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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. McCarthy from Chicago, IL is requesting a class trip through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. McCarthy is requesting
Fully Funded

Ms. McCarthy's classroom raised $2,164

A Lifelong Lesson in Democracy in our Capital

Requested is the funding for one student to participate in the Close Up Program in Washington, D.C. This will decrease the total amount that the students are fundraising.

Classroom photo
Ms. McCarthy Schurz High School
Chicago, IL 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.

For the past seven years, I have taken some of my high school students from Chicago to Washington, D.C. for a week-long program organized by the Close Up Foundation, the nation’s largest nonpartisan civics education program. As a teacher of U.S. History, I have found no better way to teach about government, democracy, and history. The students actually experience the democratic process firsthand and see what they read in their textbooks come to life. They are not tourists; they are students on a study trip. Their eyes are opened to an incredible amount from seeing our nation’s capital and all of its historical sites to meeting other high school students from all different areas, backgrounds and ideologies to expanding their horizons and challenging their minds. Many of my students do not have the role model of a parent participating in the democratic process. They are often immigrants or first-generation Americans. This trip changes them into active participants. One year, as we spent the day on Capitol Hill meeting with legislators and their staff and touring the area, one student actually came to the realization that there is value in voting. He said, “I think I’m really going to vote”. I am a strong believer in learning through direct experience and this trip accomplishes that goal. As the school budgets tighten, so do the opportunities for students to participate in programs like Close Up. The cost of the trip covers everything including transportation, food and hotel, and the incredible staff that lead the students through this experience. My students do not typically have the resources to afford the trip. We work hard to raise money by selling candy along with other efforts. My goal is to make the trip accessible to anyone regardless of his or her financial situation. Due to finances, I have only been able to take four to seven students each year. The students are carefully selected and are more than deserving of the experience. I would love to take more students every year. Last year, my students personally met their members of Congress, observed committee hearings about immigration, debated their positions on issues like the war in Iraq and the words of the Pledge of Allegiance and so much more. The students return to Chicago changed. They gain the knowledge and practice the skills necessary for a lifelong commitment to involvement in their community and country.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

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

1 student impacted 9 donors
Ms. McCarthy Schurz High School Grades 9-12

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Chicago, IL 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

1 student impacted 9donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Destination Partipants Total
Washington, D.C.
(participation in the Close Up Washington Program) 		1 student (more than one student will make the trip)
Washington, D.C.
(participation in the Close Up Washington Program) 		1 student (more than 1 student will make the trip) $1,714.00

Trip cost

$1,714.00

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$42.85

Fulfillment labor & materials

$17.00

Total project cost

$1,774.00

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$389.41

Total project goal

$2,163.41

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $2,163.41

7 Donors

-$1,043.06

Donations toward project cost

-$886.60

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$156.46

match offer

-$1,044.00

Match offer toward project cost

-$856.08

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$187.92

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$38.16

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. McCarthy and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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