T
he Peters Township
Education Foundation
(PTEF) had their biggest
year ever in 2016-2017
by donating more than
$17,000 in grants to
staff members in four
of the District’s schools.
Each year District staff
members have the
opportunity to submit
grant requests for their
classroom to provide
needed items that go
beyond the District
budget.
“District budgets
need to be stretched
farther every year,” said
Superintendent Dr.
Jeannine French. “We are
so appreciative of the
A 3rd grader in Mrs.
efforts of the Foundation,
Schinosi’s class uses
and the parents, staff and
one of the standing
desks in the classroom.
community members who
support it, to supplement
what we can provide in the classrooms.”
Over the past six years, the Foundation has
donated more than $50,000 to classrooms at all levels
throughout the District. Funding is secured through
staff and parent memberships, participation in the
Washington County Community Foundation’s Day of
Giving, and various fundraisers held throughout the
school year.
“We are very proud of the fact that all donations go
directly back to the classroom,” said PTEF President
and Middle School teacher Matt Cheran. “Our goal was simple -
we started this effort to support education in our classrooms. It’s
great to see the difference we are making.”
This year’s group of winners represented four of the five
District buildings and included a wide variety of technology and
classroom needs.
Pleasant Valley 3rd grade teacher Debbie Schinosi was looking
for flexible seating options for her classroom.
“Most students have a difficult time sitting in the typical
90 Peters Township
chair at a desk all day long,” said Schinosi, who
requested standing desk stations and KORE Wobble
Chairs to allow students to practice better posture and
to focus throughout the school day.
At the Middle School, Mrs. Stephanie Van Balen
received two grants for her computer science
classroom. Her computer lab will now be equipped
with an interactive Aquos Board to enhance project
collaboration, as well as additional Makey Makey kits
for 8th grade Computer Applications class.
In the class, students explore and problem-solve
around the basic concepts of circuitry while creating an
interactive game controller.
“The activity has become so popular with students
over the past year that we wanted more kits,” explained
Van Balen. “Now we can offer more students the
opportunity to explore computer science.”
“The grants get more creative every year,” adds
Cheran. “Our staff members are looking for non-
Computer Applications students use the Makey Makey
kits to create an interactive game controller.
traditional ways to engage and support the students.” Check out
the complete list of winners (on the opposite page) and a brief
description of the grants they submitted.
Community members can help support the Education
Foundation by making donations via the PTEF website. Visit
www.pt-educationfoundation.org and click “Donate Today!”