2020-2021 Mini-grant Awards


The Montgomery Blair High School PTSA’s Mini-grants Review Committee reviewed 17 grant applications and funded 14 grants from 8 different Blair High School departments. All applicants were Blair High School PTSA members at the time of the Committee review. The total amount requested was $5,103. The committee recommended funding for $4,503. The Review Committee evaluated each grant application on its merit and recommended funding appropriate to our evaluation.

If you have any questions about the Blair HS PTSA’s Mini-grants program and/or how you can help, please contact the Mini-grants Committee Chair via our Leadership page.


Project TitleGrant RecipientBrief Project DescriptionGrant Beneficiaries
AP Environmental Science/Chemistry/BiologyScience DepartmentStudents will have access to science data and actual case studies (e.g., environmental science, biology and other disciplines). They will learn to think critically in order to analyze and solve problems. Being able to view these case studies will benefit students years from now as these stories will make them care about science and see how it affects so many aspects of our lives.Blair High School students
AP Human GeographySocial Studies DepartmentAnnually, senior students will write a letter to their future selves, to help them reflect and say goodbye. These letters will then be mailed to the students post-graduation. Blair High School social studies students
Blair ReadersMedia CenterPurchase hard copies of books from the First Book Marketplace for students to read and keep. The low-cost books will be free to students and students will help select the titles.Blair High School students
CARES Act TutoringMath and Magnet DepartmentsCARES Act Tutoring before and after school tutoring and academic intervention for students most negatively impacted by remote instruction. Tutoring program will provide gift cards as incentives for students who are regularly engaging with the CARES tutoring. Blair High School students
English 12 Inclusion and ESOL BridgeEnglish DepartmentPurchase mini white boards with markers/ erasers and sticky note pads to aid with instruction of English and ESOL students.Blair High School students
ESOL SeniorsResource DepartmentHelp ESOL seniors with the costs of their Class of 2021 graduation regalia (e.g., caps and gowns, etc.).Blair High School ESOL Seniors
Forensic Science and the Chemistry of Art Science/Magnet Departments Purchase at-home activities to be sent home and/or to conduct individually during in-person learning. Activities would provide students with some "hands-on activities" such as fingerprinting for forensic assignments/tasks.Blair High School students
Mental Health Committee/Wellness ActivitiesCounseling DepartmentVirtual activities for students to help improve their well-being. Students will be able to earn rewards and prizes for participating in virtual games (e.g., bingo), socials, yoga and other activities.Blair High School students
Ninth Grade AcademyEnglish Department/Ninth Grade AcademyPurchase gift cards for freshmen to celebrate and motivate freshmen who are struggling in the virtual environment.Ninth Grade Academy
9th Grade All STARSNinth Grade AdministratorProvide a focus group of 9th graders incentives (e.g., gift cards) to improve their attendance and grades. Our program will monitor students’ progress and meet and connect with them via school and CARES ACT after-school programs.Blair High School ninth grade students.
Poetry Unit: Race, IdentityEnglish DepartmentPurchase a class set of the book ‘Citizen Illegal’ by Jose Olivarez, which is a collection of poems that address race, ethnicity, gender, class, and immigration. The book will be used to help students discuss issues regarding equity.Blair High School students
Project LITMedia CenterPurchase copies of diverse/antiracist books from all genres for Blair students so that they can join our virtual Project LIT Book Club and participate in the Club’s planned service projects/community reads.Media Center and Project LIT program
Silver Chips NewspaperSilver Chips Newspaper (Blair High School Student Newspaper)Print and distribute 1,500 copies of the Silver Chips newspaper, which will be delivered to student/subscriber homes in the Silver Spring/Takoma Park area. Blair High School and Silver Spring community