GRANDE PRAIRIE, AB – Thirteen schools within the Grande Prairie Public School District will receive additional funding support from the Education Foundation this month! Each year the Foundation requests applications for funding, aimed at supporting programs and projects that are not covered in regular school budgets but enhance the learning opportunities for our students. 

GPPSD Education Foundation is a responsive group geared to fulfilling needs from schools which enhance learning opportunities for our students. The Education Foundation is able to offer this support through its fundraising efforts in the community, individual and corporate donations, and partnerships with other community agencies. 

The Executive Director of the Education Foundation, Laura LaValley says, “This initiative is something that our Board of Directors gets very excited about. It’s our opportunity to put additional funds into these schools for programs and projects that can often enrich classrooms and give students some really interesting learning opportunities.”

The Education Foundation granted $25,000 to 13 different schools in the District this month. Initiatives include robotics learning kits, physical education equipment, specialized classroom furniture and technology, and the High School First Responders program. The Education Foundation also provided $4,500 to the GPPSD’s Music Department to aid in the purchase of new instruments to be used across the District.  The contribution through the Annual School Grant Program totals $29,500.

The GPPSD Education Foundation’s School Grant Program is something that directly aligns with the mandate of the organization. Foundation Chairperson, Angus Sutherland says his Board is very passionate about this. “Our Foundation does a lot of great work for our students. We have a great discussion and take the process seriously. We know the impact of our decisions affects students and it feels good to help as much as we can.” Sutherland adds that although they could not support all applications, the Education Foundation continues its’ fundraising efforts to be able to offer more support each year. 

Information provided by the Grande Prairie Public School District.