As a culminating activity in the seventh year of the Parkland School District Education Foundation’s existence, the foundation board of directors awarded 47 Celebrate Innovation grants totaling $134,660 to enrich the current curriculum for a wide range of students, staff and community members.

Seventeen awards were given to the eight elementary schools, 14 went to the two middle schools, and seven were awarded to the high school.

Additionally, nine grants will serve the district at large.

With the addition of these grants, the foundation has given more than $875,720 back to the district since 2011.

Funding for the grants was made possible by staff contributions and by local business and communitywide support for the school district.

In May, a fundraising gala netted more than $76,000 in support of the foundation’s mission.

“I could not be more pleased with the widespread support of our programs, students and teachers,” Superintendent Richard T. Sniscak said. “We thank everyone who took the time to apply for a grant and all those who donated to the cause this year.

“Special thanks also go out to the foundation’s board of directors, the allocations committee and all of the volunteers who helped make the program possible.”

The Celebrate Innovation grant program was introduced at the start of the 2011-12 school year.

In January, the opportunity for staff to apply for one of the grants occurred with a deadline of April 1.

In May, the superintendent’s cabinet scored the grants for “need,” the curriculum and instruction department scored the grants for “fit,” and a committee of foundation volunteers reviewed the grants for clarity, purpose, measurable benefits, collaboration between parents, teachers and other community members, sustainability, and the range of people that the grant would benefit.

This offered the possibility for a grant application to score 100 points.

In total, 72 grant applications worth approximately $177,148 were filed by staff this year.