Help me give my students cleaning supplies, utensils to write, headphones, and notebooks to keep thoughts and assignments. Help me give my students additional books to explore their world and imaginations.
FULLY FUNDED! Mr. Matthew LoRusso's classroom raised $986
This project is fully funded
Celebrating 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 Project
This past year my co-teacher and I worked tirelessly with our fifth-grade students to grow socially, emotionally, and academically. After our 23-24 school year, we worked to get their passing ELA state test scores from 21.8% passing the 2023 State Test to 42.2% passing the 2024 State Test. In Math, we moved our kiddos from a 33.3% passing rate in 2023 to 48.8 percent passing in 2024. However, this academic growth did not come without difficulties.
One of the barriers that make this work difficult is access to cleaning supplies, utensils to write, headphones, notebooks, and other supplies and the cost of such supplies that make our classroom a successful place for learning.
My co-teacher, Ms. Scala, and I consistently have to navigate how to make supplies last, like rationing our paper use or worrying about running out of pencils. Let's face it, no matter how much I tell my students how expensive supplies are, they're kids, and kids should not have to worry about the cost of such supplies. Access to school supplies should be just as much a human right as access to a high-quality education.
Our school is located in Manhattan's Hamilton Heights. This community serves a rich Latin-American community that celebrates heritage, culture, and community. Around 90 percent of students receive free or reduced-priced lunches, and a majority of students come from low-income households. Our school also welcomes students who have disabilities and students who are migrants from other countries.
Funding this project will help support the students of a well-deserved community. A community that loves their children tremendously hard, and tirelessly works to raise their children. It will also help the teachers, Ms. Scala and I educate and inspire our students with fidelity. Funding will help take some financial load away from the hardworking students and teachers.
Nearly all 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
24 Pack Classroom Headphones Bulk Student Headphones with Microphone Kids Earphones for School, Adjustable over Ear Headphones Class Set Earbuds Wire Headphones for School Students Kids (Black)
• Amazon Business
$82.99
1
$82.99
Enday #2 Pencils Bulk - 500 Pack, Pre-Sharpened Wood-Cased Pencils in Bulk with Latex-Free Eraser Top, Yellow Pencils for Office and Classroom Supplies
• Amazon Business
Rosmonde 12 Pack Graph Paper Composition Notebook, 200 Pages (100 Sheets), 4x4 Grid, Graph Composition Notebook, Black Marble Hard Cover Quad Ruled Notebooks for School, Bulk Grid Composition Notebook
• Amazon Business
$25.73
2
$51.46
Achieve It! Percy Jackson & The Olympians Book Series Variety Pack, Grades 5 to 9, Set of 5 - Grades 5-9 - Kids
• School Specialty
$48.74
1
$48.74
Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7)
• Amazon Business
$45.44
1
$45.44
Lakeshore Nonfiction Leveled Books Classroom Library - Books Only - Level P (Gr. 3-4)
• Lakeshore Learning Materials
$41.00
1
$41.00
Lysol Spring Disinfectant Spray, 12.5 Fluid Ounces, Spring Waterfall Scent
• School Specialty
$13.34
3
$40.02
Amazon Basics Multipurpose Copy Printer Paper, 8.5" x 11", 20 lb, 8 Reams, 4000 Sheets, 92 Bright, White
• Amazon Business
$38.59
1
$38.59
Kaplan Early Learning Who Was/Is Books-Set of 6
• Kaplan Early Learning Company
$36.95
1
$36.95
Scotch Dry Erase Thermal Laminating Pouches, 50-Pack, Works with Dry Erase Markers, Reuseable Worksheets, Calendars, Checklists, 8.9 x 11.4 Inches, Letter Size, Clear Professional Finish (TP3854-50DE)
• Amazon Business
$17.37
2
$34.74
Scott Paper Towels, Choose-A-Sheet, 30 Double Rolls (2 Packs of 15) = 60 Regular Rolls (100 Sheets Per Roll)
• Amazon Business
$31.10
1
$31.10
Elementree - Sustainable Printer Paper For Everyday Printing and Copying 8.5 x 11 20lb/ 75gsm 500 Sheets Per Ream (00918) - White
• Best Buy Education
$5.80
5
$29.00
LiqInkol Dry Erase Markers Bulk, 144 Pack Black Whiteboard Markers, Chisel Point Low Odor Dry Erase Markers for School Office Home
• Amazon Business
$28.19
1
$28.19
4 Book Bundle - Who HQ: Historical Moments #2 (paperback book set)
• MahoganyBooks
$26.96
1
$26.96
4 Book Bundle - Who HQ: Civil Rights Figures (paperback book set)
• MahoganyBooks
$21.56
1
$21.56
EXPO Chisel Tip Dry Erase Markers, Low-Odor Assorted Colors, Pack of 36 - Ideal for Classrooms, Offices, and Homes
• Amazon Business
$20.71
1
$20.71
EXPO Dry Erase Markers, Chisel Tip, Black, Low-Odor, Pack of 36, Perfect for Whiteboards, Non-Porous Surfaces & Home Offices
• Amazon Business
$20.44
1
$20.44
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family (hardcover picture book)
• DonorsChoose Featured Favorites
$17.00
1
$17.00
Elmer's Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks, Washable, 7 Grams, 60 Count
• Amazon Business
$15.42
1
$15.42
Lysol All-Purpose Cleaner, Sanitizing and Disinfecting Spray, To Clean and Deodorize, Lemon Breeze Scent, 32oz
• Amazon Business
$3.97
3
$11.91
Materials cost
$775.80
Vendor shipping charges
$19.93
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$11.64
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$837.37
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$147.77
Total project goal
$985.14
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$985.14
11 Donors
-$541.60
Donations toward project cost
-$473.94
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$67.66
Matching donations from our partners
-$427.56
Match offers toward project cost
-$363.43
Match offers to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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 Mr. Matthew LoRusso and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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