School Year 2025 - 2026

Total Awarded: $36,683

Your donations enable students to learn in new and dynamic ways with the engaging projects and curriculum listed below

Microgrants (up to $750.00)

Marine Ecosystems Place Based Project:

This project is designed to connect students to their local marine ecosystem in partnership with the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. Students will learn about how vital the marine plants and animals were, and still are, to the local Indigenous population and foster a respect for and appreciation of the marine ecosystem. Students will explore the wonders of the Intertidal zone, by walking to a local beach to investigate the rocky shore at low tide. By looking under rocks or lifting algae, students discover the interconnected web of life and compare organisms found both low and high on the beach. They are able to hone their identification skills, and walk away with a greater appreciation for the Salish Sea coastal environment and its inhabitants. Through in-class educational activities and a field trip with PTMSC, students will build knowledge of local seaweed species and explore their cultural and ecological significance through hands-on activities including scientific collection, sampling, culinary exploration, and art projects with seaweed specimens.

Ethnobotanical Studies & Native Garden: 

Our 3rd Grade Students at Salish Coast ES will be undertaking a year long project that entails a deep dive into Since Time Immemorial studies with guidance from Traditional Knowledge holder and Makah Tribal Member, Sabrina McQuillen-Hill. Our students learn about how local tribes use(d) the plant world around them to supply food, shelter, clothing, medicinal and spiritual needs of their community. These are hands-on workshops and will guide our Native Plants/Ethnobotanical garden restoration project.

Healthy Sustainable Forests:
Port Townsend High School Environmental Science, Statistics, and Calculus students are working to develop a model of Carbon sequestration for our local urban forests – Sather Park and the Quimper Wildlife Corridor/Cappy’s Trails. We have already been working on collecting and analyzing stand-structure data (for example, the distribution of size classes of different woody tree species). We would like to be able to include information about tree ages to our model and the understanding of the growth rate of trees across different locations. For example, preliminary data collection this past spring indicated that Douglas Fir trees on the PTHS campus may be significantly younger than the same sized (measured as diameter at breast height) at Sather Park. To model the rate of Carbon Sequestration, it is useful to also know something about the age-structure and the growth rate of trees. Community partners for this project include the City of Port Townsend Parks and Recreation, the Jefferson Land Trust, and the Quimper Parks and Trees Foundation. This is a multi-year project. By participating in this project, students will be learning how to develop a model to answer a real-world question – how much carbon is being sequestered in a given forested plot and what is the financial benefit of this ecosystem service? This project involves the collection of environmental data, connects directly to ecosystem services of urban forests and parkland, and involves data analysis and mathematical modeling. The project connects students to community partners, potential future career exploration, as well as possible internship opportunities.

Robotics Modernization: 
LEGO Education Mindstorm EV3 robotics kits are used in the OCEAN classroom as well as after school to offer engaging K-8th grade FIRST LEGO League S.T.E.A.M. curriculum and exploration opportunities. In 2026, support for the Mindstorm EV3 kits that we currently own will be sunsetted by LEGO Education. The ratio of the resources is two students to 1 robot, and we need to upgrade to the LEGO Education Spike Prime kits, ahead of the 2026 deadline. Our hope is to begin the device replacement this year. This project inspires generations of global citizens and helps them realize their power to build a better future.

Improving College Access PSAT Funding: 
This project is to help fund the cost of the PSAT for up to 40 students who identified as low-income at Port Townsend High School. This allows participation in the PSAT, an essential piece of college and career readiness for high school students. This opportunity is available to all interested students in 11th grade and, if space allows, 10th graders during a designated school day in October. Encouragement to all students to participate, regardless of their ability to pay.

Measuring Electromagnetic Radiation: 

PTHS Chemistry students will explore how different materials absorb or transmit different frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. They will see how density and molecular structure affect the movement of energy. This involves using infrared and UV cameras that are able to detect frequencies of light that our eyes can not see. This also helps them realize the world looks a lot different in different frequencies than they might expect.

Magnified Worlds:

The purpose of the "Magnified Worlds" project is to enhance the scientific literacy and observation skills of 5th-grade students through the acquisition and practical use of high-quality magnification tools. These tools will enable students to conduct rigorous, detailed examinations of living and non-living specimens both during outdoor field excursions and in the classroom lab environment.

Rings and Things:

The purpose of this project is to allow CAD and Manufacturing students at PTHS to be able to make 3D resin prints from their CAD generated ring and other jewelry designs in order to obtain the detail necessary for the lost-resin casting of such pieces.

Accessible Biking with Sequim Wheelers: 
This project will provide students with significant disabilities the opportunity to engage in an adaptive biking experience in Sequim, WA. Partnering with Sequim Wheels, students will explore a variety of adaptive bikes, learn how different designs support accessibility and mobility, and ride along the river trail while also studying local plants and the natural environment. This experience connects directly to our classroom curriculum, where we are focusing on accessibility, movement, and the role of community helpers. The purpose of this project is to give students meaningful, hands-on experiences with inclusive recreation while fostering independence, physical activity, and community awareness. By engaging with community partners who provide adaptive equipment, students will see accessibility in action and understand that their community has resources and people dedicated to ensuring everyone can participate. 

Bridging Word Gaps: Empowering Students with Dictionary Skills:

Strong vocabulary is the foundation of reading comprehension, writing, and academic success. With classroom dictionaries, students will be able to strengthen their academic vocabulary, expand their word knowledge, and develop the critical literacy skills they need to thrive across all subject areas. This grant would place the power of words directly into their hands—helping them unlock meaning, strengthen comprehension, and grow as lifelong learners. The purpose of this project is to provide every student with access to a classroom dictionary as a daily tool for building vocabulary, strengthening reading comprehension, and supporting independent learning. Dictionaries will empower students to explore language, clarify meaning, and develop confidence in their ability to tackle unfamiliar words across subjects.

