Mrs. Cruz's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 4

• Take the Breath, Find the Calming Corner

  Funded Mar 24, 2025

  From the moment the students heard that our project was funded, they were excited to receive the items. Each day and every period a student asked "Have the Koala's or pillows arrived yet, Mrs. Cruz? " and my answer was not yet be patient. As each day passed, they grew more excited and anxious for the arrival. Luckily, they did not take long to arrive

  My students and I are so grateful for the impact you have had in helping create an improved calming corner in our classroom. Students who suffer from anxiety now have items that can help calm them down. The Koala's have made a huge impact. I have students who spend time holding them and watching how they breathe. Some students say it has helped them be more relaxed. Other students love the music and the heart rhythm sounds the Koala's create. The calming corner has become an improved space because not only do they have the Koala's but they have the weighted cat pillow and the cloud pillow to help them take a breath and relax. Especially when they are having a really bad day or feeling very anxious. Each day students seek the weighted cat pillow to hug, the cloud pillow to lean on, and a sensory anxiety sticker to rub. These tools have helped my students feel more relaxed. They now can breathe more easily knowing these items are available daily for their use when suffering from anxiety or just feeling really anxious. It has made learning a language easier and has helped them focus in class.

  Each day I see the joy and gratitude students feel to walk into my classroom. Some students have even brought their friends in the morning to show them the items in the calming corner. They immediately walk over to the space to enjoy one of the donated gifts. Some have even commented "I can't wait to have this Spanish class next year."

  Thank you again for helping me create a space that provides tools to help my students deal with their anxiety. I see the impact each morning because I have students who ask to sit in the calming corner each day.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Cruz

  This classroom project was brought to life by LOFT.

• Help Me Create a Relaxing Calming Corner for My Classroom

  Funded Aug 14, 2024

  From the moment the materials arrived the students took part in unwrapping and deciding where to place each item in the calming corner. Some students helped put together the lamp, while others helped with the foot rest, rug placement and placing of the stress toys, bracelets and magnet squares.

  My students and I are so grateful for the impact you have had in helping create our relaxing corner in our classroom. The calming corner is a space in the classroom where students can take a break from the stresses of daily school life and learning a language.

  Each period students walk into my class and immediately walk over to the space to relax. Some students take refuge on the rug while others sit on the couch and enjoy the stress gadgets and glow of the cat lamps. Each period, I can hear students whisper the positive wall affirmations that were donated.

  Than you again for helping me create such a relaxing area for my students. I now have more students hanging out in the morning because they know there is a safe and relaxing place to take refuge”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Cruz

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and one other donor.

• Calming Area

  Funded Jan 4, 2023

  The calming corner has been such a stress relief for my students. My students now come in excited to class, because the area I set up is dedicated to them. They have a beautiful couch, stress relieving toys, anxiety toys, and several reading materials to help them cope with their anxiety. They have access to stuffed toys, fidget toys, a zen garden and calming games. I also have suggestions on how to relax and stay calm. Each day students take turns using this calming corner to start their day.

  When the items first arrived my students were eager to volunteer. Two students who had experience with building couches build the couch that came in the amazon box. Classes voted on the best area to have the calming corner in the classroom and other students helped set up tables for the books and gave suggestions on where to put the fidget toys and zen garden. Everyone in the class was excited to be part of the process. It took one day to set up the calming corner. The next day, students had access to the calming corner.

  It was at this moment, I noticed the shift in the classroom environment. Students were happier coming to Spanish class and students were coming in earlier to class to take a moment to visit the calming corner. In addition, I had students coming in during lunch and the morning to show their friends what we had created in the classroom. This calming corner has been a success, now my lessons start smoothly and students are happier knowing they have their own space within the classroom.

  My next step is to continue to add items to my calming corner that will help students with their mental health. I want them to know that this corner will continue to grow and they can always have this place to relax, destress and take a moment to get into the right headspace.

  Please read all the feedback students have written in the thank you notes. Again my classes can't thank you enough for your generous donation. You have definitely made an impact in my classroom.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Cruz

• iPod Touch FaceTime in the Classroom

  Funded Feb 1, 2012

  I can't fully express my gratitude for your generous donation to my Facetime project. The ipods that you donated have helped my students in many ways. Students have been able to use the ipods to record their presentations. The ipods have been used to communicate with each other in the target language with the use of the imessage application. The ipods have also been used to encourage students to practice different Spanish skills with the use of the different Spanish applications I downloaded. We have also been able to use Facetime within the classroom setting to communicate with each other when the WiFi in our school is working. Currently we are still looking for more teachers who use Facetime around the world to be able to communicate. Overall, these ipod touch have been a blessing, it's nice to have students who are excited to finish their classwork so they can use the classroom ipods.

  Without donors like you, my students would have never been able to experience Facetime, or would have been able to record their presentations. Thank you!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Cruz

  This classroom project was brought to life by Wasserman Foundation and 20 other donors.