List of 17 items.

• What is Crystal Fest 2023: Totally Awesome 80s?

  Every year, the Crystal Family Association (CFA) hosts a community-wide fundraiser that brings together Crystal parents, guardians, alumni, PAC, and friends to support our school. In the past, this event was called the Gryphon Gala, but starting with 2023 this event will be known as the Crystal Fest! This year’s Crystal Fest will raise funds for Faculty Recruitment and Retention and Financial Aid. With the theme Totally Awesome 80s, the event will be a totally awesome night of bodacious music, radical cocktails, classic arcade games, righteous dinner, stellar live auction, and Fund-A-Need paddle raise – all to celebrate and support our totally awesome Crystal community.

• So Crystal Fest is the new name of the Gryphon Gala?

  Yes!

• What is the theme for the Crystal Fest this year?

  This year’s theme is Totally Awesome 80's! Time to break out your best 80s duds and rock on, dude! 

• When and where is Crystal Fest this year?

  Crystal Fest is on May 6, 2023 from 6-10 pm. It will be live and in-person, held at the Crystal Middle School campus at 10 Davis Drive, Belmont, CA 94002.

• What is Crystal Fest raising money for this year?

  This year, Crystal Fest will raise money for the Faculty Recruitment and Retention and Financial Aid funds.

• What does the Faculty Recruitment and Retention Fund support?

  Crystal’s Faculty Recruitment and Retention Fund is a distinctive fund that supports Crystal’s incredible faculty and staff. The fund provides much-needed financial support including the following:

  • Sabbatical after 10 and 20 years
  • Conferences, workshops, and other professional development opportunities
  • Signing bonuses/moving expenses for newly hired faculty and staff
  • Service awards at designated anniversary dates

• What does the Financial Aid Fund support?

  Crystal’s Financial Aid Fund enables Crystal to distribute over $5 million in financial assistance to families each year. Over 22% of Crystal’s student population receives some sort of financial support to attend Crystal, with the average gift covering about 75% of tuition, books, and other expenses.

• What is Crystal Fest's financial goal?

  The CFA is proud to set this year's Crystal Fest financial goal at $600,000, net of all expenses. With underwriting covering the expenses, 100% of profits will go directly to the Faculty Recruitment and Retention and Financial Aid funds. With the support of the Crystal community, we believe we can reach, or even exceed, this goal and we are looking forward to building connections and enjoying great food and company while doing it!

• Do we need to buy tickets to attend the Crystal Fest?

  Yes. You’ve got your leg warmers and hairspray ready, now make sure you get your tickets to the in-person May 6 event. Early bird tickets of $150 are available until March 31. Sponsored tickets for PAC members are also available for purchase. Ticket prices increase to $185 after March 31 -- so don’t delay! 

• What happens at Crystal Fest?

  Crystal Fest on May 6 will have cocktails and dinner while mingling with friends old and new, surrounded by 80s mementos and an awesome musical experience.  We will gather for the Live Auction and Fund-a-Need paddle raise to support the Faculty Recruitment and Retention and Financial Aid funds. The evening will also include a scrumptious array of desserts and dancing to live music from a totally radical 80s cover band!

• I have some fabulous wine I’d like to donate to the Wine Auction.

  Excellent! We are looking for fine wine and whiskey donations for the ever-popular Wine Auction. If you have bottles you’d like to contribute, fill out the auction donation form here, or contact us at crystalfest@csus.org.
  

• I have an amazing experience or item I’d like to donate for the Live Auction.

  Awesome! Our Live Auction donation wish list includes (but is not limited to) unique experiences such as: behind-the-scenes tours at awards shows, museums, theaters, or companies; chef table dinners; theater or sporting event tickets; or stays at vacation homes. If you are able to donate “just the thing”, fill out the auction donation form here, or contact us at crystalfest@csus.org.

• I would like to host a fun Count Me In (CMI) event.

  Radical, dude! Events for students, parents/guardians, and families to enjoy together have all sold well in the past. If you or a group of your friends would like to host, fill out the auction donation form here, or contact us at crystalfest@csus.org.

• What’s the dress code? Do people wear 80s stuff?

  80s wear is very much encouraged! Break out your neon, tease your hair, sport some leg warmers, come as Madonna or Boy George, or punk out. The more creative and fun the better! Need some inspiration? Check out this Pinterest board. 

• Are students allowed at Crystal Fest?

  No. Crystal Fest is for adult Crystal community members only.

• What are the important dates I need to know? I want to mark my calendar!

  • Crystal Fest ticket sales will open on Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
  • Count Me In (CMI) sales will open in March - keep an eye out!
  • Wine Auction, Fund-A-Need, and Live Auction will take place during Crystal Fest on Saturday, May 6.

• Anything Else?

  Did we miss anything? If you have any other questions, especially if you are a new family to the Crystal community, please reach out to us through this form or by email at crystalfest@csus.org.