The PTA gives grade level, specials and school‐wide program grants that directly support and enrich the curricula and help provide new approaches to learning. Many of these grants allow students to go on educational field trips not otherwise possible.

Previous grants have included:

5^th Grade Field Trip to the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC): 5^th graders traveled to the Maryland eastern shore to visit SERC. While there they used microscopes to inspect plankton activity, observed oyster growth, seined for bay life (with waders on!), and undertook a watershed analysis. These activities supplemented their ongoing study of the importance of our watersheds and how human interactions impact the quality of water and land nearby and downstream.

Kindergarten Field Trip to the Kennedy Center: Kindergartners visited the Kennedy Center to see Follow That Fiddle. The show featured musical styles from mystical Eastern music to American fiddling and explored the histories of world instruments and complemented their learning about geography and music.

FLES/Spanish Concert – 1-2-3 Andres: Latin performer, Andres Salguero – also known as 1-2-3 Andres – performed for students. His show featured lively music in Spanish as well as dancing. His imaginary tour of Latin American countries further exposed students to the culture and geography of Spanish speaking countries and to the Spanish language.

Informational Technology: The IT team received funding for 12 Google virtual reality devices or VRs. The VRs can be used to virtually “visit” places and eras that students may not physically be able to go to. The IT team also purchased Osmo coding and other products designed to enhance real-world math, language, arts, science, and technology skills. The Osmo Genius kit, for example, includes tangram and word puzzles.

Exemplary Program – Microscope Madness: 10 new microscopes and slides were purchased for our Exemplary Program. Five of these microscopes remain on a mobile cart that teachers “check out” for their students’ use. The remaining five microscopes are available for use in classroom science observation centers. The goal is to strengthen students’ scientific observation skills and enable them to better understand the natural world around them.

ESOL Literacy Nights: The ESOL/HILT team hosted evening sessions with parents of ESOL/HILT students in pre-K to grade 5. During these sessions, the team shared information about the benefits of family literacy and engaged parents and their children in literacy activities that could be duplicated at home. Attendees received dinner, participated in an activity, and received materials and books for use at home.

Theater Club: Members of the 4^th and 5^th grade Theater Club visited the Kennedy Center to see the musical performance Bud, Not Buddy. As the students prepared for their own production, the performance exposed them to a professional show.