After months of planning, schedule changes and price adjustments, the upcoming school dance is set to take place on Feb. 7. The event will feature a Casino Night theme, dancing, karaoke, games and prizes.
Despite the several months of planning and various collaboration efforts, what started as a way to give back to students has become a game of problem-solving at every turn.
“We had to make a few changes,” PTSA Parent Sandra Valles said. “Budget constraints was one of them, and we also had to adjust the date. It was originally set for February 14, but since that was a four-day weekend, the PTSA decided to move it to the 7th. That pushed everything up by a week.”
Alongside logistical setbacks, ticket sales and presumed attendance have also presented issues. Organizers of the event are still pushing for more ticket sales to ensure a successful turnout. To accommodate for the low sales count, event coordinators lowered the price of the tickets from $25 to $20.
“We’d only sold around 12 to 14 tickets, which was very low,” Valles said. “Now we’re in the 30s, maybe 40s. We’re aiming for 75 to 120 attendees like homecoming, but we’re not there yet. Hopefully, ticket sales keep growing.”
Despite the unexpected hurdles that were faced in the planning of the event, the PTSA has exciting engagement opportunities for students to enjoy.
“This isn’t just a dance with food,” Valles said. “It’s a full casino night. There will be bingo in another room, karaoke, prizes and great food.
In collaboration with Student Council, the PTSA also ensured that there was something fun for everyone.
“Some students don’t want to play Blackjack or Texas Hold’em, so we introduced bingo, a roulette-style game, and scratch-off tickets at the door,” Valles said.
Despite everything that’s gone into the planning of the event, the event is currently not guaranteed.
“I think it’s going to be a great event, but I really hope we get a good turnout,” Valles said. Everyone has been making a last-minute push, and I hope more students decide to come.”
