Past projects 21
Colors Speak All Languages!
Funded May 22, 2020It's hard to convey how incredibly grateful we are for your remarkable generosity!
Thanks to your support, we now have an HP Wireless Color Printer, colored ink and a huge supply of paper making it possible for me to integrate color into the learning process. These resources allow me to stimulate my students' visual memory which is especially important as we continue to embark on remote teaching/learning.
Normally, I would be able to take beautiful photographs of my students using and enjoying the new colorful books and manipulatives, but unfortunately, we are not in our classroom. Fingers crossed that we will be able to return by the spring, and when we do, we will continue to utilize our new printer so that we can have bright, attention-getting resources that will make learning so much fun for everyone.
Thank you again for your kindness and for making the challenges we face in our virtual classroom less daunting. Please stay safe!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. St.Thomas
This classroom project was brought to life by Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and one other donor.Rockin' Resources Made by Teachers for Teachers!
Funded Jul 27, 2020Thanks to your generosity, my students have had the pleasure of participating in many varied learning experiences and especially enjoyed learning about Columbus using a digital resource. This made learning flexible as it was also used during asynchronous learning blocks. Students and parents accessed and revisited the material multiple times.
As we move forward as a class, I will continue to use these fabulous tools to help me adapt the curriculum which will help me adapt special education to the remote learning reality.
THANK YOU from all of us as you have made our journey during the 2020-2021 school year so much brighter!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. St.Thomas
Classroom Carpet: More Than Just a Cute Decoration!
Funded Oct 2, 2020Heartfelt THANKS for your support and incredible generosity!
My students will be thrilled when I tell them that we will have a beautiful new carpet for our classroom. Fingers crossed that we will be returning to school soon!
This new carpet is much more than just a cute decoration. It will serve as a cozy meeting place for us to gather while we learn and play. Having a safe and sturdy surface for wheelchairs and a variety of seating options will make all lessons and activities more enjoyable.
Thank you again!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. St.Thomas
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose 20th Anniversary Fund and 6 other donors.Safe Seating Options for Medically Fragile Students
Funded Jan 27, 2020My students and I would like to say "THANK YOU" for your generous donation to our project. Thanks to your kindness, students who would normally remain seated in their wheelchairs can finally sit in a safe seat alongside peers. This new seating arrangement is so important and serves multiple purposes the most advantageous being that students feel empowered by having some degree of choice and control over their environment.
These colorful cube chairs allow students to choose where they work and with whom. It also allows them to change their location and positions as needed. After all, an uncomfortable student is a distracted and unproductive student. These just-right chairs also allow students to quickly and easily pair up, work in small groups, or discuss as a whole class – without moving mountains of heavy desks to establish eye contact as well as ideal proximity.
You made my students very happy and to see the expression on their faces as they opened the boxes, was priceless. Thanks again for your generosity!!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. St.Thomas
Life Lessons: Imaginative Play Using a Dollhouse
Funded Dec 13, 2019Heartfelt "THANKS" for your very generous donation!
This well-built dollhouse, beautiful furniture and lifelike multicultural families have already given my students so much pleasure. Not to mention ongoing opportunities to increase their organizational and language skills.
Looking at the photographs, you can clearly see the true joy in the eyes of the students, and I only wish you could have experienced their sheer elation as the dollhouse emerged from its box. All of the students have enjoyed setting up the furniture and families while showing off their new and beautiful dollhouse with visiting peers.
Again, thank you for your generosity!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. St.Thomas
Super Storage Options to Help Facilitate Learning & Organization!
Funded Oct 14, 2019WOW!! I wish you could have seen my student's expressions when your generous donation arrived at school. It was quite a production as each shelving unit had to be assembled in the classroom giving the children an opportunity to help. They love to help!! :) These storage units have allowed us all (staff and students) the chance to work together collaboratively, discuss how to best utilize these tools and where to place them for optimal use.
