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
Imagine coming to school with zero art supplies. Then imagine that your art program is closed and your teacher has zero art supplies. This is what is happening in our school.
We are a part of the Philadelphia School District.
We are a Title I school. "Title I, formerly known as Chapter 1, is part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and is the foundation of the federal commitment to closing the achievement gap between low-income and other students. " Our school has an enrollment a little over 800 students. Of those 800 students, 97.6% of these students are listed as economically disadvantaged. In this neighborhood, the majority of our students' parents are just trying to make ends meet financially. Many of these parents are unable to pay for their utilities let alone send their child to school with sharpened pencils or copybooks.
My Project
As a teacher, I am given a $100 dollar allotment for the school year. I am allowed to use this for any supplies that I would need to ensure that learning can take place. Unfortunately, I always end up spending this allotment on supplies for my students. They do not have what they need to be successful learners, through no fault of their own. With the growing concerns over the Philadelphia School District's budget crisis, I am terrified what the next school year will bring. I am expected to purchase all of these supplies or not use the resources I have been given. Being a new parent myself, I am unable to continue the path of spending personal funds and I am terrified by what the next school year will bring. It shouldn't be like this.
These art supplies that include crayons, markers, glue sticks and construction paper would provide my students the opportunity to deepen their learning through art. It would allow me to use my allotment for the very things that would take their education to a new level. We desperately need the help.
As a teacher, this is the first year that I am absolutely terrified by what next school year will bring.
Our budget is in dire straits and yet we are expected to still provide the best quality of teaching with zero resources.
Please help the students in my classroom.
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
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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 Mrs. O'Neill and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
