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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Poza-Schwarz from Danbury, CT is requesting lab equipment through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Poza-Schwarz is requesting

Fishing For Skills, Caring For Fish

My students need additional fish tanks throughout the high school campus to increase their vocational experiences and allow them to interact in new and interesting ways with the school community.

  • $275 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mrs. Poza-Schwarz for her next project!

Help Mrs. Poza-Schwarz

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mrs. Poza-Schwarz for her next project!

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Students

My classroom is overflowing with some of the kindest and hardest working people in our high school of 3,000 students. The 20 young people who come through my door (9th-12th graders) have a variety of special needs. They spend part of their day out and about the building working on vocational and daily living skills. The kids have a say in what they study and engage in… cooking their favorite meals, learning more about their favorite sports, choosing whether to handle the money or push the food cart, are just a few of the choices they make. Even though there's a designated classroom, some of the best education takes place throughout the halls of the school's campus, selling coffee, recycling, feeding fish, cleaning the aquarium, serving breakfast and photographing events. These high schoolers are working hard and happily interacting with the school community, all while improving communication, academic, and social skills!

My Project

Freshwater fish aquariums provide amazing learning opportunities for students and our project promises to provide additional and innovative experiences for my group of learners. Our high school campus educates thousands of students and it's easy to get lost and feel lost. My special education program strives to provide students with opportunities to stand out in the crowd as people with unique gifts who are valuable contributors. The addition of 3 vocational sites will certainly help them shine!

In looking for ways to increase our presence on campus and provide a variety of work experiences, we're hoping to take our aquarium expertise and share it in 3 new rooms on campus (Library Learning Commons, Administrative Office and an additional classroom).

Last year we set up a classroom aquarium, after I observed a “hard to reach” student inappropriately submerge his arm into a public fish tank. He was mesmerized by the entire sensory experience, so I responded to his interest. Our class benefited from the peaceful atmosphere the tank provided and added sensory experiences for all. The whole class wants to share these benefits with others.

On a daily basis, a team from my classroom will travel around the campus to monitor the new tanks. On these outings, they'll interact with peers and school staff they wouldn't normally meet. They'll be learning how to care for animals, improve social interactions, and impart information to others. Most importantly, this project will provide my special needs students with new jobs where they will be active, knowledgeable, and independent workers on a busy high school campus.

Mrs. Poza-Schwarz Danbury High School Grades 9-12

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 Mrs. Poza-Schwarz

Danbury, CT View local requests

More than half 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

20 students impacted 4donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Mrs. Poza-Schwarz is requesting.

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Where Your Donation Goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total
AQUARIUM TANK, 10 GAL. EA • Frey Scientific $47.96 2 $95.92
AquaTech Power Aquarium Filter, 5 to 15-Gallon Aquariums • Amazon Business $11.64 3 $34.92
Tetra HT Submersible Aquarium Heater With Electronic Thermostat • Amazon Business $6.99 3 $20.97
GloFish Aquarium Environment Gravel, White Frost, 5-Pound Bag • Amazon Business $4.69 4 $18.76
Marina 4-Inch Blue Fine Nylon Net with 10-Inch Handle • Amazon Business $8.21 1 $8.21
Marina Floating Thermometer with Suction Cup • Amazon Business $2.49 3 $7.47
Penn Plax Airline Tubing for Aquariums –Clear and Flexible Resists Kinking, 25 Feet Standard • Amazon Business $2.99 1 $2.99

Materials cost

$189.24

Vendor shipping charges

$11.51

Sales tax

$0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$2.84

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$233.59

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$41.22

Total project goal

$274.81

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

$274.81

4 Donors

-$274.81

Donations toward project cost

-$233.59

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$41.22

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

$0.00

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

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Project Activity

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