Baskets for Auction Oct 28 to 29 2010

Click on the picture to see the majority of baskets available for auction. Stop by the High School Commons to see all the baskets and place your bids by 4:15pm on Friday!! Good luck bidding! We hope you are all winners!

Sneak Peak #3 - 2010 Basket Auction

This blogger was thrilled to see some exciting additions to our basket auction on Tuesday. We are still accepting donations, and I will post pictures of the items tonight. For now, here is a fresh peak at some exciting additions to the auction.....

Dr. Christopher Henry has donated two giftbags - each (valued at $350) containing:
- Gift Certificate for free Orthodontic Records
- Notepad and magnets
- Happy face pen
- Chap stick
- Water bottle

The folks over at our local Holm Town Nursery, have provided a lovely basket to be featured on this site tomorrow in pictures.

The Pioneer Woman has mailed us a package containing her Pioneer Woman Cookbook!!! How cool is that!?


New England Cheesemaking out of Massachusetts has provided a Cheesemaking kit and DVD to help you get started..... making cheese!





Lots of other fun items are also going to be up for auction. Some are even full of Hutchison School spirit, like these spirited pillows, blankets and scarves....

Remember, the auction begins on Thursday and concludes at 4:1pm on Friday, October 29th.

The auction is open to students, teachers, parents, Hutch extended family and the general public. Feel free to invite your neighbors and coworkers to browse and bid!

Thanks to all of you for your support!

Two more days til bidding begins!

Though contributions are coming in slowly this year, we are so excited by the generosity of the contributors for the auction thus far.

So yes, we are still seeking and accepting items to be auctioned this Thursday and Friday. All contributions for auction are tax-deductible!!!


Today's biggest surprise came from Era Flightseeing! The package is described as: "one space available gift certificate for the Glacier Landing Expedition out of Denali National Park. The value is $435.00."

Thank you to Era and the other corporate and individual contributions.
Reminder: Pictures of this year's baskets to be auctioned will be posted on this blog on Wednesday evening.

Sneak Peak #1 - Bidding starts this Thursday!

We are so excited about the upcoming PTSA Basket Auction and hope you are too!!

With bidding taking place this coming Thursday and Friday, Oct 28-29th, we want to give you a sneak peak into some of the exciting items to be auctioned. We'd also like to remind everyone that items for auction are still needed and can be donated as late as Friday if need be. Bidders will be milling about the auction items during Parent Teacher Conferences on both Thursday and Friday.

So, here is a taste of the 2010 Hutchison High PTSA Basket Auction...... drum roll please.....


$25 gift certificate from our neighborhood bookstore - Gulliver's Books

$100 Canvas on Demand gift voucher from Canvas on Demand, located in North Carolina promises to "Turn Your Sentimental Photo Into Canvas Art!"

You can check this out in advance to see what this voucher might do for you. This process is so so easy. You can use your voucher online, or over the phone. Simply provide an electronic or original print photo and they will do the rest.

Today, I spotted a 20 x 20 inch custom canvas for $99 on their website!

A nice gift certificate for amazing cupcakes from a hot - fun - new - Fairbanks business.... A & K Cupcakes (be sure to friend them on facebook)

The Great Alaskan Bowl Company has generously donated a 7 inch spruce Animal Bowl with stand. This is an exciting item!!

Need ideas and examples? Here are pics from our 2009 Basket auction

(Click on picture to view photo gallery)

Only one week left to prepare your basket donation for auction....

There is only one week left to donate a basket for the PTSA's Annual Basket Auction (our only fundraiser of the entire school year!)

No matter if you just heard about the auction to be held on Oct. 28 & 29, or if you are just having trouble coming up with a contribution - we've got some ideas to get you going....

Ideas! Ideas! Ideas!

A variety of sizes and value for the baskets make the bidding more affordable and more interesting. Most baskets sell best in the $40 - $100 range. You may choose to donate a large or medium basket, or multiple smaller baskets

Your container does not need to be a basket! You might want to use the "container" as your starting point for your theme. Consider a toolbox filled with tools, maybe a big bowl filled with popcorn, dvds and some gift certificates to Regal Cinemas. What about a soft blanket shaped to contain some comforting items to cozy up to the heater on a cold winter day?

