PVEF Approves Grants
The Pequea Valley Education Foundation (PVEF) runs two yearly grant cycles with a goal of distributing all the funds the organization takes in. According to Amy Koberstein, Pequea Valley High School (PVHS) assistant principal and member of the PVEF board, the organization raised more than $20,000 by participating in the Extraordinary Give in the fall of 2021, and most of that has been given away. "It is all budgeted to be spent," remarked Koberstein.
One grant that has become a tradition with PVEF is helping to fund the Paradise Super Outdoor Science Day, which is held each spring at Paradise Park for all second-grade students at Paradise Elementary School. The grant essentially brings a science museum to the students. "(Staff members) bring interactive, outdoor learning experiences to Paradise Park," explained Koberstein. "(This gives learners) the ability and opportunity to apply science skills and knowledge that has been studied throughout the year and to gain information and insights from local scientists." The event includes presentations by Ryan "the Bug Man" Bridge, Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary, and the Environmental Center of Lancaster County Parks and Recreation.
Over at Salisbury Elementary School, PVEF is funding the school store, which is run by the special education teachers. "The goal is to provide students with an opportunity to apply skills outside the special needs education classroom and to teach them inventory, sales, marketing, and responsibility as well as social skills as they run the store," said Koberstein.
Not all grants are requested by teachers. Social worker Meredith Burnette wrote a grant for an attendance incentive for middle and high school students. "(Burnette) has created an attendance initiative program that (a student must) agree to participate in," said Koberstein, who noted that students are asked to join the program based on attendance issues during the prior school year. "(Burnette) and her interns created a support group that meets weekly and reviews attendance problems and strengths," explained Koberstein, who noted that students receive gift cards when they reach attendance milestones.
One partial grant will aid students who find it hard to sit still in a chair for long periods. The grant will help fund attachments with springs in them to help keep students more focused and engaged.
The new Pequea Valley Youth Football Association (PVYFA), which will teach football skills and sportsmanship to boys and girls ages 7 to 13 in the Pequea Valley School District, received a partial grant to help pay for new equipment to replace outdated gear. More than 65 area youths have expressed interest in the program.
Koberstein noted that the Extraordinary Give has been the organization's primary fundraiser for several years now. "We meet our needs and very few grants are turned down," she said, adding that the rubric for approving grants is based on seven criteria that rate the requests' contributions to the educational experience.
Readers who would like to learn more about PVEF may visit http://www.pequeavalley.org/domain/347.
Leave a Review