World History/Civics/Contemporary World Problems Extension Library Project:

Books will be purchased to expand a PTHS classroom library of high-quality, high-interest nonfiction reading opportunities that extend and deepen student in-class learning, enabling students to have non-fiction reads available the deal with the current year's issues/conflicts.

Salish Coast Literacy Night:

Literacy Night is a family-friendly event at Salish Coast Element, with over 350 students attending an engagement to promote literacy and strengthen our connections within our community. Literacy Night encourages the fun of reading to help families understand the importance of literacy while gaining tools to integrate reading into their family's routine—an intended result for all to enjoy learning and gain enthusiasm for literacy.

Family Fun with Math 2025-2026: 
This is an evening for the whole family to engage with Math. The Port Townsend School district adopted a math curriculum, Bridges in Mathematics, that includes workplace games. At Family Math Night, families have the opportunity to experience games related to math at their students' grade level. This event strengthens students' math brains while bringing fun to the entire family. 

Salish Coast Bike Riding and Safety Program:
The Salish Coast Bike Riding and Safety Program is designed and started locally to teach students the essential skills for road biking while promoting physical wellness in a hands-on opportunity. The staff aims to teach students how to navigate roads safely, including understanding traffic signs, proper signaling, and the importance of wearing protective gear. This is a crucial skill for children, particularly in a region where biking can be a key mode of transportation. Funding from the Grant will support biking repairs and provide bike tune-ups and new safety equipment, including helmets and pads—all to ensure a safe and engaging learning experience for all students.

Listening Little Readers:

Yoto Player Minis and a selection of stories would be offered as a center during literacy stations, allowing students to independently select and listen to stories at their station, potentially while also doing tasks coordinated to the book selections available (this will depend on each student's learning and independence level). Story cards would be connected to other learning happening in the classroom, such as book selections about other places on Earth during our continent unit, books that feature rhymes when students are learning about rhyming, books that including counting as a story feature while students are developing numeracy and cardinality skills.

Traditional Grants (range from approximately $800.00 to $7,000.00)

CedarRoot Experience: 
The program for 4th Graders at Salish Coast Elementary will create and refine a partnership with CedarRoot. This program embeds place-based, experiential education with the Wit and Wisdom curriculum. 4th Graders will learn about wilderness survival techniques, teamwork, and geography in our local community. Students will gain fundamental world skills while also building an outdoor knowledge base to write nonfiction essays and fiction stories related to wilderness survival. Students struggling with reading will get hands-on experiences in our local forests to create engagement and a basis of knowledge that can help broaden their scope of learning and writing about what they learn in our local ecosystems. 

DJ Supaman: PTSD and PT Community Speaking, Music and Dance Presentations:
PTSD students will have the opportunity to attend performances and presentations by Indigenous hip hop artist, Supaman. A Native American dancer and musician, Supaman has devoted his career to inspiring others and sharing messages of hope, pride, and resilience through his unique artistic expression. Blending traditional Indigenous culture with modern hip hop, his engaging style stands out in both communities. His powerful performances not only entertain but also uplift and educate, offering insight into Indigenous experiences and issues.

Building Innovation through Robotics: 
This project will expand the LEGO Education SPIKE Prime robotics resources for the STEAM classroom, computer science classes, and after-school robotics club. By increasing access to these innovative tools, more students will engage in hands-on engineering and coding, building critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork skills that prepare them for future opportunities in STEM fields. With more robots, students will be able to work in smaller groups, ensuring every student has a hands-on role in building, programming, and problem-solving. The additional robots will also strengthen our robotics club, which provides a pathway for students to compete, innovate, and connect with peers who share a passion for STEAM. The Robotics Club also partners with Ocean, giving students opportunities to collaborate with peers they might not otherwise interact with. This project will benefit both Blue Heron and Ocean schools.

Funding of AP Exams for Students in Need:

This project ensures equitable access to Advanced Placement (AP) opportunities for all Port Townsend High School students by funding AP exam fees for those who qualify for free or reduced lunch. With recent changes in state funding, students in need are now required to cover these costs themselves, which may prevent some from taking exams and earning college credit. By removing this financial barrier, the grant will support academic achievement, increase postsecondary readiness, and affirm that every student has the opportunity to challenge themselves through AP coursework regardless of family income.

Cultural Bridges: Home Language Books for Student Success:
In the Port Townsend School District we have 47 students in our Multilingual Learner Program and even more students who are bilingual, multicultural, or wanting to learn and engage with their multilingual peers. Our school district community includes speakers of at least 10 different world languages. The Port Townsend School District’s mission, that every student is known, engaged, and supported, should be reflected in our school libraries through adding multilingual avenues for growth. The purpose of this grant is to build a library collection that grows alongside our students. Each year our libraries reflect on ways to continue to engage our learners. We look for places to provide current and accurate information, to expand on their classroom content. We move to meet the social emotional and developmental changes we’re seeing year by year with our students. We provide resources to meet challenges our students may face, knowing that the world seems to become more complex by the day. We already provide this level of thoughtful curation to our English speaking students. By providing these opportunities in multilingual books, we are honoring our mission of making sure no student feels unknown, disengaged, or unsupported simply because of their language ability. We in the school libraries are dedicated to providing accurate, thoughtful, engaging books for all students. With this grant, we can take the next step in meeting multilingual students where they are and showing them they are seen, valued, and celebrated. Demographics that represent the Multilingual Learners in our district: Salish Coast: 19 students, Languages: Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Khmer, Ukrainian, Japanese, Thai , Filipino/Tagalog Blue Heron: 13 students, Languages: Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese Port Townsend HS: 10 students, Languages: Spanish, Swedish, Filipino/Tagalog OCEAN: 5 students, Languages: Spanish, Chinese 

From Classroom to Community: Learning Real-World Skills While Giving Back: 

OCEAN students are stepping into the community to learn real-world skills while giving back. From keeping Port Townsend's school district bike fleet rolling with The ReCyclery to exploring construction trades and the arts through a CTE class with the Community Boat Project, students gain confidence, connections, and a vision for their future.

