Mrs. Druchniak's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 14

• Mindfulness Matters!

  Funded Aug 1, 2017

  Every day, we are learning more and more about the importance of mindfulness in schools and the positive impact that it can have in classrooms. Thanks to your donations, many of the students at our school have already been exposed to the mindfulness program called Mind Yeti. Many classrooms have set times each day when the lights are dimmed and students practice deep breathing, feeling centered and learn to handle their big feelings in productive ways.

  Mind Yeti gives the strategies that students need to feel calm and ready to reset after a bump in the road, either at home or at school. I am so grateful that so many students are able to take ownership over their own success because of Mind Yeti. Thank you for your generosity.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Druchniak

• Tablets for Kindergarten Readers

  Funded Dec 13, 2016

  Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift and incredible generosity! Because of your iPads, my students are learning how to read so many sight words each day! We have downloaded many games that give the kids multiple opportunities to read words, make words, take them apart , and sound them out.

  Each day, 6 students are sent to the iPad station and they are always so excited to learn that it is their turn! There are some students who are especially drawn to technology and when they go, they feel calm and successful.

  Because of the 2 iPads, 2 more students can use technology in our classroom than could before. They are able to also play the adaptive programs purchased by the school - giving more students opportunities for a technology curriculum catered to them.

  Thank you again for making sure my students are given the tools to become strong readers!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Druchniak

• Creative Play Makes Creative Minds

  Funded Aug 8, 2016

  Each day, our students have an hour of centers time. Each student gets to choose what play-based center they would like to spend their time at. Our school is committed to putting all students on the path to college, regardless of zip-code, and we believe that in order for that to happen, students must have the opportunity to think creatively and use their imagination. Now, when students use the dramatic play center, they are able to pretend that they are astronauts flying through space, construction working building new skyscrapers, or veterinarians helping sick animals.

  The costumes are being shared among 112 kindergarteners. 112 kindergarteners get to think about what they want to be when they grow up, and work with their friends as they imagine different scenarios. My students were so excited when they first saw the costumes! The dramatic play center is now one of the most sought after centers in my classroom.

  Thank you so much for your generous donation. As so much attention shifts to data-driven instruction and student results, I'm so grateful that my students have an opportunity to be kids.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Druchniak

• Making Reading Smooth Sailing

  Funded Apr 5, 2013

  This is just a small token of my gratitude for your generous donation to my classroom. The whisperphones that you donated have been a huge hit! My students are incredibly excited to use them during independent reading. They love that they are able to hear their reading so clearly and they look forward to using them each and every day. Not only have you donated a tool that will help my students become stronger readers, you have given them a reason to be excited to read. Thank you for helping to create lifelong readers. We are forever grateful for your thoughtfulness and generosity!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Druchniak

• Technology Teaches!

  Funded Nov 26, 2012

  This is just a small token of gratitude. The donations that you shared enabled my class to benefit from the wonders of an Elmo projector. Ever since we got this incredible tool, my students have been more engaged in learning math then ever.

  As an example, my kindergartners recently started learning about the value of money and counting coins. The Elmo allows me to put real coins on the screen without having to juggle many coins in my hands at a time. Additionally, the students are able to learn from each other as they come to the projector and lead the class in counting the value of the coins. Teaching advanced topics such as this can be daunting -- but my students love seeing their own little hands projected in front of the class as they share their knowledge.

  Thank you so much for your kindness. It is truly appreciated and you have made a real difference.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Druchniak

  This classroom project was brought to life by American Tower and 19 other donors.

• Hit the Books!

  Funded Mar 19, 2012

  This is just a small token of appreciation. The books and cds that you donated to my classroom are used everyday! Each day, when my students get to the library center, their eyes light up at the sight of the books that you donated. My students discover new favorite books just because of you!

  There are always so many resources that a teacher wants for his or her classroom. It is often hard to decide what to prioritize. Because of your generosity, my students were able to enjoy books that they otherwise would not have.

  With donors like you, students everywhere will get to experience the joy that comes with learning”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Druchniak

• Reading their Way to College!

  Funded Apr 28, 2011

  My scholars are so fortunate to have received such wonderful books. My scholars love nothing more than sitting in the library with a good book - and now they have so many more books to choose from! In kindergarten, children are just starting to discover the joy that is found in looking at the beautiful illustrations in a great book and being able to read the words.

  At 5 and 6 years old, my scholars are learning all about the difference between fiction and nonfiction. Your generous donation provided them with the opportunity to see photographs of animals that they have been learning about all year! My scholars are also now able to read new books that help them understand the various emotions that they are feeling.

  Thank you again for your generous contributions!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Druchniak

  This classroom project was brought to life by Townsend Press and 3 other donors.

• Help Scholars Become Confident Readers (Part 5!)

  Funded Dec 1, 2010

  This is just a small token of my appreciation for your kindness and generosity. We are so fortunate to have the resources that you have helped us to receive.

  We have used these books to help the scholars gain fluency in their reading and to add to their story comprehension. The scholars are so excited to know exactly what level book they are able to read independently and they are even happier to have so many books to choose from that are at their level. The scholars are also thrilled that there are two copies of each book so they can read with a buddy!

  There are always so many resources that a classroom could benefit from and we are truly grateful that you helped us to acquire such wonderful books. Scholars will continue to use these books for years to come. Thank you so much!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Druchniak

  This classroom project was brought to life by Townsend Press and 4 other donors.

• Help Scholars Become Confident Readers! Part 4

  Funded Nov 13, 2010

  This is just a small token of my appreciation. The leveled books that you donated to our classroom have served many wonderful purposes!

  First of all, they make the scholars truly happy. They love interacting with books that they can read independently. Whether the books are fiction or non-fiction, they bring joy to each scholar. Second of all, they have become a motivational tool. Scholars who read level B books are excited and motivated to keep practicing so that they can read C and D level books. This self-motivation is a trait that they will carry with them forever. Lastly, the books are a way for scholars to work together and "buddy read". As one partner reads, the other can be looking at the same book and reading along. They can work together to solve tricky words using all of the strategies that they have learned.

  Thank you so much for your incredible generosity. These books will continue to benefit scholars for many years!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Druchniak

  This classroom project was brought to life by Townsend Press and 4 other donors.

• Help Scholars Become Confident Readers! Part 3

  Funded Oct 30, 2010

  This is just a small token of my appreciation. The leveled books that you donated to our classroom have served many wonderful purposes!

  First of all, they make the scholars truly happy. They love interacting with books that they can read independently. Whether the books are fiction or non-fiction, they bring joy to each scholar. Second of all, they have become a motivational tool. Scholars who read level B books are excited and motivated to keep practicing so that they can read C and D level books. This self-motivation is a trait that they will carry with them forever. Lastly, the books are a way for scholars to work together and "buddy read". As one partner reads, the other can be looking at the same book and reading along. They can work together to solve tricky words using all of the strategies that they have learned.

  Thank you so much for your incredible generosity. These books will continue to benefit scholars for many years!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Druchniak

  This classroom project was brought to life by Townsend Press and 4 other donors.