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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Ritchie from New Orleans, LA is requesting art supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Bonzai Trees and Mandala Materials Help Mindfulness Club Meditate

Help me give my students meditation tools like Bonzai tree kits, tools to care for them, colored sand for mandalas, and mandala coloring books and colored pencils.

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Ritchie's classroom raised $363

This project is fully funded

My Students

My students chose to be in Mindfulness Club for myriad reasons, some I'll never know. But for whatever reason, the young people in Mindfulness Club crave a moment of peace in their otherwise hectic day. They are mostly juniors and seniors who have come together with one goal: mindfulness.

These young people live in New Orleans, a city famous for its excitement, its vibrant culture, and unfortunately its crime and poverty.

They live in a stressful world, but they are practicing self-advocacy and self-care by seeking tools to deal with their stress and anxiety, creating a sanctuary of peace and meditation.

My Project

Taking care of a living thing is a metaphor for taking care of ourselves. If students are able to maintain the life of a Bonzai tree, they are able to see the needs of others and themselves and tend to them. They are able to problem-solve and troubleshoot. They are able to put down technology and spend a few minutes of each day existing in the present moment, doing a physical activity that brings peace to their day.

Mandalas are used as an anchor for meditation, something to stare into as you let thoughts pass by.

Making them with colored sand and then pouring them away teaches students about the temporary nature of hardship, and of our lives.

Project tagged as

New Orleans, LA
Grades 9-12
Character Education
Health & Wellness
Charter School
Art Supplies
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households

Ms. Ritchie New Orleans Charter Science & Mathematics High School Grades 9-12

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 will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

New Orleans, LA 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

15 students impacted 7donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total

Planters' Choice Bonsai Starter Kit + Tool Kit - the Complete Kit to Easily Grow 4 Bonsai Trees from Seed with Comprehensive Guide & Bamboo Plant Markers - Unique Gift Idea • Amazon Business $27.99 4 $111.96

Yotek Bonsai Tree Growing Kit Succulent Gardening Tools Set of 8 pcs - Include Pruner, Fold Scissors, Mini Rake, Bud, Cleaning Brush & Leaf Trimmer (8pcs) • Amazon Business $12.99 4 $51.96

CuteyCo Crafty Sand Pack - 14 Colors: 15 lbs of Vibrant Craft Sand & Play Sand • Amazon Business $37.88 1 $37.88

Crayola Colored Pencils, Pre-sharpened, Great for Adult Coloring, 50 Count • Amazon Business $7.99 4 $31.96

Tolco Empty Spray Bottle 8 oz. Frosted Assorted Colors (Pack of 3) • Amazon Business $5.83 2 $11.66

Mandala Coloring Book: World's Most Beautiful Mandalas for Stress Relief and Relaxation • Amazon Business $7.19 1 $7.19

Materials cost			$252.61
Vendor shipping charges			FREE
Sales tax			$22.10
3rd party payment processing fee			$3.79
Fulfillment labor & materials			$30.00
Total project cost			$308.50
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$54.44
Total project goal			$362.94
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal			$362.94
5 Donors			-$270.00
Donations toward project cost			-$229.50
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$40.50
match offer			-$92.94
Match offer toward project cost			-$79.00
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$13.94
Still needed View calculation Hide calculation			$0.00

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

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Project Activity

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 Ms. Ritchie and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

This teacher needs your help!

Bonzai Trees and Mandala Materials Help Mindfulness Club Meditate

This project is fully funded

My Students

My Project

Project tagged as

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

Equity Focus

Boost your odds

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

How we calculate what's needed

Give the most requested basic supplies

Give back to your community

Project Activity

Project Activity

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.