First $20,000 from City-wide PTO Fund is out.

In just its first few months, the Charlottesville City-wide PTO Fund has raised more than $20,000. The initial funding was distributed using an equity-based formula earlier this month. Schools will determine how to spend the money with a focus on student and school community events, teacher grants for classroom projects, and academic enrichment opportunities (field trips, speakers, clubs, activities). For individuals, businesses and philanthropists, a single donation supports every single public school in Charlottesville.

For years, limited fundraising capacity meant limited opportunity for our students and teachers. With the recent distribution of funds from the Citywide PTO Fund, we launched a teacher grant initiative at Summit Elementary—and the response was immediate. The strong interest affirmed what we already knew: our teachers have no shortage of ideas to expand the curriculum, only a shortage of resources to bring them to life.

Within weeks, teachers submitted requests for sensory tools for kindergarten classrooms, support for athletic clubs, equipment for introducing a dance unit, supplies for hands-on science experiments, and materials for engineering and construction competitions. These proposals reflect both creativity and a deep commitment to enriching student learning experiences.