Also attached is a copy of our grant guidelines for you to reference when completing the application. As you are aware, an important excerpt to note from the grant guidelines:

"Beginning in the third year of program implementation, schools/school districts are expected to fund the Academic Coach position.  Current member schools may apply for continued funding from Play It Smart beyond the second year, but receipt of such funding is not guaranteed.  Priority consideration is given to schools that have a demonstrated financial need AND have made effort to seek sustained funding outside of national resources."

Recently Play It Smart has been successful at partnering with several school districts to fund local programs, and we are excited about the possibilities for future partnerships with other schools/districts as well. As school boards and districts become more aware of Play It Smart's various components and significant results, they have understood the significant return they receive for their investment in the program. We encourage schools to take action in communicating with their school boards and districts about the need for Play It Smart programming in their community. Please feel free to contact me if we can be of assistance in your efforts to connect with school district officials in your area.

We expect the 2008-09 application process to be highly competitive, as we received approximately 200 applications last year.  This spring we will review each school application and evaluate their program's compliance with Play It Smart expectations and guidelines from previous years. This process will help determine which schools will receive Play It Smart grants and services for the upcoming academic year. All schools will be notified of their application status by May 15, 2008.