St. Margaret’s Parent Teacher Fellowship events like the Library Luncheon and the Online Auction have become favorites of the St. Margaret’s community—and funds raised are both far-reaching and immediate to St. Margaret’s students. The generosity of the Tartan community in supporting PTF fundraising events culminates in the awarding of dozens of grants to fund important school projects each year.

“We are so grateful to the PTF for their continued support of the school, especially through their focused commitment to the grants program,” said Academic Dean Jeneen Graham. “From books to iPads, virtual reality stations, 3D printers, musical instruments, athletic equipment; we truly could not do what we do without their generosity.”

Dr. Graham and school administrators guide the grant request process, which is open to all faculty and staff. Requests ultimately are reviewed and awarded by the PTF grant committee, chaired again this year by Gretchen Scott. Grants must place a strong emphasis on student enrichment rather than operational use or professional development.

There are two grant cycles each year to allow meaningful impact to classroom learning. The first cycle is in the fall semester and are funded in January so the granted items can get into the classroom during the second semester of the school year. The second grant cycle is in the spring and awards grants that can be used starting the following fall semester.

The grants are funded through a variety of PTF events and programs throughout the school year—including the Online Auction, the Library Luncheon, the Book Fair, the Arts Alliance and a portion of what is raised at the All-School Fundraiser.

The grants awarded during the fall 2016 cycle already are providing an impact across the entire campus. In the Upper School, six quadcopter sets were granted for the introduction to engineering course taught by Steve Harless. The quadcopters were built during a unit last month, and were flown in Pasternack Field House as part of an Air STEM presentation in front of grade 2 students this week.

In addition, strength-training equipment was purchased for the athletic department, 10 drinking fountains are being installed across campus, and there is new equipment for the digital media studio, robotics for the ICE Lab, and lab essentials for a new Upper School scientific research methods course.

One other major initiative with the backing of PTF grants is enhancing resources to assist the Lower School as they adopt a new reading curriculum. To fulfill the new standards, each classroom is working toward having its own collection of books for students to read, in addition to the resources offered in the Library. Several PTF grants over the last two years have gone a long way toward fulfilling this goal, with leveled libraries granted in each grade level in addition to literacy book bags granted for kindergarten and grade 1 students who are building their independent reading skills.

In the spring of 2016, the PTF awarded 18 general grants that reached each division of St. Margaret’s, as well as visual arts, performing arts, STEM and general school facilities. The grants funded included the purchase of virtual reality computer systems and immersion headsets, lunch tables and umbrellas in the Middle School, a 3D printer, and four electric string violins/violas and supporting equipment.

In addition, standing grants provide annual funding for programs like ASB in the Middle and Upper schools, the senior class fund, Special Camp for Special Kids, Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano, the Parent Up Speaker series and cultural competency initiatives.

Dr. Graham said, “Our partnership with PTF allows us to grow in our innovative and leading programming year after year.”

Click here to see a list of PTF grants that were awarded in 2016.