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Ms. Pollak's Classroom

  • Intermediate School 145 Joseph Pulitzer
  • Jackson Hts., NY
  • Nearly all students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

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show projects from all time

Past projects 6

  • A bluePRINT for Education

    Funded Feb 5, 2025

    Thank you so much for putting my students first and for valuing their education! These materials will help me differentiate the curriculum for my students as well as give them more access to things like guided notes, anchor charts, and toolboxes that will help guide their comprehension and allow for them to be more independent readers and writers! From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Pollak

  • Tone It Up!

    Funded Nov 5, 2020

    In these uncertain and unprecedented times, it's truly heartwarming to know that there are people in the world who are so selfless, generous, and willing to make other people's lives easier, in whatever way they can. Everyone has endured a tumultuous year, my students in particular, so they cling to any glimmer of light. Thank you for providing them with that. For them, your donation was held much more significance than affording them the opportunity to print out their work/documents; the real impact of your contribution was letting them know that someone (other than their families, friends, and teachers) "has their back," and that is priceless.

    Thankfully, we were able to return to in-person learning yesterday, and already, I have had kids ask me if they can print out their high school applications and the essays they just finished writing because they want to be able to show their families physical evidence of how hard they have been working during remote learning.

    Again, I am truly grateful for your generosity and know words will never be express the extent of my endless gratitude.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Pollak

    This classroom project was brought to life by Arman Roy Foundation and 5 other donors.
  • Futures Made of Virtual Insanity Now

    Funded Dec 3, 2018

    It has been a month since I've received the materials you have so generously donated and I can't begin to describe the impact it's had on my students. When they saw the hundreds of brand new books, their eyes widened and their hearts exploded! I have one student in particular who "is not a reader," but I hand picked a few books that I thought might pique his interest, and he has legitimately not put them down since! This in of itself is the greatest win of my year! Aside from the books, my kids are obsessed with their new iPads! My school was able to set them up quickly and now they can read, highlight and annotate a text in a way that feels more authentic for them, as well as use apps like PowToon, Story Bird, Padlet, and others to demonstrate their knowledge in new and creative ways. The charging station is amazing and it's also great because the kids are able to use the portable carriers as little baskets so it takes away the fear of breaking them when it's time to put them away. Lastly, the printer, although not a tool that you might think would be helpful for students, has been a lifesaver! Every morning, I have about twenty kids come into my classroom asking to print something, so with the wireless printer, it makes life so much easier!!

    Again, I am beyond thankful for your generosity and I know my students are too! They really couldn't believe that complete strangers took an interest in their education and that's what makes this entire experience so valuable! From the bottom of all of our hearts, we are eternally grateful!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Pollak

    This classroom project was brought to life by Staples and one other donor.
  • They Feel the Need...The Need to Read!

    Funded Sep 16, 2014

    Thank you so much for your incredible donations. You have changed the lives of my students in ways I cannot begin to describe. My students have benefited from your donations not only by receiving new and interesting books, but also in knowing that somebody cares for them and their education.

    My students have truly come to see that there are selfless people in this world who are willing to help them out of the kindness of their hearts. I thank you for teaching them this and for giving them new opportunities to learn about the world through books. You have provided them with new adventures, heroes to admire, and magical worlds that they may have never otherwise been exposed to.

    My students reading levels have been improving since the arrival of the books and scholastic scopes. The reading logs I assign each week have been handed in, whereas before the amount I received were few and far between, and that is a huge testament to you and your donations. My students no longer have to struggle to find an interesting book or magazine to read, because each month there is an influx of the scopes and they cannot wait to get their hands on them.

    Again, thank you for all of your donations and I hope that in some way, someone else pays it forward to you.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Pollak

  • Read And There Will Be No More Weeping!

    Funded Apr 25, 2012

    It has been a few weeks since the books that you have so generously donated have arrived and I cannot keep them in my classroom. There were well over 50 books donated and as soon as one of them is returned, it is checked out by another student. For the first time all year I hear students say to each other, "You have to read this book, you'll love it!" Or, "Miss., this book was written about my life." These words are ones that I never imagined to be uttered about a piece of literature...it just goes to show how much the "right" book can change a child's perception of reading. My students are now open to the idea that reading is fun and that they can spend time opening a book instead of picking up a remote control or logging onto social media websites. That is a gift that you gave them and I am eternally grateful for that. My students couldn't believe that complete strangers would donate their time and resources to helping them and by doing so you have restored their faith in humanity.

    These books have proven to provide my students with a sense of belonging and a world of knowledge. Both my students and I are forever in debt to you and thank you for your generosity and interest in their lives. ”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Pollak

  • We Need Books!

    Funded Mar 23, 2011

    Upon receiving the books that you have all generously donated to my students, I must say that my students went absolutely wild! From the day that the books arrived in my classroom, my students have been taking the books out and have been signing up on waiting lists to read those books that the other students had already taken out. School is ending in about two weeks and graduation is looming. While many of the students have retired from doing work because the heat has reached a record high and "senioritis" has kicked in, many of my students are still asking to take the books out. Every time a student is done reading a book that you have brought into their lives, I not only receive a book report, but an ear full of what they thought about the book and how I should order a class set to use with my future students. It is amazing to see that with the help of people like you what a difference it can truly make. I have the students sign out the books you donated on post-its so that I can keep track of them and my draw is satiated with pink, green and blue stickies because my kids keep on coming back for more.

    My gratitude to you for your generosity is something that will never fade and I know my students' lives have been forever touched because they got to see that complete strangers are looking out for their best interest. Thank you for changing our lives. ”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Pollak

    This classroom project was brought to life by Townsend Press and 6 other donors.
My students are 13-14 years old; this in itself illustrates their struggle. On top of being confused about who they are, what they want, and/or how to stay under the radar but not be completely ignored, my students are faced with many more adverse situations, such as abuse in their homes, gang members on the streets,and exposure to drugs/alcohol like it is candy. Despite all of this, my students come to school everyday to learn and even to escape home for those 7-8 hours. My students crave an environment that gives them a chance, a possibility to leave their realities; school is that place. Unfortunately, resources are limited and funds are restricted. In a world filled with technology and innovation, my classroom lives in the "stone ages" with a simple blackboard and pull down map. My students work hard and are at a point in their lives where they will soon go to high school where they will either sink or swim. In order for them to swim, they need to be taught...which requires materials.

About my class

My students are 13-14 years old; this in itself illustrates their struggle. On top of being confused about who they are, what they want, and/or how to stay under the radar but not be completely ignored, my students are faced with many more adverse situations, such as abuse in their homes, gang members on the streets,and exposure to drugs/alcohol like it is candy. Despite all of this, my students come to school everyday to learn and even to escape home for those 7-8 hours. My students crave an environment that gives them a chance, a possibility to leave their realities; school is that place. Unfortunately, resources are limited and funds are restricted. In a world filled with technology and innovation, my classroom lives in the "stone ages" with a simple blackboard and pull down map. My students work hard and are at a point in their lives where they will soon go to high school where they will either sink or swim. In order for them to swim, they need to be taught...which requires materials.

About my class

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