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 grows. Without donor support, important and innovative ideas generated by our educators can’t become reality.   

This spring’s funding fulfilled 24 requests for over $17,000, thanks to community and alumni generosity. Requests included science lab equipment, a vinyl printer cutter, field trip funding, supplies for culinary arts, flexible seating and sensory room supplies, art projects, testing survival kits for high schoolers, a Spanish reading library and more.  

Applications in this cycle totaled more than $36,000, so some projects are still unfunded, creating opportunities for donors like you who want to be part of student success. 

The Education Foundation also prioritizes the Mental Health Matters Fund, created from a pressing need and fully funded by donors, dedicated to student mental health. The impact of this fund cannot be overstated. Students at all grade levels benefit from programming, from strategies our faculty and staff learn in professional development and even from direct access to mental health support providers. 

This proactive approach to student mental health must remain strong in the new school year. 

Before the fiscal year ends on June 30, please consider making a tax-deductible donation. You can even make a recurring monthly gift to extend the impact of your support. 

Thank you again for being a partner in our vision to challenge and inspire every student to reach their potential. 

Sincerely, 

Mary Kay (Archer) Montovino ’73, President 

P.S. Please make sure the important work you’ve helped to fund in our schools can continue in 2024-25. Please donate before the fiscal year ends June 30.