Foundation for SPS awards $219K in back-to-school grants

The Foundation for Springfield Public Schools issued $219,179 in annual back-to-school grants to educators.

Ninety-two grants were delivered Friday to 45 SPS sites, according to a news release.

"These projects help fill gaps and support the district’s goals and priorities,” Foundation for SPS Executive Director Natalie Murdock said in the release.

The back-to-school grant program is supported by donations from businesses and community members. Grants go toward teacher-requested initiatives.

For instance, at Truman Elementary School, a $3,000 grant will be used to update its slate of nonfiction books, according to a post from the school's Facebook page.

And at Sunshine Elementary School, a grant of more than $2,000 is funding a trip for all first graders to Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, according to a Facebook post from the school.