The Stoddert PTO, together with Coach Wagner, applied and received for a second consecutive year the DC Physical Activity for Youth (PAY) Grant in the amount of $10,000. The PAY grant has been instrumental is securing the existence of the physical activities that are true enrichments to the regular classroom schedule at Stoddert.

Last year, the PAY grant money paid for replacement and additional physical education supplies for Stoddert’s growing student population. Also funded through the grant, were new activities aimed at introducing students to the outdoors. For example, students learned to pitch a tent, cast a fly fishing rod and learned archery. Grant money also covered bus transportation for the bike ride field trip in Rock Creek Park for the 2nd, the 3rd grade’s hiking field trip for their Cornerstone Projects, and the 5th grade’s Dancing Classrooms program.

For school year 2016-17, the PAY grant will again cover 100 percent of the costs associated with Dancing Classrooms and the Cornerstone Projects. The remaining grant money will support personnel costs associated with Stoddert’s popular and growing Cross Country/Track & Field teams that meets in the fall and spring for 4th and 5th graders.

For more information about the DC Physical Activity for Youth (PAY) Grant, please visit the Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s website here.

The Stoddert PTO is constantly looking for grant opportunities and writers interested in helping with applications. The PTO also asks parents to check with their companies about matching donations to 501(C)3 organizations and company grants.  If you are interested in helping with grants or your company offers matching donations, please contact the PTO at president@stoddert.org.