G U I D E T O G I V I N G &
G E T T I N G I N V O L V E D
Welcome from the Head
Since 1972, Giddens has thrived because of
our exceptional and caring parent
community. People like you have carried
on the tradition and role modeled for our
children the importance of volunteerism
and community engagement.
· A successful community and events at
Giddens rely on the active involvement
of our families to make them happen.
· Families of the school share a
common dedication; ensuring that all
students receive a superb education in
a supportive and engaging
environment.
· We ask each family to provide a
minimum of 25 hours of volunteer
service per year. Volunteering is a
great way to get to know other families
and share information and ideas, while
at the same time setting a good
philanthropic example for our children.
I’m excited to work with you at Giddens as
we all give and get involved, together.
Dr. Morva McDonald
Head of School
Introduction
Giddens School is known for its sense of
community. Our families, students and
alumni show their love of our school in
many ways, both in and out of the
classroom.
Spend some time at our school - in the
classrooms, browsing the library,
playing on the playground or attending
a special event - and here’s why: active
learners benefit from a fully committed,
supportive community, and that is the
basis of the Giddens way… a
partnership between you and the
school.
Giddens is fortunate to have
significantly broad participation for our
many school events. Here are two ways
you can become involved at Giddens:
Active Participation: We encourage
you to participate in the Giddens
experience by being involved in the
classroom, volunteering to help with
projects, sponsoring activities or joining
the Board of Trustees of a committee.
Philanthropy: Like most independent
schools, Giddens relies on the generous
support of families and friends to
augment its operating budget every
year. We encourage all parents to
make the school their number one
philanthropic priority.
Philanthropy at Giddens School
Annual Fund The Annual Fund is the
lifeblood of all fundraising efforts for
Giddens. Our entire community comes
together each year in support of the
Annual Fund. The need is real and each
student benefits. Beyond the very
important dollars we must raise each and
every year, your participation in the Annual
Fund reflects the strength of our
community, and our shared commitment
to our students.
An unmistakable generosity of spirit infuses
our school. The commitment of our entire
community, past and present, to the
financial strength of our school makes
ambitious teaching and learning possible
here each day.
Gala The Gala supports key priorities of the
school, like financial assistance,
technology, professional development, and
more. This annual event is not only a key
fundraiser, but it is also an important
community event! All parents are strongly
encouraged to attend and to invite friends
and family to the Gala to celebrate the
children and the school!
Why does Giddens need to raise money? The Annual Fund
helps pay for everything from faculty salaries and professional
development opportunities to new curriculum initiatives, from
financial assistance programs to technology maintenance and
upgrades, from the electricity needed to keep the lights on to
supplies and books. It helps Giddens attract and retain a
talented and committed faculty and provides support for
activities, arts initiatives and other programs.
Who is asked to participate? Through the Annual Fund, the
bedrock of our fundraising each and every year, our steadfast
supporters fuel the mission of Giddens and the vision for
moving it forward. We thank the many alumnae, parents,
parents of alumnae, grandparents, trustees, faculty, staff and
friends who stand strong together in purpose and joy through
their gifts to Giddens.
Why does Giddens need fundraising when parents already
pay tuition? As in most independent schools, there is a gap
between the cost of tuition and the true cost of providing a high
-quality education for each child. At Giddens School the gap is
$2,400 per child. Raising tuition by this much would
undoubtedly drive away many of our current families and
discourage many new families from applying.
How much should we give? Only you can decide how much to
contribute to Giddens each year. We hope that our families will
make the school a philanthropic priority.
Ways to Participate : Community
Committee join a standing or ad hoc
committee of the board. These teams
help us to make decisions about the
future of the school, craft policies, and
greatly contribute towards a positive
community for students, faculty and staff,
and families.
Buddy Families welcome new Giddens
families and participate in events
designed to build community spirit and
celebrate our newest families.
Field Trips We value our students
interacting with the world outside of our
school. We often plan field trips as
opportunities for students to apply their
learning in a variety of contexts.
This year we plan to offer a limited
number of walking field trips and may
need family volunteer to support this
effort. We also would welcome support
with virtual field trips.
