Mrs. Allessio's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 11

• Fund the Final Chapter

  Funded Oct 30, 2024

  I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support of our senior class. Thanks to your contributions, we are eagerly preparing a series of events that will make this year truly special for our seniors as they approach the end of their high school journey.

  Our students are buzzing with excitement as they anticipate Senior Week festivities, which will include a beautifully organized BBQ luncheon where they can come together to reflect on their accomplishments and create lasting memories. The students were so excited to see the new lawn games they will get to play during the BBQ and were relieved to have received all the paper goods so that we do not need to worry about raising additional funds to cover that expense.

  Preparations are also underway for prom, an iconic event that our seniors look forward to with great anticipation. With your support, we have received all of the beautiful centerpiece items and photo backdrops that will transform the venue into a breathtaking space that fosters celebration, pride, and connection. This will be a night to remember, offering students the chance to bond and celebrate their high school journey together.

  We are especially looking forward to our Disney trip next month! The supplies we received will help us, especially the teacher chaperones, stay organized both before and during the trip. The festive accessories will also bring more magic to the trip!

  When we shared the plans for these events with our seniors, their excitement was palpable. They are already imagining how these experiences will bring them closer together and make their final year unforgettable. One student summed it up perfectly, saying, "It feels like all the hard work we've put in is being recognized and celebrated."

  Thanks to your generosity, we are able to give our seniors a year filled with joy, pride, and growth. These upcoming events will not only honor their achievements but also help prepare them for what lies ahead.

  Thank you for being a part of this journey and for helping us create memories that our students will cherish for a lifetime.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Allessio

• Enhancing Mental Health Education in the Science Classroom

  Funded Aug 12, 2024

  Thank you so much for funding my recent project, which included a TeachersPayTeachers gift card to purchase mental health handouts, worksheets, and inspirational visuals. Your generosity has made a tangible difference in my classroom, and I'm thrilled to share how your contribution is impacting my students.

  The resources I've been able to bring into the classroom are already fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where students feel more empowered and understood. The handouts and worksheets are helping them develop practical coping strategies and emotional awareness, which they can use not only in my class but in every aspect of their lives. For example, one student recently told me how a journaling activity on identifying stress triggers has helped her manage her workload better—and she now uses that skill in all her classes!

  The most exciting aspect for my students has been the inspirational visuals displayed around the room. These posters, featuring uplifting messages and strategies for resilience, have become daily motivators. Many students comment on how seeing these visuals reminds them to stay positive and keep going, even on tough days.

  One of my quieter students, who initially struggled to express her feelings, has particularly warmed to these new resources. Through a reflective worksheet we introduced, she shared that he's learned how to communicate when she feels overwhelmed. Seeing her develop confidence in managing his emotions has been incredibly rewarding.

  Your support is helping me create a classroom environment where students can thrive academically and personally. By prioritizing mental health alongside academic success, we're equipping these incredible young people with skills that will serve them well beyond high school.

  Thank you again for believing in this project and supporting my mission to empower my students. Your kindness and generosity are making a lasting impact!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Allessio

  This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org Teen Mental Health Initiative.

• Friendship Friday

  Funded Sep 4, 2023

  Friendship Friday was a huge success! We filled our entire media center with students and even had a waiting list to get in! The students loved making bracelets while listening to music and enjoying some treats. It was so heartwarming to see kids trading bracelets at the end of the event. Some traded with friends, while others traded with staff, and a large number traded with strangers! The students took photos in our photo booth to commemorate the day and are still asking if we can do it again next year. We could have given our students such a great opportunity, and hopefully the start of a new tradition, without your help! Thank you so much for your donation!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Allessio

• Curating Curriculum

  Funded Dec 6, 2022

  Thank you so much for donating to my project. With your help I have gained access to so many resources that I have used to build a revised curriculum for my students that is aligned to the new science standards. The students especially love some of the new activities we have already tried, such as the mystery games seen in the image. I look forward to adding in more of the resources to my class next year too. Thank you again for your donation and making the task of writing curriculum more enjoyable.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Allessio

  This classroom project was brought to life by Optimum and 9 other donors.

• Sophomore Snack Cart

  Funded Aug 13, 2022

  Thank you so much for donating to this project! The students have used the snack cart twice already this year! The first time they sold the snacks, plus homemade baked goods, to raise money for their class events. They made a profit of $78 and learned valuable lessons on how important it is to advertise, how to keep track of sales, and how to make a deposit. They made revisions to their strategies for round two of their snack cart sales and made double the amount in their second attempt! Now the students are asking to do a snack cart sale once a month as they see their efforts are paying off! Thank you so much for providing them with the opportunity to fundraise for their class while learning important skills along the way!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Allessio

  This classroom project was brought to life by Charles Schwab and 12 other donors.