Network early with the family and friends to collect items than can enhance the marketability of your basket. For you parents out there, consider asking your employer to donate a basket. After all, the PTSA is a non-profit organization - providing a simple charitable and tax deductible contribution.

Possible Themes:
"Hawks" of course
Hutch "H" Logo items
Automotive (winter prep, new driver prep, old school, repair)
Safety
Scrapbooking
Gardening or Landscaping
Outdoor items
Shopping (Gift Cards)
B&B / Cabin stays
Guide Services
Kitchen themes
Emergency preparation
On the Road Again
Quilting
Family Night
Crafts
Book Club
Cabin Fever Relief
40 Below Day Fun
Birthday Party
Snack Pack
Art Supplies
Preparing for Baby
Movie Collections
Entertaining
Card and Stationary Sets
Games
Sports
Music
Dog/Cat themes
I-pod Essentials
Tools

The list goes on and on. If you have questions, need advice, or would like to coordinate delivery, please drop us a note at: HutchisonHighPTSA@gmail.com. We will respond within the day. Also feel free to send us a picture or written description of that item you plan to donate, but haven't had time to drop off. Maybe that quilt isn't fully done yet, but if you've started it, or even if you have purchased the fabric, send us a picture to include in a future posting about items that might be coming up on the auction block. We are getting very excited to see what everyone is working on this year. I've heard that someone is planning on combining Pampered Chef items with a Longaberger basket. That should be a very nice item to bid on!

Baskets Needed - Dates to remember

From our PTSA president:

PTSA basket auction is coming up. We have only had a few baskets donated and we are looking for more theme baskets and items to go into baskets that will be assembled.

Please send baskets into the office as soon as you can so we know how many we will have. Include an approximate value on the basket so we know and can include it on the bid sheets.

Dates to remember
October 22 baskets to the school.
October 27th wrapping party in the library 5:30. Come help and get a preview of the baskets.
Auction is October 28th and 29th during Parent Teacher Conferences with the tables closing October 29th at 4:15.

Please come and bid on the baskets that you like while you are at the school.

Thanks so much for your donations.
Chris Hume
Hutchison High PTSA President

Request for donations for upcoming PTSA Basket Auction

Hutchison High School PTSA is sponsoring a silent basket auction. This is our only fund raising activity that we will have this year.

Donations of filled baskets and items to create baskets are needed for this event. The baskets are usually themed and bring lots of interest from the parents and students. We also invite the public to stop in and bid during the auction. The auction will take place during parent/teacher conferences October 28th and 29th.

Please include an approximate value of your donation so we will know where to start the bidding.
We would like to thank you in advance for your consideration and possible donation. If you have any questions or need further assistance please feel free to contact me.

This letter will serve as your receipt for tax purposes and certify that you did not receive any goods or services in exchange for your donation. Our tax deductible I.D. is 76-0839398.

Thank you for your support of our students and school.

Sincerely,

Chris Hume
President PTSA
HutchisonHighPTSA@gmail.com

Item(s) donated:_________________________________________

Value:_______________________

General Meeting - Tuesday at 5:30pm

Our first PTSA meeting of this school year will be - Tuesday, September 14th, at 5:30pm in the High School Library.

Start the new school year off by checking out PTSA!! Find out what is being planned, and provide your input too!

This is a great opportunity for those who have indicated an interest to help with PTSA/Hutch activities but haven't yet found the time. Parents, students and teachers are all welcome to attend!

Refreshments will be provided!!!!

For your Review/Comment: Proposed changes to existing Bylaws

Changes to the original Hutchison PTSA Bylaws have been proposed, and can be reviewed at: Bylaws Proposed Amendment v1

Feel free to provide feedback in the comment area beneath this post, or contact any member of the Board directly.

This weekend - Learn how to Join the Food Revolution

Renowned chef and TV personality, Jamie Oliver, is determined to start a food revolution to get better food into our schools and change what our kids eat.

Nearly one-third of American children are either overweight or obese, according to Oliver. The obesity epidemic is so great that it may actually reduce the life expectancy of today’s generation of children. Jamie Oliver and PTA are proud to release a toolkit for parents and families to give them the tools they need to eat healthy and to be active together. More information is available at http://www.pta.org/healthy_lifestyles.asp.

