Classroom Stipends
What is it? The PTO provides the staff at LAMS an allocation of money to be used for classroom supplies. The intent of this funding is to support purchase of classroom supplies, including items that teachers routinely purchase using their own money. Some types of items purchased using stipends include (but are not limited to) markers, books, and student rewards.
Who is eligible? Full-time certified staff (teaching 4 or more classes) are allocated $150. Certified staff who teach less than 4 classes are allocated $30 per class. Classified staff are allocated $25. Staff may combine their allocations or transfer their allocation to another staff member.
How to I apply for a stipend? As long as the items benefit the students in your classroom, or LAMS in general, no pre-approval is necessary to spend your stipend.
How do I get reimbursed? Submit your receipts and a stipend reimbursement form to PTO Treasurer Mhairi McKay-Smith at lamsptotreasurer@gmail.com
How much stipend do I have remaining? Contact PTO Treasurer Mhairi McKay-Smith (lamsptotreasurer@gmail.com) or PTO Secretary Jill Gross (j.gross@laschools.net).
PTO Grants
What is it? The PTO allocates funds each school year to make grants that support the educational mission of LAMS. Grant preference will be given to requests that meet one or more of the following criteria. Note that failing to meet any of these criteria does not automatically disqualify a request. Grant approvals will favor requests that: a) are educational in nature; b) support a large number of LAMS students; c) provide a unique capability not readily supported another way; d) are durable and will last a number of years.
Grants have been used to support, for example, purchasing of science classroom sensors, purchasing sets of books for a classroom, hiring specialists for band instrument instruction, and purchase of playground equipment. Typical amounts are $100 to $1000. Please note that funding is limited by the PTO budget.
Who is eligible? Teachers, Staff, students, and LAMS parents may apply
How do I apply for a grant? Download a grant application form here.
When will my grant request be reviewed? Grant requests are reviewed at the monthly PTO meetings (see schedule here), and voted on by the membership present at the meeting. It is recommended that the grant applicant be present at the meeting to answer any questions about the application.
How will I find out if my grant is approved? You will be notified by the PTO secretary after your grant application is either approved or denied.
How do I get reimbursed? After your grant is approved, submit your receipts to the PTO Treasurer Mhairi McKay-Smith (lamsptotreasurer@gmail.com) or PTO Secretary Jill Gross (j.gross@laschools.net).