Mrs. Fiore Cardillo's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 10

• Miss,You Got a Pen? Urgent Need for Basic Supplies

  Funded Jun 20, 2018

  Our school year began last week, and this week upon receiving the supplies I was able to distribute the school supplies from your donation to my students. To say they were happy is an understatement. They were thrilled and shocked by your generosity. One student said to me, "so you are telling me that a stranger sent us this stuff to us so we can do well in school?" When I told the student that this was true, he could not believe that someone would be so generous to a stranger.

  The supplies have made the beginning of the school year so much easier for my students. As a teacher it has been wonderful to have plenty of folders, pens, pencils, and paper to give out to students. So often students do not have the most basic materials. Without the basics like a pen it is nearly impossible to be successful in the classroom. If a student doesn't have a pen, how are they supposed to take notes or answer questions? Your donation has made sure that is no longer the case for my students in this classroom.

  As you read the thank you notes that the students wrote, you will see many common themes among the letters. The most common ones – just not having the money in their family budget to buy school supplies or giving the supplies they do have to younger students. In the letters students express such relief that they no longer have to worry about being unprepared in the classroom. As a teacher it is wonderful to know their minds are at easy and are prepared to learn.

  The books from your donation are currently in our classroom library. I'm excited for students to pick them out for their independent reading work. Through my years in the classroom I've realized that students want to read they just do not have access to appropriate materials.

  The new additions to the library make the shelves so much fuller. I am particularly excited to have numerous copies of the same book within the library. Your donation allowed for this. Meaning students can now work together on their independent reading projects. So thanks to you my students will enjoy reading Holding Up the Universe, The Girl Who Drank the Moon, Wonder and Girl in Pieces while having plenty of paper, pens, and pencils to evaluate and write about their reading.

  As a teacher you want to give the best opportunity for your students. You want them to have everything they need in order to be successful. And alone there is only so much I can do to reach that goal. It is the donors like you who fill in and ensure that all students will succeed. So thank you again from the bottom of my heart for supporting our classroom and my students. Thank you for believing in my students and me as their teacher. Thank you for making success that much closer for my students. It means the world to us.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fiore Cardillo

  This classroom project was brought to life by Ned and Nathalie Fund and 4 other donors.

• In Need of New Independent Reading Books for our Classroom

  Funded Dec 24, 2013

  Thanks to your generosity, our independent reading project is once again a reality in our classroom. Skim is the second book students have just begun reading. At first, like many new topics, there was some initial struggles when we began reading the new novel. But after the first few days the struggles were behind us, and the students began enjoying the novel. Skim is a particularly unique novel for many students because it is a graphic novel and uses words, picture, and images to tell the story. Our discussions on the literature have been engaging, authentic, and meaningful. My students are intrigued by the novel's protagonist and are eager to continue reading about her and the challenges she faces.

  One of the best parts of teaching is watching students' excitement when engaging in school work within the classroom. I love when students ask me "are we going to read any other books like this". I love when students enjoy the material they learn in the class. Your donation of books has done this and more for my students.

  Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for supporting this project and continuing to inspire my students. I am forever thankful for your generosity.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fiore Cardillo

  This classroom project was brought to life by Disney and 7 other donors.

• Independent Reading Program In Desperate Need Of Books

  Funded Dec 19, 2013

  We have just begun our unit using the copies of The Fault in Our Stars which you purchased for my students. I began the unit with an anticipatory guide in which students discuss the major themes of the novel. The discussion was engaging, authentic and meaningful. My students were interested in the topics, and were incredibly eager when they learned our newest book would includes the ideas we were discussing.

  When I handed out the copies of the new books I could see the looks of excitement on the faces of my students. It is not often that students are given new books to read in class. One student immediately asked, "Can we bring this book home". I was very pleased to tell the student they would be able to.

  At first it is always hard to start a new topic or piece of literature. But after reading the first ten pages together it was evident that the struggles associated with a new book were behind us. My students read the book both independently and in groups for the rest of the period. When time was up, students asked for more time to read the book. Some of the students even stayed in the classroom during lunch in order to keep reading. It is moments like this that make my job so rewarding.

  Thank you for helping and for inspiring my students. I am forever grateful.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fiore Cardillo

  This classroom project was brought to life by Community Foundation of New Jersey and 5 other donors.

• Desperate Need for Basic School Supplies

  Funded Sep 2, 2010

  Each year students come to my class with the same first question - what supplies do we need for this class. Each student asks the question a little different from the previous student. Some ask with excitement in their voice - they already have the supplies. Some ask with annoyance in their voice - they are not looking forward to the long lines at Staples. And the rest ask with hesitation - they know that whatever answer I give they will never be able to fulfill it. They are the students who I asked for the donation on behalf of. The students who come from families who live day to day, amongst poverty you or I could never imagine, coming to school every day holding onto the one hope they have left - a better tomorrow. It was these students who faces glowed when I told them they would need nothing for this class except an open mind, and the desire to want to do well.

  We have already used many of the supplies your donation provided for us. All of my students have their own notebook, and we currently have a seemingly unlimited supply of paper and pencils. For the first time since I began teaching, we also have an electronic pencil sharpener. Previously if a pencil broke, unless a student found a creative way to sharpen it, that pencil was done for the day. We have used the file folders to create a student portfolio for each student. The portfolios are in our classroom for safe keeping, and throughout the year will be used to hold evidence of deep thinking and exquisite writing. In June the students will bring home the portfolios as their first artifact for college and scholarship interviews. We have already used the markers to decorate the portfolios, and plan to use them again this week to decorate the letters we will be sending to troops in Afghanistan.

