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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Rakowski from Warren, MI is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Rakowski is requesting

You've Got a Friend in Me

Help me give my students a safe way to socially interact with their classmates.

FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Rakowski's classroom raised $600

This project is fully funded

My Students

My students are energetic, creative, and eager to learn. I teach a first-grade classroom that is composed of students that come from low-income families. Many of my students have experienced some form of trauma in their short lifetime. They come to school needing so many things! The best way to help my students is to create a classroom that is warm and inviting and helps them feel safe. When they feel safe, they can reach their fullest potential.

My Project

For the first time in a year and a half I will have students in my classroom when the 2021-2022 school year starts. Since March of 2020 students in my school have been learning from home through a computer. They have had little to no interaction with their peers. Their families have been hit hard by COVID-19 and many families have lost loved ones. The students in my school come from low income homes. They all receive free breakfast and lunch everyday. The majority of families are single parent and single income families. Despite all the hardships that these students face they are excited and ready to return to school. School is the one constant in their life. The one thing that is a normal routine. The place where their friends are and where they can find a kind face in their teacher.

This year I have the challenging task of creating a classroom space that is engaging as well as socially distant and safe.

Many parents are hesitant about the health risks of sending their child back to school. My project is to create individual bins of manipulatives for students to use during free time, indoor recess, and center time. There will be two of each bin so they can sit three feet apart from a friend and play with their individual bin while socializing with their friend. Students will have their bin for a few days before it is sanitized thus preventing the spread of germs.

Included in my project are a couple of resources that deal with social and emotional learning. This year I have a 1st and 2nd grade combination class. These resources will help us talk about our feelings.

Mrs. Rakowski Lincoln Elementary School Grades PreK-2

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 directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Warren, MI 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

26 students impacted 2donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Mrs. Rakowski is requesting.

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
IRIS USA MCC Plastic Clear Hobby Modular Craft Supply Art Satchel Storage Box Organizer with snap-tight closure latch, Medium, 10 Pack • Amazon Business $25.31 2 $50.62
PLUS PLUS - Learn to Build Super Set - Basic Mix, 1,200 Pieces w/ 4 Baseplates - Construction Building Stem / Steam Toy, Interlocking Mini Puzzle Blocks for Kids • Amazon Business $49.99 1 $49.99
Teytoy 100 Pcs Bristle Shape Building Blocks Toy Set for toddlers Kids • Amazon Business $24.99 2 $49.98
Sterilite 19638606 Large Clip Box, Clear with Blue Aquarium Latches, 6-Pack • Amazon Business $47.47 1 $47.47
Coogam Wooden Mosaic Puzzle, 370PCS Shape Pattern Blocks with 8 Colors, Pixel Board Game STEM Montessori Toys Gift for Toddlers Kids Boys Girls Ages 4 5 6 7 Years Old • Amazon Business $19.98 2 $39.96
16 Balancing Wooden Blocks Multicolored Stacking Stones Building Sensory Fun for Kids Educational Toy Enhances Motor Skills, Learning, Color and Shape Recognition for Toddlers • Amazon Business $18.99 2 $37.98
Cra-Z-Art Magna Doodle in Color • Amazon Business $16.86 2 $33.72
3 Bees & Me Wooden Pattern Blocks - Fun Montessori Learning Toys for Ages 3 to 9 - Tangram Shapes Set with 155 Pieces • Amazon Business $14.95 2 $29.90
RAINBOW TOYFROG Gears Interlocking Learning Set,Manipulatives Building Kit Toys with Tote 100 Pcs - Occupational Therapy - 10 Colors- Resources • Amazon Business $13.89 2 $27.78
Etch A Sketch, Classic Red Drawing Toy with Magic Screen, for Ages 3 and Up • Amazon Business $12.88 2 $25.76
Key Education Social Skills Matter!, 80 Social Narratives and Activities for Making Friends, Sharing, Cooperative Play, Feelings, PreK—2nd Grade (384 pgs) • Amazon Business $20.49 1 $20.49
AveryLu 500 PCS Building Toy Building Blocks Bars Different Shape Educational Construction Engineering Set 3D Puzzle, Interlocking Creative Connecting Kit, Building Construction Toys A Great STEM Toy • Amazon Business $18.99 1 $18.99
RAINBOW TOYFROG Star Flex Create Puzzle-STEM Toys-Building Toy for Kids Educational Alternative to Building Blocks Safe Kids Material • Amazon Business $16.98 1 $16.98
Coloring Book and Reflections for Social Emotional Learning • Amazon Business $11.93 1 $11.93
Social Skills Activities for Kids: 50 Fun Exercises for Making Friends, Talking and Listening, and Understanding Social Rules • Amazon Business $11.00 1 $11.00

Materials cost

$472.55

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$7.09

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$509.64

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$89.94

Total project goal

$599.58

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $599.58

1 Donor

-$311.20

Donations toward project cost

-$290.95

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$20.25

match offer

-$257.28

Match offer toward project cost

-$218.69

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$38.59

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$31.09

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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. Rakowski and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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