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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Shimkos from Chicago, IL is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Shimkos is requesting

A Quiet Sensory Space for Students with Autism

My students need various soothing interventions or materials such as weighted blankets, soft music, and various tactile materials to help them return to a calm state after being over-stimulated.

FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Shimkos's classroom raised $497

This project is fully funded

There is so much information in the world to take in! So much that sometimes it is just too much and we loose ourselves a bit. I work within the public school system in a self-contained classroom with 10 fantastic students, ages 6-8, all with severe cognitive and physical disabilities, and half of these students have been diagnosed with Autism or fall along the Autism spectrum.

A difficulty that most of my students face is that they lack coping skills and are easily overstimulated. Any change in their environment ranging from adding an additional person to our room to attending assemblies can have an effect on their sensory system, and in some cases will set them over the edge to the point where they are irritable and dangerous to themselves and to others. We have limited supplies to address the needs of all of the students, and even more limited funds to assist in the purchase of items that could help the situation.

I have found the need to design a corner of my classroom into a 'safe and calming nook' to assist my students to return to a calm state when they either need a small break from daily activities or for when they can't control their actions anymore due to extreme over-stimulation. The resources that I would like to purchase for my room would be items to help pull together a calming sanctuary within my classroom. I have included a 'pea pod' and various weighted items or materials that can be wrapped around the body that have shown to be calming to students with Autism, rolling pins and sensory brushes that help provide different calming sensations as well as some soft music for students who enjoy an auditory component for relaxation.

With your help, you will be assisting my students physically and emotionally, as well as creating an appealing safe haven for those who need to 'just get away'. Your help would be greatly appreciated and never forgotten!

Mrs. Shimkos Wilma G Rudolph Learning Center Grades PreK-2

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Chicago, IL View local requests

More than half 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

10 students impacted 8donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Mrs. Shimkos is requesting.

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Velvasoft Weights 10-lb. for Medium Blanket • Abilitations, Inc. $68.99 1 $68.99
Super Chews - Red • Abilitations, Inc. $12.99 1 $12.99
Abilitations® VibratingTACTILESnake • Abilitations, Inc. $28.99 1 $28.99
CD SOOTHING SANCTUARY 1015214 • Abilitations, Inc. $17.99 1 $17.99
Vibrating Snake • Abilitations, Inc. $29.99 1 $29.99
RollEase™ Rolling Pin • Abilitations, Inc. $32.99 1 $32.99
CUDDLE LOOP SPT 192375 • Abilitations, Inc. $26.99 1 $26.99
Sensory Brush Set of 12 • Abilitations, Inc. $24.99 1 $24.99
Super Chews • Abilitations, Inc. $12.99 1 $12.99
PEA POD SMALL 60" • Abilitations, Inc. $99.99 1 $99.99

Materials cost

$356.90

Vendor shipping charges

 $35.69

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$5.35

Fulfillment labor & materials

$9.00

Total project cost

$406.94

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$89.33

Total project goal

$496.27

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $496.27

6 Donors

-$474.33

Donations toward project cost

-$406.95

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$67.38

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$21.95

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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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 Mrs. Shimkos and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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