Creative Movement Education: 
The Creative Movement Education program is designed for kindergarteners at Salish Coast Elementary. This dance experience aims to create a safe and supportive learning environment where students have an opportunity for self-expression. Participating in the program will enhance mind and body connection and gross motor skills, foster social and emotional well-being, and support developmentally delayed students and those with behavior and learning difficulties. Each kindergarten class will receive four 45-minute sessions led by local dancer, choreographer, and dance instructor Ashley Friend. This program will culminate with a final presentation for families to showcase the skills learned.

Advisory Curriculum #NeverForget: 
The Advisory Curriculum #Never Forget project would purchase 100 copies of the graphic novel White Bird, to be read by all 7th and 8th graders at Blue Heron during their advisory classes. White Bird, by R.J. Palacio, is a Holocaust story, but also addresses bullying, bystander behavior, and disability. It would accompany our equity curriculum that we have developed around hate speech, as we try to raise students' awareness around the hate speech they see and hear daily online. 

Love for Leadership:

Port Townsend High School has reinstated a full-time leadership class, an exciting and long-overdue opportunity to shape student leaders from within the school community. This project seeks to fully equip the leadership program with the tools it needs to thrive, whether that’s supplies for planning school-wide events, materials for team-building activities, or resources for student-led initiatives. When students feel connected to their school through community, fun, and a sense of purpose, they are likelier to show up, stay engaged, and contribute positively to the school culture.

T.A.C.O Program: Language Through Food: 
T.A.C.O Teaching, Academics through Culinary Opportunities is a component of the Port Townsend High School Spanish program that will have students grow and cook traditional Latin American dishes. Starting with planting seeds in the PTHS garden and culminating in preparing meals in the Culinary Arts room, they will connect to the joys and hardships of people whose cultural legacy has brought us these magnificent foods. It is an effort to engage students in thorough hands-on interaction with delicious foods to broaden their worldview.

School Year 2024 - 2025

Total Awarded: $30,681.00

Your donations enable students to learn in new and dynamic ways with the engaging projects and curriculum listed below

Microgrants ( up to $750.00)

Salish Coast Elementary Literacy Night:

Literacy Night is a family-friendly event at Salish Coast Element, with over 350 students attending an engagement to promote literacy and strengthen our connections within our community. Literacy Night encourages the fun of reading to help families understand the importance of literacy while gaining tools to integrate reading into their family's routine—an intended result for all to enjoy learning and gain enthusiasm for literacy.

Family Fun with Math:

This is an evening for the whole family to engage with Math. The Port Townsend School district adopted a math curriculum, Bridges in Mathematics, that includes workplace games. At Family Math Night, families have the opportunity to experience games related to math at their students' grade level. This event strengthens students' math brains while bringing fun to the entire family.

Community Speaker Series:

This speaker series is at Salish Coast Elementary for 4th Graders through the Since Time Immemorial curriculum. This was created to support 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington State. A local community member gave inspiring talks at the Equity Conference on missing pieces that are not included in our teaching history of culture and social competencies concerning our local Indigenous community.

Hands-on Speech: 

Proprioceptive and tactile feedback tools that play a critical role in speech-language therapy by helping students become more aware of their speech movements and improve their articulation, fluency, and clarity. Students will participate in hands-on experiences for students engaging in speech and language therapy by helping them increase awareness of their motor system to improve their articulation and overall communication skills. These tools will assist students in making progress faster by involving tactile and proprioceptive feedback in their therapy sessions. This program will help neurodivergent learners and their sensory needs better regulate so they can communicate to the best of their ability.

First Lego Robotics Upgrade:

LEGO Education Mindstorms EV3 robotics kits are used in the OCEAN classroom and in after-school programs to offer engaging K-8 grade first Lego league S.T.E.A.M curriculum and exploration opportunities. First, Lego League prepares young people for the future through life-changing youth robotics programs that build skills, confidence, and resilience. A signature set of Core Values guides participants to conduct research, fundraise, design, develop, and showcase their achievements.

Improving College Access PSAT Funding:

This project is to help fund the cost of the PSAT for up to 40 students who identified as low-income at Port Townsend High School. This allows participation in the PSAT, an essential piece of college and career readiness for high school students. This opportunity is available to all interested students in 11th grade and, if space allows, 10th graders during a designated school day in October. Encouragement to all students to participate, regardless of their ability to pay.

D&D Enrichment Classes for 6-8 SEL:

This is an innovative project that uses Dungeons and Dragons as a tool to empower middle school students, helping them build confidence, teamwork, and social-emotional skills. Through collaborative storytelling, problem-solving, and role-playing, students will develop stronger interpersonal connections while exploring their creativity. The program provides a safe, inclusive space for students to express themselves, overcome challenges, and enhance their communication skills while having fun.

Empowering Expression: Building Student:

OCEAN has opened up a new program called Open Doors. This is a youth re-engagement program for people aged 16-21 who need to be on track to graduate or have dropped out of school. This program re-engages young people with learning, career pathways courses, and, in some cases, independent and online learning classes to embark upon high school diploma graduation. The "Empowering Expression" grant request will allow the teacher/case manager, Kelley Watson, to provide student-led learning opportunities in independent study Language Arts, Finances as well as Creative Art courses with the lens of increasing Social and Emotional Learning.

