Greater Latrobe Partners in Education Foundation presented more than $157,000 in grants this month to the school district, boosting a range of educational efforts including technology courses, professional development for faculty and help for students with special needs.
The grants are part of more than $6 million the foundation has raised to support district students and programs since the nonprofit was founded 10 years ago.
The foundation provided $20,594 to buy equipment for new Tech Lab I and II courses, according to Maria Graziano-Bickerstaff, president of the foundation board and a 2011 district alumna. Purchases included 3-D printers, laser engravers and CNC (computer numerical control) machines.
A grant of $14,250 has supplied new outdoor Wi-Fi access points to expand internet service at district buildings.
Proceeds from a 2019 holiday concert by the River City Brass will help pay for new band shells, which are positioned to reflect the sound of musical instruments toward audience members in the senior high auditorium.
Superintendent Georgia Teppert said the foundation’s fundraising and donations have helped the district provide resources for its students “above and beyond so many other school districts. This has been a major gift that we have at Greater Latrobe. It benefits our entire school community.”
Over the course of the past decade, the foundation has provided funding equal to the revenue from 3 mills of district property tax, according to Assistant Superintendent Michael Porembka.
One of the most important foundation-funded purchases was laptop computers for students, which helped the district transition to remote, virtual instruction during the early stages of the covid-19 pandemic.
“We were able to provide 3,700 students immediately with a Chromebook,” Teppert said.
The technology boost was one of the results of a $5 million fundraising campaign the foundation completed in 2015. That money also helped with development of the athletic and wellness complex at the senior high and an art corridor at the junior high.
Last year’s GOAL Magazine Golf Outing and Paint N Sip event raised $28,700 to support the district’s autistic, life skills and emotional support classrooms.
The foundation funds scholarships for district students, this past June awarding 25 with a combined value of more than $29,000. It also maintains a Wildcats Emergency Fund to help students in need obtain clothing, food and school supplies.
The foundation’s annual fund drive has received strong support from community members and from district faculty and staff, Graziano- Bickerstaff said. “What a Difference Opportunity Makes” is the theme for the 2021-22 campaign.
For details, visit glpief.org/programs/annual- fund or call Jessica Golden, executive director, at 724-539-4200, ext. 23406.