To find out more about Jamie Oliver’s work, watch the series premiere of "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution," on Friday, March 26th at 8p.m. EST on ABC. Click here to watch a sneak peak of his new show.

Source: PTA.org

Important - Parents Take Action Item

Act Now to Save PIRCs

The Obama Administration's current Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Request calls for the consolidation and proposed elimination of Parent Information Resource Centers. PIRCs improve parental and family engagement in children's education, which is a cornerstone of what PTA supports. PIRCs serve more than 16 million parents, helping them connect with schools and improve their child's education. With the PTA Takes Action Center, PTA provides a quick, easy way for you to contact the Administration and your Congressmen to urge them to restore funding for PIRCs.

Why PIRCs matter:

They provide schools and districts with tools to effectively partner with parents.
They empower parents to advocate for their children and school reform.
They provide training and professional development on effective family engagement to districts and school staff.
They collaborate with state PTAs to engage all public school parents in their children's education.
They train family engagement coordinators in schools.
They convene parent leadership academies to equip parents with skills needed to help their children to succeed.
Under this proposed consolidation in the FY2011 Budget Request, the sole funding stream for family engagement would be redirected to charter schools. Placing PIRCs under this fund means that there is no longer a dedicated funding stream for family engagement and PIRCs will not be able reach all families with children in public schools.

Please urge both of your Senators and Representative to reauthorize ESEA now and to safeguard PIRCs under ESEA. PTA's Take Action Center makes it easy to send an automated alert to your members of Congress telling them you want them to act right away on this important law.

(text from March 2010 PTA Newsletter; PTA www.pta.org)

Our Original Bylaws

The original bylaws of our organization are always available for viewing at:
Original Hutchison High PTSA Bylaws

Collect Campbell's labels electronically

HELP GET FREE MERCHANDISE with hardly any effort.

will now provide some points for simply purchasing (some of) their products after you register your Safeway and / or Fred Meyer Reward Card(s) at http://www.elabelsforeducation.com/ and shop with your Reward's Card. Hutchison High PTSA will automatically receive some points for these transactions and that is with hardly any effort on your part.

However, Hutchison High PTSA is now registered with Campbell's Labels for those of you who have or would like to donate Cambell's Soup labels (the old fashioned way) to benefit Hutchison High School.

Campbell's Labels For EducationSM Program Awards Free Arts, Athletics and Academics Merchandise

For over 36 years, Campbell's Labels for Education program has supported schools across the country by providing more than $110 million in FREE merchandise in exchange for proof of purchase from Campbell products. This year, the program is getting even better with a new look and focus on supporting the Arts, Athletics and Academic enrichment programs that can spark children's successes. Labels for Education is also adding new partnerships, programs, resources and incentives to help generate more support for our school.

You can help Hutchison High earn free merchandise such as computers, audio/visual equipment, physical education equipment, reference books, musical instruments or even a mini-van, simply by collecting Campbell UPCs and sending them to Hutchison High.

"This year our goal is to collect 500 points, and we're asking the community to help," said PTSA the Coordinator for Hutchison High's Labels for Education program. "If we work together, we can build better schools for our children."

It's easy to pitch in. Simply save product UPCs from any of the following eligible Campbell products and send them to Hutchison High:

•Campbell's® soups
•Campbell's® Select Harvest® soups
•Campbell's Supper Bakes® meal kits
•SpaghettiOs® Pasta (Original and Meatball)
•Campbell's® beans, gravies, and canned pasta
•Prego® Italian sauces
•Swanson® stocks, broths and canned poultry
•V8® vegetable juices
•V8 Splash® juice drinks
•V8 Fusion® juice drinks
•V8® soups
•Campbell's® tomato juice
•Pepperidge Farm® breads, cookies, and frozen products
•Pepperidge Farm® Goldfish® crackers
•Campbell® Foodservice products
Visit http://www.labelsforeducation.com/ for a complete list of eligible products to clip the old fashioned way.

Visit http://www.elabelsforeducation.com/ to register your Safeway and/or Fred Meyer Rewards card(s) for easy electronic extra bonus points.

Note: You can double dip your labels! Sign up at http://www.elabelsforeducation.com/ and you can still submit the paper labels for double impact to your child's school(s).

For more information on how to be a part of Hutchison High's Labels for Education collection drive, contact us at HutchisonHighPTSA@gmail.com

The 2009-2010 program runs until June 1, 2010.

