To bid on amazing camps like Roughing It, Douglas Ranch, Pali Adventures and Camp Augusta, plus a wide selection of camps closer to home, click on the pink Auction Site button on the right, then on Camps in the left column. Follow the instructions to log in or create a new online bidder profile and you’re set to bid.

Don’t miss out — the camp auction ends at 10 p.m. on Friday, February 17.

Happy bidding!

Beach parent and photographer Brian Mahany kindly donated his time — and caught the enthusiasm of the attendees and upbeat mood of the evening.

Wildwood families will come together for next Spring Fling school kickoff party Wednesday, February 8 at the home of Lynne and Bill Hosler, where the popular Gatsby Accessories Bazaar will also make another appearance.

If your child is a Wildwood fifth grader, please take note! The date for the Comings & Goings photo session for Wildwood fifth graders has been changed to February 28. Thanks to all for letting us know the date initially scheduled conflicted with a field trip.

The 1920s accessories bar proved to be the perfect place to find feather headbands, boas and fedoras to transform even the simplest little black dress or a suit into attire straight from the Gatsby era.

Parent participation is key to this year’s Spring Fling, said Havens Principal Tery Susman, who also talked about the opportunity to use funds raised by the event to buy back a student furlough day for 2012-13. Co-chairs Cathy Girr and Lesley Zalewski asked parents to do their thing for Spring Fling by signing up for sponsorships and parent-hosted parties, donating items, and bidding in the camp auction online, which opens February 7.

Parent parties can be hosted any time throughout the year. Download a donation form and let us know what you’re thinking! Have questions or need help? All the basics and an easy Q&A are on our parent party page — or, contact piedmontspringfling@gmail.com for more information!

Don’t miss these fabulous parties! You’ll have the chance to catch up with fellow parents, hear more about Spring Fling 2012, and learn about all the different ways you can get involved with this important annual fundraiser for Piedmont elementary schools.

• The Havens party will take place on Wednesday, January 25 at Shanti and Doug Brien’s home from 7-9 p.m.
• The Beach party will take place on Wednesday, February 1 at Susan Miller-Davis and Jonathan Davis’ home from 7-9 p.m.
• The Wildwood party will take place on Wednesday, February 8 at Lynne and Bill Hosler’s home from 7-9 p.m.
• The PMS/PHS party will take place on Wednesday, March 7 at Samantha and Stephen Miller’s home from 7-9 p.m.

Bring your checkbook and purchase hotsy-totsy accessories to wear at the event May 5!

Check your email inboxes for an Evite invitation. Please contact your grade’s fabulous flapper — your Spring Fling representative — or email the Spring Fling committee at piedmontspringfling@gmail.com if you didn’t receive an invitation or if you’d like more information.

Spring Fling 2012 — Great Gatsby Co-Chairs Cathy Girr and Lesley Zalewski outlined some of the exciting new features of this year’s event — including a beautiful new location, the Art Deco Oakland Rotunda Building, which will accommodate 450 guests.

Tri-school grade rep coordinator Nancy Steimle asked this year’s reps — the fabulous flappers — to do their thing for Spring Fling by encouraging parents to sign up for sponsorships and parent-hosted parties, to donate items, and to participate in the online auction. We’re thrilled that the flappers are already hard at work spreading the word about Spring Fling!

Have questions about Spring Fling? Check out your school’s Wednesday newsletter for a list of flappers and their contact information, or email piedmontspringfling@gmail.com.

This annual tri-school auction and party raises crucial funds to help preserve essential academic programs at Piedmont public elementary schools: Beach, Havens and Wildwood. The Spring Fling fundraiser is vitally important this year as Piedmont schools try to fill the devastating funding gap created by the deepest state budget cuts to public education since the Great Depression.

Stay tuned for more details about how you can do your thing for Spring Fling in 2012!