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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Miller from Portsmouth, VA is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Elevate & Deviate: Breaking Rules With a Long Way Down!

Help me give my students an opportunity to elevate their reading while breaking all of the rules with copies of "Long Way Down".

  • $2,129 goal

This project expired on April 12, 2024.

This project expired on April 12, 2024.

My Project

Our school has established a close-knit community where students can share their passions, drive, and innovation amidst adversity. Despite the city's struggle with gun violence targeting the youth, our school stands together, supporting one another through losses and hardships.

Funding this project will help me as a librarian to assist our students in processing their emotions, raising awareness about social issues, and nurturing empathy using "Long Way Down" by Jason Reynolds.

This book follows fifteen-year-old Will as he grapples with his brother's shooting. He delves into the street's unwritten rules and contemplates revenge, all within the span of a 60-second elevator ride where he encounters seven ghosts from his brother's past. While the book's content may be weighty, it prompts critical thinking about choices, consequences, and navigating difficult situations.

To engage students, forty-seven staff members have recorded sections of the book for a collective reading experience. Students will enjoy guessing the mystery readers, discussing the novel's themes, and exploring the unwritten rules of the street. A giant elevator will be displayed outside of the library and its doors will open every few days to reveal the top scoring classes. Extension activities will be offered in the library including building a working elevator and other STEM challenges, bringing awareness to gun violence, and providing social emotional support.

Come on our elevator ride where reading breaks all of the rules. Support for this project will ensure each student in the top six classes receives a copy of "Long Way Down" during the culminating “escape the elevator” competition. Prizes will be awarded to participating students from other classes as well.

Together, let's elevate reading and defy the unwritten rules through "Long Way Down!"

Ms. Miller I.C. Norcom High School Grades 9-12

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

Equity Focus

At this school, more than 50% of students are Black, Latino, and/or Native American, and more than 50% come from low-income households. Learn how your donation to this school supports a more equitable education.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Ms. Miller

Portsmouth, VA View local requests

Nearly all 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

HBCU Alum 180 students impacted

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

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Long Way Down • AKJ Education $9.48 144 $1,365.12
Long Way Down • Amazon Business $6.79 36 $244.44
Baseball Cap - Black, Adjustable Size • Blick Art Materials $3.58 40 $143.20

Materials cost

$1,752.76

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$26.29

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$1,809.05

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$319.24

Total project goal

$2,128.29

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. Miller and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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