Past projects 10
Exploring the Globe in Our Classroom with VR
Funded Dec 31, 2024Thank you SO MUCH for supporting our project and helping to bring virtual reality (VR) technology into our classroom. Your kindness and generosity have opened up a world of opportunities for my students, quite literally! With these VR headsets, my students will now be able to explore iconic landmarks, immerse themselves in different cultures, and tackle real-world challenges in ways that were previously unimaginable. This technology will spark their curiosity, deepen their understanding of the world, and help them develop the skills and empathy needed to become true global citizens. Your contribution goes beyond funding a project—it’s an investment in the dreams and potential of my students. Thanks to you, they can experience a richer, more engaging education that inspires them to think big, connect with the world, and envision a brighter future. We’re so excited to begin this journey, and we can’t thank you enough for making it possible.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Failla
Empowering Students through Engineering: 3D Printing for Real-World STEM Applications
Funded Nov 30, 2024Thank you so much for supporting our 3D printing project! Your generosity will make a world of difference for my students, giving them access to cutting-edge technology and the tools they need to bring their creative ideas to life. With the 3D printer, filament, and tools you’ve helped us acquire, my students will explore engineering concepts in a hands-on way, develop problem-solving skills, and work on projects that connect their learning to real-world challenges. These resources will inspire them to dream big and empower them to see themselves as future innovators and leaders. Your support means the world to us, and I can’t wait to share the amazing projects my students will create thanks to your kindness.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Failla
This classroom project was brought to life by Con Edison and one other donor.A Corner for Calm
Funded Oct 28, 2024Thank you so much for your thoughtful contribution to our project, A Corner for Calm. Your support will help create a much-needed sanctuary for our students, where they can take a break from the demands of high school life and find moments of peace and mental clarity.
The items you helped fund will make a world of difference for each student. The mood-setting lights, soothing sensory toys, and calming visuals offer tools for relaxation, focus, and emotional balance. These additions will foster a supportive environment where students can learn to manage stress and develop self-regulation strategies—skills that will benefit them both in school and beyond.
Our students come from a range of backgrounds, with most navigating challenges that require resilience and determination. This project will now give them a space to recharge and refocus, strengthening their ability to face each day with confidence and well-being.
Your kindness will directly impact over 400 young people, helping them feel safe, cared for, and ready to thrive academically and emotionally. Thank you for investing in our students’ futures and for believing in the importance of their mental and emotional health.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Failla
This classroom project was brought to life by .Button, Button, We've All Got Buttons!
Funded Mar 8, 2021I am incredibly grateful for your generous support of our project, which is already making a significant impact as we prepare for the return to in-person learning. The button maker you provided has become a vital tool in fostering a sense of community and connection among our students and faculty, even in a time when masks and face shields are necessary for safety. We've begun creating buttons featuring photos of our students' and teachers' smiling, unmasked faces. This simple yet powerful initiative has helped to reintroduce the human element into our interactions, allowing everyone to see the faces behind the masks and begin building the relationships that are so crucial to our school environment.
When the students first saw the button maker and realized they could wear their smiles on their chests, their excitement was contagious. For many of our freshmen, who are entering the building for the first time, these buttons have been an icebreaker, helping them feel more connected to their peers and teachers. The buttons have quickly become a symbol of our school's resilience and commitment to maintaining a close-knit community, even in the face of new challenges. Watching students proudly pin their buttons on their backpacks and jackets has been a heartwarming reminder of the importance of small gestures in creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Looking ahead, the button maker will continue to be a staple in our school, used not only for this initial project but also for school branding and student incentives. We plan to create buttons for various school events, clubs, and achievements, ensuring that this tool remains a source of pride and connection for our students. Your contribution has done more than provide a machine—it has helped us nurture the community spirit that defines our school. Thank you for making it possible to bring smiles back to our hallways, even when our faces are covered.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Failla
This classroom project was brought to life by Barbara Henker Trust & Carol Kupers Whalen Fund and 2 other donors.Beautify Our Building!
Funded May 27, 2021I am writing to express my deep gratitude for your support in bringing our project to life. Thanks to your generosity, my students will return to a school environment that reflects the vibrancy and potential they bring with them every day. The Cricut Maker machine and the colorful vinyls you helped provide have already begun to transform our school. We have started by designing vibrant decals for our hallways and bathroom doors, infusing them with positive messages and creative artwork. This project has sparked a renewed sense of ownership and pride among my students as they eagerly participate in revitalizing the spaces they once saw as dull and lifeless.
When my students first saw the Cricut Maker and the array of colorful vinyls, their excitement was palpable. For many of them, this was their first time seeing such a powerful tool for creativity and self-expression. The transformation of our school is now a collaborative effort, with students offering ideas and taking part in the design and installation process. This experience has shown them that they can make a meaningful impact on their surroundings, regardless of the challenges they face outside of school. The joy and pride they feel as they see their designs come to life on the walls and doors are truly priceless.
