My students need a Hokki stool, two copies each of the books "Wishtree" and "After the Fall," snacks, and some items to fill goodie bags for new students, including bookmarks, notepads, and stampers.
I am a school counselor at a PreK-5 school in Tennessee. The students at my school are a diverse group culturally, ethnically, and economically. I work primarily with students in grades 3 through 5, providing whole-class lessons for all of my students, as well as individual and small-group counseling sessions for my at-risk students. My interventions are wide-ranging, addressing students' academic, social/personal, and career development needs.
Much of my work involves teaching students life skills and encouraging character development.
Helping others, demonstrating personal responsibility, and teamwork are just a few of the character traits you'll see my students demonstrate. My older students enjoy participating in a variety of leadership opportunities, including "The Green Team," composed of students who head up our school's recycling program; and peer tutors, who are each matched with a younger student who is struggling academically, and who provide tutoring on a weekly basis.
At present, my 5th-grade peer ambassadors are helping to acclimate our new students to our school, making their transitions as smooth as possible to help ensure their success.
My Project
I am requesting items in this project to get our school year off to a great start. First, I am requesting bookmarks, temporary tattoos, stampers, and notepads that my peer ambassadors can use to fill the goodie bags they've created for students new to our school. These goodie bags are part of the open-hearted welcome peer ambassadors provide to help these new students make a positive transition from their previous schools to BSE. Research shows that new students who have a positive transition do better academically, emotionally, and socially at their new schools, not just in their transfer year, but for many years into the future. These items help demonstrate the message that we are glad they have joined our school family.
I am also requesting copies of the books "Wishtree" and "After the Fall." We have selected these books for our all-school read this year to spur discussions about diversity, acceptance, and perseverance.
I will use these copies for read-aloud in many classrooms and to loan to students who wish to take a copy home to share with their families. These books will help students think deeply about how we treat others and how to overcome hardships.
Last, I am requesting a Hokki stool so I can accommodate more students in my small-group counseling sessions; and the pretzels and goldfish crackers are for students who need a snack before or after lunch to stay focused on their work.
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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 Dr. Taylor and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
