All parents of children enrolled at Wrightsville Beach School are invited to the third annual Sunset Social, hosted by the Wrightsville Beach School Foundation Sept. 16.
Aimee Jones, foundation president, said the event is planned to educate parents about the needs of students and teachers at Wrightsville Beach School, but also to connect parents in a fun setting.
“It is about doing some great things for the school, but … we’re trying to have some fun, too. We live in a fun environment and we have great parents. We like to hang out together,” Jones said.
Coo Hocker, mother of two Wrightsville Beach School students and a 2-year-old who will one day attend the school, makes it a priority to attend the Sunset Social to discover what can be done to improve the school and spend time with other parents. She said the atmosphere at the event facilitates involvement.
“You’re not just going to a board room to discuss your mission. You’re having fun while you’re doing it, and when you’re having fun, doing something around like-minded people, you’re enjoying yourself and coming up with ideas for your kids. So it’s a win-win situation,” Hocker said.
During the event, the foundation will explain how it raises money and how the money is used, including its priority projects planned for the school year.
Although the foundation is entering its third year, Jones said some parents might not understand how the foundation differs from the Wrightsville Beach School PTA. While the PTA provides school supplies and needed resources for teachers, the foundation steps in to provide more expensive items the PTA and school system cannot afford.
“We’re not a Title I school, so we don’t get the extra federal funding that a lot of other schools receive. But we don’t want our kids to be behind because other schools have iPads, or better computers, this program or that program. This is our way of taking the bull by the horns and generating our own funds,” Jones said.
After the foundation launched August 2012, it amped up the auction traditionally held during the PTA’s annual Fall Festival and raised $42,000. During the first year, the foundation equipped classrooms with laptops, iPads, Smart Boards and more. During the second year, the foundation provided money to hire a part-time Spanish teacher.
Hocker said she knows her kids have benefitted from the work of the foundation.
“My daughter loves taking Spanish. That came straight from her mouth,” Hocker said. When your kids come off the bus speaking Spanish, that’s great. They wouldn’t have had that before.”
Dr. Tim Markley, New Hanover County Schools superintendent, will speak during the event to explain the need of the school bond referendum, and the impact if passed by voters in November.
Although donations are not required at the Sunset Social, a little more than 100 attendees generated $16,000 in 2013.
The Sunset Social starts at 6 p.m. with food provided by Bluewater Grill. A cash bar will be available.
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