Classroom Grants
North Kitsap Schools Foundation believes that educational excellence begins with teachers. There are many excellent teachers in North Kitsap public schools, but as anyone who has talked with a public school teacher knows, many spend a considerable amount of their own money each year to bring that excellence to the classroom. Very few professionals in other fields do this without getting reimbursed.
Since 2004 North Kitsap Schools Foundation has awarded 62 grants totaling more than $20,000 to teachers and staff members for innovative and creative classroom tools and projects. The program has been popular with teachers, but unfortunately we have been able to fund less than half of the grants requested.
Because these grants average only about $325, we have referred to them in the past as “mini-grants.” As we have heard from teachers who have received them however, there is nothing “mini” about them. In many cases $325, and less, has allowed them to bring resources and opportunities to the classroom that otherwise would not have been possible. In some cases these grants have led to adoption of the tools or techniques by other teachers and schools. Teachers at every school and level have received grants.
Grant projects have ranged from the purchase of “White Wings” paper airplane kits by a 7th grade science teacher for their unit on flight, to the purchase of a series of reading books tailored for struggling English Language Learner (ELL) and primary readers.
Applications are solicited in November and they are objectively evaluated by a committee of volunteers. Evaluation factors include
Originality – Combines creativity and innovation
Student Impact – Number of students benefitting
Funding Alternatives – Has this project ever been, or is it likely to be, funded by the District? Are other funding resources more appropriate?
Multi-year Impact – Will purchased materials be used beyond the current school year, or completely consumed this school year
Quality of Application – Responsiveness to requested information, organization, professionalism, etc.
