Six Auburn schools and thousands of students are benefiting this month from funding provided by the Auburn Public Schools Foundation.

The foundation funded three Turn the Page literacy grants totaling nearly $6,500. The grants are for upcoming projects at Lea Hill Elementary, Terminal Park Elementary, and West Auburn High School. These projects include upgrading the reading and writing curriculum materials available to the students there.

The language arts faculty at Auburn Mountainview High School received a $500 grant to enhance its Shakespeare unit for the incoming freshman class. The Seattle Shakespeare Company will visit the school next spring to conduct workshops as the classes study Romeo and Juliet.

Washington Elementary School was the recipient of more than $2,600 to purchase and install alternative seating options for its second-graders. These “wobble chairs” and other seating options have been shown to increase student focus by keeping them more physically engaged throughout the day.

The foundation also provided funding to several schools recently through the Pantry Project. Funded primarily through contributions from Hop Jack’s restaurant, the Pantry Project stocks participating schools with an on-hand supply of basic food, snack and hygiene materials for students in need.

Local residents can support the Pantry Project and at an upcoming fundraiser night at Hop Jack’s in Lakeland Hills from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 8. Ten percent of all food and beverage sales during the fundraiser will go toward funding the Pantry Project.

“Funding provided during the spring quarter puts 2017 on pace to be the highest level of support in our history,” said Matthew Longhurst, executive director.

“With increased community support, we hope to significantly increase our giving levels next year with at least $70,000 in classroom grants in the Auburn School District.”

Individuals and businesses looking to support Auburn students should contact Longhurst at mlonghurst@auburnpsf.org.