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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Tjapkes from Muskegon, MI is requesting materials related to food, clothing & hygiene through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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It All Started with a Thieving Mouse...

Help me give my students the experience of a class pet! Please donate to assist us in purchasing the necessary items to properly care for a chinchilla.

$712 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

My Project

I am requesting items to properly care for a chinchilla. I expected screams and disgusted faces from my 11th graders, but the reality was far from it! Kids now clamor around my aquarium hoping to catch just a glimpse of the tiny life now inside.

About a month ago, I opened my candy drawer to find a speedy little surprise diving quickly beneath my stash of Snickers.

My students heard my mumbling about ruined candy as I tied off the grocery bag and tossed the whole thing into the empty glass tank. I could barely finish my e-mail requesting "custodial removal of the rodent" due to the students' sudden eruptive interest!

My melancholy scholars, who have perpetually kept their heads down and their voices to themselves, were suddenly up asking questions and begging to see the small creature. Some students have collaborated to create a painted cardboard house for the mouse. Another student contributes a cracker every day from his own lunch because he wants the mouse to be well-fed. I was shocked! I thought, "This is all it takes to expose their suppressed personalities?"

Ever since the pandemic, when our school was closed and we went virtual for over a year, more and more of our scholars have turned inward to manage their stress. They hide under hoodies and communicate mostly through technology. It's not to say they won't warm up to the real world eventually, but the sooner I can "wake them up" the better.

If a wild mouse can cause such a stir, imagine what a cuddly, super soft Chinchilla that one would actually hold and pet, could do to help comfort these students? Since rescuing our little mouse, they have gone from endless days of "meh" to truly looking forward to something. Please help me in my quest to replace the mouse with a proper classroom pet.

Project tagged as

Muskegon, MI
Grades 9-12
Mental Health
Science
Traditional School
Food, Clothing & Hygiene
Nearly all students from low‑income households

Ms. Tjapkes Muskegon Senior High School Grades 9-12

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Ms. Tjapkes

Muskegon, MI View local requests

Nearly all 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

150 students impacted 15donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total

MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Critter Nation Double Unit Small Animal Cage (Model 162) • Amazon Business $319.99 1 $319.99

Ferret Nation & Critter Nation Accessories Kit, Designer Diamond Print, Kit 2 • Amazon Business $52.15 2 $104.30

Oxbow Essentials Chinchilla Food - All Natural Chinchilla Food - 10 lb. • Amazon Business $25.99 1 $25.99

CYS EXCEL Glass Slant Cut Bubble Bowl (H-7" W-7.5") | Multiple Size Choices Slanted Globe Bowl Terrarium | Round Flower Vase Centerpiece • Amazon Business $23.99 1 $23.99

Ware Manufacturing Hay Rack, Assorted Colors • Amazon Business $22.93 1 $22.93

Vannon Top Fill Small Animal Water Bottles for Crate No Drip BPA Free Water Dispenser for Rabbit, Chinchilla, Ferret, Guinea Pigs, Squirrel, Hedgehog • Amazon Business $18.89 1 $18.89

Chinchilla Wooden Platform Set, Chinchilla Cage Platform with Feeding Bowl, Small Animals Cage Accessories for Chinchilla Squirrel Gerbil Suger Glider Hamsters (Feeding Platform + Small Platform) • Amazon Business $15.95 1 $15.95

Kaytee Chinchilla All Natural Dusting Powder, 2.5 lb • Amazon Business $11.99 1 $11.99

Oxbow Animal Health Western Timothy Hay, 40 Oz • Amazon Business $11.47 1 $11.47

Kaytee Chinchilla Hut • Amazon Business $10.66 1 $10.66

Materials cost			$566.16
Vendor shipping charges			FREE
Sales tax			$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee			$8.49
Fulfillment labor & materials			$30.00
Total project cost			$604.65
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$106.70
Total project goal			$711.35
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal			$711.35
11 Donors			-$656.94
Donations toward project cost			-$562.15
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$94.79
match offer			-$50.00
Match offer toward project cost			-$42.50
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$7.50
Excluded support for DonorsChoose			-$4.41
Still needed View calculation Hide calculation			$0.00

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

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Project Activity

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. Tjapkes and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

This teacher needs your help!

It All Started with a Thieving Mouse...

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Give this project a boost!

My Project

Project tagged as

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

More about Ms. Tjapkes

Boost your odds

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

How we calculate what's needed

Give the most requested basic supplies

Give back to your community

Project Activity

Project Activity

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.