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Mr. Stefanelli's Classroom

  • Brick Township Memorial High School
  • Brick, NJ
  • More than a third of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

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Support Mr. Stefanelli's classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

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We'll charge your card today and send Mr. Stefanelli a DonorsChoose gift card he can use on his classroom projects. Starting next month, we'll charge your card and send him a DonorsChoose gift card on the 17th of every month.

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Gift Mr. Stefanelli's classroom the essentials

$19.06 bandages

for Mr. Stefanelli in
Brick, NJ
show projects from all time

Past projects 48

  • Making Great Content "Straight from the Mustang's Mouth"

    Funded Nov 28, 2023

    I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation to our classroom. Your support has been instrumental in helping us enhance our BMHS Podcast, "Straight from the Mustang's Mouth." Thanks to your contribution, we were able to purchase the materials needed to create high-quality episodes that showcase the talent and creativity of our students.

    Your generosity has not only enriched our podcasting experience but has also provided our students with valuable opportunities to develop their skills in media production, storytelling, and communication. Your belief in our project means a lot to us, and we are truly grateful for your support.

    We look forward to sharing our podcast episodes with you and the rest of our community, knowing that your support has played a significant role in making it possible. Thank you once again for your generosity and belief in our students' potential.”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Stefanelli

    This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 2 other donors.
  • Building a Podcasting Studio!

    Funded Nov 15, 2023

    I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the holiday season. I am reaching out to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation to our DonorsChoose project, which allowed us to purchase the much-needed foam panels for our podcast studio.

    Your support has made a significant impact on the progress of our podcast, "Straight from the Mustang's Mouth: The BMHS Podcast." The foam panels have played a crucial role in improving the acoustics and overall sound quality of our recordings. Thanks to your contribution, our podcast studio has been transformed into a professional and immersive space for creative expression.

    I am thrilled to share that the podcast has been making great strides. The enhanced studio environment has allowed our students to produce high-quality content, and we've received positive feedback from both our school community and listeners beyond. Your generosity has directly contributed to the success and growth of our podcast, and we are truly grateful for your support.

    To stay connected with the exciting developments at "Straight from the Mustang's Mouth," we invite you to follow and subscribe to our podcast. Your continued interest and support mean the world to us, and we would love to have you as part of our growing community.

    Once again, thank you for making a positive impact on our podcast and empowering our students to explore the world of audio storytelling. Your support has truly made a difference, and we appreciate it more than words can express.

    Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a fantastic start to the new year!”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Stefanelli

  • Sound-Proofing and Books!

    Funded Nov 20, 2023

    I hope this email finds you well and filled with the warmth of the holiday season. I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your incredibly generous donation to my DonorsChoose project. Thanks to your kindness, we were able to enhance our learning environment and provide valuable resources for our students.

    Your support allowed us to purchase curtains to soundproof our podcast studio, creating an optimal space for creativity and learning. Additionally, we were able to acquire a collection of new books for my Journalism and English students. The impact of your donation is truly immeasurable, and I am excited to share the joy it has brought to our students.

    The curtains have transformed our podcast studio into a professional and inviting space, fostering a more immersive and focused learning experience. The students are thrilled to have a dedicated area for their creative projects, and your contribution has played a significant role in making this a reality.

    The new books have sparked excitement and curiosity among my Journalism and English students. Their faces lit up with joy when they saw the expanded library, and they have already delved into the pages of these captivating stories. Your donation has not only provided them with valuable educational resources but has also ignited a love for reading and learning.

    I understand that the holiday season is a busy and financially challenging time for many, making your contribution even more meaningful. Your generosity has made a lasting impact on the lives of our students, and I want to ensure you know how much your support is appreciated.

    Once again, thank you for making a difference in the lives of our students. Your kindness has created an environment where they can thrive, learn, and explore their passions. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a wonderful start to the new year!”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Stefanelli

  • Podcast Equipment!

    Funded Nov 8, 2023

    I hope this message finds you well and filled with the joy of the holiday season. I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your incredibly generous contribution to my project on DonorsChoose. Your support has made a significant impact, and I am thrilled to share an update on how your donation has been put to use.

    Initially, the goal of the project was to acquire podcast equipment for our students, aiming to enhance their learning experience through the creation of engaging and educational content. However, as circumstances evolved, we encountered a fantastic opportunity to address another pressing need within our high school community.

    With the funds raised, we decided to invest in a collection of new graphic novels for our high school readers. The moment the boxes arrived and were opened, the excitement among the students was palpable. Their eyes lit up as they discovered the array of captivating titles, and it was a joy to witness their enthusiasm for the world of literature.

    I am delighted to share that several novels from the collection have already been checked out by eager students, paving the way for a new wave of literary exploration and enjoyment. Your kindness and support have directly contributed to fostering a love of reading among our students, and for that, we are profoundly grateful.

