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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Casto from Phoenix, AZ is requesting flexible seating through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Casto is requesting

Home Sweet Classroom

Help me give my students a calming area with comfortable seating and sensory objects to help them to regulate their emotions.

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Casto's classroom raised $354

This project is fully funded

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Students

All students deserve to be in a classroom full of current and challenging curriculum with access to hands-on manipulatives. Most schools do not have extra funds to support hands-on learning for Science and Social Studies.

My students come from a low income, high poverty area and attend our Title I school.

Most of my students are eligible for free or reduced lunch. These scholars have dreams of going to college, becoming teachers, doctors, lawyers, scientists, historians, artists, and writers. They work hard every day to reach their goals. Most of these students are extremely high needs when it comes to emotional issues and academic restraints.

Having an area in the classroom designated with improving mental health will not only teach students the proper way to deal with confrontations but also give them the skills needed in order to prevent further issues. In addition, students who feel they are mentally secure, are more prepared to learn.

My Project

At CES we strive to meet the needs of all our students. Within my class, I teach a variety of students: learning disabilities, ADD, ADHD, Autism, and English language learners. Also, some if not all of these students are highly energetic, anxious, or stressed out. When they "act out," or are not paying attention, they end up in trouble but, it doesn't have to be this way: they deserve more.

A Calming Colors® Big Beanbag Seat and Swirling Glitter Sensory Balls will help students take control of their bodies in a more positive way.

Fidget toys are both effective at helping the student to concentrate and can easily fit into the classroom environment. The motivational posters, flexible seating, sensory objects will provide an area for students to regain their focus and become inspired to learn. The giant sand timer will limit the amount of time they spend in the calming area, so that they do not lose instructional minutes. I believe that students who have the opportunity to take a mental break, will rejoin the class with a new perspective on learning.

My students will become empowered by the opportunity to practice self-control, thus, developing a positive self-image and positive self-esteem. This will be evident in their classroom behavior and their academic performance. Investing in fidget toys will improve the quality of education for all students. Thank you in advance for your support!

Ms. Casto Constitution Elementary School Grades 6-8

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Phoenix, AZ View local requests

More than half of 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

95 students impacted 1donor

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Casto is requesting.

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
DD430SB - Calming Colors® Big Beanbag Seat - Sky Blue (30") • Lakeshore Learning Materials $79.99 1 $79.99
WC716 - Flex-Space Wobble Chair - 16" - Gray • Lakeshore Learning Materials $59.99 1 $59.99
LC529GR - Flex-Space Balance Ball Seat - 22" - Green • Lakeshore Learning Materials $24.99 1 $24.99
SE120 - Swirling Glitter Sensory Balls • Lakeshore Learning Materials $24.99 1 $24.99
EA294 - Giant Sand Timer - 5 Minutes • Lakeshore Learning Materials $15.99 1 $15.99
TR476 - Be Kind! Motivational Poster Pack • Lakeshore Learning Materials $15.99 1 $15.99
SCT0279 - Chalk It Up! 4" Punch-Out Letters • Lakeshore Learning Materials $9.99 1 $9.99
SCT6969 - Chalk It Up! Classroom Jobs Bulletin Board Set • Lakeshore Learning Materials $8.99 1 $8.99
STD8814 - Home Sweet Classroom Bulletin Board Set • Lakeshore Learning Materials $7.99 1 $7.99

Materials cost

$248.91

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $17.80

3rd party payment processing fee

$3.73

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$300.44

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$53.02

Total project goal

$353.46

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $353.46

1 Donor

-$341.41

Donations toward project cost

-$300.44

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$40.97

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$12.05

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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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 Ms. Casto and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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