Recently, the Petaluma Educational Foundation donated nearly $112,000 to various California city schools for the remaining 2011 school year. The total donation is split among 10 major grants the board handed out.
The grants, awarded by PEF's board of directors, are intended for schools to upgrade their technological programs and projects. Petaluma High School, which received $8,251 is spending the money on ceramic potter wheels and an electric kiln to augment its fine arts program. Casa Grande High School, on the other hand, is spending the funds on laptops, speakers and LED classroom projectors.
"So much of the curriculum at any grade level now is web-based because it has a component of learning related to accessing the internet," Janet Ramatici, PEF's director, told the Petaluma Argus-Courier. "The internet accommodates all types of learning styles and learning proficiencies. Really, it turns out that for programs to be successful, they need to have access to the internet, so they need the technology to make it effective."
In addition to PEF's efforts, various other bodies have been assisting school systems with grants. Recently, Lowe's donated money to 14 schools in South Carolina.
