Yes to all. Be sure to check with any staff included in your project (such as the teachers of the grades you wish to participate in the project). This is especially important for field trip projects. You can connect to teachers through EE STARS Foundation Teacher Representatives. Contact starsedmonds@gmail.com to get connected.

Successful Projects

• Art projects, books and art materials, in class projects, visiting artists, author days, school plays, field trips, curriculum enhancements, community science expo night, community art expo night, visiting science shows

Lessons Learned

• Field trips and activity-based projects are the best and most engaging.

• Calculate costs carefully so that actual expenses do not go over the total grant amount

• Be sure to coordinate with staff/teachers potentially impacted by your project. Check the school calendar or work with the office manager.

An EE School Champion is required for all proposals where the proposal contact is NOT an Edmonds Elementary staff member or teacher. The EE Champion must be an Edmonds Elementary Staff Member who will assist with the activity, answer questions, and serve as a communication link to the school. If you are a staff member, you are the Edmonds Elementary champion. If you do not have an Edmonds Elementary champion, please email STARS and we’ll help you find one.

Contact the STARS Board, your teacher representative, or your classroom teacher. Attending school and Edmonds Elementary PTA sponsored events is also a great way to connect with our school community.

Run your project idea by the Edmonds Elementary Office Manager and/or Principal. The following activities or expenses are not allowed: classroom furniture, classroom parties, food, beverages, and tickets for non-chaperone parent participants on field trips. Email STARSedmonds@gmail.com to consult Edmonds Elementary STARS bylaws for any additional concerns.

There is a fall (November deadline) and spring (February deadline) grant cycle when the board awards a majority of the annual funding for projects. To submit a proposal, complete the Grant Proposal Form on our Grants page by the deadline listed.

Grant requests are typically not approved before or after the deadline, except in exceptional circumstances. STARS aims to ensure a fair approval process while encouraging all opportunities. To request rush approval, complete a Grant Proposal Form on our Grants page and explain your need for expedited review in the designated section.

Considerations include:

• Does it fit the STARS mission?

• How many students will be involved in the activity? What is the cost per student?

• Amount of money available for funding in a particular cycle.

• Are all grade levels being equally represented in the approved proposals?

The STARS Board discusses each grant completely and independently. There is currently not a scoring card with weighted categories for proposals. Some proposals are partially-funded.

For the 2024-2025 school year:

• 5 proposals awarded or partially awarded in 2024-25

• $119 was the average funding per student at EE in the 2024-25 cycle. (Please note the average cost per student typically varies significantly depending on the type of project.

• EE STARS is currently awarding approximately $20,000 in grants for the 2025-26 cycle.

• Research and itemize each cost, including tax and shipping

• Include transportation costs, if applicable

• If your proposal requires transportation, the Edmonds Elementary Office Manager must review your transportation costs

• Check with office on any potential janitor or other facility costs

• Consider ongoing maintenance costs if applicable, and how they will be covered after the end of the project period

• Include any cost sharing (where costs from the project will be covered by a source other than Edmonds Elementary STARS such as families, donations from businesses, etc.)

• Chaperone ticket costs are an allowable expense and can be included in the proposal budget

• If this is a standing request, make sure all information is up to date

• Include two quotes for requested items unless they are specialized and only available from particular vendors

• Send a draft of your proposal to STARS and/or the office to ask for feedback on your budget to help ensure you have considered all costs

• In cases of financial hardship, STARS can offset required student contributions.