This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
Isn't it about time, our children get rewarded for doing something right???
I support students in grades 9-12 at a zone school in Baltimore. I am trying to improve student achievement in the entire building. I work with many students in several different tested subjects - Biology, Government, Math and English. The kids are required to pass all 4 tests in order to graduate. I work especially with the students who are poor achievers. We are a high-need community: Our school has poor attendance and a large percentage of students with special needs and an even larger percentage of students receiving free and reduced lunch.
These students are in the poorest area. They are faced with drugs and gang violence, which often result in death or injury to their family and friends. In the past few weeks, the violence has escalated and so has the graffiti. Everyone of the kids in the building knows someone who has died from gang violence or is in jail due to drugs. Despite all the issues, the kids are coming to school and most are trying to be the first in the family to graduate from high school.
This project will be the stepping stone for a yearly celebration in order to reward those students who are doing what they are supposed to do. Too often, we are simply hoping to change the culture by punishing those who are already failing.
I want to celebrate the achievement of those that pass one of the tests with an award ceremony in order to motivate them to study and work hard to pass the rest. This will be the first year for the ceremony and I really want the kids to have a good time. These kids have started coming on Saturday and staying after school to improve their chances at passing the state assessments. Each year, our pass rate is increasing. I want to create an annual celebration in honor of those who are succeeding. These supplies will help change the culture in the building by rewarding positive behavior. Our kids really respond to celebrations and fun and deserve to be rewarded for their hard work.
For the ceremony, I need varied colors of card stock and ink to make personalized certificates. I need the motivating pencils to give as prize as a reward.
You will make it possible to change the culture in this building, but supplying our kids with the materials to hold a special ceremony. The positive learning community will only foster a community of students with bigger and brighter goals. Rewarding positive behavior can only breed more positive behavior.
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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. R. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.