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Ms. PETRILLO's Classroom

  • First Avenue Elementary School
  • Newark, NJ
  • More than three‑quarters 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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Make a donation Ms. PETRILLO can use on her next classroom project.

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show projects from all time

Past projects 14

  • Sit Back and Learn

    Funded Nov 29, 2022

    The students love their new seat pockets. I had been using the previous ones for years and they were ready to be replaced.

    The students couldn't wait to transfer all the books from the old to their new seat pockets. "I love the color"; "These are so cool" were a few of the comments made.

    Thank you so much for bringing an essential and very helpful tool to the class. Having books and other items right at their fingertips promotes less traffic and more independence.

    Hoping these will last for a few years...just in time for me to retire from kindergarten after 25 years in which DonorsChoose has brought so many benefits!!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. PETRILLO

    This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 9 other donors.
  • Fitness for Everyone

    Funded Dec 13, 2011

    It was like celebrating someones birthday as I opened each box and revealed all the wonderful playground equipment that was lurking inside, just waiting to be played with. The children's voices clearly expressed how excited they were each time they saw something new. The Board Ring Toss got tons of cheers. The balls received screams of excitement, even though they were flat as pancakes. The Seal Ring Toss heard shouts of joy. Everyone shrieked at the hula hoops. Screams of glee could be heard when I took out the jump ropes. The bean bags and the bean bag board got accolades of sheer pleasure. The Ball Hoop was greeted by hoots and hollers. But, above all, the bowling pins and bowling ball heard the loudest yells of happiness.

    Although I explained that the multitude of items were to be used primarily on the playground when the weather gets warmer, I promised the students they could have some time in the class after lunch during recess to try out the games. But first we had to write a thank you to all the fantastic people who donated money so we could get these awesome games and activities. The students were eager to show their appreciation. After lunch, you could feel the excitement in the air. Groups of children took turns using and sharing and having fun. The kids were quite overwhelmed by how much fun all these different activities were creating. James, our special needs friend, loved having a ton of things to participate in from his chair.

    Thank you to everyone for giving my whole class a variety of games that everyone can use. Physical activity is lacking in so many children's lives. Now I have the chance to give every child what they need...some exercise and some fun!!!!! THANK YOU...THANK YOU...THANK YOU”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. PETRILLO

  • Photograph Frenzy

    Funded Apr 13, 2011

    Several years ago I was told about a website that teachers could use to get items for their class. The only catch was that you had to promote your class and your need for the items that you wanted for your class. It didn't sound too complicated so I gave it a try. Donor Choose quickly became this teacher's best friend.

    So many projects that I have posted for my Kindergarten class have been funded. Not because of anything I did, but because of generous donors, like yourselves. Time and time again, the generosity of people from all over have given money to my projects to benefit all the Kindergarten students who have shared a year in my classroom. Many of the items I have been fortunate to use year after year. Some are consumable.

    The ink that you have helped to fund is one of those items. As you can see by the photos posted on my project wall, I love taking photos of the kids engaged in various activities throughout the year. I often send these color photos home for gifts during the school year. The families are very appreciative to receive beautiful photos of their children.

    I am very appreciative of all your efforts for my class. Not only for your monetary donations, but for your time and effort to read my projects and understand what I am trying to provide for my class. You have all provided another year of color photos.

    Thank you, thank you! ”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. PETRILLO

    This classroom project was brought to life by Quill.com and 4 other donors.
  • It Would Stink If We Run Out Of Ink

    Funded Sep 2, 2010

    I cannot express how extremely helpful your donation of money for ink cartridges has been to my class. Throughout the country classrooms are seeing budget cuts. My school is no exception. We have had new teachers, more classrooms and less and less supplies. Your cartridge was put to use from the minute it arrived at our classroom door.

    Kindergarten has dittos for homework. I use the copier to make these. This past week I made copies of houses for our Social Studies lesson. In Science I made apple diagrams for the children to put in their Science journals. I even used the copier for the letters created by the children to send to you.

    The copier is a vital necessity in my Kindergarten classroom. It is impossible to wait for copies to come from the Main Office. The ink is needed several times throughout the day during our 185 days of school. Even though it sounds absurd that is why I asked for 2 cartridges. It is this "behind the scenes" item that is most helpful in my classroom.

    With tremendous gratitude from me and my Kindergarten students.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. PETRILLO

  • Costumes Everyone, Costumes!

    Funded Apr 20, 2009

    I want to start out by thanking you again for the overwhelming donations to my project.

    The kindergarten children in my class always love going to the dramatic play center. Pretend play is always a favorite for young children. But now the fun has been elevated to even higher levels.

    It is a simple smock costume with a matching hat, but the dress-up outfits you provided for the boys and girls really bring out the best in them when they are role playing. Watching the interaction and enthusiasm coming from each child as they don their firefighter or chef or astronaut costume is really amazing to watch. The photos I have uploaded do no justice to actually seeing the children play together while wearing an outfit.

