Ms. Black's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 6

• "Calm & Thrive: Building a Sensory Room for Student Success"

  Funded Jan 3, 2025

  Thank you very much for donating to our Sensory Room. Building a sensory room in a K–8 school can significantly enhance the learning environment for students, especially those with sensory processing challenges, autism, ADHD, or emotional and behavioral needs. These rooms offer a controlled, safe space equipped with calming tools such as soft lighting, weighted blankets, tactile surfaces, and soothing sounds. This helps students regulate their emotions and sensory input, which can reduce anxiety, prevent meltdowns, and improve focus and classroom behavior. For many students, having access to a sensory room supports their ability to remain in general education settings and engage more fully in academic and social activities.

  Since creating our sensory room in at South Hampton, the next steps involve developing clear guidelines for its use, training our staff on how to support students effectively within the space, and integrating its use into students' individualized education plans (IEPs) or behavior intervention plans (BIPs) where appropriate. It's important that we establish protocols for scheduling, supervision, and maintenance to ensure the room remains a safe, functional, and therapeutic environment. Ongoing collaboration with occupational therapists, special education teams, and the school counselor will help tailor the room's resources to meet evolving student needs. Regular assessment and feedback from both staff and students will be used to ensure the room continues to serve its purpose and can inform any necessary adjustments or expansions”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Black

  This classroom project was brought to life by CFP Foundation and ESPN and 2 other donors.

• Boosting Children's Mental Health thru Play

  Funded Jan 3, 2025

  As educators, we know that mental health is just as important as academic success, yet it is often overlooked in the classroom. In today's world, children face various stressors, from academic pressure to social challenges, and these can take a toll on their emotional well-being. Play is a powerful tool for helping children manage these stresses and develop the social-emotional skills necessary for lifelong success.

  My students come from diverse backgrounds, and many are experiencing challenges that can affect their mental health, including anxiety, stress, and a lack of safe emotional outlets. I believe that providing them with opportunities for interactive, creative, and therapeutic play can help them build resilience, manage emotions, and increase their overall sense of well-being.

  This project aimed to create a safe, engaging, and supportive space in the classroom where children can benefit from play that nurtures their mental health. Thank you for sending resources to provide a variety of materials that support imaginative and therapeutic play. I received items such as:

  Flexible seating

  Fidget toys and stress-relief gadgets

  Sensory play materials

  Alternative lighting

  Board games and cooperative games

  Mindfulness and relaxation tools, such as calming music players and guided meditation resources, to help children practice relaxation techniques

  My students were so excited to use these materials. They couldn't wait to begin using them.

  By integrating these materials into our daily routine, I am able to provide my students with consistent opportunities to decompress, express their feelings, and engage with their peers in a positive and nurturing way. I'm confident that these activities will reduce stress, foster a greater sense of community, and help children develop skills to navigate their emotions and interactions in a healthy, positive way.

  Your support in funding this project makes a huge difference in the lives of my students. Together, we are able to ensure they are given the tools to manage their emotions, build strong social connections, and develop the resilience they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

  Thank you for funding this opportunity to help children grow emotionally, mentally, and socially. Every bit of support brings us closer to creating a safer and more healing environment for our students!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Black

  This classroom project was brought to life by CFP Foundation and ESPN.

• "Sensory Sanctuary: Creating a Calming Space for Student Success"

  Funded Jan 3, 2025

  Sensory rooms have a positive impact on various individuals, especially those with sensory processing disorders, autism spectrum disorders, or other developmental or neurological conditions. Some of the benefits of sensory room are:

  1. Improved Emotional Regulation

  2. Enhancement of Focus and Attention

  3. Therapeutic Benefits

  4. Reduced Meltdowns and Aggression

  5. Improved Social Interaction

  6. Support for Developmental Milestones

  7. Calming Effect on the Nervous System

  8. Boosting Independence

  9. Support for Emotional Well-being

  10. Customizable to Individual Needs

  We are in the process of constructing a sensory room with the items that have been given. Our students were delighted to see the new items appear in our space. I have tested out items with some of our students with sensory challenges such as ADHD and ODD and the different fidget toys and squishes have made a big difference in overall behavior.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Black

  This classroom project was brought to life by CFP Foundation and ESPN.

• "Chill-ville": A Calming Space

  Funded May 9, 2025

  Thank you for your continued support! We are in the process of creating a "Calming Corner" within our school to address the specific needs of our students who have sensory and/or emotional needs. This sensory room, once completed will help us provide an environment that is more conducive to all students learning and thriving. Thank you again!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Black

  This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple and 2 other donors.

• So Fresh & So Clean (All Day)!

  Funded May 9, 2025

  Thank you so very much for your generosity. Making sure that middle schoolers remain fresh all throughout the school day can be challenging. With your help, we will be able to ensure that our students don't have the barrier of access to hygienic products. We appreciate you and your kindness.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Black

  This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple and 2 other donors.

• Prioritizing Mental Well-being

  Funded Aug 5, 2024

  As a school counselor I am charged with helping navigate my students through whattever issuses, academically, socially, or emotionally that they are dealing with. Being a school counselor in the inner city is more challenging due to my students having to carry a lot of stress sometimes from home environments or peers and bringing that stress into the school enviornment.

  Creating a space that is comfortable, welcoming and inviting is important and encouraging students to feel safe enough to open up about whatever stressors they are experiencing is vital to their well-being. As the school counselor, I set out to transform my counselor's office into a "safe calming space" to allow students to decompress.

  It is with my deepest appreciation that I send my gratitude to you for helping sponsor my school counseling space. I oftentimes have students in my office that need "breaks'', "time outs", or "calming spaces". Prior to receiving your generosity, it was challenging for me to provide a space for my students that would enable them to be able to relax and release their frustrations. I have frequently had students referred to me that had to sit on the floor or nap in hard chairs (due to diagnoses of Narcolepsy) and I wanted to be able to provide a space that was inviting and calming so that students could benefit fully from being with the school counselor.

  `”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Black

  This classroom project was brought to life by Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation and one other donor.