In the first of a series of weekly posts on (Sonoma Country Life Sponsor) Petaluma Educational Foundation's new and recently awarded Major Impact Grants, the focus is on positive and substantial benefits to boosting classroom and school-wide programs in a wide variety of our city's schools.
Petaluma Rotary Club President Tom Brandal and former President Ralph Sartori are pictured here presenting Petaluma High School Agricultural Art Teacher, Danny Aschwanden with a check for $11,701 to fund an Advanced Agriculture Art and Ironworking vocational training program that will add ornamental iron working to the advanced metal fabrication class in the school's ag department.
Students are set to design, fabricate and display various types of metalworking projects at city, county and state fairs.
"Investing in the future of so many students here in Petaluma is a way to give back to a department that has given so much to our community," said Sartori.
"Although a variety of learning styles are used in the classroom, the foremost is kinesthetic," said Aschwanden. "For those who learn best by doing, touching and feeling, the advantage through a hands-on approach fulfills their need for activity and exploration."
Petaluma Rotary, an organization that has been influential in Petaluma since 1923, distributes grants through its philanthropic foundation. The major impact grant awarded to PHS for agricultural art and ironworking was partially funded by the foundation in partnership with PEF.
Speaking of the many worthy causes within the educational community for selection of grants, Brandal said: "though budgets are tight, this area will produce a lasting benefit to the community."
Executive Director of PEF, Janet Ramatici told a packed-library of staff at PHS that the school's outstanding ag program had been selected from a shortlist of 10 finalists amongst a competitive pool of 24 applicants for the foundation's innovative major impact grants.
Nine major impact grants have been announced this January, with the potential of one or two additional high profile educational programs to be approved if sufficient funding is secured from within the business/corporate or private Petaluma community.
Major Impact Grants for 2010 and 2011 represent the evolution of classroom instruction for the digital generation, innovations to succeed with diverse learning styles and developing skills for success in the future. Rejecting the impact of budget deficits, these substantial grants range from vocational training such as the art in agricultural ironworking program to health and fitness, nutrition, technology, math and literacy.
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