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. Tara Nicole Chitwood from Van Buren, MO is requesting flexible seating through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Tara Nicole Chitwood is requesting

SPED Calming Room

Help me give my students the 'calm' everyone needs in our new calming room with bean bags, darkening magnetic tiles for the lighting, a room divider, a rug, a star projector, snuggly calming stuffies, snacks, and more.

  • $1,192 goal

This project expired on October 12, 2025.

This project expired on October 12, 2025.

My Project

Our Special Education Department in our small, rural public school is getting a much-needed calming room! Many of our students are autistic and nonverbal, and often experience sensory overload or emotional distress that makes it difficult for them to remain in a traditional classroom setting.

Currently, we lack a designated area where students can safely and calmly regulate their emotions.

When students become overwhelmed, we are unable to offer a consistent, low-stimulation space to help them reset, which impacts their ability to return to the regular classroom. While the room is being built, we’re raising funds to furnish it with sensory and comfort items like bean bags that will provide a comfy place to help self-regulate, soft lighting to help calm our friends, fidget tools/ liquid floor tiles to get their minds moving, and a room divider that will provide privacy. The snacks will be used to help hungry tummies.

This space will make a world of difference for our students — helping them return to class feeling calm, safe, and ready to learn.

Ms. Tara Nicole Chitwood Van Buren 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.

Van Buren, MO View local requests

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

15 students impacted

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. Tara Nicole Chitwood 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
Amazon Basics Large Bean Bag Chairs for Adults, 5 ft Black Memory Foam Filled with Solid Microfiber Cover • Amazon Business $110.99 2 $221.98
Liquid Floor Tiles • Lakeshore Learning Materials $179.00 1 $179.00
Room Divider Portable 132'' Partition Room Dividers and Folding Privacy Screens 6 Panel Wall Divider for Room Separation, Freestanding Fabric Room Divider Panel with Wheels for Home Office Hospital • Amazon Business $119.99 1 $119.99
Bright Autism Calming Sensory Sea Lamp - Night Light Projector for Kids, 7 Light Modes, Color Changing Music Player, Nature Relaxation Sounds • Amazon Business $41.57 1 $41.57
Calming Cuddle Ball • Lakeshore Learning Materials $39.99 1 $39.99
Time Timer MOD, Charcoal - Silicone - Teacher-Parent Resources - Adult • School Specialty $35.24 1 $35.24
ROCEEI 8 Pcs 4 x 2 Feet Fluorescent Light Covers Magnetic for Ceiling Office for Ceiling Lights Classroom Office Magnetic Light Covers(Night Sky) • Amazon Business $34.99 1 $34.99
Desert Sun Snacks Variety Pack For Adults & Kids Snack - Premium School Snacks Gift Treat Basket of 50 Individually Wrapped Assorted Care Packages Christmas Treats Gift Bulk Box of Cookies Crackers Granola Bars - Military Care Packs Office Basket Kid Birthday Boxes College Students Munchies Mix I... • Amazon Business $34.52 1 $34.52
6 Pack Plastic Clipboard with Storage, IKAYAS Heavy Duty 9.5 x 13.8 Inch Translucent Metal Storage Clipboard Paperboard Nursing Clipboard for Classroom, Office, School, Hospital • Amazon Business $31.79 1 $31.79
Flagship Carpets Take A Break Childrens Time Clock Classroom Entryway or Home Door Mat or Small Area Rug, 30" x 30", Black • Amazon Business $30.06 1 $30.06
Fruit Bars Snack Gift Box (20 Pack) - 100% Natural, Gluten-Free, Vegan Fruit Snacks Variety Pack • Amazon Business $29.99 1 $29.99
hand2mind Sensory Fidget Tubes, Calming Toys for Kids, Occupational Therapy Toys, Play Therapy, Stress Relief Toy, Comfort Items for Anxiety, Calm Down Corner Supplies (Set of 4) • Amazon Business $26.99 1 $26.99
Tuanse 2 Packs LED Fiber Optic Lamp Color Changing Fiber Optic Centerpiece with Crystal Base Battery Powered Glitter Lights 13.5 Inch Calming Sensory Light for Table Home Decor, Remote Control • Amazon Business $25.99 1 $25.99
Yocada Carpet Sweeper Cleaner for Home Office Low&Undercoat Carpets Rugs Pet Hair Dust Scraps Paper Small Rubbish Cleaning with a Brush • Amazon Business $23.39 1 $23.39
SPARK & WOW Calm Down Threading Boards | Set of 2 | Sensory Board for Calming Corner | Social Emotional Learning Activities | Occupational Therapy Toys • Amazon Business $17.99 1 $17.99
My Body Sends a Signal: Helping Kids Recognize Emotions & Express Feelings - Resilient Kids (social emotional learning paperback; calming corner) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $16.00 1 $16.00
5 PCS Marble Maze Mat Autism Game,Sensory Fidget Stress Relief Toys for Kids ADHD Special Needs,Tactile Sensory Mat Calming Toys for Adults Teens • Amazon Business $13.99 1 $13.99
It's Okay To Not Be Okay: A Rhyming Read Aloud Story for Children About Feelings of Sadness and Loneliness (Social Emotional Learning Toolbox - Therapists, Educators, and Parents) • Amazon Business $12.91 1 $12.91
Just Now I Feel Angry: A Kids Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Book about Anger and Frustration Feelings Awareness, Self-Management, Mindfulness and ... (Feeling Big Emotions Picture Books) • Amazon Business $10.39 1 $10.39
Good Vibes Coloring Book For Teens: A Motivational and Calming Quotes Coloring Book For Teenagers With Positive Sayings and Inspirational Affirmations for Relaxing and Building Confidence • Amazon Business $6.95 1 $6.95

Materials cost

$953.72

Vendor shipping charges

 $14.47

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$14.31

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$1,012.50

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$178.68

Total project goal

$1,191.18

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. Tara Nicole Chitwood and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

See how DonorsChoose works
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"MO","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":2,"name":"Elementary School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":1192,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/sped-calming-room/9413380/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":15,"isEquityFocusV1":false,"teacherScreenName":"Ms. Tara Nicole Chitwood","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"-1982680639","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":0.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Van Buren","teachersOnPage":[9866469],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":9413380,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":76635,"schoolName":"Van Buren Elementary School","authorIds":{"9866469":{"owner":"Ms. Tara Nicole Chitwood","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":0.0,"proposalsOnPage":[9413380],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherHasProfilePhoto":false,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":23,"teacherChallengeId":22447142,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":9866469,"schoolCounty":"Carter","fullyFunded":false,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"MO","name":"Missouri"}}