The Pearland Independent School District Education Foundation broke its fundraising record for 2017 when it raised $162,000 during a fundraiser year.

“On behalf of our board of directors, we are completely overwhelmed with the support that we see for our school and our teachers, and that our donors see the benefit of the foundation and teacher projects,” said Natalie Clogston, Chief Foundation Officer of the foundation.

The money was collected from the foundation’s 2nd annual Evening for Education gala in late March in addition to its annual donor campaign. The foundation awarded $100,000 in grants to educators from May 16-19.

Last year, the foundation awarded $88,000. Since the foundation was established in 2013, it has awarded $237,000 in teacher grants.

“We’re really excited that we were able to give so much, and that people see the value of the program,” said Clogston.

The money raised from the foundation funds teacher grants, which allow educators to apply to the education foundation to receive funding for classroom supplies, special projects or student clubs and activities.

“Public education funding gives teachers the basic minimum, but teachers have these amazing ideas. The foundation is really able to fill the gap between what teachers are given and what we really want to have in the classroom for the students,” Clogston said.

This year, one of the most popular grants will fund the construction of a model World War II airplane, said Nyla Watson, senior assistant superintendent of instructional programs at PISD and chair of the grant foundation committee. The airplane is for the Robert Turner College and Career High School robotics club, which will spend the year building the plane. The education foundation was able to fund half the of project.

“It gives people a chance to try creative things that the district can’t afford to fund,” said Watson.

According to Watson, if a grant-funded program is successful, it can be implemented districtwide. By creating classroom incubators that allow for new ideas, the foundation is supporting the district's goal of being fiscally conservative while also providing the tools for innovative education.

“When we buy something, we buy it for a few schools, try if for a year, and then see if it makes the educational impact that we expect it to make,” Watson said.

Grants in the past have funded a classroom set of ukuleles for an elementary school music class, outdoor gardens and Lego chemistry sets, Clogston said. The grants also provide funds for after school clubs such as Leon H. Sablatura Middle School’s science club and Pearland Junior High East’s robotics club.

“We have some pioneer teachers who are innovators who want to make sure that they are doing new things and that the kids are learning, and that is the fun part,” said Watson.

 

 

On June 14, the education foundation will host the Pearland ISD Night at the Astros game. Proceeds from the game will support the foundation. Glenda Dawson High School National Jr. ROTC will be presenting the honor guard.