During the fiscal year 2022/2023, the Foundation for Pottstown instituted a new grant program, the Student Grant.  This program enabled the students at all six of the Pottstown Schools the opportunity to decide on a project of up to $1,000 that would benefit the entire student body of their respective school.

The program was initiated during the summer of 2022 when Foundation Executive Director, Joe Rusiewicz met with the Principals at all six of the school to explain the criteria for the grant.  Each school was asked to have three groups of students working as a team with an advisor.  The responsibility of these student teams was to come up with a complete plan, including a description of the project as well as a budget.  The groups would also decide how they were going to present the projects to the students at their schools.  After the presentations, the entire student body of each school had the opportunity to vote on which project that they would like to see the funds be applied.

While all six schools were provided with the opportunity, three of the school participated, Pottstown High School, Franklin Elementary School and Rupert Elementary School. The High School had one project submitted while both of the elementary schools had two each. 

Pottstown High School’s project was submitted by Isabella Appleby whose project is to paint murals in the bathrooms.  She stated that “I wanted to give the school some color to liven it up.  The bathrooms need some work and this is a great opportunity.”  Appleby worked with High School Art teacher and District Art Department Chair, Beth Yoder.

Heather Malik’s and Cindy Kuklinski’s second grade classes at Franklin Elementary School worked as a team to enter their winning project, playground stencil kits and paint.  These kits will be used to add hopscotch and four square areas to the playground.  When asked how they came up with the idea, one second grader responded, “I get bored at recess and we thought that this would give us a fun physical activity to play during our time outside.”  A second project, Recorders for All was proposed by a group of students that would provide adaptive recorders for students struggling with covering the holes accurately.  This group worked with Music Teacher Sally Foose.

Rupert Elementary School had two projects submitted, one by the Fourth Grade team and one by the Third Grade team.  Principal Matt Moyer was the advisor to both groups.  The students of Rupert selected the project designed by the Fourth Grade team, recess equipment and bins to store the equipment.  The Third Grade project was to purchase plants and books about the plants for the library.  Our donors were so impressed with both projects that they decided to fund them both.  Mrs. Susan Trout, a member of Pottstown High School Class of 1967 was on hand to present the check to the Fourth Grade Team. 

The Foundation would like to recognize and thank the donors for the initiative, the Pottstown High School Class of 1967, The Hill School Student Philanthropy Council (2 awards), St. James Lutheran Women of the ELCA and Art and Judy Green.  Without the support of these donors, the student grant would not have been possible.

The Pottstown High School Class of 1967 has made an endowment to the Foundation which enables the interest and income earned off the principle investment to be used to support programs such as the Student Grant.  The Class of 1967 invites all Pottstown High School Alumni to join them by financially supporting this fund by contacting the Foundation at 610-970-6616, donating online at https://foundationpottstowned.org/donate/ adding the note PHS Alumni Fund or by sending a check payable to the Foundation for Pottstown Education 230 Beech Street Pottstown, PA 19464.

About FPE:  The mission of the Foundation for Pottstown Education is to raise funds for and support life-changing educational opportunities for the students and teachers in the Pottstown School District promoting the enhancement of our community.  Visit www.foundationpottstowned.org for more information about the Foundation for Pottstown Education.  You can also follow FPE on Facebook and Twitter.