Past projects 5
History Patio Needs Outdoor Furniture
Funded Nov 28, 2023Thank you so much for you assistance in making this purchase for my classroom and students happen. The furniture will make such a difference, especially as we enter the Spring and students will finally have the opportunity to do work outside. I am grateful for everyone's donation and giving nature. Thank you so much!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Metcalf
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 18 other donors.Making Our Way Home by Imani Blair
Funded Jun 11, 2020The Pandemic was the hardest event for the institution of public education. Richmond Public Schools were shuttered for a year and a half. During that time myself and other educators found new methods to provide opportunities for students to learn. But some of our methods were not via new technology but rather by an old stand by - checking out books.
During the Pandemic myself and fellow middle school teacher Mr. Dubinsky at Franklin started loaning out books to our students to keep them reading and to provide them with the opportunity to learn about a history that is undervalued and under taught in the United States.
Through reading "Making Our Way Home" by Blair Imani, students learned about Post-Reconstruction African American History up to the Vietnam Era. We loaned this book, taught this book to our virtual students, and provided students with a forum to discuss their independent reading.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Metcalf
Soccer Gear
Funded Sep 17, 2019Thank you again for another year of donating to the Franklin Middle School Soccer Program. Through your contributions we were able to have enough soccer balls for all players to practice skills and enough shorts and socks for an entire to be fitted in uniforms.
Students were amazed and greatly appreciate the new soccer balls and gear. New shorts and soccer socks turn a student in jeans into a proper soccer player. Myself and the athletes are so grateful.
Our next steps are to continue to build as a program. For the season we went 5-3, losing in the semi-finals. Now the team is in off season workouts, conditioning, and preparation for the next Fall.
With your support the soccer balls are used 3 days a week. And students wear their shorts and socks to every practice.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Metcalf
This classroom project was brought to life by Mission Tiger and 11 other donors.MS Soccer Gear
Funded Mar 4, 2018As always, thank you so much for your support of the Franklin MS Soccer team. With your support we have built a program, where children are proud to wear the school's colors and play as a squad. The team is composed of three grades, from 6th to 8th grade.
As we have built a squad, every year we have added an important component to a true soccer program. The previous year we added soccer goals and flags, a true field for true soccer players. But still the kids were playing in undershirts and Maroon t-shirts. Now with your support we have enough jerseys for the entire team. This includes the 8th grade leaders down to the new recruits in the 6th grade.
Coaching soccer to young men and women who have never learned the sport can be a challenge. But I have found the greatest joy of this challenge has been building the program itself. Now in year 5, the 8th graders are my leaders. They encourage the young ones, teach them the game, and battle to be the best in Richmond. Every year we battle with schools that have athletes that play year round, with full squads and uniforms. Today, our team is learning to look the part and to battle no matter the score of a game. This resiliency, modeled by the 8th graders, taught to the 6th graders, is the reason we have a true program today. The jerseys are the symbol for this growth.
So thank you.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Metcalf
Middle School Soccer Kits
Funded Sep 7, 2017Hello, and thank you for your incredible generosity. With your support the Middle School soccer players looked incredible on the soccer field. The MS Soccer team loved having for the first time a matching set of jerseys and enough jerseys to field a full soccer team. As Prop Joe says "Look the part, be the part..." the students learned how to feel like a soccer player and act accordingly. The Franklin team will continue to grow with students more interested in the sport than ever before. This has a direct connection with enough soccer balls to run drills and jerseys for games.
Now the season is over and the jerseys are retired til the Spring. But during this off season the kids have been busy training and building their skills. With the balls purchased through Donors Choose the players are training on Monday - Wednesday. We practice skills, play small sided games, and do competitions such as break aways, penalty kicks, and "cross bar challenge". The kids are becoming truly soccer players. The jerseys got the kids excited about the game, but the balls are what are turning them into players.
So with Christmas break a week away, a competition has arisen. Bragging rights for the Middle school. The 6th graders have challenged the 7th graders and 8th graders in a 4 v 4 soccer tournament. Three teams based on grade. The 6th graders will play the 7th graders, and the winner gets to take on the 8th grade team. The kids are excited and have truly become players who want to show off their skills.
At the end of the day the team is better situated than ever before, with more players and more interest. This has been built by how the team looks and how we train. Two integral parts that come from your support. But the kids know, the jerseys are sweet, and the balls are great, but it doesn't buy a ring.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Metcalf