Our Grants
Our goal is to enhance curriculum and make learning a more enjoyable and valuable experience.
How the process works: Each school has a liaison from the Board. That person informs the teachers at the beginning of each grant period, of the upcoming grant process. They are given the exact dates for application pick-up and told when the forms are to be returned. Teachers make the application, which is then approved by the school principal. At least one committee member interviews the applicant and reports back to the Board. A final determination is made by a quorum vote of the Board at the next Board meeting. Applications are available from the liaison, and at www.sthelenapublicschoolsfoundation.org.
Where
the money comes from:
• Sustaining Member Drive-every fall (usually October) we mail fundraising
literature to our Sustaining Members and all Public School parents.
• Additional fundraising even-held in February, this event changes
annually. In the past, we've done a restaurant opening, and afternoon of wine
tasting or a night at the movies.
• SHPSF Endowment-our Endowment Fund contributes money annually
• Rotary-we receive a generous donation from the St. Helena Rotary
Club annually.
What we look for: Innovation, number
of students affected, and whether there are other possible sources available
to fund a grant. A teacher may request funding up to three times for the same
project. Occasionally our Board may choose to allow funding beyond the three
years, at which time it will be designated a Signature Grant.
What we do not fund: We do not pay for teachers' salaries, school maintenance, district building projects, or meals.
What
we expect from teachers: After the project is completed, we require
the teachers to thoroughly evaluate the project. They are expected to fill out
a questionnaire describing the project, its cost, its success or failure, and
any ongoing plans, if applicable. If they receive a piece of equipment, it is
understood that it becomes the property of the school.
Mini
Grants
• Requests costing less than $750.00
• Application period in Fall and Spring
• Applications submitted by teachers
• Projects and field trips
Maxi
Grants
• Requests between $750.00 and $2,500.00
• Application period in Fall and Spring
• Applications submitted by teachers
• Large projects and field trips
Arts
Grants
• No set dollar amount
• Application period in Fall and Spring
• Applications submitted by teachers
• Visual and performing arts projects
Jonathan
Rubin Grants
• Requests up to $1,000.00
• Application period in Fall and Spring
• Applications submitted by Special Ed. teachers
• Projects and materials for Special Education classrooms
Special
Projects
• Requests for school-wide projects above $2,500.00
• May be applied for and funded any time during the year
• Applications may be applied for by teachers and/or principals
• Awarded on a need and merit basis
Technology
Grants
• No set dollar amount
• May be applied for at any time during the school year
• Application submitted by teachers
• Hardware and software that complies with the School District's overall
plan and guidelines.
Cornerstone
Projects
• No set dollar amount
• May be applied for and funded any time during the year
• May be applied for by teachers and/or principals in conjunction
with community members and/or other non-profit organizations
• Have a broader scope than a single classroom or teacher, e.g., donating
money to start a library at the new primary school.
Robert Mondavi Family Arts Grants
• No set dollar amount
• Application period in spring
• Applications submitted by students
• Grants are for student summer art programs
Summer
Teacher Workshops
• No set dollar amount
• Application due in April
• Applications may be made by teachers and principals
• Does not cover transportation, or room and board
• Enables teacher to attend summer workshops and institutes. Teachers
may apply for grants which will advance their learning in a certain area, but
not for classes that will earn credits for continuing education.
Joseph
Phelps Grant
• No set dollar amount
• Application due in April
• Applications submitted by students
• Assists children in need who wish to attend summer academic camps
Swanson
Grants
• Given annually to each public school libraries each fall
• Used at librarian discretion
• Dollar amount is divided evenly between the four schools
Signature
Grants
• Given to a project that has already been funded for three years
and that the Board feels should be funded again.