WHAT OUR FUNDRAISING SUPPORTS
One full time interventionist position.
SMSD funds just one full time interventionist position for the approximately 450 students at Prairie. The Prairie Fund fills the funding gap for Prairie’s need for two interventionists to be able to meet the needs of ALL our students. Interventionists specialize in reading and math interventions for all grades K-6. They collaborate with teacher teams to provide research-based intervention during WIN (What I Need) time while classroom teachers and aides provide support and enrichment activities.
Capital improvements
The Prairie Elementary building opened in 1993. Now over 30 years old, the facility has improvement needs in excess of what the district is able to fund. The Prairie Fund fills that gap with projects like replacing all the original water fountains with water bottle filler fountains to meet modern needs. Recent projects include: -Upgrading the teacher lounge -New gym speakers and sound board -replacing old water fountains with water bottle fillers
Teacher and staff grants
The Prairie Fund offers a grant application to teachers and staff to ensure they have the materials and supplies they need without ever needing to pay for something out of pocket. These grants also allow teachers the opportunity to create brand new lessons, a necessity in a rapidly changing world. Examples of recent grants include: -9 Square In the Air for PE -Large print books for the Library -New robotics equipment for Lego League and 3D Printer -New recess equipment for all grades K-6
Student experiences
The Prairie Fund continually looks for ways to enhance the experience for all students at Prairie with programs like school wide assemblies and the Mad Science STEAM program. We work closely with the PTA to fill any funding gaps with the amazing experiences they plan for our students and staff.
PRAIRIE FUND SPONSORED PROJECTS
Since its formation, the Prairie Fund’s primary purpose has been to raise money to cover the salary of an educator the school would not otherwise have due to district budget constraints (known as a Community Funded Position). Thanks to the incredible generosity of Prairie families, the Fund’s impact has expanded in recent years beyond supporting the Community Funded Position. How the Prairie Fund uses resources includes:
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2025-2026 School Year
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Salary and benefits to fund one full time reading interventionist to service all students K-6
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Mad Science STEAM education program in all K-6 classrooms for the entire school year
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Grant funded for “Soft Start Activities” and “Calming Toolkits”, an initiative led my Ms. Mingori, Social Worker, for all K-6 classrooms
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Grant funded for new recess equipment for all grades K-6
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Grant funded for new music equipment
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New robotics equipment for Lego League and 3D Printer
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Sponsorship of the Girls on the Run coach
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Sponsorship of the Fun Run to provide t-shirts to all participants
2024-2025 School Year
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Salary and benefits to fund one full time reading interventionist to service all students K-6
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Sponsorship of the Fun Run to provide t-shirts to all participants
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A one time grant was provided to every classroom teacher to use on items for their classrooms which ranged from general supplies to STEAM resources etc.
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Grant funded for 9 Square in the Air game for PE. Used by all grades K-6
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Full renovation of the Teachers Lounge
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Replaced a few original water fountains to modern fountains that include water bottle filler
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Sponsorship of the Girls on the Run coach
Ongoing
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Teacher grant program - This is a year round initiative to ensure that our amazing teachers never reach into their own pocket for anything in the classrooms. Ever. If they have something they need, they can write a grant request to the Prairie Fund
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New teacher “Start Up Grants”-gifted to each new classroom and specials teacher in the building to get their classroom up and running (a continuation of a 2024-2025 initiative)
