WHAT IS THE PEARS GRANT? PEARS Grants—short for Providing Enrichment and Academic Resources for Students—are a funding initiative created and managed by the Trost Elementary PTA. This program was developed to empower staff with the resources to implement innovative ideas that enhance learning experiences for our students. The PTA oversees the grant process, reviews applications through its PEARS committee, and allocates funds to projects that align with the program’s mission of enriching student learning beyond what traditional budgets allow.
Over the years, PEARS Grants have supported a variety of impactful projects, including:
Project Supplies: Specialized materials for creative projects that go beyond typical classroom supplies, such as poster boards for special presentations or math manipulatives to help with hands on learning.
Classroom Organization: Bins for organizing toys, books and other classroom supplies, giving students easy access to engaging, hands-on learning tools.
Flexible Seating Options: Wobble chairs for small group activities, helping students focus and stay engaged during collaborative learning.
Classroom Comfort: New rugs to create welcoming and organized spaces where students can gather for lessons and discussions.
Classroom Technology: Software subscriptions such as Flocabulary, Nearpod, Blooket, and Kahoot to enhance digital literacy and collaborative learning.
Field Trips: Bus transportation for grade-level excursions, such as trips to Starbase or local museums such as The Gilbert House, giving students the chance to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences.
By funding these and other initiatives, PEARS Grants continue to foster engaging, dynamic learning opportunities for Trost students, ensuring they thrive academically and creatively.
WHO MAY BENEFIT FROM THESE GRANTS? Any PTA member of the Trost Elementary staff who has ideas that will enhance the learning experience of the students may submit an application for a grant when funds are not otherwise available. Individuals or groups of educators employed at Trost Elementary School may apply, this grant is not limited to classroom teachers. All grants must benefit Trost Elementary School students.
APPLICATION PROCESS. In order to apply for grant funds, you must complete a PEARS Grant application via paper or using our online form. You may apply for a grant throughout the school year. Applications will be considered by the PTA PEARS committee and be submitted for approval during our regular monthly PTA meetings. You must then attend the PTA meeting either in person or virtually to answer any questions that may arise during the approval process. Applications must be submitted at least 7 days in advance of the monthly PTA meeting to be funded that month, if they are submitted after that date, they will be processed the following month. Applications can be submitted up to one week before the May PTA meeting and/or until the funds in the Grant Program Fund are depleted.
USE OF FUNDS. These funds cannot be used to purchase curriculum material that should be purchased through the regular school budget process. We encourage you to submit grants for materials that enhance an existing curricular unit or for materials for a project that would be new to the class or grade level. For example, rather than purchase a general library of books, consider applying for money to purchase literature that supplements a specific unit of your curriculum.
BUDGET LIMITS. The PEARS grant proposal should not exceed $500. Exceptions can be made for exceeding this dollar amount and will be visited on a case by case basis. Any grant money that is leftover and not rewarded for the current school year will revert to the Trost PTA “PEARS Grant” fund for allocation the following year. The PTA reserves the right to redirect projects that fall in areas where other funds are available.
UTILIZATION OF FUNDS. All funds will need to be disbursed no later than May 30th of the current school year, unless special approval has been granted by the Trost PTA. You may resubmit your proposal for the following year.
CRITERIA. Applications will be judged on the following criteria:
• Creative ways of learning
• Results anticipated
• Number of students that will benefit
• Diversity of subject areas being awarded grants
• Importance of the learning experience to the students involved
GUIDELINES. The following guidelines must be taken into consideration when applying for your PEARS grant:
Things that PEARS Grant can fund
• Classroom supplies
• Publications such as books, magazines, newspapers
• Instructional CDs, videos and software
• Electronic equipment
• Construction materials for small projects
• Field Trips
Things that PEARS Grant cannot fund
• Food
• Projects that benefit a small amount of students
• Furnishings for staff lounges or offices
• Items already funded by the Canby School District
• Politically or community sensitive activities