All of these units are on wheels and this has definitely made it so much easier to move them around as needed. My students require the use of many manipulative tools when learning skills in both ELA and Mathematics so simple and SAFE storage options are a must! Now all hands-on tools are labeled and stored in the beautiful plastic containers making it easy to retrieve in a flash.
THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for your kind and very generous gift!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. St.Thomas
This classroom project was brought to life by Volkswagen.Swing Therapy Support for Autistic Friends!
Funded Jun 7, 2019Hello! It is hard to find the words to thank you adequately for your very generous donation to our classroom. The large hanging pumpkin swing is a HUGE hit and everyone absolutely loves it. Not only is it a great conversation piece, but this swing has given so many students the opportunity to sit and connect with each other in a relaxing way.
This incredible swing will soon be moved into our new sensory room so the intention is to share this item with many children in our building. Thanks to your generous gift, our students have been able to increase their overall balance, coordination, and spacial awareness. Not to mention the fact that this swing has been a key ingredient in helping students boost their mood, and increase their focus while enjoying a sensory tool that has a much needed calming effect.
Again, heartfelt "THANKS" for your kind gift!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. St.Thomas
Supporting Literacy Instruction Through Function & Comfort!
Funded Aug 21, 2019Your very generous gift has truly changed the way my students enjoy reading books. As you can see from the pictures recently sent, students are able to congregate in a cozy and inviting area that promotes calm, quiet and literacy. Books are displayed on the beautiful green book center allowing all students the opportunity to choose a book, find a comfy spot on the soft rug and read, read, read!
As the classroom teacher, I have the privilege of promoting children's involvement with literacy by reading aloud to them daily and often. I also have them interact with books throughout the day, and I have seen an increase in their interest in books since our book corner was established. It warms my heart to see their smiling faces as they sit and look at the many books in their new library.
Even the children who are considered "non-readers" are enjoying the book area and waste no time in choosing books to explore while requesting additional read-aloud time with staff. Thank you for your support and liberal donation to our project !!!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. St.Thomas
Super Sensory Supports For ALL!
Funded May 14, 2019It's hard to convey just how delighted my students were when the mobile sensory table was delivered to our classroom. Each child was thrilled to explore the many items that were also included with your generous gift. The novelty of receiving a new tool is fabulous, but to receive a tool that can be utilized by every single student is priceless!
Sensory play is so much more than picking items up and feeling their texture. And now thanks to your kindness, my students can utilize a sensory table allowing everyone the opportunity to explore and stimulate their senses through touch, smell, sight as well as hearing. I anticipate using this amazing table to introduce a variety of apple activities which will promote an increase in their favorite sense of all...TASTE!! :)
So thank you for helping my students continue to learn through sensory exploration as well as for making it possible for everyone in Room #212 the chance to "kick-off" this new school year in style!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. St.Thomas
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 5 other donors.Help Students with Autism Keep Calm & Comfy!
Funded Apr 8, 2018I am writing this letter to you in the hopes that I will be able to fully convey my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation. Thanks to your support, my students have not only been provided with just-the-right-size ball chairs but have also been given a wonderful deep-pressure Pea Pod.
My students were overjoyed when these items arrived, and assembling our new materials became a group event. This was especially true as we began to inflate the Pea Pod. Our younger neighbors joined us and were in complete awe as we inflated the large "canoe" (some of the students think it looks like a canoe). As the Pea Pod grew bigger and bigger, students began to get into it making room for their peers. Please keep in mind that this is not always the case as my students tend to be egocentric and have limited interest in participating in social activities. So, I am very happy to say that with the addition of this beautiful and very soft green Pea Pod came opportunities to work on communication skills (like turn taking and sharing) while enjoying the therapeutic benefits.
Again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your thoughtful donation. I am so thankful that I have donors who understand the many benefits of creating a learning environment that allows all children to function as safely, independently and as happily as possible.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. St.Thomas