You're on track to get doubled donations (and unlock a reward for the colleague who referred you). Keep up the great work!
Take credit for your charitable giving! Check out your tax receipts
Donate
To use your $50 gift card credits, find a project to fund and we'll automatically apply your credits at checkout. Find a classroom project
Skip to main content

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

Your school email address was successfully verified.

This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Castillo from Lakeland, FL is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Castillo is requesting

Nurture Our Ideas

My students need soil and seeds, but also tools like shovels (trowels), transplanters, watering cans, gloves, and a soil analyzer.

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Castillo's classroom raised $500

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

"I am somebody. I was somebody when I came here. I am strong and powerful. I deserve the education that I get here." We start every morning reciting these words because I believe my students should know that they are capable of more than they might think, and that others believe in them.

I teach 18 amazing third graders, but the gardening club, will have a school-wide impact, as it will include more than half of the students at Jesse Keen Elementary.

Gardening is an activity that grows with students, and all classes in Grades 3-5 will be participating in unique ways. Our students come from disadvantaged backgrounds, with 97% receiving free lunch and breakfast. Even so, these students are relentless in their academic pursuits, passionate about learning, and determined to do their best at all times. As a Title 1 school reeling from recent funding cuts, we do not have a budget for anything beyond basic classroom supplies. Many students are below grade level in math and reading or in the ESOL program. Students rarely have the opportunity to engage in enrichment activities, or learn by doing experiments that require many additional materials. However, I strongly believe that hands-on learning is an important part of science and math education, especially for ESOL students.

My Project

We'll need seeds, soil, shovels, watering cans, gloves, and a soil analyzer. These materials will help start Gardening Club. Students will learn how to prepare for planting seeds, and how to maintain a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Participating throughout the year, students will be able to develop a passion for gardening, gain math skills and have first hand experience with science concepts. The garden allows students to follow-up with these real-world experiments in ways that supplement what we're learning in the classroom. Students will also be empowered by growing and caring for these plants themselves. The garden will allow students to take pride in their accomplishments, and give them an opportunity to invest in their school and community. Additionally, they will learn about nurturing themselves and our garden. Whether it's schoolwork or personal relationships, the process of gardening will teach students valuable skills that transfer to other parts of life

Donations to this project will help our students master important concepts in core subject areas (i.e.

math and science), and provide an opportunity to learn about other topics like nutrition and the environment. Gardening Club will provide an enrichment activity and bring together our community. Uniting 3-5 grade students in our school in pursuit of a common goal encourages the students to relate to others and the world around them in a positive way.

Ms. Castillo Jesse Keen Elementary School Grades 3-5

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.

Lakeland, FL 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

296 students impacted 12donors

Boost your odds

Add a profile photo in addition to your classroom photo. If you add a photo, it'll show up right here on your project page.

You are more likely to receive funding if you put a face to your name.

Upload a photo

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

You donate directly to the teacher or project you care about and see where every dollar you give goes.

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

See our finances

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

You can start a project with the same resources being requested here!

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Garden Soil, 1.5 Cubic Feet • Amazon $7.59 20 $151.80
G & F 1823-3 "Just For Kids" Soft Jersey Kids Gloves, 3 Pairs Green/Red/Blue per Pack, Kids Size • Amazon $8.47 10 $84.70
Fiskars 3 Piece Softouch Garden Tool Set (7067) • Amazon $15.76 5 $78.80
Organic Heirloom Preppers Pack Special Non-gmo Non-hybrid 36,666 Seeds Free Bonus 61 Varieties Twice The Seeds As Any Competitor All Seeds Are Vegan • Amazon $34.98 1 $34.98
Soil Analyzer • Nasco $21.50 1 $21.50
Panacea 84830 Metal Traditional Painted Watering Can, 4-Liter or 1-Gallon, Colors may Vary • Amazon $14.99 1 $14.99

Materials cost

$386.77

Vendor shipping charges

 $2.15

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$5.80

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$424.72

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$74.95

Total project goal

$499.67

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $499.67

10 Donors

-$345.84

Donations toward project cost

-$301.47

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$44.37

match offer

-$145.00

Match offer toward project cost

-$123.25

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$21.75

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$8.83

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

View complete list Show less

Give the most requested basic supplies

See teacher requests

Give back to your community

Find opportunities to impact local needs by exploring a map of classroom projects near you.

See local area

Project Activity

Project Activity
Back to top

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. Castillo and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

See how DonorsChoose works
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"FL","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":2,"name":"Elementary School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":0,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/nurture-our-ideas/1316147/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":296,"isEquityFocusV1":true,"teacherScreenName":"Ms. Castillo","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"-291398346","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":100.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":true,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Lakeland","teachersOnPage":[2479663],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":1316147,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":46966,"schoolName":"Jesse Keen Elementary School","authorIds":{"2479663":{"owner":"Ms. Castillo","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":1.0,"proposalsOnPage":[1316147],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherHasProfilePhoto":false,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":21,"teacherChallengeId":20459681,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":["MjU0MDMyNA==","MjUzODgyNg==","MjU0MjE2Mw==","MjMyNDA2MA==","MjUzOTI4Nw==","MjUzOTI4OQ==","MjU0MTM3Nw==","MjUzNTg3NA==","MjUzNzUxMA==","MjUzODg3MA==","MjE3MjE2Nw=="],"teacherId":2479663,"schoolCounty":"Polk","fullyFunded":true,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"FL","name":"Florida"}}