Past projects 13
Makers Magic
Funded Feb 7, 2025Thank you so much for your generous donations to the PS 68 OT Makers Program! I cannot wait to see all of the magical worlds my students create while working towards their IEP goals. Your kindness towards my students is so appreciated and we wouldn't be able to do half of what we do at school without you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Reich-Staniulis
This classroom project was brought to life by Munchkin and 5 other donors.Multi-Sensory Oasis!
Funded Aug 10, 2022Thank you so much for your donations to our classroom. Due to your generosity, my students have a calm, safe place to escape to when they are overwhelmed or just need a break. The kids especially love the bubble tank and watch the plastic fish bubble up and down as they lay in the sensory pod and relax. The little ones use the lycra box to receive calming deep pressure input and enjoy going under the box as well as a dark and quiet fort during play or mindfulness activities. In the words of a 3rd grader, "Our calm area is the best because I feel cozy in it!"”
With gratitude,
Ms. Reich-Staniulis
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 5 other donors.Cozy Comfy Fun OT!
Funded Apr 7, 2022Thank you so much for your generous donation! With the donation of our couch and sensory pods I was able to create a warm and inviting space for my students during our therapy sessions. Many students have used the calm corner to take a break when they become dysregulated during silly obstacle courses or exciting or frustrating moments during sessions. Other students have used it as a safe area when experiencing stressful or upsetting times at home or in school. Having a place where my students can relax and feel safe has been instrumental in helping them regulate and engage in school.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Reich-Staniulis
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose community & an Anonymous Partner and 3 other donors.Foamnasium Fun!
Funded Oct 16, 2021Thank you so very much for the foamnasium couch/play set. Having something so versatile has been such a wonder addition to our therapy room .
Maybe of the students love to use the couch as a relaxing place to practice mindfulness during sessions or to come use during the day when they are feeling overwhelmed in class. One student calls it his "calm down tent" and enjoys creating a fort before engaging in deep breathing exercises.
We also love using the couch as a feature of obstacle courses! The smaller students can use it as a mountain to climb and old students use it as a crash pad.
Thank you again for your generosity!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Reich-Staniulis
Putting the Fun in Function With OT
Funded Jul 6, 2021Thank you so much for your generous gifts to our OT room. It has helped us start off the school year with lots of excitement and joy as we are able to use new materials in our sessions. I have upgraded to a larger room and am thankful for the new supplies to help full it up!
One of my student's particularly loves the weighted blankets and calls the weighted blanket in his classroom "Mr. Fluffy Bumpy." It helps his stay regulated in the classroom and complete his work!
I wouldn't be able to do my job without all of your support and I am very very greatful!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Reich-Staniulis
Technology for Terrific Teletherapy!
Funded Sep 25, 2020Thank you so much for your generous donations towards my virtual OT room! Using the iPad and iPad document camera has made a world of difference in my ability to provide effective teletherapy for my students.
The biggest help has been using the iPad as a document camera! Being able to model fine motor activities for my students has made it much easier to guide them through our therapy activities. Recently, we have been doing origami crafts for fine motor strengthening, visual perceptual skills, attention to task, and sequencing of directions! Origami is a challenging activity that I would not be able to do with the students without a document camera.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Reich-Staniulis
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose 20th Anniversary Fund and 10 other donors.Stop the Spread With Individual OT Supplies!
Funded Aug 1, 2020Thank you so much for your generous donation to our OT sessions this year! Having individual packages for each student has been a game changer for both my 12 in-person sessions and 28 teletherapy sessions.
During in person sessions, my students are able to safely use materials such as playdough and worksheets that I would not be able to otherwise use this year due to Covid restrictions on shared materials. In teletherapy sessions, my students have been given the opportunity to have access to therapy materials that they do not have at home and it makes treatment planning easier since I know that each student has some therapy essentials!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Reich-Staniulis
This classroom project was brought to life by EagleTree Capital and 4 other donors.Fine Motor Fun
Funded Jan 28, 2020Thank you so much for your generous donation! My students LOVED all of the fun new toys we received before the schools shut down. Motivation is key for successful occupational therapy sessions and these new supplies did not disappoint!
The lite brite and kinetic sand quickly became favorites and students were having so much fun creating they didn't realize they were working on strengthening their hands and visual systems in the process. The laughter they shared when turning the light on in the lite bright light up their creations were priceless!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Reich-Staniulis
Checking Executive Functioning Skills Off Our IEP Goals Checklist!
Funded Oct 24, 2019Thank you so much for your generous donation! My students have been hard at work using the binders and assignment planners to keep themselves organized throughout the school day and help with keeping track of homework assignments.
I have also implemented the Unstuck & On Target curriculum in 3 classrooms with great success! The students have been learning how to set a goal, make a plan, and check to see if their plan worked. Every lesson they earn tallies for a classroom party at the end of the year, which they will plan and organize themselves.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Reich-Staniulis
Therapy Supplies for Terrific Kids!
Funded Dec 31, 2018Thank you so much for your generous donations towards our little occupational therapy room in Brooklyn. Over the last few days I have watched my students burst into smiles as they enter the room, many of them immediately plopping down on the new big bean bag or testing out one of the wobble chairs. The room used to feel cluttered and chaotic, making it difficult for the children and myself to find supplies and games. Now, the new shelves and drawers keep it organized and more accessible to my students with sensory processing difficulties and I can quickly locate supplies I need in the middle of treatment sessions.
I have been using the wobble chairs and cushions to provide sensory input to students who just can't sit still in the classroom. One of my first graders exclaimed "Wow! I feel like I am sitting on the ocean in school! This is AWESOME!" when I gave him the cushion in his classroom. His teachers have already said that they see a huge difference in his ability to complete his school work and pay attention to lessons - all thanks to you!
My next steps are to get the printer hooked up to wifi so I can print out worksheets and other materials for the students in order make therapy sessions even more effective. I will also continue to give out the sensory equipment (wobble cushions and noise canceling headphones) to specific students for use in the classrooms. I can't wait to watch my students continue to blossom with the help of our new supplies.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Reich-Staniulis