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HAY RIVER
With the auction of 129 donated items – and approximately $45,000 later – the Hay River Playschool has met its largest fundraising goal of the year.

The Hay River Playschool continues to run thanks to its largest fundraiser held every year, the Playschool Auction, as well as government funding, school fees, smaller fundraisers and parent support. - Angele Cano/NNSL photo

Around 80 people attended the 19th annual Hay River Playschool Auction, which took place this year on May 5. It successfully raised a large portion of money that will keep programs running, staff paid, and then some.

The auction items brought in $34,180, and including the dance and raffle tickets, the event usually raises more than $40,000 per year.

This is the school's major fundraiser for the year, said auction organizing committee member Jaimie Harris, who also has a young daughter attending the playschool.

"The school fees don't even come close to covering the cost to run the school, pay for teachers and materials," she said. "It's a co-operative school that's completely parent run."

The playschool was born in 1974 in a private home before a decision was made to expand. Now there are 36 children aged three and four attending the small playschool during either morning or afternoon programs.

Throughout the year, parents also hold mini-fundraisers to keep the preschool running.

"I want somewhere that's good for kids to go to school before Kindergarten," said Harris. "This teaches them to get ready for school, teaches them structure, how to take care of themselves and gets them socialized with other kids."

Part of the funds will go towards constructing a quiet room addition to the existing building. The rest will go to general expenses.

The school currently employs three early childhood educators.

They are continuously taking courses to upgrade, said Norma Shaw, the school's co-ordinating educator.

Staff recently returned from a conference in Edmonton where they participated in short courses and seminars on storytelling, challenging behaviours and educating in the 21st century.

"The education system is always changing and coming up with new ideas and ways of doing things," said Shaw. "This keeps it fresh for us."

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