Keeping the beat with new snares
Gifts to a fund for Marching Band Instruments recently allowed the Marching Little Lions to upgrade their percussion section with the purchase of seven new snare drums. The drums not only sound better, but they are also lighter. Students love them! Some of the previous snares were unrepairable, making the purchase more urgent. Donors stepped […]
Grant program keeps growing thanks to donor support
The Mardi Lowry McDonough Student Opportunity Fund & Grant program has unlocked countless programs and initiatives for students, thanks to the generosity of donors. Contributions fund innovative projects led by educators at every school across the district. Distributed in the fall and spring every year, grants have funded 150+ proposals submitted by teachers and administrators. […]
Maroon & Gray Society Nominations Close November 4
Thank you to all who have submitted recent nominations for the Maroon & Gray Society! If you have not yet done so, please take this opportunity to nominate an exceptional alumnus, a standout retired educator, a memorable team or student group, or someone else who has impacted our school community. The process is simple: Complete the […]
How grants are impacting students: Enhancing learning through sensory support
Nearly every school in the district has benefited from grant funds to support students with sensory needs. From dedicated rooms to classroom items, the Student Opportunity Fund has helped teachers and administrators make an impact on students. For example, a sensory walkway funded by a grant at Spring Creek Elementary helps students dealing with sensory […]
How grants are impacting students: Empowering future scientists
In the Advanced Biology Elective Research Course taught by Danielle Rosensteel, students design, execute and present independent research projects. Rosensteel is a former University of Georgia biology researcher who started the ABE course in 2017 to prepare students for university labs. Rosensteel proposed the advanced research class after her first year teaching State High’s lab-intensive […]
New school year, new opportunities
When the Education Foundation set up the Student Opportunity Fund, which was later named in memory of district educator and alumna Mardi Lowry McDonough ’87, the goal was to provide resources directly to teachers, coaches and administrators. Why? Because they are closest to students every day, seeing firsthand how their experiences could be improved or […]
Donor impact: New grant projects and a continued focus on student mental health in 2024-25
Thank you to our generous donors for your commitment to students. Your past contributions made an impact and your ongoing support is critical for the upcoming school year. As you know, the Mardi Lowry McDonough ’87 Student Opportunity Fund supports projects that are beyond the district’s regular budget. Every grant cycle, the number of applications […]
How donors make a difference: The impact of fall 2023’s grant awards
What kind of exciting things are happening this school year thanks to donor support for the Mardi Lowry McDonough ’87 Student Opportunity & Grant Fund? The fall awards cycle funded a wide range of requests that will, as always, impact students at all grade levels at every school in the district. Here are just a […]
Donor-driven grant program making an impact on current and future students
The Mardi Lowry McDonough ’87 Student Opportunity Fund & Grant Program has grown significantly since its first round of grant awards in the fall of 2018. The most recent awards this fall totaled more than $32,000 for 37 projects spanning every school in the district and impacting students in every grade. These grant awards were […]
How your donations are fueling a unique partnership critical to student mental health
The mental health and well-being of students continue to be a top priority in our schools and a top funding priority for the Education Foundation through the Mental Health Matters Fund. The district’s partnership with Penn State’s Herr Clinic is supported by this fund to fulfill a critical need: delivering direct, one-on-one mental health […]
