I love that students choose to come to our charter school for various reasons. Some students have been bullied in their previous school. Some students have experienced a long list of failures and have lost their passion for learning.
Some students have anxiety and the large school setting causes them to not want to go to school.
When they come to DREAM, they are given a fresh start. They are welcomed into our caring, safe and supportive culture where everyone is included, valued and accepted. With this being said, it takes time for students to trust again and to feel safe again. It takes time to "unschool" from everything they have ever been taught about traditional school and to realize, we value them as a human first and we value their voice. We come along side and "build them back up again!"
My Project
Our school just decided to go to distance learning due to the alarming number of COVID cases in our county. I am saddened that during this most difficult time of the year for some of our students, I won't be able to see them in person and support them as their school social worker.
I want to put together Calm Kits for our students and deliver them to their homes.
The Calm Kits will contain items the students can make at home such as slime or putty to help relieve anxiety or other sensory items they can use when life gets overwhelming.
The tactile sensation of playing with slime can serve as a temporary distraction from a person's emotions and stress, which helps them to take a break and regroup, so they are better equipped to handle their stressors.
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. Knick and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.