• Equity in Science

  Funded Aug 4, 2022

  Thank you so much for donating to this project. My colleagues and I are using the books for our science department professional learning community (PLC) project this year. During our meetings we read and discuss the text. We then brainstorm ideas on how we can apply what we learned in our own classrooms. The book has really challenged us to rethink how we teach, from the language we use to communicate with students to the ways in which we assess them. Thank you for allowing us to gain access to this book and learn from it! Our students will certainly benefit from what we learn!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Allessio

  This classroom project was brought to life by J.W. Couch Foundation and one other donor.

• Learning Through Games

  Funded Aug 1, 2022

  Thank you so much for donating to my project. As a chemistry teacher I find that students are often intimidated by all of the new content covered in their science classroom. These games have helped to alleviate their fears as they learn new concepts through play. Students are surprised with how much information they truly retain and comprehend after playing the games and have reported feeling more confident going into an assessment as the result of their game play. However, the thing the students are most excited about this year is the prize box! When I bring the prize box out the students' competitiveness exponentially increases and the room fills with excitement. I would have never guessed stickers, buttons, and pencils would motivate high school students as much as I have witnessed this year. Students often put their winning stickers on their laptops or water bottles and their pins on their school lanyards. Their faces light up when they win and when they lose I can see the drive to do better next time come across them. Thank you for making my classroom more fun and exciting this year with your donation!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Allessio

• More Than What's on the Surface

  Funded Aug 1, 2022

  Thank you so incredibly much for donating to this project. Having a laptop this year has been essential to my job! I am displaced from my classroom 3 out of 8 blocks of the day and share a pep space with multiple teachers that only has one desktop computer. Without this laptop I would not be able to write lesson plans, create activities, post grades, or communicate with students and their families during the school day. I use the laptop every day for multiple hours a day to be as productive as possible during my planning periods. I am beyond grateful that your donation helped me access this tool that is so vital to my conducting my daily duties. Thank you again!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Allessio

  This classroom project was brought to life by J.W. Couch Foundation and 3 other donors.

• Chemistry & Crimes

  Funded Jul 16, 2022

  Thank you so much for donating to this project! We are only a few months into the school year, but have already had a ton of fun learning chemistry through project based learning. Students have learned how to classify matter, changes, and properties by investigating the case of a child who was poisoned. They absolutely loved guessing "who done it" each day and bragging about who was right all along (but really giving the most credit to those who showcased their evidence to support their claim).

  Students also investigate a true story involving elements (no pun intended) of history and art as they learned about atomic structure. The students really enjoyed this unit as many of the history buffs and art lovers got their chance to shine in class. Next year I would love to make this unit even better my collaborating with the history and art teachers to make a cross-curricular experience for our students.

  As we begin our next PBL, my students are excited to see what is ahead. The feedback students have given has been extremely positive. They are excited to come to class to learn and often forget they are even learning as they solve their crime stories. The assessment scores reflect that students are definitely understanding the content and for that I am so grateful!

  Thank you again for your donation. My students and I are enjoying the materials you were able to provide!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Allessio

• Combat COVID with Cricut

  Funded Sep 16, 2020

  Thank you so much for donating to my project. I have been able to use the Cricut Maker this year to bring so much joy to my classroom. From artwork on the walls to manipulatives to apparel, the Cricut Maker has been used to create unique, custom pieces for me and my classroom. Due to covid, students cannot share the manipulatives I've used in prior years, nor can they share scissors to cut their own materials for personal use. The Cricut Maker has been able to provide students with their own supplies without taking away from my own prep time. The students also enjoy the frequently updated bulletin boards that feature inspirational quotes, famous faces in science from different backgrounds, and school news and celebrations. These bulletin boards are largely made of letters, shapes, and designs cut by the Cricut Maker. I've also been able to make shirts for myself and my colleagues to wear for spirit days, as well as just to celebrate the fact that we are teachers that have fought through a trying year teaching during a pandemic. The Cricut Maker has brought joy to not only myself, but my students and colleagues alike. Thank you for your generosity in funding this project and, in turn, playing a significant part in spreading happiness, love, and joy.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Allessio

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose 20th Anniversary Fund and 3 other donors.