Putting Students First Grant - In Partnership with First Financial Federal Credit Union
Grants for Elementary, Middle and High Schools
The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc. is pleased to provide the Putting Students First Grant in partnership with First Financial Federal Credit Union. The review and award of project funds will be based on the project’s anticipated need of supplies, resources, and opportunities/experiences to fulfill classroom needs and to impact student’s educational readiness. The project funds should have a clear alignment with BCPS academic goals, The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools' mission, and the school’s progress plan, with clear measurable objectives and overall impact and potential for successful implementation.
The 2024-2025 project funds should be used to support the students served by the educator(s) within their classroom/grade level/department and/or disciplinary area, organization/club or schoolhouse.
Grant funds can be used to:
• Purchase classroom resources such as books to enhance classroom libraries or individual student literacy needs.
• Purchase basic but necessary materials and supplies to meet the academic, health and wellness, social-emotional and/or therapeutic needs of a classroom or student(s).
• Purchase classroom resources such as audio visual/technology supplies to impact the delivery of instruction, must be aligned with the district’s specifications.
• Plan a classroom opportunity/experience such as but not limited to field trips to enhance learning.
• Pursue innovative professional development or new teaching initiative such as hosting a presenter or an assembly, must be aligned with the district’s specifications.
Projects must be conducted and supervised by BCPS professional personnel who work directly with students, including teachers, school counselors, media specialists, nurses, etc. Projects must address an identified need that is aligned with BCPS goals, The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools' mission, and the school’s progress plan. Funds may not replace normal funding from tax-based sources. The proposal should describe a quantitative and/or qualitative method to evaluate the success of the project. Funds may cover travel, participation in events/activities, consulting fees, and speaker honorariums. Funds may not cover personnel or any related expenses for BCPS staff, including gift cards and food/beverages. If food is purchased for students, it must align with USDA health regulations.
Putting Students First Grant Timeline
$10,000 Award Range - Awarding Grants of up to $1,000.00 per grant, to BCPS Elementary, Middle, and High Schools
- Application Process: Open June 1, 2024 to September 27, 2024
- Optional Grant Information Session: September 4, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. | Meeting ID: 222 908 645 85 | Passcode: 6bkziy | Join the meeting now
- Application Closes: September 27, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
- Committee Review: September 30, 2024 to October 11, 2024
- Grant Recipient Notification: October 16, 2024
- Web site Updated and Media Release: October 25, 2024
- Project Summary Submission to The Education Foundation of BCPS: May 23, 2025
- Reimbursement/Disbursement of Project Funds: May 23, 2025
- Submission of Recipient Grant Survey: May 23, 2025
Congratulations Grant Recipients
2023-2024 Putting Students First Grant Recipients
Chadwick Elementary School
Battle of the Books
Principal: Kate Chapman; Grant Liaison: Amy Yorko
Halethorpe Elementary School
Increasing Community and Autonomy Through Communication
Principal: Lisa DeDeo; Grant Liaison: Abigail Metcalf
Hampton Elementary School
Building Proficient Readers
Principal: Scott Conway; Grant Liaison: Ann Keen
Hawthorne Elementary School
Feeding Husky Readers
Principal: Jennifer Burch; Grant Liaison: Shelle Schnell
Milbrook Elementary School
Saddle Up for School- Taking Our Attendance by the Reins
Principal: Anne Gorman; Grant Liaisons: Liz Smith, Wendy Olsson, & LeeAnne Barnett
Southwest Academy
The Hero Within
Principal: April Franklin; Grant Liaison: Dr. Tatanisha Love
Sudbrook Magnet Middle School
STEM-CEO
