Hopatcong's Middle School PTO Applies for $50,000 Grant, and You Can Help

A few clicks, and Hopatcong's Middle School could win lots of money.

The borough's Middle School Parent Teacher Organization hopes parents and residents log onto powerabrightfuture.com from Oct. 5 until Nov. 1 and vote for the school's bid at a $50,000 grand prize. Voters must provide their e-mail address and can vote once a day.

MSPTO President Tom Donnelly said the money would probably be used to update the school's history books, which were printed in 1995.

"History has changed," he said. "I could get on my phone right now and find out anything I need to know."

"It's more important for us to get textbooks and learn than update a softball field, at this point in time. [Children] don't even know about [President Bill] Clinton or [President Barack] Obama being in the history books."

Tom's wife and MSPTO treasurer, Mary Jean, learned about the Clorox-sponsored grant while reading the newspaper. She remembered how her daughter's history book had a signature of ownership from a student who had long since entered high school.

The Donnellys have five children, most of which are in Hopatcong's school system.

"I just shook my head," Mary Jean Donnelly said after viewing her daughter's history book. "I can't believe we're going through this. I know the district doesn't have money for [new books]. I know the parents don't want to have their taxes raised. But the kids need to be up to date. I think it will help teachers, too."

Tom Donnelly said the school would be foolish not to apply for the grant. Clorox offers three other $20,000 grants as consolation prizes.

"It's free money," he said. "There's no fundraising. Nobody has to go out and sell anything. We're trying to update the textbooks to give them a more comprehensive learning experience, compared to what they've got now."

His wife agreed.

"You go for it," Mary Jean Donnelly said. "You have to try. If you don't try, then you don't succeed."

Tom Donnelly said the school would even consider newer technology, such as iPads or Kindles, so that it might not need to purchase textbooks again. He added that he spoke with Principal Lou Benfatti, and that he has his support.

"It seems like an avenue we should explore," Benfatti said.

The three sub-categories for the consolation prizes are titled "learn," "play" and "create." The MSPTO entered the "learn" section.

The MSPTO's application has a straightforward headline: "Stuck in 1995." It details the school's outdated textbooks.

"The bindings are falling apart and have been taped up again and again," one entry reads. "Many of the books have been marked up with markers. Some books have missing pages as well as having pages that are taped up. How can the children learn new concepts, ideas or technology when the books are already, at least, 10+ years old? Did History stop in 1995? Language Arts, Math and Science are also decade behind. How do we expect a child to succeed when we do not have the proper tools? This isn't just a want, but a necessity. This would be an opportunity for our children to become better students as well as setting the foundation for them for years to come."

Then it makes a plea to Hopatcong residents.

"With the purchase of new textbooks comes updated information," it reads. "The children will use these books to the best of the ability and that is all anyone can ask for; to do their best and succeed. This grant [affects] everyone; whether you have children in the school system or not. They are truly our future. So please, help us so that we may help them. We appreciate this opportunity and we thank you for taking the time to look at our application."

Editor's note: Click here to see Hopatcong's bid.