    Since we are nearing the end of the school year I have more freedom with which to use the time in my class. The children are loving every minute that they get to go to the dramatic play area. It has become a very popular choice for center time, even more so than before the costumes arrived.

    Thanks again!!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. PETRILLO

  • I Think We Are Out of Ink

    Funded Apr 2, 2009

    Thank you so much for funding the project that provided a new ink cartridge for my classroom copy machine. The original cartridge which came with the machine, also funded by wonderful donors on DonorsChoose, has long been used up.

    Although this is not an item the children directly use, it is a tremendous help for the class. At the moment we are involved in a six week interdisciplinary unit of The Rainforest. The children are having a fabulous time learning about all the animals and facts related to the rainforest. I have been using the copier to prepare activities like Rainforest Bingo and Rainforest Round-Up for the children.

    We have been able to transform the class into a rainforest with all the animals that I have copied for the children to color and paint. My kindergarten is now an environment filled with bright birds, slithering snakes and lounging lizards. I have even found homework related to the rainforest so the children can share what they learn with their families. Copies of songs, like "Take Me Into the Rainforest" have been sent home so the kids can sing them with their moms and/or dads.

    Thank you so much for giving me the convenience of copies when I need them. For a teacher, this is priceless!!!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. PETRILLO

  • Parachutes are Not Only for Airplanes

    Funded Apr 1, 2009

    What a tremendous act of giving your class has bestowed upon my classroom of Kindergarteners. I do not think any one of them knew what was coming when I unfolded the huge pile of colorful fabric. They had no idea what fun was hidden beneath the folds of the parachute that your donation bought.

    Their eyes widened as the parachute was spread out to it's full circumference. Each one grabbed a handle as I explained what the parachute was and what we were going to do with it. They squealed with excitement as we, yes, even the teacher, ran under the parachute and held it as it ballooned above us like a cloud of color. After trying that out a couple of times, we sat someone in the middle and shook the parachute like crazy. We even ran around in circles holding the handles. Everyone had such a great time!! Unfortunately we could not stay on the playground all day, even though I know the children would have loved to do so.

    Although we have only used it once so far, the boys and girls look forward to using it again and again and again. Because you cared enough to buy us the parachute, we will be enjoying it many times before this school year comes to an end. Next year's class will love it just as much.

    Keep working hard despite the end of the school year drawing near. Have a great summer!!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. PETRILLO

  • The Class Is Alive With The Sound Of Music

    Funded Jan 10, 2009

    WOW!! I do believe, thanks to your generosity and speed at which you donated, that this proposal has been my quickest yet to date to be fulfilled. It never ceases to amaze me how good people are still willing to donate to a worthwhile cause, even in our country's difficult financial times. Thank you so much for funding this "Boom Box" proposal. I am certain that this radio will bring hours of joy and enrichment to each of the 22 boys and girls in my class. We applaud your effort to help our kindergarten class.

    Mrs. ”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. PETRILLO

  • Nothing's Better Than A Good Book

    Funded Dec 20, 2008

    I was checking my e-mail at the end of the school day, the day before we break for Winter Break. What a wonderful surprise, even better than one from Santa, to find out that my proposal on DonorsChoose had been funded. December 22nd was our class holiday party. It was fun and exciting and crazy!! So the last thing I expected was to find as I sat down to finally relax was that so many generous people had come together to give my class some of the books we will use for our many thematic unit projects.

    There is no better way for me to start the New Year with my class than sharing so many new stories with the children.

    On behalf of the children and myself, I thank you.

    Happy Holidays and Happy New year!!

    Ton”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. PETRILLO

  • The Colors Of The Rainbow...So Pretty In The Sky

    Funded Oct 27, 2008

    WOW! I was extremely surprised and excited to check my email this morning and find that my project had been funded so quickly. I never expected an immediate response...but I am very grateful. Thank you for your contribution to help continue the fun of photography and photo printing in my Kindergarten class. Your generosity comes at a perfect time, when my last ink cartridge will be used to take pictures of all the fun we will have on Halloween. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

    Ton”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. PETRILLO

I have been a teacher of kindergarten children for the past 9 years. Collectively I have taught for 20, but the most rewarding have been the years spent in Kindergarten. My students come from predominately low income families, so I try to provide as much enrichment in our daily schedule as possible. Dramatic play is a great way to incorporate this in my classroom.

About my class

I have been a teacher of kindergarten children for the past 9 years. Collectively I have taught for 20, but the most rewarding have been the years spent in Kindergarten. My students come from predominately low income families, so I try to provide as much enrichment in our daily schedule as possible. Dramatic play is a great way to incorporate this in my classroom.

About my class

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