Past projects 4
Essentials Crisis
Funded Dec 31, 2022I can't express enough gratitude for all of the essentials you provided my students with. When I received it all and lined it up in my office I knew the impact you were making. I decided to go to Trader Joes and get groceries bags to make up essential bags for my students. I collaborated with our social work department and gave out the bags to the students with the greatest needs.
Our students typically get one thing at a time such as a toothbrush or deodorant. This time, they received a shopping bag full of essential items such as body wash, toothpaste, and laundry detergent. Their faces were full of thanks and relief. Many of our students live in hotels and shelters and are barely getting by. This helped them feel respected, thought of, and loved.
Thank you again so much for what you have provided my students with. They are very grateful!”
With gratitude,
Ms. LaKamp
COVID-19 Essentials for Students
Funded Jul 7, 2020COVID-19 has had a huge impact on my student. Many of their family members lost their jobs and the students had begin working more to supplement the family income. They also were full of fear and concern for their family member's and their own health. Due to all of the stress over economy, unemployment, health, and essential needs, the students found it difficult to focus on academic engagement. My students are special, however. Many put education as a high priority in their lives. They pulled through and earned their spring 2020 credits.
Your donation funded many essential items for my students. When the donation arrived at my door, I was shocked! The products filled my tiny apartment, and my heart. I instantly unboxed, collected an inventory, and sent out emails to students in need. They immediately responded and accepted the assistance. My students were very surprised when they saw how much was donated to them. They could not believe that donors chose them and their families during such a difficult time in our country. The smiles on their faces proved they know they are cared for by many people!
I am a live teacher this fall semester which means I am going to school daily and seeing many of our students. I have extra supplies from the donation that I am slowly bringing into the building to share with the students in need. Your donation continues to support my students and their families. New York City students are resilient and brave. They will continue prioritizing their education no matter what! Thank you for supporting them and showing them kindness during a global pandemic!”
With gratitude,
Ms. LaKamp
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 11 other donors.Classroom Library Book Request
Funded Dec 14, 2018I don't know where to begin to thank you! Our school is working on increasing our reading culture and is encouraging students to read anything and everything, anywhere and everywhere. I have a Reading Day on Fridays in my ESL 9th and 10th grade English Class. I have many books that reach many levels. Many of my tenth grade students have already read most of them however and were getting board. I had a sheet up notebook paper up on the board and made it a "wish list" for students to put the titles of books they wanted to read. I have a student who is not a strong reader in English. When I saw him put a book title on the wish list I knew it was no longer a wish; I had to make it happen. If this student wanted a book I had to get it in his hands! I also had an avid reader who had read almost everything in the classroom library. She put down several books, and I knew she had her eyes on them for awhile because she was very specific.
During Reading Day the students pick a book for me to read aloud to them for 30 minutes, but lately they want to read to their classmates so I pass the book to volunteers. Currently we are reading Wonder. They are really enjoying a story about someone who is different than everyone else and how he gets along in his daily life. Then for the last 30 minutes they read independently books of their choice. This part can be challenging. It is difficult for them to sustain 30 minutes if they are not interested in the books. When the books first came in I had to keep them behind my desk during the read aloud portion of each class because I knew they would be too excited. When I pulled them out their faces lit up. They were literally out of their seats and standing with as much self-control as they could while I held the books up one by one and explained what they were and who they were from. The boy who doesn't read much was thrilled to actually see a book of his interest and couldn't wait to get started.
When the students saw that a stranger purchased books for them they were in shock. The could not imagine anyone buying anything for them. They think of books as treasure, expensive, and for the privileged. They were so thankful and excited someone had interest in them and their education. Once the students who started reading the books you bought for them they could not be distracted! Many students have checked them out and already brought them back and checking out more. Thanks again for making such an impact on my students and showing them how much people can about them and their futures!”
With gratitude,
Ms. LaKamp
Calculators Instead of Phones!
Funded Dec 19, 2016The new calculators in my classroom are a dream come true. Students were using their phones to finish homework assignments, tests, and quizzes. This lead them into distraction easily because the temptation of using their phone for social media, testing, or music was too much or them to bare. The calculators eliminate this distraction and help the students focus on their assignments. Calculators are tools that students need in order to use the high school required functions such as "squared" "sin" and "tan." This takes a lot of stress off of them having a tool that actually works.
Each day when I come to class my 9-12th graders ask me for the key to the cabinet to get their calculators. They are excited to use them and get their work done. They needed the calculators to be successful for their classes, and unfortunately the school could not provide them with these tools. Now they have what they need, are less distracted, and are more enthusiastic about completing their work; because of you. Thank you so much for helping out these students. They need as much support and love they can get. You helped me provide them with the tools they needed in order to be successful. Thanks again!”
With gratitude,
Ms. LaKamp