PORT TOWNSEND — The Port Townsend Education Foundation has awarded $46,756 to programs in the Port Townsend School District for the 2019-20 school year.
“We are grateful to PTEF for their continued contribution to the education of children in the Port Townsend School District,” said Carrie Ehrhardt, Port Townsend High School principal in press release issued Saturday.
“It is an overwhelming, joyful feeling to see all of the projects, teachers, grade levels and content areas represented in this school year’s grant awards.”
Grants were awarded to teachers at Salish Coast Elementary, Blue Heron Middle School and Port Townsend High School.
The programs supported by this year’s grants will impact students 3,004 times, the foundation said.
Among the grants funded for the 2019-20 school year were a Children’s Film Festival & STEM Night at Salish Coast Elementary, the YEA Music! program for both Salish Coast Elementary and Blue Heron Middle School students, and equipment for the Amplifying and Analyzing Student’s Personal Genomes grant, which allows high school biology students to harvest, amplify and copy their own DNA from cheek cells.
The education foundation was established in 2007 by concerned community members to bridge funding gaps in the school district. Using a formal grant review process, funds raised are allocated in the Port Townsend public schools for classroom enrichment and curriculum-based projects.
Since its inception, it has awarded more than $500,000 in grants.
This year, the education foundation was able to fund 25 grant requests.
The need is growing, according to the release.
John Polm, school district superintendent, is quoted as saying: “Port Townsend School District, like many other districts, is experiencing a decrease in local funding. In order to continue to provide quality programming and enriching experiences, the district anticipates an increase in grant requests to the Port Townsend Education Foundation.”
For more information about education foundation grants, how to get involved, or how to donate, contact pteducation foundation@gmail.com or visit www.pteducation foundation.org.
