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This teacher needs your help!

Mr. Ray from Tulsa, OK is requesting musical instruments through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Tulsa Public: African Drum Circle

Help me give my students African drums/ percussion for drum circle ensemble performances.

FULLY FUNDED! Mr. Ray's classroom raised $1,352

This project is fully funded

My Students

"We all are blind until we see that in the human plan

Nothing is worth the making if

It does not make the man.

Why build these cities glorious if man unbuilded goes?

In vain we build the world, unless the builder also grows."

-Edwin Markham

Established in 1906, this school is the oldest high school in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This school is part of the Tulsa Public Schools, Oklahoma's largest school district, and serves students in grades 6 through 12. Since 1997, it has served as a fine and performing arts magnet school.

We currently serve an extremely diverse student population of around 500 individuals. Over 88 percent of these students would be considered economically disadvantaged. This is a school where expression is not just important; it is LIFE-SAVING. Help continue the arts to enable the expression of kids who otherwise have NO power or control in their lives.

My Project

My high school students walk in my room tired, bored, and often angry/upset. At the same time, many of them have headphones in as they enter, listening to rap, trap, hip-hop, R&B...they absorb these dense rhythmic music and therefore has a vast inner library of aural rhythmic comprehension. Acknowledging that I decided to engage that strength of theirs by purchasing African drums for an improvisatory drum circle. So far it’s gone SO well.

As my students begin to touch and hit the drum, I watch them relieving stress and difficult emotions.

They engage deeply with these drums, voicing their life frustrations, expressing their condition. It is extremely captivating and therapeutic for them. Since I started this, my class attendance has been higher than ever. Which of course means I’ll need more then 6 drums now. These are good problems but for now, unfortunate.

Project tagged as

Tulsa, OK
Grades 6-8
Music
Performing Arts
Traditional School
Musical Instruments
Distance Learning
Nearly all students from low‑income households

Mr. Ray Central High School Grades 6-8

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

Equity Focus

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Tulsa, OK 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

70 students impacted 2donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total

Kente Cloth Dundun with Sticks • Woodwind and Brasswind $274.99 2 $549.98

CP by LP 9" and 10" Conga Set With Double Conga Stand & Free Bongos • Woodwind and Brasswind $299.99 1 $299.99

Rhythm Set 15-Piece • Woodwind and Brasswind $169.99 1 $169.99

Materials cost			$1,019.96
Vendor shipping charges			FREE
Sales tax			$83.13
3rd party payment processing fee			$15.30
Fulfillment labor & materials			$30.00
Total project cost			$1,148.39
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$202.66
Total project goal			$1,351.05
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal			$1,351.05
1 Donor			-$574.20
Donations toward project cost			-$574.20
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$0.00
match offer			-$675.52
Match offer toward project cost			-$574.19
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$101.33
Excluded support for DonorsChoose			-$101.33
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

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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 Mr. Ray 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!

Tulsa Public: African Drum Circle

This project is fully funded

My Students

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.

Equity Focus

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

Give the most requested basic supplies

Give back to your community

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.