The students in my first grade class are interested in science, LEGO, making friends, art and cats. They want to succeed even though there are many forces in this country which fight against their efforts. They speak Amharic, Spanish, German, Mandarin, Somali, Latvian, Portuguese and English.
My students are inquisitive, hilarious, honest, and ambitious people.
More than half of them are living in poverty, and yet they have so much drive to learn. With all of those interests and challenges, our school works hard to know each student's name and need.
My Project
Thirty percent of my first grade class takes home bags of food at the end of each week. I try to supplement this with pencils, paper, crayons, socks, clothes, and extra snacks when I am able to.
As the school year comes to a close I want to ensure that all of my students feel cared for even when I don't see them every day.
This project will support my students who are homeless or are experiencing housing insecurity. A waterproof backpack will help to keep their belongings dry during rainy summer days. First aid kits, strong sunscreen, sensitive wipes, and hand sanitizer will help kiddos stay safe and comfortable. BelVita biscuits are a favorite snack in my classroom! I'm sure they will love them in the summer too.
This year we have spent a considerable amount of time practicing mindfulness. Simple coloring books with colored pencils and a pencil sharpener will give these students a way to calm their minds when they come upon stressful situations.
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. Gabzdyl and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
