BENICIA — The Benicia Middle School PTSA is working hard to expand outlets for students to learn and experience new avenues of education through the “Shamrocks & Shenanigans” event on March 15.

In true St. Patrick’s Day style, the “Shamrocks & Shenanigans” event will feature Irish-themed food, specialty-crafted brews and drinks (sponsored by Benicia Brüehol), live entertainment by Comedian Chelsea Bearce, dancing to the tunes of DJ Mike Deasy and a host of fun, interactive activities (including a live and silent auction) that are sure to bring out the luck of the Irish!

The BMS PTSA started the Innovative Grants Program last year after learning that Benicia High School had a similar program with great success. In the past, the PTSA funded the program from different fundraisers throughout the year, in addition to generous assistance from the Benicia Education Foundation. This is the first annual Innovative Grants Fundraiser.

This year, the BMS PTSA and BEF awarded over $14,000 in Innovative Grants to help teachers ignite students’ minds and provide unique opportunities for them to expand their learning, build skills, and make connections not often found in the traditional classroom.

“Grants can mean the difference between being a reluctant reader and being inspired to become an author or expanding a student’s education from watching a film about another country to experiencing the food, music, language, and dance of that country first hand,” said Janice Amenta*. “This year, Innovative Grant recipients are using funds to make a difference in most aspects of the BMS curriculum, from science and language arts to math and physical education.”

This year BMS purchased digital microscopes, which help students experience real-world processes used by scientists. Integrated with existing Chromebooks, the digital microscopes allow multiple students to make observations simultaneously, and to save those images and videos for future analysis.

Ropes and resistance bands for P.E. classes change up the normal routine and encourage a lifelong love of fitness.

To inspire a love of reading, BMS’ school-wide library collections have been updated with books that will speak to a diversity of interests and experiences, from current celebrities like Katie Ledecky and Michele Obama to graphic novels to stories about various protected classes.

“Broadening book offerings builds a world in which all children can see themselves in the pages of a book, increasing the chances that all students will find something that interests and inspires them,” said Amenta.

Doors open at 6 p.m. March 15 at the Benicia Clocktower, 1189 Washington Street. Tickets are available through eventbrite.com. Get more information at www.bms-shamrock.com and facebook.com/bms.shamrock. Guests must be 21+; ticket price of $40 includes Irish buffet, admission and live entertainment. St. Patrick’s Day attire is strongly encouraged.

With the Shamrocks & Shenanigans event, PTSA members are hoping to bring more attention to the program and also provide a fun community event. Because of the generous support from the sponsors listed below, all proceeds from the event will be designated for grants.

BMS PTSA would like to thank its sponsors for their generous support:

Platinum Sponsor: All Bay Animal Hospital

Gold Sponsors: F3 and Valero Refinery

Silver Sponsors: Estey Real Estate, Twin Oaks Real Estate and Mai Nygen

Bronze Sponsors: Axelrode Orthodontics, Harbor Dental, Benicia Plumbing, Coldwell Banker Solano agents Christy Finn and Lory Hammond, and private donations by the McGee and McNamara families.

* CORRECTION: In the print version of this article, Janice Amenta’s name was spelled incorrectly. The Benicia Herald apologizes for the error.