SEPTA Mini-Grant Program for APS Teachers and Staff
The application period for 2024-25 school year mini-grants closed on October 20, 2024.
Decisions will be sent to applicants November 12, 2024.
Orders will be submitted and delivered to schools by December 20, 2024.
2023-2024 Mini-Grant Appreciation Slideshow
Is there a special project you’ve always wanted to do with your students?
Apply for a SEPTA (Special Education PTA) Mini-Grant and fund a creative endeavor that will enhance the education of students receiving special education services. Your successful project could be a model for other staff members, and positively impact student learning.
The Mini-Grants are up to $500 awards to support
any teacher or staff (OT, PT, SLP, etc)
who works with students with an IEP or 504.
I would love to see the Mini-Grant process develop into best practices that many classrooms, students, and schools could benefit from. If we continue to get the kind of innovative proposals we got this fall, there will be a lot of great things happening in classrooms for kids with IEPs and 504s.” Mini-grant committee member
Details:
- Deadline for applications is October 20, 2024
- Awards will be announced the week of November 12, 2024
- The grants are awarded once a year for the current school year
- An individual or a team of teachers or providers may apply together
- Some grant payments require follow up with receipts
- Awardees may be asked to present SEPTA with a blog post or meeting presentation on success of the grant project
- SEPTA may work with other entities (local school, PTA, APS) to source funds
Some examples of mini-grants:
- Lego based Social Skills
- Field trips (community engagement)
- Integrated Fun Food Friday
- Sensory Items
- School improvement projects (garden, artwork)
- Resource materials (special books or materials for specific activities or projects)
- Materials for demonstration to school or district staff
- Professional development will be considered especially if the training qualifies for recertification credit and can demonstrate impact on children
SEPTA mini-grants will not be awarded for:
- Parties
- General office supplies
Examples of past SEPTA mini-grant recipients:
(Please note, below are past examples which may not be applicable to virtual learning or appropriate for in-person social distancing.)
Fluency Toolkit for Creative Therapy for Speech Therapy
Tuckahoe Elementary
Leader: Ellen Cathopoulis
Developmentally appropriate toys and books for families being screened by Child Find.
APS Child Find
Leader: Melissa Ledesma and Shannon Odom
Hands-on Math Equations for Whole Brain Learning
Kenmore Middle
Leader: Deborah Seidenstein
Community Based Instruction for Secondary Autism Program
Stratford Program
Leader: Caitlin Davies
Hokki Stools for Occupation Therapy within Gen Ed Classrooms
Hoffman Boston
Leader: Carmela Del Veccio
U.S. History field trip for SOL preparation.
Kenmore Middle
Leader: Jennifer Monma
Fine Motor Skill Box Library for Occupational Therapy
Jamestown Elementary
Leader: Eileen O’Casey
Hands-on Math Equations Whole Brain Learning
Kenmore Middle
Leader: Deborah Seidenstein
Keyboarding Without Tears for Occupational Therapy
Patrick Henry, Barrett, Claremont Elementary
Leader: Amy Engel
Community visits to mall, grocery stores, restaurants, post office, etc.
Yorktown High
Leader: Lisa Troiano
Stratford Mosaic Sheltered Workshop Project
Stratford Program
Leader: Dawn Kyser
Purchase of “Signing Time” sign language learning DVDs and lesson plans
Abingdon Elementary
Leader: Bianca Collins
Club Café – building social skills
Yorktown High
Leaders: Marjorie Kohlberg and Greta Brendley
Support for “I’m Determined” Conference
Career Center, Program for Employment Preparedness
Leader: Christina Eagle
Weighted Animals for self-regulation
Tuckahoe Special Education Pre-school
Leader: Robin Andersen
Enhancing Independence of Students with Autism – community based intervention
Wakefield High
Leader: Linda Spencer
“Incredible Flexible You” – social skills group curriculum
Reed /Integration Station
Leader: Brigid Hendrixson
Home tool-kit for low vision students
Barrett Elementary
Leader: Colleen McNerney
Attendance at play: “Click Clack Moo”
Drew Model Elementary
Leader: Dennis Clark
Field Trip to Pump It Up
Abingdon Elementary
Leader: Carrie Warren
Questions? email: minigrants@arlingtongsepta.org
I want to thank you again for the SEPTA support of the OT/PT professional development day held in March. It was well attended and everyone gave positive feedback. Our follow-up survey indicated that attendees were already using new strategies and practices from the presentations to help meet students’ IEP goals.
Alice Blair, Occupational Therapist, Tuckahoe Elementary & Arlington Science Focus
Mini-Grant Committee:
- Melissa Wadman
- Leila Carney
- Nadia Facey
- Genevieve Heighberger
- Taylor Jones
- Kathryn Kazior
- Kimiko Lighty
- Adam Mann
- Deirdre McDermott
- Jennifer Pearl
- Janet Sater
- Tamika Saunders
