wednesday.gives

In September 2022 we gave to Mrs. Cunningham's class in Phoenix, AZ for menstrual products.

Here's an excerpt from the project request:

Our Red Cross Club wants provide access to free and safe menstruation products in our school bathrooms. We believe that access to such products is as necessary as toilet paper, which is why our club dedicates a significant amount of time fundraising for tampons and maxi pads throughout the year. With your help, we can meet our goal to maintain an uninterrupted supply of panty liners, maxi pads, and tampons for our Period Project baskets. Having quick access to safe products lifts our girls up. It means that they never have to feel embarrassed to borrow a tampon or pad again.

In September 2022 we gave to Ms. DeSpain's class in Jacksonville Beach, FL for a classroom rug.

Have you seen Abbott Elementary? There's an early episode that centers around the importance of classroom rugs. Highly recommended!

I've seen first-hand just how centering and calming they can be. It gives a child a place in the classroom where they know they belong. And they know that once they sit down they need to give their undivided attention to the teacher, which helps the teacher just as much as the kids (if not more).

Anyway, we haven't heard from Ms. DeSpain yet, but it's only been a few hours, so we'll give her a break. Hopefully the rug will too.

In September 2022 we gave to Mr. Simon's class in Pride, LA for soccer gear.

Mr. Simon passed us this note:

Thank you very much for your kind donation, which got our project all the way to the goal. We genuinely appreciate this random act of kindness. I love the idea of this group, and I will definitely pay it forward. The team is super excited to find we have supporters all over the country.

In September 2022, we gave to Ms. Turner's class in Lake Mary, FL for supplies to run a smoothie bar business.

Ms. Turner dropped us this note:

I cannot thank you enough for contributing to my classes and investing in my students’ futures!!! I am so excited to get started! I know this will give my kids something to really look forward to each week throughout the school year. You are making a huge difference!! Thank you!

In September 2022 we gave to Mrs. Stahl's class in Los Angeles, CA for cleaning supplies and safety gear.

Mrs. Stahl sent us a note:

I want to thank you for helping fund this project for my students. I think we are in definite need of the air purifier. I also really like the book for my students to learn about hygiene. We are in need of the wipes to stay healthy. Thanks again for your help.

In September 2022 we gave to Ms. Cesko's class in Greeley, CO for sensory tools.

Ms. Cesko offered her heartfelt thanks:

There are not enough words to express my joy, gratitude, and thanks for your generous donations to my class project. My students and I are so very appreciative of your support for education and creative, hands-on techniques for managing stress and anxiety. We are looking forward to receiving these sensory tools. They will be great tools as we continue to grow and learn in the classroom. We can't wait to share some pictures! Thank you again!

In September 2022 we gave to Ms. Zorn's class in Knoxville, TN for fluorescent light filter covers.

Ms. Zorn sent us a quick note:

Thank you for your interest in my students. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. I look forward to seeing the sparkling eyes of my alert students and am so thankful they will also be able to avoid eye strain. You have helped us get the classroom lighting just right. My students will read in comfort and clarity.

In September 2022 we gave to Mrs. Brown's class in Anderson, SC for sensory toys and tools.

Mrs. Brown hit us right back:

Thank you so much for your generosity in supporting our North Pointe students. Your support in this project means we can add to a space that allows students to process emotions in a way that will set them up for success as they grow. We appreciate your willingness I partnering with us to love and teach the next generation well.

In September 2022, we gave to Mrs. Heckathorn's class in Bakersfield, CA for snacks.

Mrs. Heckathorn was quick to break out the exclamation points:

We are so happy to be able to have snacks this quarter! Thank you so much for contributing! My students are going to be so happy they will be able to have snacks everyday! This will help them get through the long duration from breakfast to lunch (4 hours). This will ultimately help them focus on growing in learning instead of worrying about their growling bellies! Thank you so VERY much!!!!!!!!

In September 2022, we gave to Mrs. Case's class in Chester, MT for books, games, and educational supplies.

Mrs. Case sent a quick thank you:

Thank you to everyone who donated to my class project! I am so excited to share how these tools will be used in my classroom and the impact hey will have on student learning. Thank you for making this possible. I am so excited to get everything and begin using them!

In September 2022 we gave to Mrs. Anderson's class in Bartlesville, OK for headphones.

