Pennsylvania Department of Education

Teachers are seeing improvements in the classroom when students begin their day with a full belly. This is the second school year the Shapiro administration’s budget has included universal free school breakfast, a key element in improving learning environments for kids and staff. 

Today we announced the grant round opening of 2025’s Environmental Education Grants. Nearly $1 million in grants will be available to schools, colleges, nonprofit community and environmental organizations, county conservation districts, and businesses for Environmental Education projects across the Commonwealth. Projects can engage residents on topics such as clean water and climate change and are encouraged to focus on environmental justice areas. Since the program’s inception, more than 2,200 projects have been awarded grants totaling over $14 million. “These projects are especially important to communities that have been disproportionately impacted by pollution,” said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. Learn more about our Environmental Education Grants announcement here: https://bit.ly/3T14dER #environmentaleducation #environmentaljustice #educators #grants Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Pennsylvania Department of Education

Back to school celebrations are made even better by the historic investments in education included in Governor Shapiro's 2024-25 budget, which includes $1.1 billion in total increases in K-12 public education funding, the largest year-over-year increase in Commonwealth history.

The 2024-2025 PA Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program is now accepting applications! Funding available to help institutions of higher education better serve their school communities. Learn more about the grants + how to apply ➡️ bit.ly/3XhVzEy

14 libraries across Pennsylvania have been awarded Professional Development Mini-Grants to enable librarians and staff to develop skills and stay up to date on current trends. Learn more + explore the list of awardees ➡️ bit.ly/3WZjojk

We're feeling the #BackToSchool excitement! Check out what a few members of our senior team are looking forward to this year 🎒✏️

The energy levels are high and we are thrilled to join in the celebration at Allentown School District as they kick off the back to school season! Secretary Mumin joined administrators, teachers, students, and community members as they prepare for incredible opportunities this 2024-25 school year.

Secretary Mumin joined students and staff in Panther Valley to help distribute free summer meals to kids via the district’s mobile feeding site. The Panther Valley summer meal program, and other meal programs across the state, ensure that no child goes hungry when school is out. Learn more about today's visit: bit.ly/3SRrWHF

PA schools + other eligible entities are now able to apply for grant funding for physical security upgrades and to strengthen behavioral health supports through two new school safety grant solicitations from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s School Safety and Security Committee. Learn more from PCCD ➡️ bit.ly/3SEW3Cc

We ❤️ summer meals and the creative ways our partners across the state are serving up healthy meals with efficiency! PDE's Food & Nutrition Office joined USDA, Bald Eagle Area School District, YMCA of Centre County, and community partners for a "drive thru" style summer meals distribution for local PA families. The Y worked with Central Pennsylvania Food Bank to combine the usual summer meal distribution with a Fresh Express food distribution + a special Children’s Farmers Market for kids stocked with fresh fruits + veggies and staffed by Penn State's Lady Lion Basketball.