What is the Great Gathering?

The Great Gathering is an adults-only party to connect and reconnect with Highlands families and staff AND it is also the Highlands PTO’s largest fundraiser of the year.  Proceeds from the Great Gathering will fund a huge variety of PTO initiatives to support students, staff, and families throughout Highlands, including teacher grants, school-wide events and celebrations, special programming, professional development, and so much more. We raise money at the Great Gathering in the following ways:

  • Ticket Sales

  • Games

  • Silent Auction

  • Classroom Art 

  • Small Gatherings

  • Sponsorships

What do I need to know about this year’s event?

  • The event will take place at Edina Country Club on Friday, November 15th at 7:00pm. 

  • Free parking is available onsite.

  • Buy your tickets now! Tickets will be $50 per individual until October 14th, $60 per individual through November 8th, and $75 per individual thereafter. Each ticket includes two drink tickets, food, and an amazing time!

  • Heavy appetizers will be served and there will also be a cash bar. 

  • Small Gatherings and the Silent Auction catalog will be accessible for viewing on November 11 and open for purchases and bidding at 12:00 p.m. on November 15.

What should I wear?

This year we are celebrating our pride in the Green & Gold, so dress as you wish to show your Husky spirit! Jeans, dresses, slacks - you choose.

What are Small Gatherings?

  • Small group activities for adults, families or children that allow Highlands families to meet, connect, and foster community in a social setting outside of school. 

  • Families donate, plan, and host the small gatherings.

  • Small gatherings can be hosted by one or multiple individuals.

How do I purchase Small Gatherings?

  • Small Gatherings sign up and purchasing will be done through Auctria, which will allow anyone, regardless of whether you attend the event or not, to sign up for Small Gatherings.

  • Families purchase a spot in one or multiple Small Gatherings.  There is not a limit to how many you can sign up for. 

  • Auctria will open approximately one week before the Great Gathering and remain open until all the spots in the Small Gathering are sold. 

  • Small Gathering hosts will reach out to the participants after the Great Gathering to confirm the event details. 

What is Highlands PTO?

  • The Highlands Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is here to support and enhance the educational programs at Highlands Elementary and to strengthen the relationship between home and school.

  • Everyone can be a member of the Highlands PTO!  Members are welcome to attend any and all meetings even if you choose not to take on a formal role with the PTO.

  • The PTO provides annual grants to teachers and programmatic support for each of the distinct programs in the school (Continuous Progress and Discovery), fund scholarships for everything from field trips to yearbooks and even PTO membership.

  • We put on school-wide events such as the Great Gathering, I Love to Read Month, and Carnival.