As this school year winds down, I’m already preparing for the next one. My high school English Language Learners (ELLs) come with big goals and even bigger determination, but they need the right tools to succeed from day one. Unfortunately, summer donations often arrive too late, leaving us scrambling when school begins.
“A good beginning makes a good ending.” — English Proverb
Having basic supplies like a reliable pencil sharpener, composition books, and poster paper lets us dive into learning immediately. These aren’t just classroom staples—they’re key to building literacy. Composition books are used daily for interactive notebooks, where students collect vocabulary, write responses, and practice grammar. Poster paper helps students create visual word walls, illustrated timelines, and group projects that support their English development. A working pencil sharpener might seem small, but it keeps the class moving and avoids lost learning time. These supplies give my low-literacy ELL students the structure, visuals, and tools they need to build confidence and language skills.
Please consider donating now so we can begin the school year prepared and ready to grow together.
More than half 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
Oxford Composition Notebooks, Wide Ruled Paper, 9-3/4" x 7-1/2", Assorted Marble Covers, 100 Sheets, 12 per Pack, Colors May Vary (63794)
• Amazon Business
$15.98
6
$95.88
Zmol Electric Pencil Sharpener, Heavy Duty Pencil Sharpener for Colored Pencils, Auto Stop for UL Listed Professional Pencil Sharpener, Super Sharp & Fast, Pencil Sharpener Plug in for 6.5-8 mm No. 2
• Amazon Business
$23.00
1
$23.00
Prang Medium Weight Construction Paper - White, 12" x 18", Pkg of 50 Sheets
• Blick Art Materials
$3.01
6
$18.06
Materials cost
$136.94
Vendor shipping charges
$9.95
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$2.05
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$178.94
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$31.58
Total project goal
$210.52
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$210.52
3 Donors
-$210.52
Donations toward project cost
-$178.94
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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 Mrs. Preston and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"VA","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":4,"name":"High School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":0,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/prepping-for-success/9269325/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":80,"isEquityFocusV1":true,"teacherScreenName":"Mrs. Preston","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"1573117885","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":100.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Alexandria","teachersOnPage":[4607],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":9269325,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":3,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":34666,"schoolName":"Alexandria City High School","authorIds":{"4607":{"owner":"Mrs. Preston","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":1.0,"proposalsOnPage":[9269325],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4607_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1510611246709","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":21,"teacherChallengeId":46795,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":{"completingDonationAmount":261,"proposalURL":"project/quill-parchment-unlocking-magical-nar/9886772/","proposalTitle":"Quill & Parchment: Unlocking Magical Narratives with Harry Potter","proposalId":9886772},"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":4607,"schoolCounty":"Alexandria City","fullyFunded":true,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"VA","name":"Virginia"}}
