Did you know one of the many things the Norwalk PTO funds are teacher grants? Twice a year – fall and spring – Norwalk PTO offers $2,500 to Oviatt and Lakewood Elementary Schools in the forms of grants to teachers.  Teachers were able to apply for grants ranging from $50 to $500. Five members of the PTO Board served as the grant committee.

Over $10,000 was awarded to Oviatt and Lakewood teachers through this process.  One grant funded purchasing books for Title I Reading students. Karen Porter, Oviatt Elementary Reading Specialist, explains what this grant means to her:

Dear Norwalk PTO,                                                                            

Thank you for granting me funds to purchase books for my Title I Reading students!  It’s difficult to find quality literature to match the independent reading levels of my students that falls within my very limited school budget. Since the Title I budget was cut several years ago, I have not been able to make a significant purchase of leveled books to send home with my students for additional daily reading practice. Your gift allowed me to purchase 2 complete sets of non-fiction and fiction books to match the needs of my first and second grade students. The books have already made their way into many homes and several students have been very motivated to spend more time reading outside of the school day. There is now a waiting list to check out some of the favorites!

My ultimate goal for struggling readers is to help them become lifelong learners through a love of reading.  Thanks for helping me achieve this goal!

Sincerely,

Karen Porter
Reading Specialist
Oviatt Elementary