With the beginning of a new school year, Methow Valley Public School Funding Alliance (PSFA) is conducting its annual fall campaign to raise funds for academic enrichment in public schools.
Since 2003, PSFA has raised and returned to the public schools almost $800,000 to fund programs and purchase materials that expand educational opportunities and academic support for students in the Methow Valley School District.
Each year teachers, students, administrators and community members apply to PSFA with proposals for programs and materials to benefit students and enrich the learning environment in the public schools.
This year, PSFA has been asked to help launch a multi-year initiative to modernize the Methow Valley Elementary School library.
Many of the reference books in the library are decades old. The initiative will allow the school to purchase current reference books and technology to transform the library into an up-to-date resource center for students and teachers.
PSFA has also been asked to support a program that will expand community internships and project-based learning for students at the Independent Learning Center.
A new robotics club at the elementary school is also proposed, to expand hands-on learning in science and technology, and prepare students for robotics courses in junior and senior high school.
Programs initiated or supported by PSFA include a college adviser for high school students, elementary school violin and Spanish classes, Advanced Placement classes at Liberty Bell, the annual junior class Close Up trip to Washington, D.C., and tutoring for high school students.
PSFA is a nonprofit organization founded by community members who were concerned about cutbacks in funding for public education. For more information about PSFA visit the website, www.methowvalleypsfa.org.
