Penguin Parent and Golden Apple Grants

These grants were the brainchild of our past presidents, Jenn Monk-Reising and Jill Schloff. 

First and foremost, the grants are meant to encourage creativity, innovation, engagement and sustainability. Historically, your PTO has committed $10,000 toward supporting your, and the BP staff’s, new ideas and interests. The grants are evaluated through the same lens through which we evaluate all of our spending; the more accessible and inclusive the idea is to all students in our school community the better. 

In addition, when you have a volunteer-driven, high-turnover organization the ideas, and therefore funding needs, change frequently. By creating and putting money aside every year for grants we prevent certain line items from getting “stuck” on our budget. The grants also increase PTO flexibility and allow us to support a good idea when it arises - and while we have the people and excitement to support it - but not get stuck with a budget line item we are no longer interested in after the original supporters have moved on from Burns Park.

Penguin Parent Grants are awarded by your PTO to parents who seek funding for enrichment activities for Burns Park students. Historically, we have set aside $5,000 in our budget for this type of grant. 

Golden Apple Grants are awarded by your PTO to teachers & staff who seek funding for enrichment activities for Burns Park students. These grants are used to enhance or complement existing curriculum or introduce new or unique educational experiences. Historically, we have set aside $5,000 in our budget for this type of grant. 

Frequent questions asked of applicants when deciding whether to approve grants: 

Is it in line with the PTO mission? How many students will it reach? What is the cost per student? Is there a less costly way? Is there a better alternative? Is there anything we can think of to make the idea more inclusive? More accessible?

Examples of approved grants: 

The Kindness Committee's accessibility signs for school

5th grade holocaust survivor talk series

Matching funds for Rainbow Buddy Benches for the playground (purchased with Burns Park Brownies)

Fifth Grade Yoga

Field Day Supplies

Mindfulness Workshop for Teachers

School's Out Camp Out