LANSDALE – The Educational Foundation has been impacting classrooms across the North Penn School District since 1988. By funding thought provoking grants, students have the opportunity to enrich their knowledge from the classroom while gaining a new perspective on a certain subject.
Although the North Penn School District and the Foundation are separate entities, they work in unison to accomplish one goal: The mission of the Foundation is to motivate and inspire students in the North Penn School District through innovative projects and learning experiences.
Since it first launched, the Foundation has been comprised of a motivated, dedicated, and eager group of trustees who volunteer their time working endlessly organizing fundraisers and creating partnerships with business and community leaders.
The Foundation’s officers consist of David Kratz, President, Dennis Harken, Interim Vice President, and Jack Hoy, Treasurer. In addition, Christine Liberaski is the Eexecutive Director and secretary. The Foundation also consists of 11 members and two student liaisons.
Twice a year North Penn teachers have the ability to apply for a grant from the Foundation that they think will benefit their students’ learning experience. Finally, an educator’s hopes of inspiring their students to fully understand and appreciate a lesson can come true!
“When we reach new classrooms, new ideas, and new students, that’s the most exciting part,” explained Christine Liberaski when asked what is most exciting about reviewing grant applications.
In the 2013-2014 school years, an impressive sum of 53 grants totaling $28,744.98 was implemented. Grants are put into effect throughout all grade levels in the district in order to equally motivate students. These grants included Lit Fest 2013 at the North Penn High School, a Hovercraft Design at Pennbrook Middle School, a Science Night at Oak Park Elementary School, and Applying STEM While Studying Plants at Northbridge School.
How does the Foundation fund so many grants?
By hosting well-prepared events, the Foundation encourages and draws the attention of the community to support their cause. The Foundation appreciates the community’s constant support and generous donations, as the grants would not be possible without their charitable actions.
“For the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 years we had an anonymous donation of $50,000 each year for special education. That meant $100,000,” explained Liberaski. “We’ve never had that singular donation of amount of money to make such an impact in the schools.”
Not only is the community involved, but also North Penn students, who are ultimately affected by the grants. It is very important for students to be mindful and involved with the Foundation, since it is enhancing their learning experience.
“I think it would be good for students to become involved in the Foundation,” says Jimmy Dooling, student at North Penn High School and member of the school’s Junior Varsity Golf Team. “Student involvement would really help to get them more interested in charities and fundraisers so they can improve their future.”
The North Penn Junior Varsity Golf Team has volunteered their time in the past at the Foundation’s annual summer golf outing. The golf team comes prepared to help host the putting contest by providing strategy and tips for the golfers.
Where would North Penn be without the Foundation?
Classrooms throughout the district would be experiencing a shortage of innovative projects that are crucial to expand a student’s thought process. They would be lacking in the importance of hands-on experiences needed to build upon a lesson taught in the classroom.
“Empowering individual teachers, even if it’s a small amount of money, because to them it’s what they need. It’s a huge impact to them. Multiply that across the district and you impact even more,” says Liberaski while explaining one of the most significant impacts the Foundation has had on North Penn.
If the Foundation did not exist, North Penn would not have experienced the 940 grants, totaling $620,616.98, or see the impact of future grants.