The Potsdam Educational Opportunities Fund has awarded nine grants totaling $6,078 for enhancements at the Potsdam Central School District:

The PEOF was created in 2012 by two anonymous alumni of Potsdam schools who kick-started the education enhancement program with a $100,000 match donation.

The donor’s match was to be applied to the fund at one-to-one for annual operating needs and two-to-one for endowment building. The Northern New York Community Foundation administers the fund.

Projects awarded PEOF funding this year include:

• $1,150 buy compasses for science and technology classrooms

• $1,000 to support for the math & movement program in pre-k through fourth grades

• $766 to purchase an iPad for BOCES special education students at Potsdam Elementary

• $695 to purchase Kindle Fires for a high school English class pilot program

• $600 in support for BrainPop curriculum-based content

• $597 to buy an iPad for a first-grade classroom

• $500 for new high school drama club sound equipment

• $450 for two-year subscriptions to ChemMatters magazine for 30 high school chemistry students

• $320 in support for an experiential field trip to Montreal for French students

At the time PEOF was created, the anonymous couple also made a separate $100,000 gift to establish the Potsdam Fund for Education, also to be administered through foundation. It supports education initiatives in Potsdam including the Potsdam Educational Opportunities Fund.

The PEOF comprises concerned parents and others seeking to provide Potsdam Central School educators with resources to reach beyond the curriculum.

The PEOF Advisory Committee, representing a broad cross-section of parents, community leaders, and citizens, works with PCS teachers and administrators to develop a program of continuing support for the most creative and successful initiatives.

The money is used to fund field trips, teacher training and other educational activities not funded due to budget cuts.