My students need an iPad to use during lunch to help with work that they may struggle with or need to catch up on. My students could also be granted usage as a reward.
Many of my students' lack access to technology in their homes that is often needed for their classwork. They continue to fall further behind because the bus arrives late, which prevents them from using the computers at school. Some also have to go to the cafeteria for breakfast for a balanced meal.
My students are representative of our nation.
We are a very diverse campus with differences in learning abilities, economic status,ethnic background, religion, shapes and sizes. We educate approximately 1000 students each school year. Our school is the largest public middle school in our school district. Many of my students come from very low income households and are on free and reduced lunch. There is a poor level of communication between the school and the parents in many cases. Many of my student's parents move the family throughout the city and sometimes state just to find jobs and opportunities. They lack stability. This presents a problem for my students. They are sometimes hopeless and they need alternatives to achieving success through technology. They could also benefit greatly from goals and rewards.
My Project
With this iPad, I can offer use before school, lunch and after school in the areas of campus that does not remove them from the norm. As they complete their meals, they could use it for homework or projects that they can't otherwise complete without access to the Internet.
With a large number of children, it is also very difficult to serve our students in a capacity that we find most suitable for them. If I am patrolling the hallways, the iPad would help identify students that are roaming and skipping classes. I could verify their schedules in seconds. We have many events that are a part of our Positive Behavior Support system. The iPad could be used to take pictures for keepsake. We could use the video feature to capture successes in progress. Lastly, our school has decided that since parent's won't come to us, we will go to them. We are setting up tables at Walmart in the neighborhood over 4 weekend mornings for two hours. We need the iPad for these meetings.
This project is so important to me because I feel handicapped in my ability to help my students.
They currently require resources that I simply cannot afford due to budget constraints in our district. I want to be able to help them raise up to the next level. I want to remove excuses for them when they can't access resources that others in their classes can very easily. I want to keep my school a very positive environment by making sure that there are fewer opportunities for students to roam
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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 Mrs. Bethel and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.