  Pedro Noguera, graduate of NYC Public Schools published author and current Professor and Director of the Steinhardt School of Education at NYU, believes children who attend urban schools amongst so much need a little bit of luck to succeed. I believe you have been my students little bit of luck. While it is a cliché, it is so true – you will never know or understand the good your simple gift has given to so many. At minimum it has kept 100 students engaged in school. At most it has helped those who currently are forgotten by this society, but one day will be reformers of education and the leadership of this nation. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making my dreams come true and ultimately my students. There really are no words, just unending amounts of gratitude, cF”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fiore Cardillo

• We Need More Books to Get Us Through the Cold Winter!

  Funded Jan 13, 2010

  Thank you so much for your generous donation! My students have loved reading the many books you bought for us. Each book has been read at least once, and many of them have been read numerous times. Some of the most popular book are even falling apart. Many of the books have even needed to be reinforced with tape in order to stay in one piece.

  The books that you purchased have enhanced not only the learning experience, but changed the lives of so many of my students. Through group readings, projects, journals, and other activities my students have learned lessons they otherwise would not have.

  Thank you so much for your generous donation, and for changing the lives of my students. We are forever thankful! ”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fiore Cardillo

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

• "Miss, Do You Have Any New Books?"

  Funded Dec 31, 2009

  Thank you so much for your generous donation! All of the books have been read at least once, and many of them have been read so many time that the pages are beginning to fall out. The students have enjoyed the books, and look forward to independent reading each day. We have also used the books in themed literature circles. The two themes of the literature circles were on journey and identity.

  Reading is so important, and I am continually trying to push my students to love reading. This is a difficult task, but with your donation the task is much easier. Thank you for all you have done for my students! ”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fiore Cardillo

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

• Notebook Computer

  Funded Dec 29, 2009

  We can not thank you enough for your generous donation. Since receiving the computer we have used it every day in class. Having Internet access in our classroom has added so much to where there was previous a void. Previously if a question came up that I did not know the answer to, I would have to tell students that I would research the answer and tell them tomorrow. Now, I am able to tell the student who asks the question, "Why don't you Google it". The excitement and engagement in the eyes of the student who uses the computer is inspiring.

  Thank you so much for your generous donation, we are forever grateful to you!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fiore Cardillo

  This classroom project was brought to life by HP and National Lab Day and 3 other donors.

• Our School Budget Does Not Include Paper, Never Mind an LCD

  Funded Oct 14, 2009

  Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Your thoughtfulness and commitment to bettering urban education has changed the world. Because of your small donation, my students are able to experience and learn about things they never could have imagined. The LCD projector has enhanced our classroom environment tremendously.

  In September when I was assigned my classroom, I was excited because it was a whiteboard room. I remember thinking I would be able to color code the notes with dry erase markers making note taking easier for my students. I remember thinking it was a privilege to have the whiteboard. In my school, Smartboards and LCD projectors are just things teachers dream of having. I never could have imagined I would be blessed enough to be given an LCD projector.

  We use the projector for many different activities. The projector makes it so easy to incorporate sound, movie, and picture files into our daily lessons. My students love using the projector on review days. I have designed a few different game show templates to review with before tests. Their favorite review game is Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. My favorite review game is Jeopardy. This past week we used the projector to watch part of a movie. My students enjoyed it so much that many of them stayed with me during our lunch break to finish the movie. We plan to continue to use the projector for more mini lessons, review games, movies, and much much more!

  All of this may seem like very little to you, but it has made the world of a difference to my students. Thank you so much for thinking of my students, and for making their world a better place.

  I thank you from the bottom of my heart. ”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fiore Cardillo

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

• Successful Reading Program On The Verge Of Extinction

  Funded Jun 29, 2009

  My students have been reading the books you donated, and the results have been magnificent. Each of my one hundred students has an engaging, enjoyable book to read. Since all of the books are so different, each of my students has been able to find a book they are interested in. From the advanced reader, the athlete, to the book worm, to the reluctant reader, to the struggling reader, and every reader in between - they have all found something. In addition, because of your donation I have also been able to provide students I taught last year with books to read.

  The amazing thing about your donation is that the impact of your donation keeps going. Every student that picks up a book is then positively influenced. Each person that student interacts with is also effected.

  You have made my little English classroom a better place, and in short you have made the world a better place. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. ”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fiore Cardillo

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and 2 other donors.

• Helping the Struggling Reader to Love Reading

  Funded Aug 20, 2009

  This week my students began using the resources that you donated. The results have been better then I could have ever anticipated. Each of my hundred students were able to select a book of their choice. Unlike other years, this year I did not have to convince a students to select a less engaging book. In the past I've had to spend precious class time convincing my students to try out books. Books I knew students wouldn't enjoy, but I was given little choice. Those were the only books I had.

  My students have been reading the books for over a week now, and not one student has abandoned the book. This is the first year where I have not had a whole group of student abandon their book during the first week. Instead, I have students begging to take the books home. Two students finished their books the first night they brought them home.

  Your donations have proved to my students, especially my students who struggle with reading, that reading can be enjoyable. Please realize this is the greatest gift you could ever give a child. No money can be placed on instilling the love of reading in a student.

  I am so thankful for your generous gift. Please know every time I watch my students lips silently move as they read, or pronounce a new word from them, I think of you. And I am so grateful once again.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fiore Cardillo

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and 5 other donors.