Labay Middle School in Houston, Texas on DonorsChoose

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Learning how to integrate accessible, secular wellness strategies into a school setting has given me new ways to help students feel grounded, capable, and seen—especially those navigating academic pressure.\r\nOne of the most impactful strategies I learned was \"3 Collective Breaths,\" a simple but powerful settling technique that helps students regulate their nervous system in under a minute. I plan to implement this during testing season, when many students—especially those with test anxiety or attention-related accommodations—struggle most. By teaching these students a brief breathing routine before beginning their assessments, I can help them enter a calmer, more focused state, supporting both their confidence and their ability to demonstrate what they truly know. I also look forward to sharing these practices with teachers so they can integrate mindful movement or breathwork into their classrooms, creating a more supportive and inclusive environment for all learners.\r\nThank you again for investing in this training. Your generosity is already having an impact, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to bring these wellness tools to my school community.","fullyFundedDate":1755117401131,"projectUrl":"project/invest-in-wellness-watch-us-thrive/9412301/","projectTitle":"Invest in Wellness, Watch Us Thrive!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bustos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7167590_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753388641027","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7167590"},{"teacherId":5545676,"projectId":8802025,"letterContent":"Breathe For Change's SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) certification will have a significant, positive impact on my middle school students in the upcoming school year in several key ways:\r\n1. Improved Emotional Regulation and Resilience\r\nThrough the practices you'll learn (like mindfulness, breathwork, and reflective exercises), you can guide students in:\r\n\r\nRecognizing and naming their emotions\r\n\r\nDeveloping coping strategies for stress and anxiety\r\n\r\nBuilding resilience in the face of academic and social challenges\r\n\r\n🧠 Why it matters for middle schoolers: This age group is navigating puberty, shifting peer dynamics, and increased academic pressures—all of which benefit from strong emotional regulation tools.\r\n\r\n2. Increased Classroom Community and Connection\r\nBreathe For Change emphasizes community-building rituals and inclusive practices. With these tools, you can:\r\n\r\nFoster empathy and active listening in your students\r\n\r\nCreate a safe and affirming space for all voices\r\n\r\nEncourage collaboration and mutual respect\r\n\r\n💬 Middle school benefit: Students are deeply social at this age. A strong sense of classroom belonging helps reduce bullying, increase participation, and support academic risk-taking.\r\n\r\n3. Better Student Engagement and Focus\r\nMindfulness and movement activities (a core part of the Breathe For Change curriculum) help:\r\n\r\nSettle restless energy at the start of class\r\n\r\nRe-center attention during transitions\r\n\r\nSupport executive functioning and self-management\r\n\r\n⚡ Why it matters: Many middle school students struggle with impulsivity and focus. Short SEL routines can enhance their ability to stay on task and manage distractions.\r\n\r\n4. Decreased Behavioral Issues\r\nWhen students feel seen, heard, and supported, they're less likely to act out. 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About this school

Labay Middle School is a suburban public school in Houston, Texas that is part of Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District. It serves 1,110 students in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 13.9:1. Its teachers have had 10 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 6 - 8

1,110 Students

80 Teachers

15435 Willow River Dr

Houston, TX 77095 View local requests

http://www.cfisd.net

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Labay Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Ms. Bustos

Ms. McQuay

Ms. Taylu

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Labay Middle School Demographics

74%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

82%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Labay Middle School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

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