Garden Support Weed and water the
Outdoor Learning Lab or adopt one of the
smaller, dedicated garden areas to tend
this year. Work with others or be selfdirected;
hours are flexible. Garden work
parties are held at least twice per year.
Class Representatives There are onetwo
Classroom Representatives in each
learning pod who link the school,
teachers and their families, and support
community building in the classroom
and beyond. As leaders in the classroom,
Class Reps help create a culture of
belonging and mutual support, and plan
at least two community building events
for pod families each year (fall and
spring).
Throughout the year, Class Reps support
their teacher by sharing classroom news
and needs, and finding helpers for
classroom activities. On a schoolwide
level, Class Reps help spread the word
about school programs and events, and
help find volunteers to support the
Annual Fund and yearly fundraising Gala.
Class reps are asked to attend a one
hour training at the beginning of the
school year and are offered regular
class rep meetings for exchange and
support.
Ways to Participate : Events
Speaker Series : Ongoing
Learn together with us as we explore
issues that are important to our
community. Topics range from
conversations around justice and
diversity to parenting and current
events.
Admissions Open Houses : Nov & Jan
Current parents act as hosts for visitors
to the school at the fall and winter Open
Houses. There are roles both in and out
of the classrooms such as general
greeting, tour guides, and working
registration.
MLK Student March For Peace and
Justice : January
Giddens School hosts an annual student
march and rally to honor Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr.’s birthday and his
powerful work for peace and justice.
Giddens kids, parents, and teachers
carry handcrafted signs and banners as
they march to MLK Jr. Memorial park and
host a rally. Upon return to Giddens, we
celebrate with an all school assembly.
SPARK Family Night : March
Join us for an evening peek inside your
child’s daily life at school. We will
showcase different aspects of our
curriculum and share insight into every
day teaching and learning at Giddens
School. .
Gala : Spring
This fun celebration of community and
Giddens will take place in late spring.
This is a great opportunity for the adults
in our community to rally support and
raise funds to enhance our school
program. Join us for an exciting party
including a wine grab, photo booth,
dinner and dancing! Don’t forget to
raise your bid card early and often!
Arts Festival : May
Since 1975, we’ve celebrated the
tradition of community and arts at the
school. All students have a half-day and
teachers transform the school into a
gallery of student art work for an allschool
evening performance and
showcase.
Field Day : June
Celebrate the end of a successful
school year with a field day Kids explore
a park, enjoy a picnic lunch, play games
and enjoy a fun-filled day together.
Ways to Participate : Committees
In addition to the Family Association,
there are various committees at the
school to support different initiatives.
Families are encouraged to join one
(or more!) that matches their interest.
Meetings occur on a regular basis and
are listed on the online calendar.
· Auction
· Technology Advisory Group
· Giddens Community Association
· Giddens School Board of Trustees
· Advancement
· Diversity and Inclusion
· Executive Committee
(Board Members only)
· Finance
· Governance Committee
(Board Members only)
Key Contacts
Pamela Atteberry : Director of Student Services
206.172.6748 | patteberry@giddensschool.org
Ken Bender : Director of Enrollment Management
206.712.6744 | kbender@giddensschool.org
Amy Bresslour : Director of Institutional Advancement
206.712.6743 | abresslour@giddensschool.org
Nikki Rieken : Office Manager
206.712.6740 | nrieken@giddensschool.org
Brenda Cram : Associate Head of School
206.712.6746 | bcram@giddensschool.org
Mindy Huffman : Director of Finance and Operations
206.712.6742 | mhuffman@giddensschool.org
Morva McDonald : Head of School
206.712.6745 | mmcdonald@giddensschool.org
Andrew Rauch : Director of Facilities
206.712.6726 | arauch@twoschools.org
Steve Stapleton : Business Office Coordinator
206.712.6749 | sstapleton@giddensschool.org
Terrence Williams : Director of Technology
206.712.6739 | tech@giddensschool.org
Diane Wright : Extended Day Manager
206.712.6747 | dwright@giddensschool.org
thank you!
Giddens School 2120 21st Avenue S, Seattle, WA 98144 giddensschool.org
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