    It is heartening to see how your generosity has made a tangible difference in the lives of these young individuals. Your belief in the power of education and your willingness to invest in our students' growth is truly commendable. I am confident that the impact of your donation will resonate with them for years to come.

    Once again, thank you for making a difference in our educational journey. Your support has not only enriched our students' learning environment but has also inspired them to discover the magic of storytelling through these captivating graphic novels.

    Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a joyous New Year!”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Stefanelli

  • Absorbing the Sound: Podcasting at the High School Level!

    Funded Aug 13, 2023

    "Straight From the Mustang's Mouth: The Brick Memorial Podcast" now has over 700 subscribers and it's because our sound quality is getting better and better! Thanks to your donation of foam padding for our room dividers, the voices of our students are reaching more and more listeners!

    This week alone, we have 4 recording sessions planned! If you would like to listen to the podcast, click here: https://open.spotify.com/show/7pvTk2Xy6jA8gxhihmdRBi?si=b07c1968d25b4c4f

    Without your kindness and generous donation, our podcast would not be nearly as successful! I promise you, I will continue to strive to make it better and better!”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Stefanelli

  • Starting Strong in Room 265!

    Funded Sep 22, 2023

    Before heading out for another well-deserved weekend, I wanted to take a moment and thank you again for your generous donation to room 265 at BMHS!

    After the delivery this week, students immediately ran towards the new additions to the library. Hotel Magnifique by Emily Taylor already has a waiting list!! Hopefully, I'll be able to read it at some point, too! But when students are clamouring for a book, I'm happy to wait.

    The new charger for cell phones has been a godsend, for students don't even blink about turning in their phone, allowing us to have distraction-free classes (to a point; it's still high school).

    I wish all of you a happy weekend, a happy October, a happy year! The world is filled with amazing people, and I am blessed to have some of them care about my students! Thank you!”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Stefanelli

  • Let's Hear Some Pages Turning!

    Funded Apr 18, 2023

    It goes without saying that we are in difficult times when it comes to the partnership between finances and education. This too shall pass (I hope). But for now, teachers rely on the help of those who care about education. Thank you for being one of these people!

    I wish there was a way for me to truly show you how grateful I am for your help, but the truth is, the best thing I can do is continually help my students grow as readers and writers by using the materials you helped purchase for me. You have my word - it won't stop!

    Thank you again! I hope this email finds you well!”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Stefanelli

  • Podcasting in the Classroom: An Emphasis on Speaking and Listening!

    Funded Feb 10, 2023

    I'm at a loss for words when it comes to your kindness and generosity. Because of you and your donations, Brick Memorial High School now has a podcast. We've already recorded over 10 episodes and there are more coming! Students are eager to participate in recordings and subscriptions numbers are in the 400s.

    https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/6hTXYdeMExb

    This link will bring you to our podcast! Please enjoy and know it's because of you that this exists!

    Please know that we will continue to work, we will continue to create, we will continue to thank you!”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Stefanelli

  • Welcome to 2023!

    Funded Jan 23, 2023

    I had the pleasure of meeting my classes yesterday. They were each greeted with a a new notebook and pen (to save them a trip to the store) as well as a welcome treat!

    Does it sound like a lot? Not really! But don't kid yourself - it is. To a kid who struggles to purchase the notebook, you just made their day. To the kid who is hungry at the end of the day and isn't sure if there is a snack for him at home, this treat is a saving grace!

    Thanks to you, my students are just a little bit happier - which means more to them than understanding a poem writing that next essay!

    Thank you for being part of Room 265!”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Stefanelli

    This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 4 other donors.
  • Inspire Writing Through Reading!

    Funded Dec 22, 2022

    As always, I am humbled by your generosity and dedication to education. My recent project was small, but the goal was to inspire students to try different angles in their writing, with the help of different types of texts. These texts where from various authors of whom think outside the regular YA box.

    So far, students have shown eagerness to read these new works. The book of "Mentor Texts" by Penny Kittle has proved the most valuable as a teaching tool, for students are already showing improvement in their writing by emulating the various short texts that Kittle has put together.

    Thank you all for your help! I hope that the start of 2023 has proven happy and safe!”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Stefanelli

For years, I required my students to read the same four books, four classics that their parents read, and their parents before them. 10% of my students read them; 70% Sparknoted them; 20% didn't read anything. I was fed up! Until four years ago! Four years ago, I got a divorce! I have 600 individual books in my class. My students now CHOOSE to read what they want, many of them choosing the classics in the curriculum, and appreciating them because of their choice to read them. My students love their options, and more often, they want to discuss the books they read.

About my class

For years, I required my students to read the same four books, four classics that their parents read, and their parents before them. 10% of my students read them; 70% Sparknoted them; 20% didn't read anything. I was fed up! Until four years ago! Four years ago, I got a divorce! I have 600 individual books in my class. My students now CHOOSE to read what they want, many of them choosing the classics in the curriculum, and appreciating them because of their choice to read them. My students love their options, and more often, they want to discuss the books they read.

About my class

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