T.A.C.O Program Teaching Academics:

T.A.C.O Teaching, Academics through Culinary Opportunities is a component of the Port Townsend High School Spanish program that will have students grow and cook traditional Latin American dishes. Starting with planting seeds in the PTHS garden and culminating in preparing meals in the Culinary Arts room, they will connect to the joys and hardships of people whose cultural legacy has brought us these magnificent foods. It is an effort to engage students in thorough hands-on interaction with delicious foods to broaden their worldview.

Building a Classroom Library for Diverse:

This grant purchased a class set of the Odyssey, the graphic novel version by Gareth Hinds, to make this classic myth more accessible to today's students and visual learners at Blue Heron Middle School. The additional goal is to create a more robust classroom library for diverse students, with nonfiction books that highlight diverse cultures and help to represent the student body.

Traditional Grants (range from approximately $800.00 to $7,000.00)

Art for All:

Art for All is a pilot program at the NEST classroom of Salish Coast Elementary, and some art experiences will be taken district-wide. The project will culminate in celebrating student art and demonstrating adaptive art techniques during our district's Art Walk evenings. Art will be displayed downtown as part of the Art Wave showcase in Port Townsend. Art for All uses innovative low- and high-tech assistive technology to enable students with complex needs to participate in art and learn through it.

Salish Coast Bike Riding and Safety Program:

The Salish Coast Bike Riding and Safety Program is designed and started locally to teach students the essential skills for road biking while promoting physical wellness in a hands-on opportunity. The staff aims to teach students how to navigate roads safely, including understanding traffic signs, proper signaling, and the importance of wearing protective gear. This is a crucial skill for children, particularly in a region where biking can be a key mode of transportation. Funding from the Grant will support biking repairs and provide bike tune-ups and new safety equipment, including helmets and pads—all to ensure a safe and engaging learning experience for all students.

CedarRoot Experience Lite:

The program for 4th Graders at Salish Coast Elementary will create and refine a partnership with CederRoot. This program embeds place-based, experiential education with the Wit and Wisdom curriculum. 4th Graders will learn about wilderness survival techniques, teamwork, and geography in our local community. Students will gain fundamental world skills while also building an outdoor knowledge base to write nonfiction essays and fiction stories related to wilderness survival. Students struggling with reading will get hands-on experiences in our local forests to create engagement and a basis of knowledge that can help broaden their scope of learning and writing about what they learn in our local ecosystems.

Rover Revolution: Exploring Circuits and Control with D/C Rovers:

Rover Revolution aims to deepen students' understanding of electrical circuits and energy transfer through the hands-on experience of building and controlling Snap Circuit D/C Rovers. By integrating these rovers into the Blue Heron STEAM curriculum, students will have an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge practically and engagingly, fostering a deeper comprehension of circuitry and engineering principles.

Voices of Many: Enriching our Library with Multilingual Literature for Inclusion, Empathy and Cultural Understanding:

Port Townsend School Libraries are launching an impactful initiative to support our newcomer students and families by expanding our collection of multilingual books in all three school libraries. This initiative ensures essential access to literature in students' home languages and fosters a joy of learning, literacy, and a sense of belonging. We are hosting engaging classroom and community events like multilingual storytelling nights, cultural showcases, and displays with language workshops. Voices of Many will create an inclusive environment that celebrates the diverse backgrounds of all students.

Forensic Science for All:

Forensic Science for All will reinvigorate the Port Townsend High School Forensic Science course by providing all students with new, updated equipment and lab opportunities. Students will be able to experience hands-on learning relevant to real-world applications. The summative mock crime scene lab practicals are one of the most creative components of the Forensic science class students can learn from.

Weight Training Program:

Port Townsend High School Weight Training Program has worked diligently over the last six years to create an environment where all students feel safe and comfortable in the weight room setting. In 2022, three community members and a PTHS teacher started eight middle school training programs. Over 56 students learned lifelong skills associated with weight training. 2023 Port Townsend High School seniors successfully created a "Girls only weight training program" for their senior project. Port Townsend High School's weight program aims to expand and make programs more fun and inclusive for all. It encourages physical activity while connecting socially with peers and positive supportive adults.

BIPOC Students Union Excursions:

BIPOC, Black, Indigenous, Person of Color, Student Union was created recently to encourage a safe gathering space for students who identify as BIPOC. The Student Union met to collaborate on academic projects, learn about BIPOC history, share their ancestries and traditions, and just have a place to feel an overall sense of belonging. Port Townsend School District has seen a growth in our BIPOC student population. Students need to know they belong and have mentors to look up to and connect with. This grant will support the BIPOC Student Union with field trips to enrich experiences outside of school.

Etching Press for Printmaking:

The project is to empower art teachers with a professional tool and expose students to the art forms of printmaking through the use of a press. From basic to more advanced methods, including aquatint, collagraph, woodcut, linocut, monoprint, and etching, students will learn techniques and develop hand-eye coordination with carving tools in a safe and effective manner. Intended results include the opportunity for students to learn and experience using professional tools and to showcase their work.

Creative Movement Education:

The Creative Movement Education program is designed for kindergarteners at Salish Coast Elementary. This dance experience aims to create a safe and supportive learning environment where students have an opportunity for self-expression. Participating in the program will enhance mind and body connection and gross motor skills, foster social and emotional well-being, and support developmentally delayed students and those with behavior and learning difficulties. Each kindergarten class will receive four 45-minute sessions led by local dancer, choreographer, and dance instructor Ashley Friend. This program will culminate with a final presentation for families to showcase the skills learned.

