My students need to gain the knowledge of how to improve their well-being by learning the practice of mindfulness through breathing, relaxation, and grounding techniques.
I am one of the School Counselors at the largest middle school in a large urban district. We serve more than 730 students and I have seen an increasing level of anxiety among students. A predominant percentage of our students come from low – mid-income families as 60% of the student population is on free/reduced lunch. We are a Title I Focus School, demonstrating a relatively high level of disengagement among our students. Roughly 5% of our students are absent at least once per week and 11% of our students have failed 2 or more classes.
Many of the families we serve rely on what the public education system can offer their children for any and all enrichment opportunities, including mental health support services.
Our students have limited knowledge of how meditation and mindfulness can positively effect their well-being. Scientific research has illustrated that mindfulness improves attention, reduces stress, and results in better emotional regulation. This project will help support our mission to assist students in gaining the knowledge of how to improve their mental health and well-being. It will give them access to simple, yet highly effective coping skills and tools to prepare them for the future.
My Project
Creating a safe and comfortable space where students will be introduced to mindfulness techniques will assist them in re-focusing when experiencing moments of stress and anxiety. Within 5 or 10 minutes of a typical school day, students will have an opportunity to be guided through calming techniques with visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities. The ultimate goal is to promote self-awareness and self-regulation. The Chromebook will allow us to play meditation and calming videos. The supersized bean bag chairs, stress balls, waterfall, sound machine and other stress relievers coupled with area rugs and other soothing materials in this request are designed to welcome and invite the students, showing them we care deeply about their experience here at RMS. This safe and comfortable place where they can refocus, reflect, and regroup will allow them to return to their classrooms reengaged and ready to learn.
Currently, as you can see from the picture, our guidance workspace for students is cluttered with a large table and chairs for meetings.
I plan on transforming that area into a comfortable space, using bean bag chairs, an "ocean wave" area rug, soothing sounds of nature, and a water fountain. Once comfortable, students will partake in different stress reducing exercises including selecting from a stack of mindfulness & meditation cards, squeezing a stress ball or handling a fidget gadget.
Our school is committed to promoting a safe, nurturing environment that is responsive to the social, emotional, and intellectual needs of each adolescent student. Equipping students with coping tools to achieve improved mental health and well-being is my mission! It is also my hope that helping kids gain tools for stress management at an early age will transfer into young adulthood and beyond.
Supersized Bean Bag Chair in Steel Grey - New Bean bags Big Soft Comfort Cover with Memory Foam Filler - Cozy Lounger & Bed - Kids & Teens Love This Huge Sack - Indoor Furniture by Panda Sleep
• Amazon Business
$64.00
6
$384.00
HP Chromebook 14-ak050nr 14-Inch Laptop (Intel Celeron, 4 GB RAM, 16 GB eMMC)
• Amazon Business
$239.99
1
$239.99
Emoji Stress Balls By YoYa Toys - DNA Molecule Squeezing Stress Relief & Fidget Toy - 3 Different Popular Smiley Face - Risk-Free Sensory Toys For Autism, ADHD, Bad Habits & More - Pack of 3
• Amazon Business
$12.97
15
$194.55
Major-Q Decoration Feng shui Rock Like Waterfall Fountain with LED Light (161148-20inch-Tall)
• Amazon Business
$130.50
1
$130.50
16 Pack Relieves Stress and Increase Focus Bundle Sensory Toys-Fidget Chain/Cube/Infinity Magic Cube/Liquid Motion Timer/Squeeze Bean Toys for ADD ADHD
• Amazon Business
$22.99
5
$114.95
Sound+Sleep High Fidelity Sleep Sound Machine with Real Non-Looping Nature Sounds, Fan Sounds, White Noise, and Adaptive Sound Technology
• Amazon Business
$86.99
1
$86.99
D-Story Sweet Home Art Floor Decor Beach Sea and Ocean Wave Area Rug Carpet 7'x5' For Living Room Bedroom
• Amazon Business
$68.99
1
$68.99
Breathe, Chill: A Handy Book of Games and Techniques Introducing Breathing, Meditation and Relaxation to Kids and Teens
• Amazon Business
$14.99
2
$29.98
Stress Less Cards - 50 Inspirational Mindfulness & Meditation Exercises | Helps Relieve Stress, Anxiety | Natural Relaxation, Insomnia & Sleep Aid
• Amazon Business
$13.99
2
$27.98
Mindfulness Matters: The game that uses mindfulness skills to improve coping in everyday life
• Amazon Business
$19.99
1
$19.99
Perpetual Motion Desk Sculpture Toy - Kinetic Art Galaxy Planet Balance Mobile - Magnetic Executive Office Home Décor Tabletop Toy - Men Women Stress Relief
• Amazon Business
$15.00
1
$15.00
Materials cost
$1,312.92
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$19.69
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$1,362.61
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$240.46
Total project goal
$1,603.07
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$1,603.07
2 Donors
-$1,553.07
Donations toward project cost
-$1,320.11
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$232.96
match offer
-$50.00
Match offer toward project cost
-$42.50
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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. Shelley and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.