. SPARK Family Night : February Join us for an evening peek inside your child’s daily life at school. We will showcase different aspects of our curriculum and share insight into every day teaching and learning at Giddens School. . Auction : March This fun celebration of community and Giddens will take place on March 30, 2019. This is a great opportunity for the adults in our community to rally support and raise funds to enhance our school program. Join us for an exciting party including a wine grab, photo booth, dinner and dancing! Don’t forget to raise your bid card early and often! Arts Festival : May Since 1975, we’ve celebrated the tradition of community and arts at the school. All students have a half-day and teachers transform the school into a gallery of student art work for an allschool evening performance and showcase. All School Field Trip : June Celebrate the end of a successful school year with a trip to Lincoln Park. Kids explore the beach, enjoy a picnic lunch, play games and enjoy a fun-filled day together.
Ways to Participate : Committees In addition to the Family Association, there are various committees at the school to support different initiatives. Parents are encouraged to join one (or more!) that matches their interest. Meetings occur on a regular basis and are listed on the online calendar.
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Auction
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Technology Advisory Group
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Giddens Family Association
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Giddens School Board of Trustees
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Advancement
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Diversity and Inclusion
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Executive Committee (Board Members only)
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Facilities
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Finance
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Governance Committee (Board Members only)
Key Contacts
Giddens Contacts Ken Bender : Director of Enrollment Management 206.324.4847 x30 | kbender@giddensschool.org Amy Bresslour : Director of Institutional Advancement 206.324.4847 x33 | abresslour@giddensschool.org Rachel Donnelley : Director of Teaching and Learning 206.324.4847 x40 | rdonnelley@giddensschool.org Mindy Huffman : Business Office Coordinator 206.324.4847 x13 | mhuffman@giddensschool.org Morva McDonald : Head of School 206.324.4847 x12 | mmcdonald@giddensschool.org Kitsy Roberts : Office Manager 206.324.4847 x10 | kroberts@giddensschool.org Julie Sponsler : Director of Finance and Operations 206.324.4847 x32 | jsponsler@giddensschool.org
Key Volunteers Anne Sarewitz : Board of Trustees Chair Paula Emery : Advancement Committee Chair
thank you!
Giddens School 620 20th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144 giddensschool.org