Past projects 18
Adding More to My Previous Projects
Funded Apr 5, 2023Thank you very much for the Daily Math journals. This project met the needs of so many first graders. We used this math book to enhance and review so many skills learned over the school year. The remaining pages were sent home with students to keep their skills fresh over the summer. It gave parents an opportunity to see where their child needed to hone in on their weaknesses in math and also gave them a chance to work closely with their child at home. This is the second year I have requested these journals for my students. They were a godsend during the pandemic when students couldn't be in school. Each child had their own to work on with me on the computer from home. Thanks again for helping us raise our bar and standards for learning.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sowden Raynard
Comfort Away From Home
Funded Feb 9, 2023I would like to express my deepest gratitude for your unselfish donation to my project. Your donation is so important to our students and my classroom. The expressions on the faces of our students was one of excitement and appreciation. They couldn't wait to grab a book or a computer and test the seats out. Even the staff was overwhelmed by the quality of these chairs and that someone like you was kind enough to make this happen. These seats are no ordinary bean bags. They conform to your body and bring a sense of security and warmth to our children. They provide a real sense of safety and nurturing quality to the classroom. I love that they help motivate our children to read too. They all want to have a turn in the comfy seats and are so willing to share with peers. As you can see in the pictures, our students are smiling and sharing their new seats. Their happiness is immeasurable. These amazing chairs are a great place to take a rest or calm an unsettled student. Other teachers are taking notice.
Again, thank you for your generosity and willingness to support me as I try new and innovative ways to support our students on their journey of being positive, persevering life-long learners.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sowden Raynard
This classroom project was brought to life by Black History Month Partners and 3 other donors.Picture This! I'm Reading All by Myself
Funded Mar 31, 2022I am speechless once again. This is such a generous donation. I can't begin to explain how you have become part of such an important mission to deliver the best academic education to these first graders. I want these students to have every opportunity to be the best readers and writers that they can be. Every year becomes more challenging than the last, but I will not be defeated in making this year a great foundation for them. They are so motivated to learn. They show up and are eager to read, write and think creatively every day.
These books will help me push my students deeper into phonics and word skills by providing them with books for at home and school. Having books to take home will help keep them become life-long readers at home and school. These reading books will enable my students to read at higher levels and challenge them to strive for excellence in reading and writing skills.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting and believing in me as an educator. I promise you will not be disappointed with these future leaders! Happy Fall!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sowden Raynard
You Can't Grow That Without Soil!
Funded Jan 4, 2022The students and I are so excited to put our hydroponics expertise to use. We have been learning about crops and how they grow. But to grow plants without soil is truly amazing. We are currently getting the hydroponic center up and running. There is so much to learn! We plan to grow herbs for our first try in agriculture. Then, we'll use our herbs to make a homemade pizza! This is such a great tool in today's economy to show children how to grow their own produce without soil.
We are so grateful for this generous donation. We are also grateful for your help in continuing to bring new and challenging as well as rewarding learning experiences to our classroom. Without your help, projects like these would not be possible. Thank you for always supporting me and my "out of the box" thinking so that my students can have the best possible learning advantages for a bright future. Happy growing!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sowden Raynard
Steamrolling Our Mental Health to a Better Future
Funded Oct 25, 2021We all at the Raymond School would like to thank you again for your generous donation. This project didn't just benefit Mrs. Sowden's first grade class. It was made available in our sensory room that reaches the entire school or more than 800 students. Guidance counselors and teachers work together to provide sensory experiences for all our students, but especially our disregulated and special needs students.
The students in grade kindergarten to fifth grade love the steam roller. They can feel the pressure that this equipment provides in a safe and non-threatening manner. They love to watch and help their friends get "steamed" through the apparatus. Students ask to go to the sensory room just to be able to get themselves focused and back on track for learning in their classroom. With MCAS starting soon, students can use the stream roller to get rid of that stress that may be dragging them down. It has truly been a lifesaver to our program.
