Past projects 9
Kindness Ripple Award
Funded Sep 23, 2024I am writing to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous contribution to the *Kindness Ripple Award* initiative. Thanks to your support, we are able to recognize and reward the students and staff who go above and beyond in showing kindness to others in our school community. Your donation has truly made a difference in helping us build a culture of empathy, compassion, and encouragement here.
Each week, we select a student and a staff member who have demonstrated extraordinary acts of kindness, whether it's lending a helping hand, supporting a classmate, or creating a positive environment for all. Your generosity allows us to honor these individuals with certificates, tokens of appreciation, and public recognition—making them feel valued and inspiring others to follow their example.
In addition to these tangible rewards, your contribution helps create a ripple effect of kindness that spreads throughout our school. By highlighting these meaningful acts, we are fostering an atmosphere where kindness is celebrated, and everyone is encouraged to continue spreading goodwill. The impact of your donation reaches far beyond the weekly awards; it shapes the culture of our school for the better.
We are so grateful for your support in making this initiative possible. You've helped create a space where kindness flourishes, and we couldn't do it without you. Thank you for being a part of this important work and for helping us cultivate a caring and compassionate school community.”
With gratitude,
Ms. J
Ignite: Hands-On STEM Exploration
Funded Aug 30, 2024Thanks to your generous support, our students now have access to innovative 3D materials that are transforming the way we approach learning in STEM. These resources have opened up a whole new world of creativity and hands-on learning, allowing students to explore complex concepts in physics, engineering, and design in a tangible, interactive way.
One of the most exciting moments came when we introduced the 3D printers to the classroom. The look of excitement on the students' faces was unforgettable! They immediately grasped how these tools could help them bring their ideas to life. In our recent project, students designed and printed prototypes of renewable energy solutions. One group built a wind turbine, while another worked on a solar-powered model. Not only did they gain valuable technical skills, but they also learned the importance of problem-solving, collaboration, and iteration.
The new resources have made learning much more engaging. Students are now actively involved in the design process, making real-world connections to what they're learning in textbooks. They're excited to brainstorm, experiment, and even fail—knowing that each step brings them closer to a solution. For instance, during one of our design challenges, students tested different prototypes and refined their designs based on real-time feedback from the 3D prints, illustrating the iterative nature of engineering.
Looking ahead, our next steps are even more ambitious. We're diving deeper into more advanced STEM concepts, including robotics and automation, using our new resources to help students build and program their own robotic models. This will give them hands-on experience with coding, engineering, and problem-solving, preparing them for the rapidly changing world of technology.
Your contribution has had a lasting impact on these students. They're not just learning STEM; they're experiencing it firsthand, and it's shaping their future in ways we couldn't have imagined without your support. Thank you for making all of this possible!”
With gratitude,
Ms. J
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and 3 other donors.Bringing STEM to Life: 3D Printing for Innovation and Learning
Funded Dec 5, 2024Thank you for funding our 3D printer and I am very thrilled to let my gifted students start their first ever 3D printing project. This is a very good outlet for them to enhance their problem-solving, creative, divergent and critical thinking skills
We are always going to be grateful!”
With gratitude,
Ms. J
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and 6 other donors.Enriching 3rd Grade Learning with Native American Books
Funded Aug 14, 2024Thank you so much for your generous support of our project, *Enriching 3rd Grade Learning with Native American Books*. We're thrilled to share the impact it's already had on our students' learning and engagement.
With these new texts, we've introduced essential literacy skills like critical thinking, perspective-taking, and cultural awareness. Each book presents authentic Native American voices and stories that allow our students to dive deeper into key reading skills such as summarizing, analyzing character motivations, and identifying themes. Moreover, the students are learning to make connections between the stories and their own lives, sparking meaningful discussions on identity and values.
In our classroom, reading time is interactive and lively. Students often sit in small groups, sharing thoughts and personal reflections. We frequently pause for discussions, allowing everyone to explore how the stories relate to the broader world and to our own community. These books have transformed reading into a dynamic experience where students ask questions, engage in role-play, and even act out scenes to deepen their comprehension and enjoyment.
A few students have especially connected with these new books. For instance, one of our students, who hadn't shown much interest in reading before, is now one of the most engaged readers. She's particularly drawn to stories that reflect her own heritage and is constantly bringing up connections between the texts and her family's traditions. This project has not only enriched her reading skills but has given her a new sense of pride and confidence in the classroom.
Your support has given our class more than just books – it's provided a space for our students to feel seen, celebrated, and empowered. Thank you for helping us bring these invaluable lessons to life!”
With gratitude,
Ms. J
This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and 2 other donors.Trailblazers' Gear: Empowering Native American Excellence
Funded Jun 20, 2024The Northface Minibackpacks have had an incredible impact on the gifted students of To'Hajiilee Community School. These backpacks have become more than just a convenient way to carry their belongings; they have given our students a sense of pride and responsibility as they tackle their STEM projects, cultural storytelling, and other activities. One of the standout moments was during our recent field trip where the students used their backpacks to carry tablets, research materials, and notebooks for their digital storytelling project about Navajo culture. The sense of ownership and excitement was evident as they eagerly unpacked their gear, ready to create and collaborate.
When the students first received the minibackpacks, their faces lit up with excitement. They couldn't wait to explore their new tools, immediately recognizing that these were not just backpacks, but a symbol of the meaningful work they are undertaking in our school. The students have started using them as portable workstations, taking their learning outdoors and moving between classes seamlessly, especially for hands-on activities like 3D printing and filmmaking.
Thanks to these backpacks, our next steps involve taking learning beyond the traditional classroom, empowering students to work in diverse environments. With their gear ready to go, they will continue their digital storytelling project, contributing to their own growth and the preservation of Navajo culture. The backpacks have made it easier for students to manage materials for independent and collaborative projects, allowing them to focus on innovation and creativity, and we can't wait to see what they'll accomplish next!”
With gratitude,
Ms. J
This classroom project was brought to life by A family that cares about teachers and 12 other donors.