Perry Public Schools is excited to announce the receipt of a $129,000 grant from Exchange Bank, through the Catalyst Education Fund (CEF), to support innovative instructional resources and student-centered learning opportunities across the district.
Operated through the Oklahoma Public Schools Resource Center (OPSRC), CEF is an approved granting entity under the Oklahoma income tax credit program. Exchange Bank has utilized this program by donating to CEF and awarding those grant dollars to PPS. This is the second year that PPS has been a CEF grant recipient, thanks to Exchange Bank’s contribution.
This generous investment will allow Perry Schools to expand and strengthen educational programming through the purchase of a STEM-based science curriculum for middle grades, computer science and coding curriculum for elementary students, and safe online research tools designed specifically for elementary learners. These resources will provide students with engaging, age-appropriate opportunities to build critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy skills essential for future success.
“This grant is an incredible opportunity for our students and teachers,” said Chad Wilson, Superintendent of Perry Public Schools. “The funding allows us to strengthen STEM instruction through core classes, introduce more in-depth computer science skills at an early age, and provide tools that support safe research, active learning, and inclusive classroom environments. We are deeply grateful to Exchange Bank for investing in the future of our students.”
In addition to academic enhancements, the grant will support student wellness and engagement through the installation of a gaga ball pit for upper elementary physical education. The gaga ball pit will provide students with a highly engaging, hands-on way to explore STEM concepts through physical activity and real-time problem solving. The game naturally reinforces principles such as force and motion, angles, velocity, trajectory, and energy transfer as students predict ball movement and observe cause and effect relationships.
The grant will also fund classroom microphone and speaker systems for upper elementary classrooms, improving sound clarity and accessibility so that all students can fully engage in instruction.
Exchange Bank CEO/President, Zack Hall states, “Our community should be very proud of what Perry Public Schools is doing with the STEM program. I commend Superintendent Wilson and STEM Coordinator Amanda Wilson for the successes they are having. It’s exciting to see that several of the programs are so popular they have a waiting list to get in. These funds will help continue to grow the program at all levels and allow even more students to participate.”