Ms. Mika's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 30

• Support Our Stellar Students

  Funded Dec 2, 2019

  Thank you for your generous donations. The students were SOO excited to see the new bean bag chairs, game, and sensory slime. I have played the board game with students and they love learning how to make good choices. The holidays can be a particularly blue time of the year for people, including children and parents. The darker days of winter can bring about a gloomy mood and the hype of the holidays can set unrealistic expectations for children. There are many reasons children may feel sad or anxious around the holidays, including added stress around having to be with one or the other parent (not both), in cases of divorced families, or coping with the loss of a loved one who recently passed away. Thank you for allowing me to meet students where they are at and for supporting our kids social emotional needs.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mika

• Family First

  Funded Oct 17, 2019

  Thank you for supporting our school. The Rosa Parks community appreciates your generosity and compassion for others. The students were most excited about the "Lets Talk" conversation starters because they felt like they could build better relationships with peers and adults. The students and families also appreciated the black family dolls to promote inclusion and diversity during therapy sessions.Dolls—handmade to look like the children who love them or the deities their parents worshiped—have been found all over the world, in all cultures, all races, since ancient times. In a society that often devalues darker skin colors and natural hair textures, dolls that mirror our children "affirm that they exist", Bratko says. "When adults give a child a doll that looks like her, they're saying: 'There are people like you in the world. You matter just as much as anyone else.'"

  Thank you for reminding children that they matter just as much as anyone else.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mika

  This classroom project was brought to life by Carnegie Corporation of New York and one other donor.

• Our Wellness Center Needs You

  Funded Feb 28, 2019

  Thank you for helping our students feel better during cold and flu season. It truly is the little things that matter and you have no idea how much your donations meant to our students. Sometimes parents can't answer the phone while at work to give permission for their sick child to go home. The Vicks Sticks can help them breathe easier if they are feeling congested. They give off vapors that have a cooling and decongestant effect in the lining of the nose when you breathe them in. Having water bottles will also help ensure students are staying hydrated throughout the day.

  We appreciate your generosity and thoughtfulness.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mika

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 3 other donors.

• Support Stressed Students

  Funded Dec 6, 2018

  The physical reason why emotions and stress can lead to stomachaches and other digestive problems is that the gut is highly sensitive and full of nerves, just like the brain. Identifying the cause of the stress, understanding the gut's natural reaction to it, and keeping stress under control are the most important parts of managing stress-related stomachaches and other digestive problems. That's what the Wellness Center does, we identify the causes of stress and help students learn healthy coping mechanisms. Often times, students are coming from communities that face many socio-economic challenges. Handing them a snack when they come in with a stomachache gives them a chance to settle down, take a break, and possibly reflect on why their stomach REALLY hurts. We sometimes ask students find a familiar scent (perfume, soap, lotion, tea, essential oil, etc.) and make a routine of smelling it in the morning, before bed, or another routine part of their day. The scent can help when they need help grounding, combining this with some slow, deep belly breaths. Thank you for supporting stressed students.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mika

  This classroom project was brought to life by Salesforce.org and one other donor.

• Health Is Wealth

  Funded Jan 18, 2019

  Thank you for supporting our students and their diverse needs. The Wellness Center strives to meet students where they're at and helping them navigate their way as they transition into young adults. The Fabreeze and tampons will stay in our gender neutral bathroom as well as the Swiffer. Having a clean, safe, and well-stocked space allows students to feel supported at school. Your generous donations are critical and compassionate. You are all heroes in our eyes and we hope that you all have an amazing week.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mika

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Clorox Company and 3 other donors.

• Healthy Snacks = Happy Students

  Funded Jan 24, 2019

  Having healthy and nutritious snacks at the Wellness Center helps us meet our students' needs. Most of our students come from low-income families. They often come to school on an empty stomach which can lead to irritability, lack of energy, or stomach aches. When students find out they can get a snack here, their face lights up and they feel supported. Wellness staff steps into the hallway during passing periods to offer water, hand sanitizer, lotion, sanitary napkins, and snacks. We greet each student with a smile and some encouraging words. Thank you again for your generous donation and for allowing us to feed our striving students.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mika

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Clorox Company and 4 other donors.

• Water Bottles & Warm Jackets

  Funded Dec 15, 2018

  Thank you for helping our students feel confident, clean, and warm. It truly is the little things that matter and you have no idea how much your donations mean to our students. Having a warm jacket to wear that doesn't have stains, holes, or tears allows students to feel confident. San Francisco weather is so unpredictable students sometimes have to walk to school in the rain and then go into a classroom wet and unprepared to learn. Having water bottles will also help ensure students are staying hydrated throughout the day.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mika

  This classroom project was brought to life by Salesforce.org and 6 other donors.

• Chop Chop, We Need Cough Drops!

  Funded Oct 31, 2018

  You would not believe how fast the cold and flu spread in a school setting! I am so happy we have these supplies on hand. Students are able to stop by the Wellness Center during passing period to grab a cough drop, water, and hand sanitizer. We also remind students to wash their hands frequently to avoid spreading germs. A cough drop comes in handy because having a cough can be distracting and impede on learning. Please take care of yourself and stay hydrated. Thank you again for your generous and thoughtful donations.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mika

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

• Healthy Students Are Happy Students

  Funded Oct 2, 2018

  It is important that our students are exposed to these hygiene products during this time of change in their lives to set them up to be successful, safe and healthy. Working at a school in a low income, high poverty area, I see a majority of my students come to school tired, hungry, dirty, sick, and often with basic hygiene essentials not met. I know that a child can not learn to their fullest potential if they don't feel clean and healthy in their own school desk. These products will help my students understand how important it is to take care of themselves. Lastly, it helps them feel independent and mature. Thanks again for your generous donations!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mika

  This classroom project was brought to life by Salesforce.org and one other donor.

• Fidgets to Help Focus!

  Funded Sep 20, 2018

  There are many different kinds of anxiety, which is one of the reasons it can be hard to detect in the classroom. What they all have in common, is that anxiety "tends to lock up the brain," making school hard for anxious kids. Researcher, John Ratey, M.D., found that even a small amount of movement, such as fidgeting with the hands, increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the way that ADHD medications do. Both of these chemicals help with attention and focus. Thank you for supporting our diverse population of students and their needs.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mika

  This classroom project was brought to life by Salesforce.org and 3 other donors.