As we continue this project, the next steps involve expanding our efforts to other parts of the building, including the ceilings and whiteboards. We plan to create motivational quotes, personalized nameplates, and intricate designs that will make every corner of our school feel welcoming and inspiring. Your support has not only provided us with the tools we need but also empowered my students to take ownership of their learning environment. Together, we are turning our school into a place that celebrates creativity, resilience, and the endless possibilities that lie ahead. Thank you for making this transformation possible!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Failla
This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and 2 other donors.Ignite Futures Through Entrepreneurship and Education!
Funded Apr 18, 2024I am thrilled to share the incredible impact your generosity has had on my students. With the new materials funded through your support, my Black and Latino students have embarked on exciting entrepreneurial projects that are already shaping their futures. We recently completed our first project, where students created their own jewelry collections. Watching them use the embroidery machine to personalize textiles for their displays was truly inspiring. One student even shared that this was the first time they felt like their ideas could truly come to life. These resources have allowed them to explore their creativity in ways they never imagined, fostering both their artistic skills and entrepreneurial spirit.
The moment my students saw the materials for the first time was unforgettable. Their eyes lit up with excitement, and the room buzzed with ideas. Many of them had never seen an embroidery machine up close or held the tools needed to craft soap and candles. This initial reaction was a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and access. They realized that these supplies weren't just tools but stepping stones to a world where their ideas and cultural expressions could thrive. The enthusiasm has only grown as they've started to see tangible results from their hard work, instilling a sense of confidence and pride that will serve them well beyond the classroom.
As we move forward, the next steps for my students involve scaling up their projects and learning how to market their creations. We are planning a student-led market day where they will sell their products, applying the business strategies we've been discussing in class. This experience will teach them valuable lessons in entrepreneurship, from pricing and branding to customer engagement. Your support has made this possible, and I can't wait to see where their creativity and determination will take them next. Thank you for believing in the potential of my students and for helping to break down barriers to their success.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Failla
Sublimation and Service
Funded Feb 22, 2021Thank you so much for the generosity of your donation! Our new cutting machine will enable us to decorate student bathrooms and hallways to create a warm and welcoming environment for our students when they return to school this fall! Our classrooms will also reap the benefit with the ability to personalize student spaces, engaging them as they enter a classroom for what will be the first time in over a year for many of them!
We are also able to personalize gifts for our returning, amazing teachers who have sustained learning and relationships through this daunting time!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Failla
This classroom project was brought to life by Students Rebuild Changemaker Challenge and 2 other donors.Art for Service
Funded Dec 3, 2018My students and I have been LOVING the Cricut machine and heat press! The Cricut has been such a valuable tool to our classroom community! I had not idea about the limitless potential of this tiny machine. We have used the Cricut to make classroom and bulletins board decor. I have made vinyl stickers for my whiteboard. We have used it to personalize our door. Together with a group of students, I was able to create over 50 shirts for the senior class trip using the Cricut to cut vinyl letters and the heat press to apply to shirts.
When I first received the Cricut and heat press, my students were underwhelmed. Lol. However, once we unboxed the Cricut machine and began with the first project, they could not contain their excitement and could not wait to delve further in and create more!
The Cricut and heat press are often utilized in our school community as positive rewards in our PBIS. Students are provided the opportunity to create various tasks when they earn enough behavior points.
We would also like to leverage these materials in family events to increase parent engagement. Thank you SO much!!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Failla
This classroom project was brought to life by Staples.Everyone Can Create With a Classroom iPad
Funded Nov 16, 2018There is no question that technology is dramatically shifting the way that teachers teach and students learn. An iPad in the classroom has placed into the hands of my students provides them with powerful tools, apps and learning content that make opportunities for learning, literally, limitless. Inclusive of these tools, my computer science students now have access to the iPad-exclusive app, Swift Playgrounds wherein they may learn Swift as a programming language in a way that is fun, interactive and accessible. This is a welcome modification for students who have struggled with traditional programming instruction.
Additionally, the availability of apps like iMovie and GarageBand allow me to differentiate the products that my students produce in their summative assessments. The creativity that these apps allow my students ensure that all students are able to display evidence of their mastery of learning standards in a medium that is best suited to their particular learning style.
Thank you for ensuring every student in my classroom can produce- thanks to iPad!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Failla
This classroom project was brought to life by Verizon and one other donor.Everyone is an Author!
Funded Feb 5, 2018As an English Language Arts teacher, the potential impact that technology can have in my classroom is often overlooked. However, students are so diverse in their abilities and learning styles that the traditional reading and writing regime offered in many ELA classrooms is ineffective. The technology implemented in ELA classrooms is typically for use by teachers; however, little attention tends to be paid to the ways in which technology can serve to bolster student learning and increase student achievement.
Accordingly, many of my students require alternate forms of assessing their skills in my classroom. There is a certain dread that comes to many of my students at the mention of a writing portfolio. The implementation of video cameras in my classroom has given me the opportunity to provide my learners with an alternate method of output.
It has been wonderful to see students who may have previously felt marginalized by their abilities be able to demonstrate their learning, albeit in a different medium, just like their peers.
Thank you for helping me to establish a classroom environment wherein all students are authors!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Failla
This classroom project was brought to life by The First Million Fund and 8 other donors.