Plan your travel through Club Cruise and eScrip to benefit PTSA

Spring was certainly in the air today! What better way to celebrate - book a cruise! Spring Break, Summer Vacation, or even next winter would be a great time to relax on a cruise.

While you are planning your travel, why not earn money for PTSA while you shop?

In order to have your cruise benefit Hutch PTSA, simply book your trip at http://www.clubcruise.com/eScrip/index.cfm or call them directly at 1-800-CLUB-SEA. They book trips with Princess, Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Disney, and Royal Caribbean. Up to 5% of your purchase will be allotted to Hutch PTSA by simply mentioning eScrip and Hutchison High School PTSA when you call.

More info on eScrip....

What?
Yes, we said that you can get some of these cruise lines to spend their money on Hutchison High School PTSA, while you spend your money on your family. Last year the PTA at West High School in Anchorage, AK brought in $45,000 by just having friends of West sign-up at eScrip and do their normal shopping!

Is it difficult? Is there red-tape?
No, the hardest part is signing up and that is really pretty easy. If you don't have the time or internet access to sign up, we here at the PTSA are ready and willing to help you sign up. Simply contact us at: HutchisonHighPTSA@gmail.com

Is there a fee? Do I have to join the PTSA?
No and NO! There is not a fee to sign up for eScrip, and though we'd love to have any and all Hutch parents, teachers and students join the PTSA, you don't have to be a PTSA member, or even live in Alaska to sign up for eScrip.

For more info, keep reading or contact us with any questions...

I've heard of eScrip but what is it?

As the Blog editor here at Hutchison High PTSA, I will try to refrain from posting my personal views, thoughts and experiences on this blog. However, in an attempt to raise more money for Hutchison High School, I caved in today and read up on "eScrip".

I'm pretty techno savvy, and already have a son in college. But I have avoided eScrip for an entire child's schooling and into anothers. Why? Maybe it sounded too much like the name of my health insurance Rx plan. Maybe, I just never knew what it was or how easy and painless it would be to register online and participate.

I know feel a twinge of guilt that I didn't make it possible for all of my zillion of dollars of purchases at Safeway (and on-line merchants) help out UPark, Randy Smith and West Valley. With that said, in what turned out to be ten minutes - I've turned over a new leaf: registered myself, made instructions for you to register, added a link to this blog for eScrip online and.... written this post to you. So, I think that if it only took me ten minutes, you could be done in about two if you have read to this point already..... join me in contributing to Hutchison High School by simply shopping at Safeway or shopping at your favorite online merchants.

Instructions for registering your Safeway Club Card with eScrip

Instructions for shopping at online merchants

We missed you, but don't miss THIS!

On a recent Fairbanks' freezin January evening, a table full of PTSA members and faculty had a great PTSA meeting. We missed those not in attendance.

There were a number of important discussion items. To keep you updated on these open session meetings, you may review the Meeting Minutes by clicking HERE.

HUTCHISON - MANDATORY TAKE YOUR STUDENT TO SCHOOL AND HOME AGAIN DAYS!!!
For all parents and students at Hutch, there will be NO BUS SERVICE FOR HUTCHISON HIGH on February 15 - 16. All Students will need to be dropped off and picked up at school, in North Pole, at WVHS, or at Lathrop.
Please read all about it at HUTCHISON REVISED SCHEDULE FOR FEBRUARY AND MARCH, 2010.

General Meeting Tuesday, Feb 9th at 5:30pm

Our next PTSA meeting will be - Tuesday, February 9th, at 5:30pm in the High School Library.

This is a great opportunity for those who have indicated an interest to help with PTSA/Hutch activities but haven't yet found the time. Parents, students and teachers are all welcome to attend!

The nurse's office could still use extra clothing, especially the larger sizes, for students who need sudden replacements during the school day.

General Meeting - Tuesday at 5:30pm

Our next PTSA meeting will be - Tuesday, January 12th, at 5:30pm in the High School Library.

Start the New Year off by checking out PTSA!!

This is a great opportunity for those who have indicated an interest to help with PTSA/Hutch activities but haven't yet found the time. Parents, students and teachers are all welcome to attend!

The nurse's office could still use extra clothing, especially the larger sizes, for students who need sudden replacements during the school day.