Strengthening Students' Life Skills

Funded Nov 19, 2015

I want to express my deepest gratitude for your recent donation to my DonorsChoose Strengthening Students' Life Skills Project. Your generosity has helped to provide much needed classroom materials. With our new resources my kids are strengthening their life skills. When the materials arrived my students were shocked to know that people had donated money just for them! I don't know who was more excited to open the boxes me or them!

The goal for the materials requested was to have students learn and practice skills in the classroom, and then apply these skills in the community setting. Your resources have already been a cause for celebration! After learning how to fill out a job application and personal forms one of my students was able to work with an agency to complete a resume and necessary documents and secure a job at a pizza shop! You have also helped my students increase their independence and self-confidence when ordering lunch in the community. By practicing ordering off of the restaurant menu math cards, my students can now choose an item they want off a menu, and with supports count the money they need to make the purchase. This center has helped them find success and generalize a skill in new situations.

We have just finished our shopping unit and this month will be moving into our money and budgeting unit. We were able to use the real-life reading skills to practice things from reading clothing labels to shopping ads. We will continue to use it as we learn about writing checks. The money activity station is so helpful in having my students practice their money skills from identify coins to figuring out change. Your donations have encouraged academics, communication and social skills through centers-based learning.

There's no doubt that the demand for quality transitional programs is huge to meet the needs of young adults with disabilities. However, the support of donors like you is helping us to make it possible for students at James Campbell High School to be provided with the right opportunities and appropriate materials in order to excel. Thank you for your commitment to my classroom and for helping to provide a quality education to all students. Your support has played a key role in my students' growth and success this school year. There is no way to fully express my gratitude.

Thank you truly for being a part of shaping the young adults my students will become.”

With gratitude,

Teacher Reynolds and Younkers