Past projects 8
Supporting STEM in the Library
Funded Nov 14, 2023Thank you for supporting STEM in the Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School Library. Due to your generous donation, we increased the number of STEM books in our collection. This has allowed us to replace worn books and to select books that are of interest to our diverse population.
Plus, the books we purchased directly support an annual research project in one of the science classes. We were able to add at least one book in Spanish which will help our new-to-country students.
The books will also replace some of the texts that have gone missing. Since our library is at a Title 1 school, a portion of our student body is transient. While it always hurts my librarian's heart to lose a book, I've learned to take comfort in knowing that a kiddo who might not have much, has a great book.
Thank you for your donation. You not only depleted our collection, but you updated it as well.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Andresen
This classroom project was brought to life by Alaska Department of Education & Early Development.Rebuilding the Rebel Readers' Book Collection
Funded Aug 4, 2023Thank you for supporting the Rebel Readers at Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. I call my readers Rebels because they read what they want to read and they don't always turn in their books on time. That's okay. They're reading!
Being that our library is at a Title 1 school, we have a portion of our student body that is transient. Unfortunately, this means that we lose books when students move unexpectedly. While it always hurts my librarian's heart to lose a book, I've learned to take comfort in knowing that a kiddo who might not have much, has a great book.
That's why we appreciate your support. Your donation has replenished dozens of missing books and replaced books that belonged in many of our manga series. For those of you who read, you know that no one wants to start a series with missing books.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Andresen
This classroom project was brought to life by Alaska Department of Education & Early Development.Battle of the Books-Building Better Readers
Funded Sep 6, 2021Each year the Anchorage School District has Battle of the Books (BoB). It's a contest in which students answer questions about the books that were selected for the competition. All of the high schools send a team to battle against the other schools in our district.
When I replaced the librarian this year, she said that she had difficulties fielding a team for the past two years. Since I have been sponsoring BoB at midlevel for over 20 years, I have found that it's an amazing opportunity for students who rely on their brains instead of their brawn to find an activity in which to compete. It not only boosts their self-esteem, but also builds teamwork skills, critical thinking, and improves reading skills.
Thanks to your donation, we have a team! The new books piqued the interest of the students. The long-term effect is that your donation is helping our students build new friendships and to feel more connected to the school.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Andresen
This classroom project was brought to life by Dollar General Literacy Foundation and one other donor.Rebuilding the Rebel Readers Book Collection
Funded Sep 23, 2021Thank you for your donations. It was incredibly fulfilling to see the looks of wonder and relief when my students walked into the library for the first time in over a year. The upperclassmen were excited to be home and the freshmen were greeted by an assortment of interesting books dressed up with untouched, shiny book covers.
In the Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School Library (BDEAHS), teachers bring classrooms down for a variety of lessons, book talks, and an opportunity to check out books. There are also students who chose to visit the library to check out books on their own. The "regulars" love to peruse the new books display and wander through the stacks. Others rush in to grab the latest book in the series they are reading before the tardy bell rings.
BDEAHS (formerly known as East Anchorage High School) is the number one most diverse high school in the U.S. With the funds you provided, I focused on increasing the diversity of authors and protagonists in our collection. It's wonderful to see students picking up books with covers of characters who look like them. It's even more satisfying when they come back with their eyes alive with the excitement of finding a book that they loved because it related to them.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Andresen
This classroom project was brought to life by Dollar General Literacy Foundation and one other donor.Reaching Rebel Readers
Funded Sep 3, 2021Thank you for your donations. It was incredibly fulfilling to see the looks of wonder and relief when my students walked into the library for the first time in over a year. The upperclassmen were excited to be home and the freshmen were greeted by an assortment of interesting books dressed up with untouched, shiny book covers.
In the Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School Library (BDEAHS), teachers bring classrooms down for a variety of lessons, book talks, and an opportunity to check-out books. There are also students who chose to visit the library to check out books on their own. The "regulars" love to peruse the new books display and wander through the stacks. Others rush in to grab the latest book in the series they are reading before the tardy bell rings.
BDEAHS (formerly know as East Anchorage High School) is the number one most diverse high school in the U.S. With the funds you provided, I focused on increasing the diversity of authors and protagonists in our collection. It's wonderful to see students picking up books with covers of characters who look like them. It's even more satisfying when they come back with their eyes alive with the excitement of finding a book that they loved because it related to them.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Andresen
This classroom project was brought to life by Dollar General Literacy Foundation and 7 other donors.Cooking 101: Crock-Pot Kids
Funded Oct 22, 2018Thank you for sponsoring my Crock-Pot Cooking Class. This is my third year running it and the impact has been AMAZING! Not only do I get to see my students gain self-confidence because they are providing for their families, but I've also built lasting relationships with the students who take it.
