Past projects 19
Loud and Clear
Funded Jan 10, 2024Thanks so much for contributing to the new speaker for the dance department to use. So far this year we have used the new sound system for all of our dance performances and several dance companies that have come and performed at our school. We recently used it at a Parent and Community Engagement Event. It was a relief knowing that we had a speaker that was easy to use, powerful enough for the setting, user friendly, and had the a capacity for multiple inputs. Using the Bluetooth function has been amazing. It is also very portable which makes it very convenient when I move it from my classroom to the auditorium and even outside if needed.
The ease in which I can use this speaker has been very helpful when working with my students, performances, and dance companies because I can quickly set everything up and we can begin almost immediately. This new speaker is very good quality and will be used often in the upcoming years.”
With gratitude,
Ms. McGrath
This classroom project was brought to life by Someone who cares about New York City and 10 other donors.Classroom Stars
Funded Mar 28, 2023Thank you so much for supporting my classroom and my students. My students last year really enjoyed the large visual reward reminder. They loved tracking their progress and working together to earn class rewards. Luckily this item can be used multiple times and from year to year. This year I have started using the star reward with my new class and so far it has worked well too.
The super selves reward capes have also been a great selection that I can use from year to year with many of my students. They work great as reminders when I see someone showing a specific behavior. We also use them as we perform for the school during our Leader In Me Assemblies.
These visuals are such great ways to remind students about thier behavior. I'm glad I choose what I did and even more happy that my project was quickly and fully funded. Now students for many years can use these materials.”
With gratitude,
Ms. McGrath
Give Us A Break!
Funded Feb 2, 2023Thanks again for all of your support in funding my project, "Give Us a Break!". My students and I were very excited when we received the items. We got to work immediately using them. The movement mats were used as students need a break and to get some energy out. The sensory stones have been very interesting, some students love them and others are not so fond of them. Students like the silly shapes sensory mats, especially the smaller ones that they can hold in their hands.
The most surprising item has been the weighted cuddle ball. Everyone loves it! When kids see it they immediately want to touch it and hug it. Even the teachers, aides, and I love it, it's perfect for when someone needs a cuddle. Students know that it's available whenever they need it, so they just go get it, get a cuddle and get back to their work. The calm down cubes are also helpful and the students know that they are there for them if needed.
I'm so glad that I chose the resources I did. The students have really responded to everything I got and the tools definitely support the learning in my classroom.”
With gratitude,
Ms. McGrath
This classroom project was brought to life by A New York City Parent and 3 other donors.Welcome Back!
Funded Aug 9, 2022My students and I were so excited to come back to the dance room this school year. The new Welcome Signs, foot prints, and floor tape showed students exactly where to go within the dance room and let them know that we were glad to see them. Border for the bulletin boards and signs made the inside of my classroom even more inviting and warm.
Students were all excited to see the new special Marley floor that had been put down on top of the regular classroom floor. They understood that now we have a special dance floor. I explained to them that outside shoes cannot be worn on the Marley floor and how I have to keep it clean. I showed them the dry mops, wet mops, and buckets that I use to clean the floor daily. They love their special (clean) dance floor, and we plan to all work together to keep it that way.
Thanks for much for making my classroom/dance room more welcoming for my students. All the items have been very useful!”
With gratitude,
Ms. McGrath
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 7 other donors.So Fresh and So Clean
Funded May 4, 2022Thanks so much for the supplies for my dance class. My students were especially happy to have more socks. They really appreciate that whenever they need socks, they can just come to me and get them.
The other cleaning supplies come in handy especially as I am trying to keep my students and classes healthy. It is one less thing to worry about knowing that I have the products I need to clean.
The other classroom supplies such as paper towels, tissues, and baby wipes also keep my students healthy and happy. I was able to end the school year with these supplies and I have plenty to use for the new school year in September. These supplies will help my dance class be clean and inviting for everyone in the 2022-23 school year.
Thanks again!”
With gratitude,
Ms. McGrath
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 7 other donors.Spread the Cheer!
Funded Apr 7, 2022Thank you so much for your support. My cheerleading team was so excited when they got their new pompoms and hair bows. When we got the pompoms, they immediately were ready to practice with them. Using the pompoms made all the cheers better and the dance routine much more fun.
