I teach kindergarten at a school in San Francisco's Chinatown. My students are all English Language Learners. They are either new immigrants or have lived in this community all their lives. Most are from low-income families struggling to pay for basic necessities. Many of my students come to school wearing shoes and clothes that do not fit. Over 90 percent of them qualify for the free or reduced breakfast, lunch, and after-school supper program.
Their sense of normalcy is going back to their Single Room Occupancy (SRO), where many families share a community bathroom and kitchen.
Their home is typically a 12 ft x 12 ft room that the whole family lives in, with little or no space to call their own.
In addition, with the Shelter-in-Place Order in effect, many families had to stop working. Their meager unemployment checks are not enough to make ends meet. With their rent due soon, my families will have to prioritize and make difficult decisions to cut out everything but the basic essentials.
My Project
Six weeks ago, my students and I left school uncertain of what the remaining of the school year would look like. With school ending so abruptly, my students left school without their books or supplies. We were thrown into distance learning without the necessary materials to ensure students' success.
When I see my students during our video conferencing time, I could see them struggling with their limited resources.
Their parents discourage them from writing too big because that would mean "wasting" more paper. Their beautiful drawings go uncolored because they don't have crayons at home. Paper has become a luxury item for my students families. With their meager unemployment checks, school essentials will take a back burner to everything else their family needs.
I am requesting for basic materials and workbooks that will help my disadvantaged students stay afloat as we all tread through this period.
My Kindergarten Workbook: 101 Games and Activities to Support Kindergarten Skills (My Workbooks)
$7.79
21
$163.59
Kindergarten Math Workbook: Kindergarten and 1st Grade Workbook Age 5-7 | Homeschool Kindergarteners | Addition and Subtraction Activities + Worksheets (Homeschooling Activity Books)
$6.99
22
$153.78
HP Printer Paper Office 20lb, 8.5X11, 10 Ream Case, 5,000 Sheets, Made in USA From Forest Stewardship Council Certified Resources, 92 Bright, Acid Free, Engineered For HP Compatibility, 112101C
$36.88
3
$110.64
Dowling Magnets 735206 Magnetic Dry Erase Boards - Double-Sided Ruled/Blank (Pack of 5)
$19.99
5
$99.95
Crayola 12 Ct Fine Washable Markers
$6.77
12
$81.24
TICONDEROGA My First Pencils, Wood-Cased #2 HB Soft, Pre-Sharpened with Eraser, Includes Bonus Sharpener, Yellow, 4-Pack (33309)
$2.99
22
$65.78
Crayola Super Tips Markers, Washable Markers, 10Count, Assorted
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