Past projects 56
Plants for Beautification, Math & Science
Funded Sep 20, 2022You'll be glad to hear that 83% of our plants - all of which we left at school during the winter break - survived the freeze of Dec. 2022. The plants grace our hallways for all to see, some in floor containers, others in hanging pots donated by staff. Other older plants, quite neglected in the past, now sit happily in the large new containers and fresh soil we obtained through this grant. As for students, those who have shown an interest in plants & biology are caring for the new plants. They have recorded plant heights (though we've only completed one measurement since the plants have grown little), researched geographic plant origin, learned the key roles that nitrogen, potassium & phosphorous play as plant fertilizer, and studied plant biology. They are careful not to overwater. I'll post pics soon. Thanks again!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kapasi
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 5 other donors.A Pair of 60 Lb Dumbbells
Funded May 6, 2022Thank you again for adding a pair of 60-pound dumbbells to our school's weight room! We set up my PE class around three core principals. 1) We all know that regular physical fitness is important, and our PE class is a gift of an opportunity to have "gym time" built in to the day. 2) As with most endeavors, regular practice and participation leads to results. And 3) finding your baseline abilities, setting goals, and tracking your progress is central to an organized approach to physical fitness.
The new dumbbells enhance the experience for our students focused on weight training in PE. We have a half dozen kids who use these dumbbells for squats, rows, and/or bench press. These dumbbells are our heaviest hexagonal dumbbells, which make the kids who use them feel extra proud of their abilities!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kapasi
Weightlifting Materials for High Schoolers
Funded Dec 12, 2019Thank so much for your donation to our weightlifting program. These materials have already been put to good use. In particular, the two exercise bikes have allowed more of our students to have access to cardio equipment during our cardio day workouts. The pair of 15 pound 2-inch bumper plates added to our collection of bumper plates make it easier for two students to deadlift at the same time using two different barbells. Many of our kids feel glad that they're in a PE class that is structured in such a way that they record data to track their progress and set goals to aim for. Your donations and the equipment that came through this projects support this class structure and contribute to making our kids healthier and more confident!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kapasi
This classroom project was brought to life by DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation - Sports Matter and 3 other donors.Olympian Materials for Our PE Class
Funded Oct 4, 2019Thanks again for your donation to our "Olympian Materials for Our PE Class" project. Because of your generosity, our students now have access to a high-quality set of rubber bumper plates and another solid barbell. Plus the foam floor puzzle mats help keep everyone a little safer from injury. Not a single one of our students has had proper weight training in the past. Even those who were in athletic programs were given minimal direction. With this equipment, we're better able to expose kids to and give them practice with proper form with barbell movements. Hopefully for some this will be knowledge that they use for a lifetime.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kapasi
This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron Fuel Your School.Life Skills Through Juggling
Funded Sep 17, 2019Since receiving these boxes of the "World's Finest Juggling Balls", we've re-started our efforts to teach juggling to our students and have had loads of fun along the way. About 15 students expressed an interest in learning to juggle. So far, three have followed through with hours of practice and passed our Juggling Test, which consists of publicly juggling the 3-ball cascade pattern for 30 seconds and juggling another pattern for 30 seconds. Students can try to pass the test two times each week. Other students get to watch, cheer them on, and encourage them to try again. I'm excited that we have enough sets of these "World's Finest Juggling Balls" to last us at least another 4-6 months. Thank you again!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kapasi
Chess Team Pride - Hoodies and T-shirts
Funded Jan 20, 2019Now in its seventh year, the Garza HS chess team had once again run out of a good collection of hoodies and t-shirts in various sizes. We weren't sure how to obtain more because budget cuts left us with minimal funds - certainly not enough to purchase more team clothing with printing from a professional vendor. Fortunately, you all came through! Thanks to your generosity, we were able to order enough team gear to carry us forward for at least a year. We originally thought students in the art department would be able to print them for us. Unfortunately that didn't work out. But on the bright side our chess students are learning to screen print the shirts and hoodies themselves. It's a learning and a bonding experience. In addition, I think by printing the clothing they take a little more pride in their chess-wear. Thank you again!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kapasi
Chess Books Needed for High School Chess Team
Funded Oct 2, 2018Thank you for your generous donation to our "Chess Books Needed for High School Chess Team" project. We're a public alternative high school in a large urban area and we have the only competitive chess team in the city. Each year we attend the state chess tournament. In the past three years we have placed in the top three in the Junior Varsity section for high school teams. The books we received thanks to your funding will provide study materials for our chess team students for at least one year. Our kids have already started using the workbooks to sharpen their tactics.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kapasi
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In.A Classical Guitar for At-Risk Kids
Funded Oct 22, 2013Thank you everyone for bringing one more classical guitar into our classroom collection - now at four guitars. Before school, during lunch, after school, and even occasionally during classes, some of our most musical students pick up one of our guitars to play a tune. Other kids borrow a guitar or two to play elsewhere on campus. One of our girls used the guitar to play a song she composed for a short film directed by another student. It's The musical opportunities these guitars provide are rewarding for our musicians and the rest of us listeners. Many students have commented on how wonderful they felt upon learning they could find guitars on the school campus to play during the day. Other students are forging friendships by playing together. Just the other day during lunch, two boys jammed over 12-bar blues, one providing rhythm while the other carried the solo. Their live music delighted us. Thanks to your help these beautiful musical happenings are sure to continue!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kapasi
Juggling for Happiness 2013-2014
Funded Aug 3, 2013Thank you once again for your donations. The kids that received the juggling balls from this project as rewards for their dedication to the juggling arts are so grateful! They feel like they are now part of a special club of People Who Can Juggle. What I've most appreciated is how our small juggling community at school provides a place for some students who are shy or awkward make and meet friends. Even other teachers and our principal have commented how impressed they are when they see kids who struggle socially or academically take the time and show the perseverance to learn how to juggle. So thanks again, and happy juggling!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kapasi
Juggling for Happiness
Funded Mar 20, 2013Thank you all so much for your generous donations that funded our Juggling for Happiness project! Our students were delighted by the juggling equipment we received. Eight students have learned to juggle three and/or four balls, one student learned to unicycle, three students already knew how to unicycle but have refined their abilities, one girl learned to juggle while unicycling (!), and one student has learned to juggle clubs and pass them with me. Interestingly, student cite "stress relief" as the biggest benefit juggling has to offer...but maybe that's no surprise since we're a school for at-risk kids, most of whom face a lot of stress in their lives. Thank you again, and remember, "When life is a struggle, take some time to juggle." :)”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kapasi