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Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
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See this teacher's page

This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Ruiz from Bronx, NY is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Ruiz is requesting

Once You Learn to Read, You are Forever Free

Help me give my students the gift of finding freedom and confidence as they develop their reading skills.

  • $749 goal

This project expired on May 28, 2025.

This project expired on May 28, 2025.

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 Project

C. S. Lewis once said, "We read to know that we are not alone."

In my younger years, I often found refuge in the pages of a good book, escaping from the harsh realities of the prejudices I faced as a Latina in an all-white middle school.

My heart would soar during quiet moments spent connecting with one of my favorite characters, Amelia Bedelia. I delighted in the playful challenges of Dr. Seuss's tongue twisters and cherished the sacred time I dedicated to feeding my spirit through reading my Bible. I don't know where I would be if I had not been able to read. My classmates enjoyed hanging out after school, but I was never invited, so books became my playdates.

I wish for my students to experience the same joy of losing themselves in a book. Sadly, about a quarter of my student population struggles to read at their grade level, and some are still trying to master phonics. I hope that they too, will one day discover the magic of reading, finding solace and connection within the stories they explore.

But first, they need some help from donors like you.

Ms. Ruiz Middle School 355 Bronx Alliance Middle School Grades 6-8

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. Ruiz

Bronx, NY 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

225 students impacted

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Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

You donate directly to the teacher or project you care about and see where every dollar you give goes.

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

See our finances

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Teacher Created Resources Power Pen Learning Book, Beginning Sounds, Grades K to 1 - Grades K-1 - Toddler • School Specialty $17.02 10 $170.20
First Sight Word Cards, 100 First Word Cards & 96 Double-side Erasable Blank One Pocket Chart Cards for Beginning Reading, Sight Reading, Early-Reading, Students Classroom Home School Use • Amazon Business $9.99 5 $49.95
Lakeshore Long Vowels Skill-Building Book Set - Phonics for Beginning Readers, Science of Reading • Lakeshore Learning Materials $39.99 1 $39.99
Lakeshore Digraphs Skill-Building Book Sets - Phonics for Beginning Readers, Science of Reading • Lakeshore Learning Materials $39.99 1 $39.99
Lakeshore Blends Skill-Building, Phonics-Based Book Set for Beginning Readers - Science of Reading • Lakeshore Learning Materials $39.99 1 $39.99
Think Tank Scholar 652 Sight Words/Phonics Flash Cards, Learn to Read: CVC Blends, Short/Long Vowel Sounds, Dolch & Fry High Frequency Site Words + Games: Preschool PreK Kindergarten 1st 2nd 3rd Grade • Amazon Business $33.99 1 $33.99
Lachilly 220 Sight Words Flashcards, High Frequency 220 Words, Beginning Reading, Kindergarten to 1st Grade, ESL Teaching Materials, Autism Learning Materials, Vocabulary Building • Amazon Business $5.99 5 $29.95
Bob Books, Advancing Beginners, Set 2 • Quill.com $28.67 1 $28.67
Think Tank Scholar 520 Sight Words Flash Cards (Award-Winning) Dolch & Fry, High Frequency Words - Preschool (Pre K) Kindergarten 1st 2nd 3rd Grade Homeschool (Kids Ages 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) Set • Amazon Business $23.99 1 $23.99
Hygloss Products Inc. - Alphabet Cards Combo Pack • Teachers' School Supply $8.94 2 $17.88
TREND Enterprises, Inc. Trend Enterprises Sight Words Level 2 Flash Cards, Set of 96 - Grade 2 - Kids - Durable • School Specialty $13.79 1 $13.79
TREND Enterprises, Inc. Trend Enterprises Sight Words Level 3 Flash Cards, Set of 96 - Grade 3 - Kids - Durable • School Specialty $13.79 1 $13.79
Bob Books Set 4 - Complex Words • Amazon Business $11.40 1 $11.40
Bob Books Set 2-Advancing Beginners • Amazon Business $11.40 1 $11.40
Bob Books - Set 1: Beginning Readers Box Set | Phonics, Ages 4 and up, Kindergarten (Stage 1: Starting to Read) • Amazon Business $11.23 1 $11.23
Bob Books Set 5- Long Vowels • Amazon Business $11.19 1 $11.19
Bob Books Set 3- Word Families • Amazon Business $11.19 1 $11.19
Trend Enterprises Inc. - Sight Words - Level 1 • Teachers' School Supply $10.40 1 $10.40

Materials cost

$568.99

Vendor shipping charges

 $28.89

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$8.53

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$636.41

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$112.31

Total project goal

$748.72

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. Ruiz and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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