Dear Cleveland Community,

After much deliberation, the PTA and Foundation have jointly decided to cancel this year's auction, scheduled for March 14, 2020. We are disappointed, and yet we know this is the right decision for our community this year.

Impact
The auction is the primary community fundraiser for CHS PTA and CHS Foundation. The PTA relies on fundraising to support our students and staff with classroom & facility needs. The Foundation is the only entity within our community able to raise funds to augment the school's staffing needs, and has successfully fundraised for an additional teaching position to benefit students in recent years.

How We Got Here
At 60 days out, without the volunteer capacity to get us to the finish line, we have come to the decision that we are better off canceling this event and regrouping. Some of you may not realize that this event has struggled to sustain itself. In recent years, the auction would not have happened were it not for an incredible personal lift by a very small handful of extraordinarily committed volunteers. It's important to note, no one person or group is at fault, nor is it for lack of trying.

Where We are Going
This decision allows us an opportunity to redefine what our community needs as a more sustainable volunteer and inclusive fundraising model for all families at Cleveland. We are grateful for the collaborative decision making of the PTA and Foundation as we move forward on behalf of the entire Cleveland community.

Next Steps
We will meet as a committee and community next Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. in the CHS Library, just before the PTA board meeting and presentation of Screenagers: The Next Chapter at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. All are welcome. If you’re not able to attend next week, please share your thoughts -- feedback and suggestions are welcome at this survey link.

Thank you for all for the ways you support Cleveland High School.

Sincerely,
Amy Lewin (PTA President) and Christina Marcoules (Foundation President)