We can not thank you enough for being so kind and providing the opportunity to purchase equipment. Thanks for always believing in us and our vision for bringing such unique strategies to our students to create life long leaners.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sowden Raynard
Pop It Math- Sensory Addition
Funded Aug 5, 2021Thank you so much for the pop its for math. They have had an incredible impact on getting our students to focus and engage with math concepts. They love the colorful mats and love popping the bubbles while counting and adding. Every student is fortunate and grateful to have their own colorful mat.
These new 100 bubbles can't even compare with other versions of less pop its. They are so helpful for adults and children play together, more ways to learn and more fun. Pop fidget mats are helping us effectively relieve anxiety and stress, or destress in our calming corner. It is even fantastic for student who are with autism or other disabilities. Pop its have even been proven to restore emotions.
Thank you so much for helping me keep up with the newest crazes that can meet the needs of our students social emotional health while still being able to bring the academic piece to their daily learning.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sowden Raynard
All the Way Up, Nothing Can Stop Us Reading/Math
Funded Dec 28, 2020I'm still speechless. This is such a generous donation. I can't begin to explain how you have become part of such an important mission to deliver the best academic education to these first graders. I want these students to have every opportunity to be the best readers and math thinkers that they can be. It's been so challenging this year but I will not be defeated in making this year a great foundation for them. They are so motivated to learn. They show up and are eager to read, write and perform math strategies every day.
These math books will help me push my students deeper into math concepts by providing them with at home materials. Having a workbook will help keep them organized by not having to search for papers. The books are durable and can be written in directly. The reading books will enable my students to read at higher levels and challenge them to strive for excellence while learning at home.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting and believing in me as an educator. I promise you will not be disappointed with these future leaders! Happy 2021!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sowden Raynard
Remote Reading With the Teacher
Funded Oct 22, 2020I can't put into words how this project exceeded all my expectations. I never dreamed these books would have quite the impact they have had. I had planned on my students receiving these phonics readers and then hoping that they would read them at home and with me. However, they reached an entire first grade of over 150 students. My own students were the very lucky ones that got their own 20 books each. The books were then put in "a bitmoji room" on a book shelf for all to read. When I met with my students, they were able to chose which book they wanted to read, I was then able to instantly access the book and bring it up on the screen for more children to read and for me to follow along. The students have been so motivated to read more than ever. Their parents are quite impressed that I was able to teach their child to read remotely. I asked the students to get their parents and was overjoyed to share the news with them. I told them, your child is reading! We all exploded with excitement. Parents said that their child was using the books to practice at home and wanted to read more books in the series. I share this story with all my colleagues in hopes that they too will find ways to reach their students remotely . This is truly a success story. I am so grateful that you chose my class for your project donation. You've changed the lives of children and helped create future readers.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sowden Raynard
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Donor and 9 other donors.Mega Magna Tiles Continued
Funded Sep 1, 2019Thank you so much again for your generosity. You never fail to support my projects and allow me to provide the best materials and activities to support my students. They contribute greatly to our work in Engineering. These materials continue to foster their growth and academic abilities in STEM.
The kids are having a great time building and constructing so many things with the newest tiles. They especially love the tiles with wheels. They've made trains, cars and other vehicles. Many more students can engage in their use now.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sowden Raynard
Little Dribblers
Funded Mar 16, 2019Our kindergarten, first and second grade students are using the new balls for recess. The equipment has been a wonderful addition to getting our kids out on the field and playing athletically with each other. All of the teachers appreciate your generous donation to all the students in all three grades.
The students were ecstatic when they first saw the equipment. Some of our students are quite energetic and busy. The balls allow children with high energy and sensory issues to work on very valuable skills to balance out their bodies in a positive manner. Not only do these materials offer our students fun, but also offer them opportunities to work on managing control over their bodies too. They also encourage the students to engage in turn-taking and cooperative learning games and encourage other students to get involved.
The students have been so excited to engage with this new equipment. No child is left out. There is something for everyone to do. Sharing is easy when there is a lot of equipment to go around. Thank you again for helping our students have equipment that challenges and involves them in promoting fun and learning.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sowden Raynard