The Clifton School PTA February 2024 Newsletter

Mark Your Calendars!

March 13 – Spirit Night at Wheelhouse Craft Pub and Kitchen

March 23 – The Clifton School Auction and 35th Birthday Celebration! 

April 5 – No School

April 18 – PTA Zoom Meeting

Thank you to our teachers and staff!

This month, we were able to thank teachers and staff with a Why We Love TCS Board at each campus!

Spirit Nights!

Thank you to all who made our spirit nights a success! 

Our next Spirit Night will be on Wednesday, March 13 at Wheelhouse Craft Pub and Kitchen. Just mention The Clifton School for Dine-in or Take-out and 15% of proceeds will go back to The Clifton School. They also offer a 5% discount to those who pay in cash.

Cheers to 35 Years!

The Clifton School Art Auction and 35th Birthday Celebration!

The Clifton School Art Auction is held every spring and is the largest PTA-organized fundraiser for the school. Each pair of sister classrooms at both campuses creates a unique piece of art that is auctioned off during a live auction. There is also a silent auction that includes themed gift baskets donated by each pair of sister classrooms and other items generously donated by local businesses. A ticket to this fun, exciting, adults-only event includes admission to the auction, dinner, and drinks! The auction is organized by the PTA Board members who organize the venue, catering, silent auction donations, and marketing/finance. Proceeds will fund enrichment activities and continued participation in Kinderdance, Spanish, and other extracurricular activities across both campuses. 

Early Bird tickets are currently on sale and are available for purchase here. Early Bird tickets are $80 per person. Room reps and parents are also able to purchase teacher tickets via the above link. There are a limited number of tickets available this year, so purchase soon to secure your spot. 

A limited amount of child care will also be available at the Clairmont site. Cost is $45 for one child and $15 for each additional child. You can purchase child care when you buy your tickets.

The dress code is “Sneaker ball”. Think cocktail attire with comfortable shoes like sneakers. Please note that a portion of the event will be outdoors, so plan to dress appropriately!

We are also offering multiple sponsorship levels to individuals and local businesses and/or an opportunity to donate a gift certificate, gift basket, or other item of your choice to our silent auction. Many of the Clifton School families reside in Decatur, Morningside, Virginia Highland, Midtown, Buckhead, and Druid Hills neighborhoods, and may be interested in checking out your business! If you are interested in sponsoring the event, we offer the following sponsorship packages:

• Bronze Level:

• • $300

• • Clifton School Tote Bag or T-Shirt

• • Business name and logo displayed in the event program

• • Two auction tickets

• Silver Level:

• • $650

• • Business name and logo displayed in the event program

• • Marketing materials are distributed at the check-in desk and on tables

• • Four auction tickets

• Gold Level:

• • $1,000

• • Business name and logo displayed in the event program

• • Marketing materials are distributed at the check-in desk and on tables

• • A large sign with a business logo displayed at the event in the location(s) of your choice

• • Six auction tickets

We will also be raffling off a Big Green Egg. Tickets can be purchased here and are priced as follows:

1 ticket for $15

3 tickets for $35

8 tickets for $80

20 tickets for $130

If you have a specific donation you’d like to make towards the silent auction, please do so here.

Notes from Natalie

THE STORY OF THE CLIFTON SCHOOL

In honor of The Clifton School celebrating 35 years of service to our community, we would like to share the story of how it all began.

Nestled in the heart of Atlanta, the conception of The Clifton School began as a conversation in the 70s about the emerging need for childcare for the employees of Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (then Egleston Children’s Hospital), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention until finally, our doors opened in 1988 as the Clifton Childcare Center. In the beginning, our school’s approach was guided by the Creative Curriculum but later evolved and was inspired by the Reggio philosophy. This transformation began in the mid-1990’s with school-wide enthusiasm. There was genuine interest and conversation about the characteristics of schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy, that many of the staff had visited. The possibilities of collaboration, relationships, research, documentation, and environment as the “third teacher” seemed endless. We continue to draw our inspiration from the educators of Reggio, and we are equally inspired by the voices of the children, families, and teachers of The Clifton School. As the Clifton Community continued to grow in the mid-90s, a conversation emerged about the possibility and need to expand the school. Teachers, children, staff, families, and community members were partners in this process. Our values were incorporated into the architectural design of the new buildings with spaces that foster relationships, exhibit transparency, and promote investigations.

After many years of planning and with great anticipation, the Clairmont site opened in July 2002. The following April, the Clifton site opened. Our evolution is not complete. While we continue to be inspired by the Reggio practice, we use a combination of constructive practices, the Emergent curriculum, and the GELDS (Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards) to guide our practices and curriculum as long as there are new families, staff and children entering our doors, we will forever be changing to reflect the thoughts, lives, and learning of our evolving community.

 The childcare needs of the agencies we serve continue to grow. We are always thinking of ways to stay mindful of our mission and meet the needs of the employees of Emory University, Emory Hospital, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and the Centers for Disease Control. We have added two Georgia Lottery-funded Pre-K programs to serve our growing community. We converted two rarely used common spaces into classrooms, increasing the number of children and families we serve and decreasing our waitlist.

 The Clairmont building is 21 years old, and The Clifton Road building is 22 years old. Over the years, these buildings have served as the backdrop for countless learning adventures, growth, and joy for the children in our care. We are committed to maintaining beautiful environments designed to foster open, bright spaces for children to play, explore, and reach developmental milestones remains steadfast. To this end, we have recently enhanced our outdoor play spaces and will continue to make improvements to ensure that our facilities support the best possible experiences for our children. As we reflect on our 35 years of service to the Clifton community, we are grateful for the support and trust you have placed in us. We are excited to celebrate this milestone at our upcoming annual auction and look forward to many more years of serving and enriching the lives of the families we serve.

www.thecliftonschool.org

PTA FAQs

How do I become a member of the PTA?

Any parent or guardian of children currently enrolled at The Clifton School are automatically members of the PTA.

Are there dues?

There are no dues associated with the PTA.

What does the PTA fundraising pay for?

The PTA funds are used to purchase various items “over and above” the general basic needs of the school.  The items are meant to enhance the school environment and are chosen by a parent volunteer committee at each campus.  Examples of items PTA funds have purchased: wifi for both campuses, new playground equipment, new  furniture for staff lounges, indoor play equipment for the piazzas, courtyard gazebos, and a mosaic water wall.

Are the PTA Executive Board members paid?

No, all Executive Board Member are parents that have volunteered their time.

How can I contact the PTA Executive Board?

cliftonschoolpta@gmail.com

What do I do if I have an issue or concern?

The PTA is always available to be the conduit between the parents and administration.  In some instances, it might be best to utilize your room reps or teachers for classroom issues.  Any immediate safety concerns should go straight to administration.

How do I become a member of the PTA Executive Board?

Email us and let us know you are interested!  We are always looking for new recruits.  Even if all of the Board positions are filled, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with various committees and projects.

What are the responsibilities of a room rep?

View the room rep orientation here for detailsJJa