The cost of 1 Apple MacBook Pro 17" laptop and 1GB additional memory is $4225, including shipping and <a target="new" href="http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm" onclick="g_openWindow('http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm', 300, 800, 'fulfillwindow');return false;">fulfillment</a>.
I teach art at Intermediate School 125, Henry Hudson, in the Bronx, Region 2. Over 90% of our students receive free lunch. I teach 14 classes each week, grades 5 through 8. Among my many objectives with my students is to expose them to new and different experiences. The students from poor economic backgrounds, many increasingly first generational, are rarely exposed to anything beyond their immediate surroundings; an unfair disadvantage compared to students in more affluent neighborhoods. A disadvantage I strive fervently to dissolve.
I frequently arrange for class trips to the many wonderful museums throughout our city. Unfortunately, because of the amount of classes and scheduling, I am only able to bring each class on a trip once throughout the school year. I was lucky enough to have received a laptop previously from DonorsChoose that helped enhance my students' experiences. I was able to project, for the entire classes, various websites that enabled us to visit innumerable art institutions, countries and their cultures. We viewed interviews of artists, witnessed excerpts of musical and theatrical performances, listened to literary readings - all without having to leave the classroom. On any given day we would visit China, hear a sample of how certain phrases are pronounced, see a virtual display of the Great Wall or view galleries at the Metropolitan Museum, the Minneapolis Institute of Art or the National Art Gallery. These "virtual trips" enriched their experiences and expanded their imaginations to levels that never ceased to amaze me, making my job the best in the world.
The laptop was an integral part of my students' art experience. I furthered our use of the laptop by attending workshops with Apple and with the help of a yearbook committee consisting of students representing all grades, we were able to create yearbook DVDs for each grade with interviews and photographs done by students and produced with the programs on the Mac laptop.
Unfortunately, all of the work and images have been lost. The laptop was stolen recently. Though it was reported to the police officials, they strongly believe the laptop will not be retrieved. As the new year approaches I am at a loss. I am devastated because I have had the benefit of witnessing, first hand, the wonders that can be achieved despite any financial or demographic limitations my students and I face. The students have grown accustomed to the expanding sense of their art classroom. The newer students arriving have heard and expect such experiences and I am not equipped to offer this. Our school does not have the financial resources to place computers in each classroom or to purchase another laptop. I myself am unable to replace it myself, though I have struggled to find a way.
I find myself again, in a position that limits my students' experiences and growth. In such times, I think it is imperative for our young learners not to be limited in their exposure to new and different cultures, and their experience of the wonders of the world. The acquisition of a laptop once again will allow such experiences and the inspirational growth I have witnessed to be possible once again. I have contacted Apple and described how the laptop would be used and they recommended a specific laptop that would help viewing Quick-time presentations, virtual tours and also burn DVDs we create. The laptop would also be compatible with the computer system we currently have.
The experiences and achievements made possible in the past by the laptop are incalculable. It allowed for opportunities that brought such rewarding achievements I can not place into mere words. I want to be able to offer the same opportunities to my incoming students to achieve beyond their wildest expectations.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. M. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.