teachers with checks

The Griffin-Spalding Partners In Education (PIE) awarded 34 classroom and field trip grants to Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) educators totaling $30,000. On December 17 and 19, PIE representatives visited 12 schools to surprise the 2024 PIE Grant winners.

“It is exciting and rewarding to surprise these educators in their classrooms, in front of their students, and give them a check for either classroom items or a field trip to enhance learning experiences for their students,” stated PIE Director Adam Pugh.

During the month of October, the PIE board solicited grant proposals from individual classroom teachers, subject area departments, grade levels or teaching teams in need of funding for field trips or classroom programs/projects requiring up to $1,000.

The board awards grants for projects that are innovative and instructional, support the goals of the school and district and have realistic objectives and budgets. Applicants submit their grants online and volunteer reviewers rank the proposals for funding. The grants are funded by proceeds from the annual PIE Golf Tournament which is the board’s signature fundraiser.

Classroom grant proposals awarded ranged from $300 for books to improve student literacy rates, to $1,000 for band equipment. Other classroom grants funded include costume design for a musical, art supplies, math supplies, a pottery wheel, a 3D printer and more.

The field trip grant proposals awarded were all around $1,000 and included trip destinations to a student author conference, college tours, Six Flags, High Museum of Art, Kennedy Space Center, Center for Puppetry Arts and more.