Blue Heron Instruments:

We supported the Blue Heron Middle School Orchestra seeks funding to enhance and grow their program with the purchase of an upright bass and a new cello. As the orchestra expands, the demand for larger string instruments exceeds their current resources, limiting access for eager young musicians. New instruments will open up opportunities for students to develop their skills on bass and cello, fostering a more well-rounded ensemble and providing students with the tools they need to thrive musically.

School Year 2024 - 2025

Total Awarded: $30,681.00

Your donations enable students to learn in new and dynamic ways with the engaging projects and curriculum listed below

Microgrants ( up to $750.00)

Salish Coast Elementary Literacy Night:

Literacy Night is a family-friendly event at Salish Coast Element, with over 350 students attending an engagement to promote literacy and strengthen our connections within our community. Literacy Night encourages the fun of reading to help families understand the importance of literacy while gaining tools to integrate reading into their family's routine—an intended result for all to enjoy learning and gain enthusiasm for literacy.

Family Fun with Math:

This is an evening for the whole family to engage with Math. The Port Townsend School district adopted a math curriculum, Bridges in Mathematics, that includes workplace games. At Family Math Night, families have the opportunity to experience games related to math at their students' grade level. This event strengthens students' math brains while bringing fun to the entire family.

Community Speaker Series:

This speaker series is at Salish Coast Elementary for 4th Graders through the Since Time Immemorial curriculum. This was created to support 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington State. A local community member gave inspiring talks at the Equity Conference on missing pieces that are not included in our teaching history of culture and social competencies concerning our local Indigenous community.

Hands-on Speech: 

Proprioceptive and tactile feedback tools that play a critical role in speech-language therapy by helping students become more aware of their speech movements and improve their articulation, fluency, and clarity. Students will participate in hands-on experiences for students engaging in speech and language therapy by helping them increase awareness of their motor system to improve their articulation and overall communication skills. These tools will assist students in making progress faster by involving tactile and proprioceptive feedback in their therapy sessions. This program will help neurodivergent learners and their sensory needs better regulate so they can communicate to the best of their ability.

First Lego Robotics Upgrade:

LEGO Education Mindstorms EV3 robotics kits are used in the OCEAN classroom and in after-school programs to offer engaging K-8 grade first Lego league S.T.E.A.M curriculum and exploration opportunities. First, Lego League prepares young people for the future through life-changing youth robotics programs that build skills, confidence, and resilience. A signature set of Core Values guides participants to conduct research, fundraise, design, develop, and showcase their achievements.

Improving College Access PSAT Funding:

This project is to help fund the cost of the PSAT for up to 40 students who identified as low-income at Port Townsend High School. This allows participation in the PSAT, an essential piece of college and career readiness for high school students. This opportunity is available to all interested students in 11th grade and, if space allows, 10th graders during a designated school day in October. Encouragement to all students to participate, regardless of their ability to pay.

D&D Enrichment Classes for 6-8 SEL:

This is an innovative project that uses Dungeons and Dragons as a tool to empower middle school students, helping them build confidence, teamwork, and social-emotional skills. Through collaborative storytelling, problem-solving, and role-playing, students will develop stronger interpersonal connections while exploring their creativity. The program provides a safe, inclusive space for students to express themselves, overcome challenges, and enhance their communication skills while having fun.

Empowering Expression: Building Student:

OCEAN has opened up a new program called Open Doors. This is a youth re-engagement program for people aged 16-21 who need to be on track to graduate or have dropped out of school. This program re-engages young people with learning, career pathways courses, and, in some cases, independent and online learning classes to embark upon high school diploma graduation. The "Empowering Expression" grant request will allow the teacher/case manager, Kelley Watson, to provide student-led learning opportunities in independent study Language Arts, Finances as well as Creative Art courses with the lens of increasing Social and Emotional Learning.

T.A.C.O Program Teaching Academics:

T.A.C.O Teaching, Academics through Culinary Opportunities is a component of the Port Townsend High School Spanish program that will have students grow and cook traditional Latin American dishes. Starting with planting seeds in the PTHS garden and culminating in preparing meals in the Culinary Arts room, they will connect to the joys and hardships of people whose cultural legacy has brought us these magnificent foods. It is an effort to engage students in thorough hands-on interaction with delicious foods to broaden their worldview.

Building a Classroom Library for Diverse:

This grant purchased a class set of the Odyssey, the graphic novel version by Gareth Hinds, to make this classic myth more accessible to today's students and visual learners at Blue Heron Middle School. The additional goal is to create a more robust classroom library for diverse students, with nonfiction books that highlight diverse cultures and help to represent the student body.

Traditional Grants (range from approximately $800.00 to $7,000.00)

Art for All:

Art for All is a pilot program at the NEST classroom of Salish Coast Elementary, and some art experiences will be taken district-wide. The project will culminate in celebrating student art and demonstrating adaptive art techniques during our district's Art Walk evenings. Art will be displayed downtown as part of the Art Wave showcase in Port Townsend. Art for All uses innovative low- and high-tech assistive technology to enable students with complex needs to participate in art and learn through it.

Salish Coast Bike Riding and Safety Program:

The Salish Coast Bike Riding and Safety Program is designed and started locally to teach students the essential skills for road biking while promoting physical wellness in a hands-on opportunity. The staff aims to teach students how to navigate roads safely, including understanding traffic signs, proper signaling, and the importance of wearing protective gear. This is a crucial skill for children, particularly in a region where biking can be a key mode of transportation. Funding from the Grant will support biking repairs and provide bike tune-ups and new safety equipment, including helmets and pads—all to ensure a safe and engaging learning experience for all students.

