The cost of cheerleading T-shirts and shorts for fifteen students is $399, including shipping and <a target="new" href="http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm" onclick="g_openWindow('http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm', 300, 800, 'fulfillwindow');return false;">fulfillment</a>.
This year our principal implemented an exciting club program for all third through fifth graders in our school. I run the Cheerleading Club. I teach a fourth-grade general-education class. The cheerleaders are in grades three, four, and five.
The population of our school is very mixed culturally, and the majority of the students are in a lower economic group. Having been a cheerleader in the past, I really thought the children in this school would enjoy being a part of an activity that is not popular in their neighborhood. You do not hear many students in this school speak of extracurricular activities that they take part in. I believe those extra activities are extremely important for both learning and socialization.
Cheerleading gives these students, although during just one period a week, a chance to enhance their talents and try new experiences. I have fifteen girls in my group who have been working vigorously on routines to eventually produce a final year-end show where they can showcase all they have learned. I think it would be great if each girl could have the same T-shirt and shorts to show off our uniformity as a team. As each week goes by, the girls are really getting a sense of being part of a team. As we know, most teams have uniforms, which show a sense of unity. It would be great if these students could share that too.
I would love it if each girl could have a matching "Cheerleader" T-shirt and cotton shorts. Being part of a team is something that I believe each child should have a sense of. Although uniforms may seem like a small part of unity, I do know that when my uniform was given to me as a young girl, it really made me feel like I was a part of something important. I think having these uniforms will increase each girl's self-confidence and drive the cheerleaders to be the best that they can be in front of an audience.
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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. Ardizzone and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.