Principal: Gordon Webb; Grant Liaison: Marcella Upshur-Dudley
Sudbrook Magnet Middle School
Young Men of Honor Leadership Program
Principal: Gordon Webb; Grant Liaisons: Talven Pearsell & Iterny Joseph
2022-2023 Putting Students First Grant Recipients
Battle Grove Elementary School
Battle Gove Elementary School Story Walk Project
Principal: Kristi Gallier; Grant Liaison: Kelly Greer
Cedarmere Elementary School
Reading Across America
Principal: Regina Matthews Grant Liaison: Jennifer Kellington
Charlesmont Elementary School
Principal: Colleen Banks Grant Liaison: Claudia Enders
Cromwell Valley Elementary Regional Magnet School
Capturing Moments – Igniting Financial Literacy
Principal: Cathy Thomas Grant Liaison: Florence Falatko
Featherbed Lane Elementary School
Electric Equity
Principal: Michelle Webster Grant Liaison: Robin Thompson
Glyndon Elementary School
Books for Literacy
Principal: Tracy Robinson Grant Liaison: Jessica Conway
Loch Raven Technical Academy
Essex Community College Field Trip for AVID Students
Principal: Heather Caulton Grant Liaison: Karla Schneider
Perry Hall Elementary School
You Matter
Principal: Ronesha Thompson Grant Liaison: Anne Marie Martinelli
Riverview Elementary School
Reaching for the Stars through STEM
Principal: Colleen Fitzmaurice Grant Liaison: Melissa Shipp
Western School of Technology and Environmental Science
MacBeth at Chesapeake Shakespeare
Principal: Jewell Ralph Grant Liaison: Melanie Coates
Total of Grant Funds Awarded: $4858.40
2021-2022 Inaugural Putting Students First Grant Recipients
Cromwell Valley Elementary Regional Magnet School
We are a Community – Learning and Budgeting Together
Principal: Cathy Thomas Grant Liaison: Florence Falatko
Deep Creek Elementary School
Reaching Your Highest Heights Reading Program
Principal: Laura Kelly Grant Liaison: Melissa Shipp
Dundalk High School
Owl Academy Excursion
Principal: Dr. Larissa Santos Grant Liaison: Maegan Hansen
General John Stricker Middle School
AVID Ambassadors
Principal: Laurie Phillips Grant Liaison: Lisa Culler
Gunpowder Elementary School
Building Confidence through Reading Fluency
Principal: Wendy Cunningham Grant Liaison: Meighan Brown
Hawthorne Elementary School
Pen Pal Meet & Greet
Principal: Dwan Pinamonti Grant Liaison: Michelle Schnell
Hebbville Elementary School
Outdoor Classroom
Principal: Jordan Filderman Grant Liaison: Hagit Barrett
Parkville Middle School
AVID Ambassadors
Principal: Erin O’Toole-Trivas Grant Liaison: Susan Miller
Perry Hall Middle School
2022 Gettysburg Field Trip
Principal: Lisa Perry Grant Liaison: Mary Maruffi
Woodlawn High School
Center for Academic Support
Principal: Jamel Jernigan Grant Liaison: Kimberly Simms
Total of Grant Funds Awarded: $4909.92
To support the continued growth and success of BCPS students and schools, please contribute to the school system through The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc.
To acquire information pertaining to all grant opportunities contact:
Ms. Deborah S. Phelps, Executive Director – dphelps@bcps.org
Dr. Heather RC Wooldridge, Associate Director- hwooldridge@bcps.org
Ms. Cindy M. Whitcomb, Administrative|Fiscal Assistant cwhitcomb@bcps.org
The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc. Headquarters
105 W. Chesapeake Avenue, Suite B-1
Towson, Maryland 21204
O: 443-809-8962
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The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools is honored to be an advocate for BCPS students and families, teachers and schools. We serve as the bridge between you who support our schools and those who work in and lead our schools.
When we speak of partners, we speak of you, our Education Champions, our Ambassadors. Through your act of giving, you recognize our children as the future and want to help better prepare them to embrace the many challenges as well as experience the opportunities ahead.
Together we explore and discover new and innovative ways to prepare our students for the world. Together we witness the ever-changing benefits of being a community.
Visit Making An Impact 2023 to see results as we strive to accomplish our mission/vision/goals.
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