FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When and where is the auction?
Saturday, January 27, 2018
7pm to 11pm
The Edison Ballroom
How do I get to The Edison Ballroom?
Edison Ballroom is located at 240 West 47th St. between 7th & 8th Avenues in the heart of Times Square. Transportation options include NYC taxis, car services or the subway. Please note that West 47th Street is home to multiple theaters, and traffic congestion is significant on Saturday evenings. We recommend arriving promptly at 7pm to avoid the rush of theater-goers. Edison Ballroom will kindly provide coat, bag and boot check on the evening of the event.
Who attends the auction?
The entire WSMS community is encouraged to attend. This includes current families, faculty members and alumni friends who still have a soft spot for WSMS.
What happens at the Auction Event?
We come together as a community to enjoy an evening of entertainment, cocktails and delicious food -- all while putting the 'fun' in fundraising! The cocktail-style dinner features passed hors d'oeuvres; ceviche, salad, pasta and carving stations, as well as a robust selection of desserts. Cocktails, beer and wine are also served throughout the evening as you mingle with friends. In addition to the return of our beloved DJ Moka, we’re thrilled to welcome the dazzling Dueling Pianos trio from NYCs “Bar Nine” back to the stage for this year’s auction event.
From amazing music to Mobile Bidding, we’ll have it all. Come with your phones charged and be ready to bid!
What is the difference between the Silent, Live and Online Auctions?
The WSMS Auction uses three separate fundraising vehicles to raise money for the Financial Aid Program: Silent, Live and Online Auctions. These three platforms give West Side families, faculty and the extended West Side community of alumni, grandparents and special friends, the opportunity to participate in the Auction and contribute as they are able.
Silent Auction: Fundraising activity begins with our Silent Auction, which opens during the Class Project Reveal Events in the WSMS Classrooms on Friday, January 26th. Bidding occurs digitally and anonymously via laptop or mobile device, and is accessed through a text message or email invitation to all West Side Families. The Silent Auction features 40 carefully curated packages from luxury items to vacation property rentals, as well as the coveted Classroom Art Projects created by teachers and students. The Silent Auction closes at 10pm on Auction Event night.
Live Auction: The Live Auction takes place at the Auction Event on Saturday night, January 27. The most social and spirited of the fundraising vehicles, it's run by a gavel-wielding, professional auctioneer, and brought to you live from the stage of the Edison Ballroom! We feature five Live Auction lots including packages that generate interest because of their exclusive access and VIP privileges. To bid on items in the Live Auction, you must be present at the event.
Online Auction: The Online Auction is the final fundraising vehicle in the WSMS Auction trifecta. It opens on Tuesday, January 30th, and it's available online to our existing and extended WSMS community of family and friends for an entire week! Items featured here include an array of experiences, goods and services that can be purchased at a great value all while supporting the Financial Aid Program. You're invited to share the WSMS Online Auction link to encourage participation. The Online Auction closes on Tuesday, February 6, 2018.
Does the auction have a theme?
This year's party theme is "WSMS Winter Wonderland." There is extraordinary beauty to be found in the winter season! From the magic of glistening, snow-covered expanses to the enchantment of waking up to a city blanketed by freshly fallen snow... we can't wait to celebrate the wonder and transformative power of winter at this year's event!
What attire is appropriate for the auction?
We encourage you to dress in the cocktail attire of your choosing. Of course, if you decide to channel the theme and dress in white, silver or blush - or anything that feels “wintery” - that’s cool too.
What are Sponsor-A-Teacher tickets?
We are pleased to offer our dedicated WSMS teachers complimentary tickets to our annual auction event. The admission tickets for teacher spouses or significant others are also sold at a discounted price. When you purchase a Sponsor-A-Teacher ticket, you help personally fund a night of fun and friendship for a WSMS teacher.
What are Classroom Play Date Raffles?
Buy these raffle tickets and your child’s classroom will be eligible to win an all-class play date hosted at WSMS! These activities are chaperoned by the classroom teachers, and are sure to delight our little ones with a wholesome snack and lots of laughs. Purchase $25 raffle tickets on behalf of your class to increase the odds that your child's classroom wins the prize. We will update you with classroom purchase standings throughout the sales period. This year’s Classroom Play Date Raffle activities include:
New This Year
Music & Magic in the Gym: Featuring a live music performance and a children’s magician!
Back by Popular Demand
Rumble on the Roof: Springtime class play date on the WSMS rooftop!
Why do we have an auction?
This auction event, hosted to benefit the WSMS Financial Aid Program, harnesses the collaborative power and generosity of our community. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the auction provide tuition assistance to nearly 40 families, and empower WSMS to maintain the diversity and cultural dynamics of the community that we love and value. Through this event, we continue to support countless NYC families in their pursuit of impactful early childhood education opportunities.