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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Balanovich from Philadelphia, PA is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Balanovich is requesting

Urban Garden- Where Minds Grow Faster Than the Weeds.

My students are in need of planting materials to begin their urban garden.

  • $376 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

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

Help Ms. Balanovich

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

Nature is man’s teacher. She unfolds her treasures to his search, unseals his eyes, illumes his mind, purifies his heart; and influence breathes from all sights and sounds of her existence. -Alfred Billing Street This project will be implemented in a first grade classroom of about 24 students, who attend a Title One school. I am hoping to receive participation with the other first grade teachers for a possible collaboration of 80 students total.

Nature is fading from our students' lives at an alarming rate. How long will it be before students won't be able to look down the street and see a tree or a park to play in? I believe if we teach students about the value of nature that we will ensure the future of our planet. Healthy living is another topic which needs to be addressed. Teaching children at a young age to enjoy vegetables and make healthy food choices is the first step towards a healthier future.

I am currently beginning a new position at a new school. When interviewing I saw this wonderful greenhouse in the courtyard. I noticed that it did not look like it had been in use for several years. I would love the opportunity to show the students what a wonderful learning experience it can be to revitalize such a precious space. On close inspection of the greenhouse, I found that many things needed repair and that there were little to no supplies to get started. The supplies that I will be needing are topsoil, shovels, grass seed, trowels and fast plants. By using inquiry, the students will be able to develop their own questions about what they want to learn about and as the teacher I will be able to facilitate their interests.

By supporting this project you will be empowering students to become investigators of their own surroundings and learn new and valuable tools that will not only improve their lives but the future of our planet. Many children in urban setting do not get the opportunity to plant small gardens or play in grassy fields. Please help me provide my students with a urban garden that they can learn and play in. A place where nature shines and they do too.

Ms. Balanovich Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School Grades PreK-2

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. Balanovich

Philadelphia, PA 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 7donors

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

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
WISC FAST PLANT-THE BASICS • Carolina Biological Supply Company $24.10 2 $48.20
WFP POTTING SOIL, 2-CU-FT • Carolina Biological Supply Company $44.96 2 $89.92
SEEDS - GRASS KY BLUE 4OZ/PK • Sargent-Welch $4.28 5 $21.40
SHOVEL W/ROUND POINT • Sargent-Welch $21.78 2 $43.56
TROWEL - GARDEN F/WL8321A • Sargent-Welch $5.13 10 $51.30

Materials cost

$254.38

Vendor shipping charges

 $25.44

Sales tax

 $15.26

3rd party payment processing fee

$3.82

Fulfillment labor & materials

$9.00

Total project cost

$307.90

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$67.59

Total project goal

$375.49

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $375.49

5 Donors

-$187.74

Donations toward project cost

-$153.95

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$33.79

match offer

-$187.74

Match offer toward project cost

-$153.95

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$33.79

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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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. Balanovich and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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