We are #AISDProud of Summitt Elementary PTA who was awarded a $5,000 grant to help carry on a unique tradition for their school and community when the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to shut it down.

The grant money will help the Summitt community continue celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. For this year’s festival, each student will receive a lantern kit and Vietnamese gift bag to participate at home. Students will be encouraged to light their LED-powered paper lanterns and record their experience for a video. 

“Mid-Autumn Festival is a long-standing tradition in our Summitt Community that has been taking place for 12 years, and this grant has allowed us to keep this tradition alive even during this global pandemic,” said Principal Ariel Greco. "Coming together during this time to celebrate as a community is truly special.” 

This year’s virtual Mid-Autumn Festival will be conducted virtually on Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.

“This grant is truly going to touch every single student at Summitt,” Greco said. “This is a student-focused event that will allow our community to come together to shine some beautiful light during this challenging and dark time. I could not be more honored to lead the Summitt community.”

Only 14% of PTAs who applied were awarded the grant with 14 local PTAs in Texas winning.

“Now more than ever, PTAs nationwide are working hard to ensure our students, families and educators are safe, healthy and have what they need—focusing on social and emotional wellbeing, resources for distance teaching and learning, bridging the digital divide and addressing food insecurity,” said Leslie Boggs, president of National PTA. “Summitt Elementary PTA is committed to supporting and advocating for their students, families and teachers during this challenging time.”