Help me give my students planting tools and equipment to connect to nature.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Blanca's classroom raised $870
This project is fully funded
Celebrating 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 Project
The Rooted Club (Raíce) is a weekly mentorship program designed to empower newcomer high school students of Castlemont by helping them connect with nature, grow in community, and build leadership skills. The goal of this club is to provided the tools -both literal and emotional—to nurture a sense of belonging and purpose in their new environment and remind our students that they are not alone. Supplies needed such as soil, grow lights, pots, shovels, and potting mats are all needed to give these newly arrived students the access to grow together.
Through hands-on activities like planting, gardening, and working with their hands, students find a calming and healing space that encourages reflection, emotional regulation, and connection.
These moments in community reduce stress and create a sense of stability, which is especially important for students navigating the challenges of a new country, language, and school system. It also acts as a bridge for students who are familiar with working with their hands in their home country and now being able to implement their knowledge in a school setting.
We want our Newcomer students to have confidence in themselves and have a sense of ownership as they begin to see themselves as integral members of a growing community. One of the key goals of Raíce is to develop students into mentors for incoming 9th graders. Through this leadership pathway, students learn how to support others, lead by example, and speak with empathy and authority. By guiding younger peers, they recognize their own growth and the value of their journey—becoming the roots that support others in taking root themselves.
In Raíce, newcomer students don't just grow plants—they grow as individuals, leaders, and dreamers rooted in resilience, community, and care.
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
Seed Starter Tray with T8 Grow Light, Seedling Heat Tray Mini Greenhouse with 15'' Humidity Domes and Height Extension, Plant Sprouting Germination Propagation Kit Indoor Gardening Supplies
• Amazon Business
$47.99
1
$47.99
GooingTop LED Grow Light,6000K Full Spectrum Clip Plant Growing Lamp with White Red LEDs for Indoor Plants,5-Level Dimmable,Auto On Off Timing 4 8 12Hrs
• Amazon Business
$23.99
2
$47.98
Plant Repotting Mat for Indoor Plants Transplanting Table Top Gardener Portable Potting Tray Potting Soil Tidy Tray Succulents Bonsai Planting Gardening Mat Garden Gifts for Women 29.5"x29.5"
• Amazon Business
$11.35
4
$45.40
D'vine Dev Pack of 6 Terracotta Pots with Saucers, 4 Inches Terra Cotta Pots with Tray, Clay Pots for Plants & Succulents, Terracotta, 588-A-1-4
• Amazon Business
$21.99
2
$43.98
FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil, 12qt – Light, Aerated Texture, Designed for All Container Plants – pH Adjusted for Optimal Nutrient Uptake, Effectively Retains Moisture (12 Quart)
• Amazon Business
$21.99
2
$43.98
WandaQueen 36 Packs 6.5/5/4/3.5 Inch Reinforced Clear Nursery Pots with Drainage Hole, Variety Pack High Transparency Plastic Seedling Plant Pot with 20 Labels
• Amazon Business
$21.99
2
$43.98
FoxFarm Fertilizer Soil Trio Liquid Nutrient: Tiger Bloom, Grow Big, Big Bloom Bottles - (Pack of 3-1 Pint)
• Amazon Business
$39.99
1
$39.99
yadoker Ceiling Grow Light for Indoor Plants, 72 LEDs Full Spectrum Halo Plant Light, 5V Safe Voltage Growing Lamp with 8/12/16H Auto Timer, 10 Level Dimmable, Ideal for Small Plants
• Amazon Business
$19.99
2
$39.98
Cuayaes Garden Trowel Hand Shovel, Small Gardening Tools Aluminum Heavy Duty Garden Spade with Ergonomic Handle for Digging, Weeding, Planting, Transplanting
• Amazon Business
$5.99
5
$29.95
yadoker Halo Plant Grow Light,yadoker LED Growing Light Full Spectrum for Indoor Plants,Height Adjustable, Automatic Timer, 5V Low Safe Voltage,Idea for Small Plants
• Amazon Business
$14.39
2
$28.78
Propagation Stations Desktop Air Plant Terrarium with Wooden Stand, Retro Plant Propagation Bulb Vases for Hydroponic Plants Cutting Flower, Glass Planters Home Office Patio Decor Gifts for Woman
• Amazon Business
$14.23
2
$28.46
Orchiata Orchid Bark | Orchid Bark for Plants 100% Pure New Zealand Pinus Radiata | Classic ¼” to ⅜” Organic Potting Orchid Bark for Aeration and Longevity
• Amazon Business
$24.99
1
$24.99
WAURHER Leca Expanded Clay Pebbles 10LBS Grow Media for Indoor Plants Hydroponic Growing Gardening System Supplies …
• Amazon Business
$23.39
1
$23.39
KAXYEW Plant Propagation Station, Plant Propagation Tubes, Gifts for Plant Lovers, Plants Cutting Holder Office Desk Garden Décor Gifts for Her Mom Women Hydroponic Vase Gift Box
• Amazon Business
$10.99
2
$21.98
Miracle-Gro Perlite, Enriched with Plant Food, Improves Drainage and Aeration in Potting Mixes, For Container Plants, 8 qt., 3-Pack
• Amazon Business
$18.99
1
$18.99
Nuogo 24 Pairs Gardening Gloves for Men Women Rubber Coated Work Gloves Garden Gloves Safety Work Gloves Construction Gloves
• Amazon Business
$18.99
1
$18.99
CFMOUR Plant Terrarium with Wooden Stand, Desktop Propagation Stations Glass Air Planter Metal Swivel Holder for Indoor Live Hydroponics Plants Office Home Garden Decor (5 Bulb Vase)
• Amazon Business
$16.99
1
$16.99
11Pcs Succulent Tools,Mini Garden Tools,Succulent Watering Tool as Plant Accessories,Succulent Gardending Hand Tools Kit for Seedling Soil,Caring Succulent,Houseplant,Gifts for Woman (No Flowerpot)
• Amazon Business
$12.99
1
$12.99
Isopropyl Alcohol 91% 16 oz
• Carolina Biological Supply Company
$5.94
1
$5.94
Materials cost
$639.81
Vendor shipping charges
$0.77
Sales tax
$58.54
3rd party payment processing fee
$9.60
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$738.72
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$130.36
Total project goal
$869.08
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$869.08
7 Donors
-$755.69
Donations toward project cost
-$645.34
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$110.35
Matching donations from our partners
-$109.85
Match offers toward project cost
-$93.37
Match offers 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 Ms. Blanca and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
