Party for PBS

What is Party for PBS?

Party for PBS events are PBS community parties, and it works like this:

1. PBS families (you!) host parties for children/families or adults. Some are organized by grade, others for subsets of grades or even the whole community! The host or co-hosts underwrite the party costs. Even better, hosts and co-hosts can receive a tax deduction by submitting the party costs as an in-kind donation.

2. PBS adults (parents, guardians, alums, etc.) buy tickets, either for themselves or for their students, and most importantly…

Why Party for PBS?

100% of proceeds from ticket sales support our need-based Financial Aid program, which ensures access to PBS education for as many families as possible. The importance of our Financial Aid program stems from the belief that the presence of multiple perspectives on our campus and in our classrooms enriches the educational experience of all our learners. When you host or attend a Party for PBS event it’s a win-win for everyone!

The lineup of events runs throughout the year and reflects the diversity of our community, with activities ranging from movie nights to backyard gatherings to exclusive wine tastings.

We aim to hold a wide variety of child (or family) parties and adult parties hosted by parents/guardians at different grade levels throughout the year. While everyone is welcome to attend Party for PBS, we recognize that certain venues offer limited capacity.

Historically, Party for PBS has included child Back to School and End of Year parties. These two special occasions for students are now hosted by PBSA to uphold our commitment to equity and inclusion, ensuring that every student can attend without an associated cost.

For any party assistance, please contact Amanda Tachis.

view and purchase available Child Parties

view and purchase available parent Parties

Party for PBS FAQs

How do I throw a party?

Get a few co-hosts together. Discuss budget and expectations with co-hosts regarding division of labor, costs, location, date, size, etc.
Come up with an idea. Some ideas might include:

Child Party Ideas

Picnic in the Park
Movie Theater Party
Tea Party
Arts and Crafts Party

Adult Party Ideas

Game Night
Wine Tasting
Poker Party
Exercise Event

Reach out to Amanda Tachis expressing your interest in hosting a party. Dates are first come, first serve and taken into consideration with the all-school calendar.
The Party for PBS Co-chairs will follow up to collect the details.
Once confirmed, the party will become available on the Party for PBS webpage.

Safety of Students

In consideration of student safety, certain types of parties are restricted. The following party types may not be hosted through Party for PBS:

Pool Parties: No pool parties at private residences, even with the attendance of a lifeguard. Pool parties are limited to professionally staffed pools only such as community pools or private clubs.
Overnight Parties: No overnight camping parties at private residences or public facilities such as campgrounds.

How do I price my party?

Hosts volunteer to underwrite the party’s cost so that 100% of the ticket proceeds support financial aid at PBS. We recognize that some types of parties can require more financial inputs than others, and we encourage you to consider the costs when you decide to host and also to consider group-hosting opportunities.

In general, please consider the size of your party and its accessibility to our community. It is up to you (and your co-hosts) whether you would like to have the ticket price of your event be below, at, or above the per-person cost of running the event; however, most hosts choose a price that is higher than the cost of the part to ensure the goal of raising financial aid funds.

Throwing a Party on Campus

There are many benefits to hosting a party on campus! It is easy to accommodate a large number of students and can be an economical choice. However, please note that the playground is a public space during non-school hours.

Things to keep in mind:

Due to use permit restrictions, we are unable to reserve space during non-school hours such as after-school hours or on weekends.
Space will be used on a first-come, first-served basis, similar to if you were hosting a party at a public park or other venue.
We are only able to provide outdoor spaces, even in the case of rain.
Be respectful of the school grounds. Staff will not be able to provide equipment for parties including tables, linens, extension cords, etc.
There is no alcohol allowed on campus.
There is to be no use of any electrical or gas on campus.
Bouncy houses or other party equipment that needs to be run through PBS utilities are not allowed.
The playground is a public space on weekends, we cannot close it to private parties.
All outside vendors need to be approved by the Advancement team and require a certificate of insurance.

Tax Benefits

For party hosts: Hosting a party provides direct support to PBS and allows 100% of the proceeds from tickets purchased to be directed toward financial aid. After your event, the Advancement Office will ask each host to report the amount of the in-kind support they provided. A few things to note about in-kind gifts:

Unlike direct cash or property donations, PBS is not permitted to certify the “fair market value” (FMV) of an in-kind donation.
Instead, we will provide a gift letter acknowledging the donation and noting the FMV that the donor has calculated.
You do not need to provide receipts to PBS to demonstrate the FMV of your in-kind donation; however, you will want to retain those records for yourself, your accountant, or your tax professional.
You should consult a tax professional if you are uncertain how to determine the FMV of your in-kind donation.

Please submit your request for an in-kind donation to Amanda Tachis.

For party guests: Purchasing a ticket to a Party for PBS event does not qualify as a tax-deductible donation because the purchaser receives a benefit in exchange – admission to the party. PBS does not generate tax receipts for Party for PBS ticket purchases.