Initiatives
The PES Education Foundation is happy to provide funding for much needed classroom technology, musical instruments, and other needed items requested by our teachers and the Media Center, including the following:
Computer mice, headphones, earmuff headphones and noise canceling headphones. This equipment–which will be available in every classroom–will facilitate an improved learning environment for our students, including helping with student success during county testing.
Additional instruments for the Instrumental Music program so that every student who wants to learn to play an instrument has the opportunity to do so.
Sensory tool kits that increase students' confidence and independence, ensuring they will engage more consistently in social and academic development.
Collaborative board games, which education research shows the positive impact that games have on critical thinking skills and student success.
Additional copies of books that are student favorites and are checked out so often they need to be replaced regularly and greatly improves the collection at PES.
Current Actions
Shade Structure Update
Over the summer, the Foundation continued to advance the Shade Program Initiative. Due to the need to provide shade in multiple areas of the playground and existing conservation easements and drainage structures on the playground, the process involves multiple parties.
In July, we met with Playground Specialists, the MCPS-approved vendor who built the PES playground and with whom we previously met in January 2023. Playground Specialists can potentially provide equipment for a shade structure, but they were not able to make recommendations on where a structure should be placed so that the structure would actually provide shade during recess hours.
Following that meeting, we engaged with a representative from the MCPS Live Infrastructure program, which seeks to create living school yards to allow lunch, recess and educational outdoor activities. The MCPS Live Infrastructure Program can manage the project and oversee installation of shade canopies, hardscaping and planting of shade-ready trees. The Program was involved with the conservation easement, the forestry border and the rain garden at PES. The conservation easement limits where canopies and other structures can be placed on the playground.
To participate in the MCPS Live Infrastructure Program, we must first obtain a landscape design consultation and plan. Over the summer the Foundation met with three landscape design companies: Fine Earth, Groundsmith Collective, and JB Kline Landscaping. We recently provided the landscape design companies with the site plan for the school, and we are waiting for their proposals. Once the proposals are received, we will work with the administration, and MCPS to determine next steps.
Security Updates
Over the summer, the Foundation continued to advance the Shade Program Initiative. Due to the need to provide shade in multiple areas of the playground and existing conservation easements and drainage structures on the playground, the process involves multiple parties.
In July, we met with Playground Specialists, the MCPS-approved vendor who built the PES playground and with whom we previously met in January 2023. Playground Specialists can potentially provide equipment for a shade structure, but they were not able to make recommendations on where a structure should be placed so that the structure would actually provide shade during recess hours.
Following that meeting, we engaged with a representative from the MCPS Live Infrastructure program, which seeks to create living school yards to allow lunch, recess and educational outdoor activities. The MCPS Live Infrastructure Program can manage the project and oversee installation of shade canopies, hardscaping and planting of shade-ready trees. The Program was involved with the conservation easement, the forestry border and the rain garden at PES. The conservation easement limits where canopies and other structures can be placed on the playground.
To participate in the MCPS Live Infrastructure Program, we must first obtain a landscape design consultation and plan. Over the summer the Foundation met with three landscape design companies: Fine Earth, Groundsmith Collective, and JB Kline Landscaping. We recently provided the landscape design companies with the site plan for the school, and we are waiting for their proposals. Once the proposals are received, we will work with the administration, and MCPS to determine next steps.
Teacher Grant Program
At the spring 2023 100-Year Celebration, PES Education Foundation launched the Teacher Grant Program, which funds grants of up to $500 per academic year for PES teachers and professionals for projects that further the mission of the PES Education Foundation by enhancing the academic and extra-curricular experience of the students of Potomac Elementary School.
Thus far, PES Education Foundation has approved four grants for the 2023-24 academic year:
$500 for the purchase of series books for the media center. The series books are loved and checked out so often they need to be replaced regularly. These funds will greatly improve the collection at PES.
$500 for self-management kits for each classroom for the students to use in engaging in self management strategies, to regain emotional balance, focus, and availability for instruction. The self-management kits include visuals and sensory tools.
$300 for noise canceling headphones and sensory items for special education students to learn more effectively.
$240 for the purchase of collaborative board games to be used in the third grade classroom. Collaborative board games not only promote critical thinking skills and creative thinking, but they also allow students to use and practice social skills. Education research shows the positive impact that games have on student success.
The Foundation is still accepting grant applications. Please email grants@supportpes.org with questions.