GRPS FOUNDATION — Special Initiative

Teresa Weatherall Neal
Principal’s Fund

Teresa Weatherall Neal Principal’s Fund

The Teresa Weatherall Neal Principal’s Fund (TWNPF) fund was developed to provide resources to support enrichment opportunities and strengthen student confidence by ensuring access to materials not covered by the school budget.

It is a flexible fund in which principals can request up to $2,000 per school to support educational enrichment and emergent needs of our young scholars. This allows principals to determine what needs can be remedied quickly such as providing students with warm winter gear, field trips, or celebrations.

Through the generosity of our donors, the Foundation has been able to awarded individual schools for items ranging from an educational field trip to the zoo, hygiene products and end of school year celebrations. Funding through the TWNPF was also used to fill book vending machines that reward good student behavior, and for the creation of multicultural classroom libraries to encourage reading and promote cultural awareness.

Examples of Past Grant Projects:

  • Warm clothing – check with Foundation for existing supply
  • Class field trips
  • Cap & gown for specific students
  • Hygiene products or classroom cleaning supplies
  • Formal Dance Expenses, ie decor and celebrations
  • Classroom library books
  • Scholar centered clubs or afterschool clubs
  • Bus passes
  • A one-time project

Examples of Ineligible Principal’s Fund Request:

  • PBIS
  • T-shirts or spiritwear
  • General snacks
  • Water bottles
  • Items that can be covered by other agencies ie, mortgage/rent, electric/gas bill, healthcare

Are you a principal? 

Principals can apply for the Teresa Weatherall Neal Principal’s Fund (TWNPF). This is a designated fund in which principals can request up to $2,000 per school to support and enhance the educational experience of our young scholars. 

Apply by October 15, 2024

Examples of Impact

Girls on the Run

Girls on the Run has fun, evidence-based programs that inspire girl empowerment by building confidence, kindness, and decision-making skills. This was the first year we offered the program. It centered on 4th grade with plans to expand to grades 3-5 next year. By having the Teresa Weatherall Neal Principal’s Discretionary Fund supplement the cost for our girls, we were able to fill the team. Eight girls participated in a 14-week program with a culminating 5k run. Sherwood staff volunteered at the 5k as running buddies. The girls were also the only team chosen to lead warmups for over 2,000 runners at the event.

5th-Grade Promotion

On June 3, 2022, Palmer Elementary hosted our 5th-grade promotion ceremony for our scholars and their guests. This event is always bittersweet as we say goodbye to our 5th graders and wish them the best as they move on to middle school. Thanks to the thoughtful grant from our GRPS Foundation partners, we were able to purchase sweatshirts for our scholars and cupcakes for them and their guests. On the back, the sweatshirts say “Always a Little Redhawk”. Thank you for helping make this day even more special and memorable! We appreciate your continued support!

Basketball Banquet

Students in grades 3-5 participated in the GRPS-sponsored youth basketball program. The program was coached by three staff members (a teacher, a youth advocate, and a West Michigan janitorial worker) and coordinated by Sherwood’s administrative assistant. The high level of student participation and staff involvement created an expectation for positive behavior and classroom completion of work for teammates. The team members had pride in being a part of the team and created a climate of increased awareness of their behaviors and academics. The Teresa Weatherall Neal Principal’s Discretionary Fund allowed for the teams to have an end-of-the-season banquet on a Friday evening. Families and players attended, with dinner served, coaches and the coordinator giving speeches, and student recognition and awards distributed.

Cotton Candy at
John Ball Zoo

On May 20, 2022, all kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd-grade scholars at Palmer Elementary went on a field trip to John Ball Zoo. To celebrate the end of the school year and all of the achievements and memories we accomplished, we purchased a bag of cotton candy for all to enjoy as part of this beautiful experience at the zoo. Thank you, GRPS Foundation, for funding this delicious treat for our youngest scholars at Palmer Elementary School.