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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Cusick from Dorchester, MA is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Cusick is requesting

Lending Library for Prekindergarten!

Help me give my students an organized classroom lending library of books they can take between school and home.

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Cusick's classroom raised $598

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

As author Neal Gaiman said, "A book is a dream you hold in your hands." Coping with inequity—in the forms of poverty, racism, English language learner status, and trauma, to name but a few—means that some of my prekindergarten students arrive at school facing barriers to enjoying success in early literacy.

The development of reading skills is one of the strongest means of preventing an opportunity gap from becoming an achievement gap.

On a daily basis, my students show all of us how much joy, hope, and goodness there is in the world. They can tell on our class schedule board when read-aloud time takes place—and it is an occasion not to be missed. They participate enthusiastically, chiming in with our favorite stories, requesting repeat readings, and, often, asking if they can take books home.

Their families care deeply and they are highly engaged in their children's education. Some struggle mightily against the odds to help their children survive and thrive. These delightful four-year-olds arrive at school brimming with potential. I am honored to play a role in facilitating their growth as readers, dreamers, leaders, and achievers.

My Project

My project will provide my students with a lending library of age-appropriate, engaging books to share at home. Bags will be rotated weekly. During the school year, I ask students to talk about their books with a grown-up, a sibling, or a pet. I often add paper and ask students to draw about their favorite part of a book. My most enthusiastic readers will even tell and act out parts of the stories they read at home. With the excitement of colorful new books to take home each week, my students will be motivated as they build their early language and literacy skills. Grown-ups should feel empowered as school partners, too. Home lending libraries help increase their connection and engagement with their child's education.

Around the world, one thing that has been shown to be a consistently powerful predictor of academic achievement is a home library.

It is difficult for many of my families to visit public libraries on a regular basis. Putting books directly into my students' hands is the most efficient way to support their reading at home.

Organized routines are crucial for young children and reduce stress for families. Durable tote bags keep the books safe and clean while they are transported between home and school. Sturdy plastic luggage tags will clearly label the contents of each bag. The books chosen are reflective of my BIPOC student population and encompass a range of literacy levels to help all families enjoy books together.

Ms. Cusick William E Russell Elementary School Grades PreK-2

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.

Dorchester, MA View local requests

More than three‑quarters 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

24 students impacted 10donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Classic Board Books for Individual or Classroom Reading - Set of 27 • Kaplan Early Learning Company $179.96 1 $179.96
PP116 - Sort Store Book Totes - Set of 4 • Lakeshore Learning Materials $29.99 6 $179.94
At Home with Diversity and Inclusion Read Along Books - Set of 7 • Kaplan Early Learning Company $49.46 1 $49.46
Ann Morris Books - Set of 6 • Kaplan Early Learning Company $43.16 1 $43.16
MIFFLIN Luggage Tags (Blue, 50 PK), Bag Tag for Baggage, Suitcase Tags Bulk • Amazon Business $17.99 1 $17.99

Materials cost

$470.51

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$7.06

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$507.57

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$89.57

Total project goal

$597.14

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $597.14

10 Donors

-$597.14

Donations toward project cost

-$507.57

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$89.57

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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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. Cusick and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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