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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Calcese from Madison, WI is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Calcese is requesting

Classroom Calming Space

Help me give my students a calming space with calming activities in our classroom!

  • $460 goal

This project expired on August 24, 2025.

This project expired on August 24, 2025.

My Project

Our students are curious, funny, brilliant, kind, and thoughtful. Sometimes, they have volatile and highly emotional reactions to every day events. They have disabilities that affect their ability to regulate their emotions and behaviors, and can engage in unsafe behaviors when dysregulated.

We are seeking to build a calming space in our classroom for our children to self-opt into during times of dysregulation.

The materials we requested in this project are designed to be available to students to select to use in the calming space, assisting with whole-classroom safety and student voice and choice. Sunglasses help them dim the brightness (we have noise-canceling headphones;) goldfish help alleviate problems caused by mild hunger; coloring books are an engaging yet calming activity; additional fidget toys, games and supplies help facilitate a calm and relaxing space.

Ms. Calcese MMSD Intensive Intervention Programs Grades 3-5

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.

Madison, WI View local requests

More than a third 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

5 students impacted

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

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
5 Book SPECIAL - Brown Toy Box: Inventor's Journal Book Set (accessory for STEM Kits for elementary) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $50.00 1 $50.00
Solobo Toys: EMOTIONS COIN DROP (calming corner resources; social emotional learning toy; sensory play) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $40.00 1 $40.00
Magnetic Tiles, 100PCS Magnetic Building Blocks for Kids, Magnet 3D Montessori Kids Toy Set, Building Construction Educational STEM Toys for 3+ Year Old Boys and Girls Christmas Birthday Gifts • Amazon Business $35.99 1 $35.99
Goldfish Cheddar Crackers 58 oz. 3 Packs/Box (220-00430) • Staples $29.09 1 $29.09
Etch A Sketch Classic Drawing Toy • Kaplan Early Learning Company $26.06 1 $26.06
LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box 10696 Building Toy Set - Featuring Storage, Includes Train, Car, and a Tiger Figure, and Playset for Kids, Boys, and Girls Ages 4-99 • Amazon Business $24.88 1 $24.88
Mobi Games Zippee Sensory Activity Toy • Kaplan Early Learning Company $22.46 1 $22.46
JoyCat Mystery Alphabet Box for Kids 26 PCS Letters Sorting Matching Game Activities Letter Sounds Fine Motor Learning Toys for Preschool Kindergarten Classroom Present for 3+ Years Kids Toddlers • Amazon Business $20.89 1 $20.89
16 Bulk Coloring Books for Kids Ages 4-8 - Assortment Bundle Includes 16 Kids Coloring and Activity Books Bundle with Games, Puzzles, Mazes, and Stickers (No Duplicates) • Amazon Business $17.99 1 $17.99
ZOnFRTO 64 Packs Galaxy Putty Slime, Party Favor for Kids Girls & Boys, Adults, Non Sticky, Unscented，Stress & Anxiety Relief, Wet, Super Soft Sludge Toy • Amazon Business $16.99 1 $16.99
Hand2Mind Sensory Fidget Toy Kit • Blick Art Materials $16.65 1 $16.65
Crayola Twistables Colored Pencil Set (50ct), No Sharpen Colored Pencils For Kids, Coloring Book Pencils, Gifts for Kids, Ages 4+ • Amazon Business $14.10 1 $14.10
Guoiondw 20 key chains, decorative items, fillers, Christmas gifts, holiday accessories, suitable for children's birthday school carnival rewards, reward boxes, classroom 2025 Valentine's Day gift • Amazon Business $12.78 1 $12.78
Kids Sunglasses Bulk, Neon Sunglasses Party Favors with UV400 Protection for Kids, Boys and Girls, Party Favor For Kids, Birthday Graduation Party Supplies, Beach, Pool Party Favors • Amazon Business $11.17 1 $11.17
CVC CVVC Word Builder, CVC Word Games, Phonics Games Flash Cards for Preschool Kindergarten Classroom Montessori Special Education Phonics Manipulatives Spelling Toy for Learning and Teacher Supplies • Amazon Business $5.99 1 $5.99

Materials cost

$345.04

Vendor shipping charges

 $9.95

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$5.18

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$390.17

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$68.85

Total project goal

$459.02

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

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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 Ms. Calcese and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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