CedarRoot Experience Lite:

The program for 4th Graders at Salish Coast Elementary will create and refine a partnership with CederRoot. This program embeds place-based, experiential education with the Wit and Wisdom curriculum. 4th Graders will learn about wilderness survival techniques, teamwork, and geography in our local community. Students will gain fundamental world skills while also building an outdoor knowledge base to write nonfiction essays and fiction stories related to wilderness survival. Students struggling with reading will get hands-on experiences in our local forests to create engagement and a basis of knowledge that can help broaden their scope of learning and writing about what they learn in our local ecosystems.

Rover Revolution: Exploring Circuits and Control with D/C Rovers:

Rover Revolution aims to deepen students' understanding of electrical circuits and energy transfer through the hands-on experience of building and controlling Snap Circuit D/C Rovers. By integrating these rovers into the Blue Heron STEAM curriculum, students will have an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge practically and engagingly, fostering a deeper comprehension of circuitry and engineering principles.

Voices of Many: Enriching our Library with Multilingual Literature for Inclusion, Empathy and Cultural Understanding:

Port Townsend School Libraries are launching an impactful initiative to support our newcomer students and families by expanding our collection of multilingual books in all three school libraries. This initiative ensures essential access to literature in students' home languages and fosters a joy of learning, literacy, and a sense of belonging. We are hosting engaging classroom and community events like multilingual storytelling nights, cultural showcases, and displays with language workshops. Voices of Many will create an inclusive environment that celebrates the diverse backgrounds of all students.

Forensic Science for All:

Forensic Science for All will reinvigorate the Port Townsend High School Forensic Science course by providing all students with new, updated equipment and lab opportunities. Students will be able to experience hands-on learning relevant to real-world applications. The summative mock crime scene lab practicals are one of the most creative components of the Forensic science class students can learn from.

Weight Training Program:

Port Townsend High School Weight Training Program has worked diligently over the last six years to create an environment where all students feel safe and comfortable in the weight room setting. In 2022, three community members and a PTHS teacher started eight middle school training programs. Over 56 students learned lifelong skills associated with weight training. 2023 Port Townsend High School seniors successfully created a "Girls only weight training program" for their senior project. Port Townsend High School's weight program aims to expand and make programs more fun and inclusive for all. It encourages physical activity while connecting socially with peers and positive supportive adults.

BIPOC Students Union Excursions:

BIPOC, Black, Indigenous, Person of Color, Student Union was created recently to encourage a safe gathering space for students who identify as BIPOC. The Student Union met to collaborate on academic projects, learn about BIPOC history, share their ancestries and traditions, and just have a place to feel an overall sense of belonging. Port Townsend School District has seen a growth in our BIPOC student population. Students need to know they belong and have mentors to look up to and connect with. This grant will support the BIPOC Student Union with field trips to enrich experiences outside of school.

Etching Press for Printmaking:

The project is to empower art teachers with a professional tool and expose students to the art forms of printmaking through the use of a press. From basic to more advanced methods, including aquatint, collagraph, woodcut, linocut, monoprint, and etching, students will learn techniques and develop hand-eye coordination with carving tools in a safe and effective manner. Intended results include the opportunity for students to learn and experience using professional tools and to showcase their work.

Creative Movement Education:

The Creative Movement Education program is designed for kindergarteners at Salish Coast Elementary. This dance experience aims to create a safe and supportive learning environment where students have an opportunity for self-expression. Participating in the program will enhance mind and body connection and gross motor skills, foster social and emotional well-being, and support developmentally delayed students and those with behavior and learning difficulties. Each kindergarten class will receive four 45-minute sessions led by local dancer, choreographer, and dance instructor Ashley Friend. This program will culminate with a final presentation for families to showcase the skills learned.

Blue Heron Instruments:

We supported the Blue Heron Middle School Orchestra seeks funding to enhance and grow their program with the purchase of an upright bass and a new cello. As the orchestra expands, the demand for larger string instruments exceeds their current resources, limiting access for eager young musicians. New instruments will open up opportunities for students to develop their skills on bass and cello, fostering a more well-rounded ensemble and providing students with the tools they need to thrive musically.

2023-2024

PTEF awarded $40,072 in grants this year.

Microgrants (up to $750):

T.A.C.O. (Teaching Academics through Culinary Opportunities) - PTHS

PTHS Spanish students will grow and cook traditional Latin American dishes. Starting with the work of planting seeds in the PTHS garden and culminating in the preparation of meals in the Culinary Arts room, they will make connections to both the joys and hardships of people whose cultural legacy has brought us these magnificent foods, and they will develop their appreciation for the labor of those who grow our food.  All the while, they will learn Spanish communication skills to talk about nature, outdoor work, food preparation, food enjoyment, celebrations, and cultural aspects of food and fellowship.

Sled Hill Prairie - PTHS

Port Townsend School District inspires and encourages teachers to implement Project Based Learning (PBL) opportunities.  The class is wanting to establish a small patch of Ancient Prairie on our campus. This project is designed in partnership with a community member, Forest Shomer and will support students in identifying and remediating an ancient part of the land we reside. This project will include writing, science ongoing and individualized opportunities for students.

Sustainable Forestry Practices and Inventory - PTHS

This project will support a partnership between PTHS educators and the Jefferson Land Trust to develop and teach sustainable forest inventory skills for our high school math and science students.  Students will go on-site to the Valley View Forest Preserve in Chimacum to survey forest and inventory available board feet, do calculations for the sale value of the timber, develop a selective harvest plan, and learn how to maintain a sustainable forestry plan. These real world career skills can position students to pursue careers in landscape management, forestry, and environmental sustainability.

Exploring the Literary Gothic - PTHS

The grant will be used to purchase books from a set of choice books (students get to choose from a list) that represent important features of the gothic genre for the PTHS AP program, which now has grown to 74 students. The project will specifically facilitate student choice and variety. The purpose of offering these choice books is to engage students in a study of literature that results in deep understanding of the tropes and motifs of the gothic and be able to recognize them and reproduce them in their own work.

