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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Jones from Williamsburg, VA is requesting other through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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We're Ready To Dance But What Will We Wear?

My students need 12 dance costumes for their end of the year performance.

  • $750 goal

This project expired on April 24, 2012.

This project expired on April 24, 2012.

Classroom photo
Mrs. Jones Matthew Whaley Elementary School
Williamsburg, VA Grades 3-5

My Students

Ella Fitzgerald. Pearl Bailey. The Carter family. Bruce Hornsby. Mr. Bojangles. What do all of these famous performers have in common? They are all performers who call our state "home." And this year, in fourth grade music class, my students will be learning about their musical heritage.

Approximately 45% of our students this year qualify for free or reduced lunch;we have an increasing number of homeless students as well as students for whom English is their second language.

In addition to being the music teacher for 480 students in grades k-5, I sponsor a grant-funded,after-school ballet program for 24 children in grades 3-5. For these children, taking dance classes at a ballet academy is just a dream, but thanks to the generosity of grant providers, since 2008 we have been able to make this dream of dancing a reality. In partnership with a local ballet academy and our local health foundation, we are able to provide 25 weeks of ballet instruction,once a week for an hour,with professional ballet teachers; bus ride home; healthy snack; and field trip tickets to see a professional ballet. In addition, a local ballet academy provides a scholarship each year to one student who shows exceptional dance potential,for a year's worth of ballet classes, valued at $900!

My Project

In the spring, the children perform for the student body and their parents. Costumes are usually provided for this performance. However, this year, we have only been able to raise about half the money needed for this program. We have been able to pay for everything else so far, but there is no money for costumes for the spring performance. For the fourth grade members of this ballet program, their entire grade level will be performing music from and about Virginia and Virginians in June. They will be sharing the music that they have studied this year in their weekly music class, such as Native American music and dance, using drums from previous DonorsChoose grants; playing Virginia folksongs on their recorders; singing folksongs from Virginia such as the Ballad of John Henry and Shenandoah; playing folksongs such as Frog Went A-Courting on the guitars that DonorsChoose grants provided; dancing the Virginia Reel; and singing songs made famous by Ella Fitzgerald and Pearl Bailey.

These children have worked since October, learning the fundamentals of ballet in preparation for this performance in June.

Costumes from colonial times for the children who will be playing instruments or doing folk dance are easily improvised. For the 12 fourth grade members of the ballet class, it would be thrilling to have a special costume to wear for their dance. Many of these children get their clothing at thrift stores. A new costume would make their dance both magical and memorable.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More than half of students from low‑income households

12 students impacted
Mrs. Jones Matthew Whaley Elementary School Grades 3-5

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Williamsburg, VA 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

12 students impacted

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
La La Land • Revolution Dancewear $44.99 12 $539.88

Materials cost

$539.88

Vendor shipping charges

 $53.98

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$8.10

Fulfillment labor & materials

$35.00

Total project cost

$636.96

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$112.40

Total project goal

$749.36

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

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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 Mrs. Jones and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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