This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Many of our students come from families who have lots of children, very limited resources and have been confined to the city limits. Sometimes our students are the first to attend college in their family. I want to make their experience in their school years the best it could be.
It brings such joy to watch my students grow up and fulfill their dreams; They are positive, funny and kind-they lift each other up and help to teach their teachers quite a bit about life as well.
My resilient and amazing students show up at school every day, regardless of what is happening at home and in their neighborhoods, to excel in science and history, to rejoice in friendships they are making and learn life long skills to enable them to "fly". My students, ranging from 11-18, are a group of hard-working, talented kids that are striving to live their best possible life and grow up to be successful and happy adults.
My Project
We have 280 students in our school that share two water fountains. This means that the water fountains become student hang out spots. If students spend an increased amount of time outside of their assigned classroom, they are ultimately disengaged from learning. Students that are present in the classroom, listening to their teacher with a water bottle next to them, will have no need to interrupt their learning to seek resources outside the classroom to fill basic needs. This will ultimately lead to increased student engagement within the classroom. With individual water bottles, the students can fill up once or twice throughout their day and remain in a class all while staying hydrated.
Research shows that when a person is not properly hydrated, the effects can be felt in the brain as symptoms like headaches, poor concentration, and reduced short-term memory.
The ability to perform arithmetic and the rapidity of your psychomotor skills can be reduced. This is due to the fact that dehydration causes the level of energy production in the brain to decrease. Many of my students struggle upon arrival to school-dehydrated and hungry-focusing on classwork is difficult to do. My project is geared towards meeting the individual student's basic needs. If comfort and basic needs are fulfilled, then they will be more engaged in learning while they are in school. I believe that enabling them to carry a water bottle will promote hydration and prevent many disengaged students to continue down this path and ultimately become more engaged in the classroom.
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. Braglia and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
