A new kiln for ceramics. Refurbished spin bikes for PE. Research competition fees. The International Young Physicists’ Tournament. Each began as a grant request to the PA Appropriations Committee.
The committee is a group of parent volunteers, co-chaired this year by Uma Rajagopal and Carlo Mattoni. Twice a year it takes requests from teachers, staff, students, clubs, and publications, reads every one, and meets to decide. Last spring it reviewed 39.
Every grant has to do one of three things: enhance students’ educational experience, strengthen their physical, mental, or emotional resilience, or build their communication skills and social awareness. “We try to fund as many of the requests as we can that comply with school and PA policies,” says Carlo.
It is also where new needs prove themselves. Last year Appropriations made two research grants totaling $5,940. This year the Research Program has its own $8,500 line in the PA budget, next to new lines for Math Team and Chess.
The Appropriations Committee is where everything else goes. When a teacher, a club, or a publication has a need the PA budget doesn’t already cover, the committee helps it get funded and brought to life. All of it is possible due to Annual Appeal gifts.
Thank you to Uma, Carlo, and every parent who reads a stack of proposals so a teacher or a club can hear yes.
A gift to the Annual Appeal is what lets the committee say yes. Donate to the Annual Appeal.
