Looking for ideas: 25k for elementary school project

[whattheheck]

For something small I always advocate for adaptive and non-standard scissors (for an elementary school). Meaning left-handed scissors, dual control scissors, loop scissors, table top scissors, etc.

[Poppy]

I would definitely go with what the school staff requests.

Here, the following things have been funded via PTA or other local charities:
- playground improvements
- mimio boards for the classroom (this one has been a consistent request from our local schools)
- paras
- school garden & indoor grow towers
- robots and iPads (we have an awesome tech teacher who utilizes them well)
- Lego wall
- classroom furniture
- adjustable overhead lights (low/med/high brightness options) - this was done by the district but was HIGHLY appreciated by the teachers
- sound systems for gym/auditorium
- flexible seating options
- maker space/STEM Lab space
- water fill stations

[ellipses84]

Ours added a garden and there’s an after school garden club. A couple years into that, they started doing cooking classes that accompany science class and they get to use herbs and veggies they grow in the garden. The kids try new foods, they do cooking / science experiments. Obviously there’s some dedicated parent volunteers for both. They have family dinner PTO nights to keep funding it. We have warm weather year round though. They are raised beds so I think someone might take any salvageable plants home in summer.

We have a mascot costume that volunteers wear for events.

There some murals painted that are fun to take photos with year to year, and if you have some good parent artists, it only costs supplies.

With a big amount like that, I think it’s nice to leave something tangible as part of the gift even if you spend the rest on computer equipment, like at least one little upgrade for the playground, field or gym.