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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Russo from Dorchester, MA is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Russo is requesting
Fully Funded

Ms. Russo's classroom raised $262

I Would Rather Read Than Check Facebook!

My students need challenging, high-interest books for use during independent reading.

Classroom photo
Ms. Russo profile photo
Ms. Russo Boston International High School
Dorchester, MA Grades 9-12

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Students

Texts, Facebook, Twitter, Ipod, XBox, IM - you name it, my kids have it, do it, and feel like they can't live without it. Being a student in the 21st Century can be difficult with all the distractions. I want to kick it old school and show kids that reading can give them simple pleasure.

Whenever I'm at a party and someone asks what I do, I tell them that I teach in an urban public school.

They then ask, "What grade?" When I tell them "seniors in high school," their mouths drop. They assume that my kids are checked out, difficult, and hard to teach. When I tell them that my kids are focused, engaged, resilient, and difficult (they are teenagers after all!) they get the point and back off. My students are all of the above - and more. Many have been marginalized by their community, but they have remained in school with the intention of going to college - all being the first in their family to do so. I have confidence that my kids understand and will accept the rigors of college, but my worry is that they need to feel the pace in which college operates. I have found that one way to teach this is to get kids reading.. My students need to feel as connected to a book as they do Facebook. I want a status message to broadcast, "Not now, I'm reading!"

My Project

Our school does not have a library, and does not have the resources to provide English teachers with books to create a classroom library. The secret to fostering a habit of reading, which will give my kids insight into the demands of just how much reading college entails, is to provide enough choices for students and to know students well enough to help them find that one book that will transform their experiences. I've witnessed former students take off and read book after book when provided with a protected space that is quiet and filled with reading. When this happens, the reading vibe in the room is so contagious that students influence each other to read and even reluctant readers become page-turners! Independent reading has the potential to give students a personalized path to explore literature and expression.

My kids are always the first to let me know about the latest fashion trend, funny movie, or rockin' song.

Please help me give them an opportunity to tell me about their favorite new novel - the one that kept them up all night and got in the way of them finishing their homework. I have no doubt that once my kids develop a habit of reading for pleasure, having a book in hand will feel as natural as checking email for the 5th time in an hour. Let's help them get ready for college!

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households

50 students impacted 9 donors
Ms. Russo Boston International High School Grades 9-12

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Dorchester, MA View local requests

More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

50 students impacted 9donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
I Am the Messenger • AKJ Books $8.13 1 $8.13
Saving Fish from Drowning • AKJ Books $11.10 1 $11.10
Persepolis Boxed Set Marjane Satrapi • AKJ Books $20.65 1 $20.65
The Gangster We Are All Looking For • AKJ Books $11.06 1 $11.06
Dreaming in Cuban • AKJ Books $10.32 1 $10.32
The Mule • AKJ Books $8.88 1 $8.88
Go Ask Alice/Jay&apos • AKJ Books $12.57 1 $12.57
Sharon C. Flake • AKJ Books $17.74 1 $17.74
Ultimate Sports • AKJ Books $5.17 1 $5.17
Maverick Mania • AKJ Books $7.36 1 $7.36
Goal!: The Dream Begins Robert Rigby, Random House U. K. Ltd • AKJ Books $5.14 1 $5.14
Heart of a Champion • AKJ Books $5.91 1 $5.91
Beanball • AKJ Books $11.84 1 $11.84
Score! • AKJ Books $5.14 1 $5.14
Ask Me No Questions • AKJ Books $6.65 1 $6.65
First Crossing: Stories About Teen Immigrants • AKJ Books $6.65 1 $6.65
Voices in First Person: Reflections on Latino Identity Lori • AKJ Books $12.57 1 $12.57
Skunk Girl • AKJ Books $12.54 1 $12.54
Accidental Love • AKJ Books $5.14 1 $5.14

Materials cost

$184.56

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$2.77

Fulfillment labor & materials

$35.00

Total project cost

$222.33

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$39.23

Total project goal

$261.56

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $261.56

5 Donors

-$255.77

Donations toward project cost

-$217.41

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$38.36

match offer

-$5.79

Match offer toward project cost

-$4.92

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$0.87

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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Project Activity

Project Activity
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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. Russo and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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