The Gothic in Port Townsend – PTHS

Gothic literature has long explored the things we repress, both individually and culturally. In this project, students will learn the history of the gothic genre, read gothic choice books, and go on to analyze features of the gothic in Toni Morrison's Beloved, recognizing the way our nation has repressed the   horrors of slavery. The grant will be utilized to pay the historical society for a field trip experience. The field trip is meant to be a launching point for student creative work within the gothic genre. Students will employ the tropes and conventions to explore a piece of our town's repressed history.

Improving College Access - PSAT Funding for Low-income Students - PTHS

Previously, the Practice SAT at Port Townsend High School was optional, and families were expected to pay for their child to take the test. As a result, many of the students who could most benefit from taking a practice test before taking the actual SAT for college admissions did not get that chance. A strong score on the SAT not only improves a student’s chance of college admission, it also increases a student’s chance of receiving merit-based financial aid. This project will fund the cost of the PSAT ($18) for 40 of our identified low income students at PTHS.

Multicultural Music - OCEAN

This grant will be used to support a workshop with drummer Bolokada. Bolokada will share about his experience about growing up in Guinea, how he became a famous drummer, and his humanitarian work in his home village Morowaya. He will perform a solo on the Djembe drum as well as teach a traditional rhythm to the students/parents/families. This is an interactive and multicultural experience for students and families participating in the OCEAN program to enhance their multicultural place based learning experience and culminating in a Multicultural Celebration Night.

OCEAN Free Reading Library Expansion - OCEAN

By expanding the Spanish materials in the Free Voluntary Reading (FVR) Library, this grant will support OCEAN students in developing their literacy skills and foster joy in reading. Reading is core to all literacy programs. Literacy in a Modern Language helps students to strengthen their competencies not only in the new language, but also supports their native language reading ability. Free reading libraries provide opportunities for students to pursue more advanced material, and spark confidence among struggling and reluctant readers through accessible, fun texts.

Japanese Language Curriculum - OCEAN

This grant will help fund a pilot program for Japanese language learning. World language credits help support students as they apply to 4 year colleges or universities. Here in Port Townsend, the only option for the last few years has been Spanish language learning. This program will pilot a Japanese language program at OCEAN to expand the option for learning a new world language and culture and will support the purchase of curriculum resources needed to support a Japanese 1 and 2 class. As we explore new languages and cultures, our worlds get bigger and the opportunities grow. Students are excited and eager to explore Japanese language, art, and culture at OCEAN.

Family Math Night – Salish Coast

This grant is in support of the Salish Coast annual Family Math Night. This event is a tradition that was started a number of years ago at Salish Coast Elementary, providing dinner for families and teaching families math games that support the curriculum in the classroom. Families get to take the materials home to play the game later with their student. Families are encouraged to visit other grade levels and learn about what to expect or review materials. The event began with 150 people in attendance and has grown to over 350 in recent years.

Accessible Literacy and Learning for All – Salish Coast

Students receiving special education services at Salish Coast Elementary through The Eagle NEST will have opportunities to better engage with literacy through sensory rich literacy lessons created by our collaborative team through the support of this grant. The funds will also support the purchase of sensory materials for the lessons as well as a field trip for students. Students will have the opportunity to visit an accessible playground after engaging in targeted literacy lessons around accessibility in our school and community through place based learning. We also hope to invite our student’s families to better learn about this accessible playground in our community and better know how to utilize this resource with their children in the future.

Salish Coast Physical Education Department – Salish Coast

Recently, Salish Coast has added two Transitional Kindergarten classes to the school, and they are now the youngest students that the school serves. The physical education department will use this grant to purchase new and safer equipment for these learners to use in their education so that they can move freely and safely while using the proper resources. This includes smaller, softer, foam, and other pieces of equipment and activities that would benefit their physical education goals while being catered to their abilities and size. This equipment will also be utilized by students with disabilities and other students with varying needs to provide additional accommodations and alternatives for their education as well.

Community Speaker Series – Salish Coast

This grant will support the continuation of an established community partnership with Sabrina McQuillan who has been coming to Salish Coast to provide authentic lessons and materials on the history and present-day culture of our indigenous community for several years. She is an asset to our community, and to our school and her talks support the teaching of the 'Since Time Immemorial' curriculum, which was recently created and mandated by the state. This curriculum is supported by all 29 federally recognized tribes in our state. This grant will help recognize the value of McQuillan’s time and experience while working as a guest teacher in all three fourth grade classrooms.

Traditional Grants (range approximately $800 to $7000):

Editing Bay/Recording Booth - PTHS

This program will convert a large closet space at PTHS into a designated editing bay that can also serve as a sound booth. In this way, it can serve both video production and radio/podcasting production purposes. It will also be used by PTHS ELA classes to further ongoing collaborations. Eventually, the project hopes to support students in writing and producing content for KPTZ, the Port Townsend Film Festival, and state and national school competitions.

We are Team Blackfish - PTHS

This grant provides support to the Port Townsend High School ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) team, Blackfish, which consists of a cohesive team of students, from all grade levels. Throughout the program, the team will form an ROV "company" dedicated to using their science, technology, math, writing, public speaking, and artistic skills to collaboratively design, manufacture, and program an underwater robot capable of any simple or complex tasks at depth during state-level competitions.

WITS for PTHS  - PTHS

Writers in the Schools (WITS) provides opportunities for published writers to come into our classrooms to empower our students. These local professionals provide writing tools and life experiences to help aid our students with their creative writing. By providing our students an opportunity to share their love of writing, it allows students to have a unique learning experience with professional writers within our school community. Students learn to express their voices and have power with words!

