I teach third grade at a diverse, Title I school in southwest Florida. Sixty-three percent of our students receive free or reduced-price lunch. Our students come from numerous cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Through a lot of hard work, our school continues to help our students succeed. In fact, we have been an "A" school for all but one year of our existence! My students come from a wide variety of family dynamics and diverse households as well.
Growing and stretching your brain requires fuel!
With 40% of my class consisting of students with special needs, we are fortunate to have an ESE teacher co-teaching in our room for part of the day. This co-teaching model benefits all students. Despite the various abilities of my students, they all are hardworking, positive, and determined.
Our classroom fosters a sense of safety and confidence with taking risks because we know that our mistakes are beneficial to everyone as teachable moments.
My Project
Many students have their "main" meal of the day at school during lunch, because of our high rate of free and reduced lunch. Our lunchtime is late in the day and it's a lengthy morning for my students (some of whom do not eat breakfast, even though it is offered at school). I encourage my students to bring a nutritious snack each day, but many do not bring anything, or bring sugary snacks, such as doughnuts, to serve as their breakfast.
Growing minds require fuel!
For this project, I am requesting non-perishable snacks such as nuts, energy bars, fruit snacks, and just a couple student favorites. I want to provide my students with nutritious snacks so they have the energy needed to focus on completing their work each school day. By providing a variety of snacks for those students who do not bring one from home, ALL of my students will be able to enjoy a snack. I also hope that showing examples of healthy options will encourage those students who DO bring a snack from home to bring healthier items.
These snacks will be welcomed by my students who are still feeling the effects of Hurricane Irma. Families have been displaced and many parents have bigger concerns to worry about besides what their child might bring to school for a snack.
Thank you for helping my students have a healthy and energetic school day!
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 Dr. Thompson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.