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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Melissa from Oakland, CA is requesting classroom basics through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Fully Funded

Ms. Melissa's classroom raised $608

Top It Off: Graduation Caps for 8th Graders!

Help me give my students Graduation caps for every member of our current 8th grade class and backup caps for future graduating students, in case of limited funding in years to come.

This project expired on August 9, 2025.

Ms. Melissa Frick United Academy of Language

Oakland, CA Grades 6-8

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

Graduation is more than just a milestone—it’s a celebration of perseverance, pride, and progress. Our 8th grade students have worked incredibly hard to get to this moment, often overcoming challenges far beyond the classroom. Many are the first in their families to graduate middle school, and this ceremony means everything to them and their loved ones.

Unfortunately, due to budget limitations, our school is not able to provide graduation caps for the class.

That’s why I’m asking for your help—to make sure every student gets to wear a cap as they walk across the stage, celebrating all they’ve accomplished.

The graduation cap is more than just a tradition—it’s a symbol of achievement. It gives students that moment where they feel recognized, respected, and proud. For students who’ve worked hard all year—and often overcome more than we know—it’s a way of saying: You did it. And you deserve to be celebrated.

These caps help make the ceremony feel real and meaningful. And when students see each other in matching caps, it reinforces a sense of unity and pride in their shared success.

This project is entirely focused on graduation caps, regardless of the outcome of any other projects we may have posted. Whether or not our other campaign for caps and sashes is fully funded, these caps will absolutely be used for this year’s 8th grade graduation—or saved and used for future graduating classes.

This ensures that, no matter what, our students will have a dignified, beautiful graduation experience with at least the most important and recognizable symbol: the cap.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Nearly all students from low‑income households

200 students impacted 1 donor

Project tagged as

Oakland, CA
Grades 6-8
Clubs & Activities
College & Career Prep
Traditional School
Classroom Basics
Nearly all students from low‑income households

Ms. Melissa Frick United Academy of Language Grades 6-8

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Oakland, CA View local requests

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

200 students impacted 1donor

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total

Hanaive 20 Pcs Black Graduation Cap 2025 Graduation Hat with Tassel Adult Sublimation Cap Bulk Elastic Brim Matte Adjustable for Men Women Bachelor Master College High School Ceremony • Amazon Business $43.99 10 $439.90

Materials cost			$439.90
Vendor shipping charges			FREE
Sales tax			$40.25
3rd party payment processing fee			$6.60
Fulfillment labor & materials			$30.00
Total project cost			$516.75
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$91.19
Total project goal			$607.94
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal			$607.94
1 Donor			-$607.94
Donations toward project cost			-$516.75
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$91.19
Still needed View calculation Hide calculation			$0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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Project Activity

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. Melissa and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

This teacher needs your help!

Top It Off: Graduation Caps for 8th Graders!

This project expired on August 9, 2025.

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

My Project

Project tagged as

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Boost your odds

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

How we calculate what's needed

Project Activity

Project Activity

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.