Culinary Pathway for ALE Students - OCEAN

This program will give students a venue to learn food preparation, nutrition, and professional skills as well as provide a CTE pathway to graduation. The class will be taught by Kyle Reynolds who is a trained chef with over a decade of experience in the restaurant industry. The grant will be used to provide students in the program with the most critical equipment and a space on campus to cook and learn. This program will provide students with valuable knowledge regarding food preparation, nutrition, and professional skills in addition to new pathways to graduation.

čičməhán and Maritime – Blue Heron

Blue Heron has long been known for its work in the Maritime trades and discovery projects.  This project supports the alignment of Maritime instruction with čičməhán (‘Since Time Immemorial) instruction while also integrating life-long learning, increasing partnerships and community involvement, creating citizens of the world, directly involving students with choice and voice, and addressing specific learning objectives and goals aligned to Washington state standards.

Wilderness Skills and Knowledge – Salish Coast

With this grant, this project will create a partnership between CedarRoot and the fourth grade at Salish that will embed place-based, experiential education into our Wit and Wisdom curriculum throughout the year. The fourth grade curriculum includes learning about wilderness survival techniques, edible plants, and teamwork throughout the winter months. CedarRoot has experience teaching all of those skills, in our local context, and will enrich and connect the traditional literacy curriculum. This added depth will allow students to learn real-world skills while also building a knowledge base with which to write nonfiction essays and fiction stories related to wilderness survival. These skills will transfer into the ability to recreate in the outdoors, gain early understandings of forestry and outdoor education-related jobs, and read and write at a higher level.

Classroom Set of Chromatic Glockenspiels – Salish Coast

This grant proposal is for a class set of 30 chromatic glockenspiels. This addition to the Salish Coast Elementary instrument collection would add so much benefit to the music education of every single student, from Transitional Kindergarten up to 5th grade. This would become a huge piece of students’ understanding of melody as it will allow students to play melodies in any scale or key!

Disability Awareness, Accessibility and Advocacy Library and Future Place Based Learning Curriculum – Salish Coast and OCEAN

The project will enable educators to curate a selection of books with a wide variety of children and/or people with varying disabilities and when possible, books written by disabled authors. This will create a core library for the special education program at Salish Coast Elementary, The Eagle NEST (Nurturing and Empowering through Specialized Teaching and Teamwork) and a more targeted library that will be used to create a curriculum on disability awareness, accessibility and advocacy. This library will be used by educators to develop lessons, units and eventually curriculum to share with our entire community at Salish Coast and hopefully create a framework for other interested Port Townsend schools in the future.

Empowering Students: SEL & Reading Proficiency through Board Games and Trading Card Games – Salish Coast; Blue Heron; and OCEAN

This program is a dynamic educational initiative designed to transform the learning experience of elementary and middle school students. Through engaging and interactive board games and trading card games, the program aims to promote socioemotional growth and enhance reading proficiency. The grant will enable the program to bring weekly game sessions to Port Townsend students, guided by a skilled teacher. These sessions will empower our youth to express themselves, solve problems, and collaborate effectively—all while having a blast.

Enhancing School Library Fiction Collections for Lifelong Learning: A Student-Led Library Book Selection Initiative – District Wide

The primary goal of this student-led library book selection project is to empower students to take an active role in shaping their school library's collection. Empowering students to help choose books for their school library is more than building a diverse and engaging reading collection; it's about fostering a sense of ownership and enthusiasm for learning. When students have a say in selecting books, they become active participants in shaping their educational environment. This project encourages them to explore their interests, discover new perspectives, and take pride in their school's library. By involving students in the book selection process, we promote a love for reading and teach valuable life skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, and decision-making. Ultimately, giving students a voice in their library's collection ensures that it truly reflects their evolving needs and interests, making the library a vibrant hub for learning and personal growth.

Multilingual Resources for PTSD – District Wide

This project focuses on different ways that schools can provide an equitable experience for our multilingual learners so that they are seeing their home language, cultures, and identities valued and reflected in our schools. Currently, many multilingual students don’t see their home language and culture represented in the classroom, libraries, and hallways of their school. With this grant, the program will supply every school in the district with multilingual resources to help our multilingual students feel valued and seen.

2022 -2023

Click here for a complete summary of grants awarded this year!

Ocean/PTHS

• Developing Critical Thinkers and Lifelong Learners through Digital Access to the NYTimes

Blue Heron/PTHS

• Port Townsend School District BIPOC Student Unions
• Diversity in Music Project

Blue Heron

• Electrostatic Attraction
• Foldscopes
• čičməhán and Maritime
• Dystopian Genre Novel Choice
• Leadership: Reducing Food Waste through Everyday Composting
• Telling Our Stories: Digital Media Arts Literacy

Salish Coast

• Building Virtual Worlds
• Community Speaker Series
• Let's Store it
• Equity with Accessibility
• AAC Access for All
• WITS for 5^th 
  

2021 -2022

Click here for a complete summary of grants awarded this year!

Salish Coast Elementary

• Meaningful Work
• STEM at Salish Coast Elementary
• Sailing to the Future
• WITS  5^th
  
• Watching It Break Down

 Blue Heron Middle School

• Foldscopes
• Sensory Room
• Students Taking Ownership of Their Fitness
• Art Display Panels for Art Shows
• 3D Printing: Taking Ideas Into Reality

Port Townsend High School

• AP Physics Support
• Vernier GoLink! Adapters for Science
• Access for All: Digital Access to the NYT
• Physical Education Transformation

PTHS, Blue Heron, OCEAN

• Driving Place-Based Learning with Science

2020-2021

For a complete summary of grants awarded this year, see Fall Grant Cycle and Spring Grant Cycle