My students need several varieties of seeds, soil enhancers and tools to plant a garden on the school grounds. They will create a source of beauty for the school and the surrounding community.
I work with small numbers of high risk middle school students. My students come from a high need community. This is also a depressed community. There are not a lot of opportunities for the children here. I am trying to instill the will to dream in my students so that they will hopefully transcend their surroundings.
Many of my students are living in other than parental settings. Some live with relatives, others are foster children. Crime is high, drugs are rampant and die has already been cast for their future. These children are angry and very needy. They lack people in their lives who can give them unconditional approval and encouragement. Having a sense of accomplishment can do wonders for self esteem. My students have never gardened before, but were very enthusiastic when I brought the subject to them. Working on a community garden would teach teamwork, cooperation and give them a sense of "I can". I believe that this sense of self would spill over into other areas of their life. It would help give them the tools to succeed.
I need seeds, soil enhancers and fertilizers. This garden will be a boon not only to my students but to the whole community. Research has shown that a garden can bring a community new life. It can awaken long dormant community pride. It will also serve to give my students first hand knowledge about how things grow. They will have the joy of eating a tomato that grew themselves. We will study the different stages of plant life. In the future when they see plants and vegetables for sale, it will be a source of pride and self esteem and will remind them that they are capable.
Your help will insure that my children begin to get the tools they need to grow and blossom. I am shooting for all of my children to pass all of their subjects. First they need to feel that they have the power and the ability. Working on this garden will help to give them this sense of accomplishment. It will give them a sense of what can be accomplished with hard work and effort. Your help will make such a difference in the type of future my students will have. It also contributes to the world we all want to see in our lifetime. A world where every child starts out with a chance for a good life.
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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. Hicks and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.