Principal's Toolkits

INTRODUCTION VIDEO BY Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer

For all toolkits:

• PDF Article Download
• Slide deck for presenting at staff meetings
• Video
• Podcast - available on apple podcasts
• *Additional downloads

Toolkit 1: Getting your Grant Funded

Drawing from decades of professional experience, this text serves as a practical guide for educators and administrators seeking to secure financial support for school projects. The author compares the grant writing process to baking a cake, emphasizing that success requires careful preparation, the right ingredients, and strictly following specific district and application protocols. Key themes include the necessity of detailed project planning, the use of compelling statistics to justify needs, and the importance of identifying a dedicated team for long-term implementation. Ultimately, the source provides a structured seven-element framework and a collection of resources to help applicants navigate everything from small foundation awards to large federal programs.



In today’s educational landscape, external funding is critical for advancing innovation, health, and learning initiatives. Federal, state, and private foundations have shifted focus toward projects that demonstrate measurable impact, equity, and sustainability. This updated guide outlines ten essential strategies to strengthen your proposals and improve your likelihood of success in 2025 and beyond.

Toolkit 2 : PTA Parents Transform the Playground

PTA-led painted playground games transformed a dull blacktop into an engaging, inclusive learning space. Students actively practiced math, geography, and social skills through play. The initiative boosted participation, cooperation, and enthusiasm, turning recess into meaningful, hands-on learning while supporting diverse abilities and creating a vibrant, student-centered environment.

TOOLKIT 3: The Recess Equation

A Smarter Way to Play

Imagine a school playground, vibrant with freshly painted lines for new games. While it looks like a perfect solution for an active recess, early studies showed that stencils alone, while temporarily increasing activity, fail to solve deeper issues like arguments and confrontations. The Peaceful Playgrounds Recess Program was forged from years of observation and analysis to address the real challenges of recess. The goal of PPP was to create a profound shift in the playground’s social ecosystem, moving beyond superficial fixes.

Early studies did show a temporary uptick in activity levels when stencils were introduced. However, this superficial change failed to address the underlying social issues. Arguments and confrontations persisted, highlighting the need for a more profound shift in the playground’s social ecosystem. This realization led to the evolution of Peaceful Playgrounds Program, moving beyond simple markings to encompass a complete framework for positive play.