This fall, I ran into a former student who is now in high school. She told me about some challenges she was having so I contacted her current counselor and she was able to get the help she needed. She avoided me prior to taking my class. Now she confides in me even though she's at a different school.
Another one of my former students lost everything in a house fire this spring. I contacted her and asked if she wanted another crock-pot. Her face lit up! She said they used the one I gave all of the time. She was so relieved to get a new one.
I couldn't have done it without you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Andresen
Cooking 101: Crock-Pot KidsPart II
Funded Nov 5, 2016Thank you for supporting my Crock-Pot Kids: Cooking 101 project. We completed our first class in January and are running two classes in February.
I wasn't looking forward to the second session because I knew I was going to miss seeing my first group of students on a regular basis. I discovered, however, that the bond we built during the first session remains. The members of my first group stop to talk to me in the hallway or wave to me during passing time. One of my students, who tended to keep adults at a distance, initiated a conversation with me and has smiled at me...TWICE!
Another student who has been in trouble several times for losing his temper comes to my office when he's angry instead of losing his cool in class. Because of his demeanor, he chases away potential friends, but by the end of our class, he was talking and laughing with the rest of the students.
Two of the students were new to our school when they moved into apartments with their extended families containing eight plus people. Not only were we able to help families who had fallen on hard times, but we also helped two new students make friends.
Three students from my original group are assisting with our next session of cooking classes. They were thrilled when I asked them to help us. All three of them are students who are typically overlooked for leadership roles because they're so quiet, but they are hard-workers who are flourishing in their roles as leaders.
In my new group, I have a student who has a sibling in the hospital. I might not have known if I hadn't invited her to the class. Now I can check in on her every week. Plus, she's helping out her family of nine by preparing a meal. Imagine what that will be like for her mom to come home from the hospital to have the younger kids fed and a meal waiting for her?
I can't wait to see what impact we have on the groups that started this week.
The greatest impact of your donation, however, has been on me. It has been a pleasure to hear from donors all over the U.S. who read about my project and wanted to help. Your generosity and support have revitalized my career. As a guidance counselor, I don't always see the fruits of my labor. This project, however, has given me the opportunity to help families in a way that is immediate and has concrete results. There will also be a future impact that
we can't measure, but I truly believe that we're building skills that will change lives.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Andresen
Cooking 101: Crock-Pot Kids
Funded Oct 26, 2016When I told my students that our Crock-Pot Cooking Class was coming to an end there were several shouts of "No!" heard in the room.
Thank you for supporting my Crock-Pot Kids: Cooking 101 project. There have been numerous positives that have come out of this class.
Several students have asked to take Home Ec. so that they can learn to cook more food. I receive hugs from students I wouldn't have had time to get to know. Plus, I'm developing positive relationships with my students, some of whom are going to face some challenges in the two years they're at my school.
In addition, one student said her family really looks forward to the food she brings home. It gives them more family time because her dad doesn't have to cook on his only night off.
Two of the students were new to our school when they moved into apartments with their extended families containing eight plus people. Not only were we able to help families who had fallen on hard times, but we also helped two new students make friends.
Several other friendships were formed as students made sure some of their classmates made it to our class on time. They also started looking out for each other by making sure we prepared food when students were absent.
A couple of future leaders also emerged in our group. Those students will be asked to help mentor their peers in upcoming classes.
We've also received a great deal of support from our Romig family. Several staff members have given up their lunches to help us out because they know that we're making a difference with these students. You paid for the crock-pots, cook books, and utensils that made this possible, but the food was paid for by parent and staff contributions.
The greatest impact of your donation, however, has been on me. This project was funded in 24 hours mostly by my Facebook friends and their friends and family. I've also had the pleasure of hearing from donors all over the U.S. who read about my project and wanted to help. Your generosity and support have revitalized my career. As a guidance counselor, you don't always see the fruits of your labor. This project, however, has given me the opportunity to help families in a way that is immediate and has concrete results. There will also be a future impact that we can't measure, but I truly believe that we're building skills that will change lives.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Andresen