Past projects 2
Care Packages to Help Bring the Holiday Home
Funded Nov 29, 2022A thank you from the student council.
First of all we want to thank all of you for donating to our DonorChoose and helping us in this important project.
All of the students were so happy when receiving the holiday gift bags, especially the hats and gloves. Once the students received the bags they were all so happy to see all the goodies inside. From the hats/gloves to the hot cocoa, candy canes, chapstick and more. The students were immediately putting the hats on and most of them have continued to wear them everyday since.
Harvey Milk High School works actively to make everyone feel seen, heard, and accepted. It's a second home for most students while being a school and a safe haven. Knowing that a large percentage of our student body comes from low income households, we know that holiday/winter times can be hard. Between the need for winter gear, and holiday goodies on top of the regular costs of food and housing, the student council wanted to help. What better way to help than to provide students with winter gear to ensure their safety during these winter months. When students opened their gifts, the smiles and immediate gratitude was evident. Our hope is to make this a tradition that can continue to grow and evolve in various ways. After seeing the impact, the student council had the idea to make it two fold for next year. We can collect winter gear that is no longer by families and canned foods, donate these to shelters or families in the school that are in need, and then come to Donor Choose to help us make holiday giftbags like we did this year with the correct size garments needed to warmth.
We can not thank you enough for your donations and look forward to continuing making an impact not only in our school but in the world around us!
Thank you!
HMHS Student Council”
With gratitude,
Ms. Crystal
This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 9 other donors.Mindfulness Sensory
Funded Nov 17, 2022A message from our student council:
First of all we want to thank each and everyone one of you for helping us bring to life such a special place for our school and students. Our sensory room is used as a safe space for students to have some time for themselves when they feel overstimulated or just need some time alone. This space gives students some time to have a mental break when needed.The student council has been working hard to make this room come to life and include as much as we can to accommodate the students' needs in our school. For instance, in our sensory room we have a few comfortable chairs such as a bean bag, an air sack, and 2 inflatable chairs. We also have a sequins and fur wall to ease students' minds along with our toy aquarium. Additionally, a small table where the students can choose to solve puzzles, play with fidget toys, touch the kinetic sand, or play with giant orbeez to relax and turn a frown to a smile!
So far it has been very helpful, our space has improved the atmosphere in our school; students are able to take some time for themselves, return to class ready to work with a clear mindset, and are able to concentrate better.
We interviewed a student named Alex, who was feeling overwhelmed and anxious in class after having to complete a test that she didn't study for. She asked to use the sensory room, where she played with the fidgets and orbeez as she sat down on a bean bag. After just 10 minutes of being in the room, she was able to take a few deep breaths and calm herself down. She returned to class ready to take the test. Although she didn't study for it, she passed the test! She exclaimed, "I would've been too anxious to focus on taking the test without that break in a space where I could refocus. I appreciate the sensory room and I highly recommend it to everyone!"
The students loved the sensory room! One of the first students to see the sensory room and its materials, screamed in excitement. Another student observed around the room in shock from all of the options they could choose from. Overall, the majority of the students were in shock and excited while some were curious. Students thanked the student council and our donors for all the hard work & contributions that helped make this possible.
Some next steps are based on things go and how students utilize the sensory room. Our hopes for the upcoming school year is to expand the mindfulness sensory space. We would like to make more safe & calming spaces and hopefully spread the idea of sensory rooms to other schools. We want to expand the creativity of students, make students feel more comfortable in a school setting, and help motivate students to attend school more often.
Thank you so much again for all of your donations!
With great thanks,
HMHS Student Council”
With gratitude,
Ms. Crystal