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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Diederich (NURSE LAUREN) from Pittsburgh, PA is requesting materials related to food, clothing & hygiene through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Fully Funded

Mrs. Diederich (NURSE LAUREN)'s classroom raised $565

Comfort is Key – A Cozy & Calm Nursing Office

Help me give my students the most comfortable, relaxing, stress-free and safe space!

This project is fully funded

Mrs. Diederich (NURSE LAUREN) Pittsburgh Manchester Elementary School

Pittsburgh, PA Grades 6-8

My Project

I am requesting your help in maximizing the potential of my school nursing office. My office is generally viewed as a safe space, but it lacks the resources and thus the ability to create a comforting and calming environment, especially for our middle school and special needs populations.

“Students must be healthy to be educated and educated to be healthy.” My office means a lot to me, and I want to provide the most comfortable space in order to effectively manage one’s issues so they can be in attendance and remain engaged in learning.

I want all students to have an appropriate space to rest when they are ill or feeling down. Moreover, I wish to use weighted blankets to alleviate anxiety-provoking symptoms. A weighted blanket in its simplest form is the equivalent of a big hug. This tactile sensory input is often what most children need in their life.

A calming corner filled with a resting mat, bean bag, diffused fragrances, breathing exercises, and access to stimulating brain break toys will provide comfort and in turn promote attendance. My school is among the many high poverty schools in the district, which houses regional classrooms to support children with a variety of disorders and disabilities (e.g., ASD, PDD, OCD, ODD, ADHD). Unfortunately, many of these students have experienced some form of significant trauma. These kids do not always feel safe at home, and school is their consistency and comfort. Absenteeism related to illness triggered by stress is not an answer. I need a space with resources to provide them and teach them how to self-regulate their emotions. The same voice that says, “give up,” can also be trained to say, “keep giving.” This space can reward our children for noticing that their emotions are taking over and need to be regulated.

Equity Focus

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Nearly all students from low‑income households

160 students impacted 11 donors

Project tagged as

Pittsburgh, PA
Grades 6-8
Health & Wellness
Students with Disabilities
Traditional School
Food, Clothing & Hygiene
Nearly all students from low‑income households

Mrs. Diederich (NURSE LAUREN) Pittsburgh Manchester Elementary School Grades 6-8

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.

Pittsburgh, PA View local requests

Nearly all 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

160 students impacted 11donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total

FRIGIDAIRE EFIC189-Silver Compact Ice Maker, 26 lb per Day, Silver (Packaging May Vary) • Amazon Business $114.83 1 $114.83

Big Joe Roma Beanbag Chair, Black Smartmax • Amazon Business $72.84 1 $72.84

Uanlauo Baby Play Mat,Play Mat for Baby,59x71inch Baby Playmat for Floor,Foldable&Waterproof Foam Play Mat,Kids Play Mat,Infant Carlwing Playmat,Edge Reinforcement Playpen Mat • Amazon Business $51.99 1 $51.99

BETU Weighted Blanket 10 pounds for Kids Heavy Blanket, Cooling Weighted Blankets (40"x60" Throw Size)-Factory Shop • Amazon Business $39.99 1 $39.99

Ultimate Aromatherapy Diffuser & Essential Oil Set - Ultrasonic Diffuser & Top 10 Essential Oils - Modern Diffuser with 4 Timer & 7 Ambient Light Settings - Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils - Lavender • Amazon Business $39.95 1 $39.95

ProsourceFit Tri-Fold Folding Exercise Mat - Grey (ps-1951-tfm-grey) • Amazon Business $29.38 1 $29.38

Pull, Stretch and Squeeze Stress Balls by YoYa Toys - 3 Pack - Elastic Construction Sensory Balls - Ideal for Stress and Anxiety Relief, Special Needs, Autism, Disorders and More • Amazon Business $21.99 1 $21.99

R.Y.TOYS Fidget Toy for Adults/Teens/Boys/Girls,Magic Cube Puzzle,Brain Teasers for Adults,Cylinder Rotate&Slide Logic Toy,Gift for Kids Child(8Colors:4Layers+8Layers) • Amazon Business $18.99 1 $18.99

California Creations The Amazing Star Cube: 2 Piece Transforming Geometric Puzzle - Solve The Cube To Find The Hidden Star • Amazon Business $14.95 1 $14.95

4E's Novelty Expandable Breathing Ball Toy Sphere for Kids & Adults, Expands from 5.6" to 12" - Kids Calming Fidget Toys, Yoga Relaxation Accessories • Amazon Business $13.90 1 $13.90

Sand Timer ,XINBAOHONG Hourglass Sand Timer 5 Minutes 15 Minutes Timer Clock for Kids Games Classroom Home Office Kitchen Use (Pack of 2) (4.7''X 2.3'', 5 Min(Blue) and 15 Min(Green)) • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99

Gifts Of Joy Calm Down Corner Classroom kit, Feelings Poster, Emotion Puzzle, Social-Emotional Posters, Dry Erase Board Social-Emotional Sensory Fidget Toolbox (Visuals- Breathing Poster Set) • Amazon Business $10.99 1 $10.99

Materials cost			$442.79
Vendor shipping charges			FREE
Sales tax			$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee			$6.64
Fulfillment labor & materials			$30.00
Total project cost			$479.43
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$84.61
Total project goal			$564.04
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal			$564.04
10 Donors			-$278.84
Donations toward project cost			-$242.41
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$36.43
match offer			-$278.85
Match offer toward project cost			-$237.02
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$41.83
Excluded support for DonorsChoose			-$6.35
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 Mrs. Diederich (NURSE LAUREN) 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!

Comfort is Key – A Cozy & Calm Nursing Office

This project is fully funded

My Project

Equity Focus

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

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.