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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Utke from Maywood, CA is requesting art supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Utke is requesting

Finding Our Inner Picasso

Help me give my students art materials like watercolors, brushes, crayons, colored pencils and drawing paper.

  • $429 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

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

Help Ms. Utke

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

My Students

Growing up in a world that puts intense focus on test taking skills, my students have had little opportunity to explore other avenues of learning, such as art. My students attend an inner-city urban school in a densely populated city. It is one of the poorest neighborhoods in the district and all of my students live far below the poverty line.

In all other respects they are typical 8 year olds - mischievous, hard-working, enthusiastic, kind, silly, hilarious and creative.

They are as wonderful as third graders are all over the world, but they also struggle to have things most of us take for granted - food, transportation, clothing. They are all learning English as a new language, and they are all struggling with succeeding at school and are considered 'at-risk'. Over 1/4 of my class has been identified as having some type of learning disability or other special need. But, when you meet them, it is difficult to remember how many challenges they face, as they greet most days with a smile and great deal of motivation to try their hardest and 'get better at school'.

My Project

Due to a combination of distance learning and poverty, most of my students have no art materials at their homes. I have planned many wonderful art projects for them to do this year, but they are going to need some basic materials first. I chose materials that can be used in a variety of ways so we can practice all the elements of art without constantly resorting to pencil on lined paper, which is what the school has provided for them.

Art is a wonderful way for children to express themselves, which is especially important now that they've been stuck at home for months.

I am hoping to use these materials to inspire and engage them during distance learning.

Ms. Utke Loma Vista Avenue Elementary School Grades 3-5

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. Utke

Maywood, CA 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

24 students impacted 4donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
00350-0369 - Prang Washable Watercolor Set Class Pack - Set of 36 Colors, Pans • Blick Art Materials $92.38 1 $92.38
Melissa & Doug Drawing Paper Pad Bundle (3 Pack) • Amazon Business $8.99 8 $71.92
Crayola Classic Color Pack Crayons 16 ea (Pack of 8) • Amazon Business $15.99 4 $63.96
68-4012 Colored Pencils, 12-Count, Pack of 4, Assorted Colors • Amazon Business $9.96 6 $59.76
JOJODO Pointed Paint Brushes Set，50 Pcs Art Paintbrushes for Kids/Artists/Painters/Beginners/Students ，Short Plastic Handle，Nylon Hair Brushes for Acrylic Oil Watercolor Art Painting • Amazon Business $13.90 1 $13.90

Materials cost

$301.92

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $27.63

3rd party payment processing fee

$4.53

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$364.08

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$64.25

Total project goal

$428.33

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $428.33

4 Donors

-$424.27

Donations toward project cost

-$364.08

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$60.19

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$4.06

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. Utke and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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