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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Simpkins from Washington, DC is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Simpkins is requesting

Acing the Space to Free Your Feelings

Help me give my students a space to regulate their emotions with sensory tools, fidget toys, books, and mindfulness activities.

  • $673 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Ms. Simpkins for her next project!

Help Ms. Simpkins

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Ms. Simpkins for her next project!

My Project

Sensory tools, fidget toys, comfortable seating, weighted blankets, and mindfulness activities will create a safe space for students to manage emotions. When overwhelmed, they can use the Calm Down Center to reset, develop coping skills, and return to learning with focus and confidence.

I want to provide a supportive space where students can self-regulate, reducing behavioral disruptions and improving emotional well-being.

By fostering a calm, inclusive environment, we empower students to feel safe, valued, and ready to learn.

Our students are resilient, determined, and full of potential. Despite challenges, they strive to grow and succeed. The Calm Down Center will give them essential tools to develop self-regulation skills, helping them thrive in school and beyond.

Ms. Simpkins KIPP District of Columbia - Heights Academy Grades 3-5

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Ms. Simpkins

Washington, DC View local requests

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

50 students impacted 7donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Simpkins is requesting.

See our finances

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
ABC Childcraft Furnishings Breathe with Me Carpet Squares for Classrooms, 30 x 30 Inches, Set of 4 - Early Childhood-Elementary - Toddler • School Specialty $148.46 1 $148.46
Light Table for Kids Manipulative | Sand Painting Light Box | Kids Light Table | Light Table Toys | Light Up Table for Kids | Sensory Light Table Accesories |3 Modes,10-Level Dimming18(Orange) • Amazon Business $41.99 1 $41.99
hand2mind Filling My Jars Interactive Journal, Kids Gratitude Journal, Positive Affirmations for Kids, Growth Mindset for Kids, Mindfulness for Kids, Social Emotional Learning Activities • Amazon Business $17.44 2 $34.88
Kinetic Sand, Swirl N’ Surprise Playset with 2lbs of Play Sand, Including Red, Blue, Green, Yellow and 4 Tools, Sensory Toys for Kids Ages 3 and up • Amazon Business $24.99 1 $24.99
Anger Management Toys - The Calm Ball - Coping Skills Tool, Anxiety Toys for Adults and Kids, Stress Relief Toys for Adults , Teens and Kids , Therapy Toys , Anxiety Relief , Social Emotional Learning • Amazon Business $24.95 1 $24.95
Squishy Stress Balls Fidget Toys: OleOletOy 24 Pack Stress Balls for Adults, Squishy Ball Bulk Sensory Toys for Autism, Classroom Prizes, Birthday Party Favors, and Travel Toy Gifts • Amazon Business $24.65 1 $24.65
Kinetic Sand, 20-Pack Eggs with 3.3lbs Red, Yellow & Blue Play Sand for Egg Hunts, Party Favors & Goodie Bags, Sensory Toys for Kids Ages 3 and up • Amazon Business $22.55 1 $22.55
180 Days of Practice - 180 Days: Social-Emotional Learning for Fourth Grade - Paperback Book • AKJ Education $16.78 1 $16.78
180 Days of Practice - 180 Days: Social-Emotional Learning for Third Grade - Paperback Book • AKJ Education $16.78 1 $16.78
180 Days of Practice - 180 Days: Social-Emotional Learning for Second Grade - Paperback Book • AKJ Education $16.78 1 $16.78
180 Days of Practice - 180 Days: Social-Emotional Learning for First Grade - Paperback Book • AKJ Education $16.78 1 $16.78
Lakeshore Feelings & Emotions Dough Mats • Lakeshore Learning Materials $15.99 1 $15.99
Emotional and self-regulation for kids: Our full color kids self-regulation book helps children to manage stress, anxiety, emotions, being an excellent self-esteem workbook for children. • Amazon Business $15.66 1 $15.66
Lakeshore Making Good Choices Match-Ups • Lakeshore Learning Materials $12.99 1 $12.99
Self-Regulation Strategies Workbook: Fun Activities, CBT Exercises, Relaxation Techniques and Complete Self-Regulation for Kids To Manage Emotions and Behaviour • Amazon Business $12.24 1 $12.24
Mattel UNO Card Game • Kaplan Early Learning Company $8.96 1 $8.96
12 Pcs Learning Conversation Cubes Social Emotional Learning Activities Family Dice Game Speech Therapy for Kids Teacher Family Classroom (Family,Wood) • Amazon Business $5.99 1 $5.99

Materials cost

$461.42

Vendor shipping charges

 $45.99

Sales tax

 $27.69

3rd party payment processing fee

$6.92

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$572.02

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$100.94

Total project goal

$672.96

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $672.96

4 Donors

-$348.97

Donations toward project cost

-$296.63

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$52.34

Matching donations from our partners

-$323.99

Match offers toward project cost

-$275.39

Match offers to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$48.60

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Simpkins and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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