Before practice one day I was able to have each cheerleader come in and we did a little "photo shoot", with all of their cheerleading gear. I was able to print these pictures out in wallet size and shared them with their families. Everyone was so happy to get these pictures.
The team couldn't wait to perform at the 5th grade graduation. We were able to purchase some cheerleading uniforms, and with the pompoms and hair bows they really looked the part. A few of our girls were graduating and that made their performance even more emotional but they all did a wonderful job. The team members that did not graduate were already asking when cheerleading will start next year. I am very happy that I have all of their gear ready to go. I couldn't have done it without your continued support.”
With gratitude,
Ms. McGrath
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose community & an Anonymous Partner and 4 other donors.A Clean Start
Funded Aug 12, 2021Thank you so much for your support with this project. This unique project allowed me to begin the year with a clean and relatively germ free classroom. The supplies will hopefully last me most of the year. I am doing everything I can to keep my students safe and your supplies are definitely helping me do this. I mop the classroom floor, spray supplies used, and wipe down surfaces too.
The students have also been very appreciative of the socks. Several students each week come in to my dance room and take off their shoes and realize they aren't wearing socks. As you can imagine they may feel embarrassed or ashamed. But now they know that they can just ask Ms. McGrath for socks and they will get a brand new pair. This may seem like a very small gesture but it really means a lot to the students.
So thank you again for helping to support a clean and healthy dance room.”
With gratitude,
Ms. McGrath
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 4 other donors.Spread the Cheer!
Funded May 10, 2021Thanks to my wonderful donors, we had a very successful first year with a cheerleading team at PS 23! After working very hard to create a team and coming together to learn some cheers, the icing on the cake was getting to perform at our 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony. The students were so excited to show off their hard work and the parents, staff, and community totally supported them.
I cannot begin to describe the joy that my students got from receiving the materials that were funded by my amazing donors. The pompoms were beautiful, fluffy, professional quality, and they really enhanced the cheerleaders' movements. The hair bows also matched our school colors perfectly and helped tie together their cheerleading outfit. Everyone was very impressed by the work that these students had put into this team, and by having the pompoms and the hair bows the students looked the part. They had such a wonderful time.
Due to the success of this cheerleading team, plans are being make to have the team again next year. Hopefully we will be able to continue to use the items and continue this positive experience for years to come. Thanks again!”
With gratitude,
Ms. McGrath
Movement in the Classroom
Funded Aug 11, 2020Since September New York City Schools have be open for in-person blended learning which I have been fortunate to been a part of. I was very happy to begin the year with the fully funded project and materials so that the in-person students would have new items to use. I was able to order enough items so that students would not have to share them and they are also easy to clean between cohorts using them. The students were super excited to try them out.
Due to Covid safety concerns I have to go to the classroom to teach my dance classes. The classes are smaller but we still work hard to maintain social distancing restrictions. The various poly spot markers have been very helpful to remind students where to stand and to create fun activities that will allow movement in the classroom. Having the dry erase boards, markers, and erasers have allowed students to be able to quickly and easily share their ideas with me. It has been great because instead of trying to figure out what to do, I already have the resources to use. I'm really happy I chose the products I did and that I had them right when school began. They made the difficult situation better. For now we are all remote, but we hope to open again soon!”
With gratitude,
Ms. McGrath
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 9 other donors.Creative Choreographers
Funded Aug 15, 2019Thank you for donating to my project and to my classroom. At the beginning of the year when I told the students about the donated IPads and cases they were so excited. They couldn't wait for me to open the IPads up and get them all set up. As you can imagine the students know how to use the IPads better than I do.
As we began our dance making and working in groups, I added a new "job" to our dance creating job list. This is the job of videographer. The videographer uses the IPad to record another group. The IPads have been labeled so each group knows which IPad they are sharing. After their dances have been recorded the group sits and watches their dance. Next they discuss how they can improve and edit their dances. Students have a chance to work to edit their dances and then they are recorded again. I am also planning on having the students create a checklist or rubric to further assess their groups' work.
My students especially my fourth grades students (who have been using them the most) are so excited to take turns being the videographer and then watching their dance. They also like taking pictures of their peers in action. Thanks for letting my students truly see themselves as dancers and choreographers.”
With gratitude,
Ms. McGrath