Past projects 31
Sipping and Snacking in Ms. Spillane's Class
Funded Sep 20, 2023Thank you for your kind donation. Your contribution to this project has had a big impact on our classroom community. Being able to provide granola bars and water for students throughout the day is a chance for us to make connections with our students (and sometimes with students who are not in our classes). When students know they can go to you when they want a small bottle of water or something to snack on, it helps build a connection between us. It is not the food and drink that is important to them; it is those few quick moments where we can chat about our day and get to know each other outside of an academic relationship.
When students aren't feeling well and have a strong throat, providing them a few cough drops shows that we care for their well-being and hope they feel better soon. The small act of kindness of dropping a few cough drops on their desk when they are struggling puts a big smile on their faces. The students know we see them and we want to help them feel better as quickly as possible. They appreciate those small moments. So thank you for your generous donation!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Spillane
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 3 other donors.Bringing Back the Basics
Funded Aug 2, 2023Thank you so much for the contribution to our project. By allowing us to start off the new year by 'bringing back the basics' to our classroom, students were given the chance to not feel embarrassed if they didn't have a pen, decorate classroom signs and motivation projects with their Flair pens, and keep our desk supplies organized with the snap cases.
While asking for pens and cases seems like a small request, having those supplies makes a big difference when starting off the new year. Students feel very important when they use Sharpie gel pens to write their essays--there is a certain seriousness to their demeanor when they are writing with ink that flows easily across the page. The Flair pens have been used all year to decorate one-page graphic essays, black-out poems, and self-correct multiple choice quizzes. The snap cases gave us a place to put everything so their desks can remain clean and organized. Thank you again for generosity!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Spillane
This classroom project was brought to life by Kleenex and 2 other donors."Miss, Can I Get Some Water?"
Funded Jan 8, 2024This email is directed to the LOFT program which matched my donation 3X for our project. A 3X match is so rare and I knew I had to fulfill my project right away. So thank you for giving me the opportunity to provide water to my students so they can remain in class and feel comfortable when they arrive.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Spillane
This classroom project was brought to life by LOFT and one other donor.Stacking Our Shelves
Funded Nov 23, 2023Thank you so much for helping to add diverse, high-engaging novels for our classroom library. Students will be excited to see the new Spider-Man books that feature Miles Morales and other series. It was with your help that our library keeps current selections that keep students reading. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Spillane
This classroom project was brought to life by Con Edison and 4 other donors.Keeping our Classroom Clean
Funded Oct 19, 2023Thank you so much for contributing to our classroom. As cold and allergy season progresses, our tissues have been a hot commodity and we hope to keep our desks germ-free with the Lysol wipes! This donation will go a long way to keep everyone safe and healthy! Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Spillane
This classroom project was brought to life by A Donor Who Loves Teachers and 7 other donors.Emphasizing Empathy through Independent Reading
Funded May 9, 2023Teacher Appreciation Week never disappoints when Donors Choose shares and encourages others to help build our classrooms, making sure we have the supplies and resources needed to keep our kids engaged and comfortable throughout the year.
Thank you for your generous donations. This project's donations came from loved one, strangers, and through the legacy of one brave and loving educator, Vicki Soto. Our students will know of all your contributions, but will especially know of the Vicki Soto Memorial Fund and the good work that is done in Ms. Soto's name.
We are always grateful for what is spared and shared by others to help build our classroom library to ensure students are reading books that meet their interests and help build empathy as they read of others struggles and conflicts in life.
Once again, thank you for your generosity. It is greatly appreciated.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Spillane
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Foundation and 7 other donors.Sippin' and Snackin' in Ms. Spillane's Class
Funded Jan 12, 2023All year long I have been able to provide students with water and granola bars for whenever a student asked for something to eat or something to drink. While providing snacks and water in a high school classroom may seem a bit 'young' and something that is normally done in elementary school, it has been an enormous help in developing and cultivating a classroom community this year.
Being able to allow a student to have some water during class, keeps them in the classroom rather than leaving to find the closest water fountain (which sometimes may not be working). The instructional time that is saved for our students helps them succeed in our class.
Being able to provide a snack for a student who still is hungry after lunch, allows them to focus on what we are doing in class. It also creates a sense of community as they all snack together at their tables. Thank you for your generous donation to help us all get through the day!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Spillane
This classroom project was brought to life by A New York City Parent and 3 other donors.Clean Desks, Clean Noses, and Clean Clothes
Funded Dec 23, 2022Just the other day, one of my students had gotten marker on the upper leg of her new faded-gray jeans. She was pretty bummed about it, but the student who accidentally 'tagged' her with the marker felt even worse. I was able to help the situation by pulling out a Tide pen from my desk and handing it to my student. Throughout class she would apply the Tide to the stain. I told her to take the Tide pen home and be sure to wash the jeans as soon as she can. My student came is the next day and excitedly told me how that stain came out of her jeans. She and her friend were both relieved.
This is just one example how your donation helped make the day of one of my students. Having a clean, fully-stocked classroom helps students focus on the important aspects of their education like learning, collaborating, reading, and writing.
When their desks are clean of other students' doodles or other marking, they don't get distracted. Having Clorox wipes helps keep those desks clean. When students don't need to leave the room for a runny nose, they don't lose instructional time. Having tissues in the classroom, makes that happen--as did your donation. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Spillane
Stocking Up in Ms. Spillane's Room
Funded Oct 26, 2022It is with great appreciation that I write this note of thanks. There are many ways to make a classroom fun, dynamic, and engaging. My classroom is a lively space that reflects our students' academic interests, is fully equipped with all sorts of supplies that students enjoying using to express themselves, and for the most part, is well-organized. Your donation to this project enables my students to see book recommendations written by other students in prominent places through the use of the magnetic book shelves. Students are also able to express themselves in colorful ways that help them organize their thoughts through the funding of multiple packs of Flair pens. Lastly, I am able to stay semi-organized by using magnetic clips and hanging file folders. One of the ways I am most productive is when I am able to file graphic organizers or other documents so I can see the top of my desk again!
Thank you for your kind donation and please know it is greatly appreciated!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Spillane
This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and 6 other donors.Understanding Financial Literacy Through Reading and Life Experiences
Funded Aug 23, 2022There has been an increasing effort to prepare our students for life beyond the classroom. One of the best ways we can do this is to offer books on our classroom library shelves that deal with financial literacy and financial independence. Thanks to your generous donation, we are able to provide this information to our students.
One book, "The Black Girl's Guide to Financial Freedom: Build Wealth, Retire Early and Live the Life of Your Dreams", is currently being read by 2 different students who are not only reading it but taking notes and writing in the margins to help them plan for their futures. Senior students have been gravitating toward the book, "How to Adult: Personal Finance for the Real World" (note: quotes are used because of formatting issues). Having these sorts of books for students to read and understand will help them transition from a high school setting to the outside world. This wouldn't be possible without your generous donation.
Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Spillane