Hope for Douglas: Supporting Our Community in the Aftermath of Tragedy
My students need the training items and bands to recover physically from their injuries. The laptops and tablets will allow them to stay connected as they recover in the hospital and at home.
The students of W. Middle School and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School suffered a major tragedy on February 14, 2018. On that day, a gunman opened fire in Douglas High School killing a total of 17 students and staff members and injuring dozens of others. It has been a very difficult time for the Parkland, FL community and the surrounding areas.
The loss of the 17 students and teachers will forever impact the lives of each and every person connected to the school.
The damage done both physically and emotionally was so bad that the 3-story building where most of the deaths occurred is going to be torn down and replaced by a memorial. The students in this situation will need both short-term and long-term support to get through this difficult time in the weeks, months and years to come.
As the middle school directly connected to Douglas High School, W. students, teachers and families have friends, family members and colleagues affected by this tragedy. I lost a student who was in my class last year who died as a hero holding a classroom door open for others to escape when he lost his life.
My Project
Westglades Middle School and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School are two schools connected by more than just location. We are all one Parkland, FL family. Most of the students at the high school attended Westglades Middle and many families have students in both schools. We are requesting items in this grant for the immediate needs of students and families and intend to make a second request for other supplies to support our community in other areas.
In the aftermath of the tragic events of February 14, 2018, our community is rallying around the students, teachers, and families that have been greatly affected, including our students that are still hospitalized and have a long road to recovery.
The laptops, tablets and other technology will allow students that are recovering from their wounds in the hospital and home to stay connected to friends and family while also keeping up with their school work in the long term. One of my current students has a brother that is still hospitalized and is one of many students that will need the ability to access technology. While we will utilize many resources here in our community, we are hoping that this grant will make students' lives a little easier.
In terms of physical rehabilitation, students and staff that suffered injuries will be able to use items like the bands and weighted accessories at home and in the hospital to strengthen their bodies. Many of those injured will have a long road to recovery including physical rehabilitation. In an effort to make the process easier, the fitness items will hopefully enable the injured to recover as soon as possible.
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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 Mr. B. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.