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Mrs. Novak from Loves Park, IL is requesting flexible seating through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Fully Funded

Mrs. Novak's classroom raised $596

Feeling Safe and Comfortable in the Calming Corner

Help me give my students tools and a safe place to reduce their stress and anxiety by providing items like comfy bean bag chairs, storage bins, bottled water, and fidget toys

Mrs. Novak profile photo
Mrs. Novak Harlem Middle School
Loves Park, IL Grades 6-8

My Students

Our student body consists of 7th and 8th grade students. We have amazing students and a lot of them suffer from anxiety. Some of our students come to school without having slept all night or eating breakfast. Many of them worry about things that kids shouldn't have to worry about.

The Counseling Department strives to create a safe place for our students to get away from the stressors of their daily lives.

Everyone should be able to feel safe and comfortable throughout their school day. We want to create a space for them to be able to do that.

My Project

When students experience stress or trauma at home or are overwhelmed in school, they respond in various ways. Some students become extremely agitated while others may shut down. Some students may exhibit inattention, difficulty sitting still and hyperactivity. While other students may exhibit daydreaming, falling asleep in class or not responding to others. Learning can be difficult when we are experiencing any type of stress or trauma. Calming corners can help provide an opportunity for students to reset or re-regulate their emotions in a safe place.

Our calming corner will provide a quiet, comfortable space for our students when they are overstimulated and need a break.

Some students may just need a few minutes, others may need longer. We would like to create a space where there is flexible seating and offer coloring books and other fidgets to the students while they relax and calm down. Flexible seating allows students to take charge of their learning and make the choices that work best for them. Making sure students are comfortable is an essential component in motivating them. The products that I have selected will help my students by giving them additional seating options to make more effective learning choices. In addition to flexible seating (bean bag chairs), we will provide coloring books and fidgets, we would like to provide our student's with a soft place to sit with a rug, a bookshelf to keep our coloring books and fidgets and calming jars, a timer to let the students know when their time is up in the space, and some water and candy to help make them feel at home. Our hope is that we can help calm them and send them back to class ready to learn!

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Nearly all students from low‑income households

100 students impacted 10 donors
Mrs. Novak Harlem Middle School Grades 6-8

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Loves Park, IL 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

100 students impacted 10donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Unique Loom Trellis Frieze Collection Lattice Moroccan Geometric Modern Area Rug, 6 x 9 Feet, Ivory/Gray • Amazon Business $79.59 1 $79.59
PACHIRA E-Commerce Wooden Cube and Storage Bins, Bundle Combination, White with Grey • Amazon Business $77.99 1 $77.99
Poland Spring 100% Natural Spring Water, 8oz Bottle (Pack of 15, Total of 120 Fl Oz) • Amazon Business $13.70 4 $54.80
Big Joe Classic Beanbag Smartmax, Radiant Orchid • Amazon Business $40.00 1 $40.00
Big Joe Classic Beanbag Smartmax, Stretch Limo Black • Amazon Business $39.99 1 $39.99
Sensory Toys Set 32 Pcs., Fidget Toy Bundle for Stress Relief, Anti-Anxiety, Relaxing, and Calming for Kids and Adults, Sensory Fidgets Hand Therapy Pack for Boys and Girls with Autism, ADD, and ADHD • Amazon Business $15.95 2 $31.90
Crayola Back To School Supplies for Girls & Boys, Crayons, Markers & Colored Pencils, 80 Pieces • Amazon Business $14.24 2 $28.48
Adult Coloring Books Super Set -- 10 Deluxe Coloring Books for Adults and Teens • Amazon Business $19.95 1 $19.95
Secura 60-Minute Visual Timer, Classroom Countdown Clock, Silent Timer for Kids and Adults, Time Management Tool for Teaching (Dark Gray) • Amazon Business $18.99 1 $18.99
Lysol Disinfectant Spray, Sanitizing and Antibacterial Spray, For Disinfecting and Deodorizing, Lemon Breeze, 2 Count, 19 fl oz each • Amazon Business $17.93 1 $17.93
Klutz Make Your Own Discovery Bottles Science/STEM Activity Kit • Amazon Business $17.89 1 $17.89
Toxic Waste - Hazardously Sour Candy, 5 Assorted Flavors ~ 1 pound bag • Amazon Business $14.99 1 $14.99
Graffiti Coloring Book for Teens and Adults: Over 300 Fun Coloring Pages with Graffiti Street Art Such As Letters, Drawings, Fonts, Quotes and More! • Amazon Business $14.97 1 $14.97
Positive Mind Positive Vibes - Coloring Book With Inspirational Quotes: Inspirational Saying Coloring Book for Women & Teen Girls - Motivational - Inspiring Relaxing Designs & Quotes • Amazon Business $6.96 1 $6.96

Materials cost

$464.43

Vendor shipping charges

 $5.00

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$6.97

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$506.40

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$89.36

Total project goal

$595.76

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $595.76

4 Donors

-$465.83

Donations toward project cost

-$395.96

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$69.87

match offer

-$129.93

Match offer toward project cost

-$110.44

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$19.49

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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Project Activity

Project Activity
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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. Novak and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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