Mrs. Anderson had this to say:

Thank you for donating to my project to get q good pair of headphones for each of my students. These will make a huge difference in our classroom when we use our chromebooks. Students will be able to fully use each program and hear comfortably without disrupting others! Thank you for providing that for my class!

In September 2022 we gave to Ms. L's class in Houston, TX for coding books.

Ms. L quickly responded:

Thank you so much for donating to this project that would allow students to receive the Girls Who Code book to enhance their knowledge of coding this year. I appreciate your help, Wednesday Gives! Special thanks go to The Montgomery Family Fund for matching donations!

In March 2019 we gave to Mr. Cheung's class in San Francisco, CA for iPads.

He sent us this in reply:

Thank you again for your generous donation and support for my students. They have been using the new i-pads daily, creating and editing their film project with stop motion applications and I-movie, as well as learning how to create and share google documents with their own group-mates. Everyday, they are excited for their project work block time so that they can continue to use these I-pads to bring their creations to life. In addition to that, they have learned to be more group oriented, sharing the i-pads with one another, showing each other new tricks and shortcuts they learned in the apps that they are using, and practicing their communication skills. Most importantly, because they have the use of this technology in class now, they have made their technology use time at home more productive. Rather than focusing on their games and youtube, many students are using their allotted screen time at home to practice their editing skills, being more proficient in the apps that they are using in class, and are being more responsible and productive with how they are using their technology, both in class and out. This would not have been possible if they did not have these i-pads to use in class. Thank you again for helping me provide these i-pads for my class. You have helped them learn to be more responsible and productive with what they have.

In December 2018 we gave to Mrs. Wackerly's class in Andover, KS for Snap Circuits.

Mrs. Wackerly told us how it went:

Thank you so much for the Snap Circuit kits. My students have been so excited to create different circuits and then see if they work by hearing the music or making the fan blow. They have also tried combining circuit boards to make it even bigger. We have since discovered all kinds of things about electricity. One of the most exciting points was when the students discovered fruits and vegetables that conduct electricity. The students enthusiasm for science has increased by leaps and bounds by providing these hands-on activities.

In December 2018 we gave to Ms. Campbell's class in Winston Salem, NC for headphones.

Ms. Campbell replied:

Headphones in my classroom are often a necessity as my girls are fifth graders and most of our assessments and assignments are online so it's of the upmost importance to have headphones as they are the perfect accessories to my lesson plans. They make my lesson plans more easily heard, they create a quieter classroom for better learning, and they help students to better concentrate. There are twenty two girls in my classroom and twenty two computers. It can be noisy and distracting to students to listen to audio speakers when there are multiple computers in the classroom. Headphones help my students to focus on their assignments and not another student's assignment. As an educator, I know the importance of students' hearing. With the teacher-controlled volume settings, I can monitor volume. These headphones help keep all my students on the same level and encourage them to pay attention and interact with the me because they can hear every word. Whether it's at workstations or just using headphones with tablets. These headphones play a pivotal role in my lesson plannning.

In December 2018 we gave to Ms. Fitzwater's class in Turtle Creek, PA for storage, seating, and school supplies.

Ms. Fitzwater offered a very nice thank you:

I cannot thank you enough for your generosity in funding our project. I can't wait to show you all of the wonderful experiences we are able to have thanks to your donations! My students will be able to explore and learn in so many new ways! I am truly humbled by your willingness to help me make a difference.

In December 2018 we gave to Mrs. Shilling's class in Albion, PA for fidget toys.

Mrs. Shilling got back to us:

Thank you so much for the support on this project. I have been able to outfit my classroom to be inclusive of all students. Students came in seeing the bands and beads and were excited to be there. All of the students stayed awake and engaged through the lesson. I put bands on all of my desks so all students have the opportunity to use them and no one feels different. The gel beads are used optionally. As they are in 7th grade, I like them to self monitor and ask to use a set. One student, G is diagnosed with ADHD. He has had to be on a behavior plan for his impulsivity and lack of attention to tasks. Since having the band and gel beads, he has not needed more than 3 prompts to stay focused in an 84 minute block. His noises that distract others has dropped dramatically as well. That is a huge gain! He has met his behavior goal every day so far for my class! My students will continue to work to self regulate their behaviors. I'm grateful for the funding to purchase quality materials that can withstand middle school student use! My classroom is a better place for the kids. Thank you!