Deed 29: Water for Jackson, MS

Jim Hill High School

Jackson, MS

We purchased clean drinking water for high school students at Jim Hill High School in Jackson, Mississippi, where nearly all students come from low-income households.
Ms. Leverette writes that her students have overcome many obstacles. While they have continued to learn through difficult roadblocks, the last thing they should have to worry about is having access to clean water. These ice makers and purified water will help students stay hydrated throughout their school day and help promote a safe environment where students can focus on their studies. 

Woodrow Wilson High School
Camden, NJ

We purchased bean bag chairs for high school students at Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, NJ, where more than half of students come from low-income households.

Ms. Ley writes that the school is in the process of building a community room that will be used to host community events, as well as a mentoring program that will allow students to connect with their neighborhood and contribute to it. Ms. Ley says that they are working to build a bridge from the school to the community to help usher students into adulthood.

These bean bag chairs will be used as alternative seating so students can see eye-to-eye with their mentor and connect on a deeper level. Having a comfortable and supportive space to meet with their mentors will encourage students to model their behavior and become successful adults. 

Gloria M Sabater Elementary
Vineland, NJ

We helped purchase different holiday-themed books in both English and Spanish for third through fifth graders at GSES in Vineland, NJ, where nearly all students come from low-income households.

Ms. Zyckowski is a school safety and plans school and community service projects. This year's theme is 'Readers Make Learners,' and students will read books with different holiday themes to kindergarten and first grade students once a month. They also plan to have students practice their reading skills while completing service projects at the local assisted living facility and at the local animal shelter. Research shows that reading books to shelter dogs has positive effects on both children and dogs.

This project will encourage students to read more to improve fluency and foster a love of reading. 

Benjamin B Comegys Elementary
Philadelphia, PA

We helped purchase dur-o-hoops, a parachute, a baseball tee-ball set, and playground balls for third through fifth graders at Benjamin B Comegys Elementary in Philadelphia, where nearly all students come from low income households.

Mrs. Cato writes that her students are special. They love to be active and try new things. She is requesting equipment to make exercise 'centers,' which will help students meet their fitness goals.

The hula hoops will help increase students' abdominal strength, while the large parachute promotes cooperative play amongst students. The baseball set will help students learn sportsmanship and kindness through organized play, and the basketballs will be used for shooting hoops. 

Fairchild Wheeler - Aerospace
Bridgeport, CT

We purchased gardening books and tools for high school students at Fairchild Wheeler - Aerospace school in Bridgeport, CT, where more than three-quarters of students come from low-income households.
Mr. Brackett writes that he is the faculty advisor of the Eco Club. They raise bees, maintain an on-campus trail, and plan Earth Day celebrations. These tools will help students plan their organic garden and contruct raised garden beds for next school year. 

Eastern Senior High School
Washington, DC

We purchased elementary-age books for students' younger siblings at Eastern Senior High School in Washington, DC, where more than half of students come from low-income households.

Mrs. Dodsworth writes that her school hosts an annual Winter Festival that allows students to select free holiday gifts for family members. Students perform spoken word, dance, and musical entertainment while their classmates shop for books (pre-K to adult), socks, lotion, and puzzles. The event encourages literacy for all ages throughout the school community, and students staff the festival--from shopping to gift wrapping.

Richard Allen Prep
Dayton, OH

We purchased Melissa & Doug play sets and dress-up clothes for preschool students at Richard Allen Prep, where nearly all students come from low-income households.

Ms. Watson writes that manipulating food items, putting on vests, and imitating occupational activities will allow students to make connections from home to life--about what their parents do at work, what foods they eat at home, and how to interact with and treat pets. Introducing these items will allow students to build social-emotional skills. learn new vocabulary, and explore safely.

These items will also help students with their fine motor skills!

East End Prep
Nashville, TN

We helped purchase cardigan sweaters for Mrs. Plever's second grade students at East End Prep in Nashville, TN, where more than half of students come from low-income households.

Mrs. Plever writes that her students are kind, curious, and unique. They enjoy coming to school and learning, and Mrs. Plever hopes that these cardigans will aid them as they explore and grow. These sweaters will help her students look professional, stay warm, and focus on learning. When her students basic needs are met, they are able to fully concentrate and grow their brains.

These sweaters will stay in the classroom and will be washed on weekends so that anyone who needs them has access. 

Northeast High School
Philadelphia, PA

We helped purchase Garmin 145 running watches for student-athletes at Northeast High School, where nearly all students come from low-income households. Coach Seim writes that these watches will go to his hard-working, competitive student athletes.

These tools allow Coach Seim's students to connect with an online community that tracks fitness, progress, heath, wellness, and an ability to connect online with the greater running community.

Lower Southampton Early Learning Center
Feasterville, PA

We purchased sensory play materials for preschool students at Lower Southampton Early Learning Center, where more than half of students come from low-income households.

Ms. Jena writes that students who have the opportunity to use their five senses while learning are more engaged and attentive. Ms. Jena's students have been diagnosed with various disabilities and would especially benefit from sensory exploration and independent learning. She is working to expand her sensory toy collection so that students have a variety of toys to choose from each day. 

High Horizons Magnet School
Bridgeport, CT

We purchased sweatshirts and water bottles for the Unified Sports basketball team in Bridgeport, CT, where more than half of students come from low-income households.

High Horizons' Unified Sports team integrates middle school special education students with students in general education, giving everyone the opportunity to play the sport they all love. This will be the first full season since COVID.

Unified Sports allows students to develop new friendships while engaging in and being part of a sports team. These sweatshirts will allow all students to match at practices and games. 

Martin Luther King High School

Philadelphia, PA

We helped purchased flexible seating options, a zen garden desktop set, and post-its for students at Martin Luther King High School in Philadelphia, where nearly all students come from low-income households.

Ms. Lancit writes that her school has just created a dedicated mental and emotional wellness space. She is requesting flexible seating (like beanbag chairs) for when students are in mental health discussion groups, a zen garden for helping to calm students facing stressors, and post-it easel pads that allow students to respond to writing prompts during deep group discussions facilitated by staff.

Ms. Lancit believes that having a safe, calm space supports her students' mental health in the place where they spend most of their day. 

West Philadelphia High School

Philadelphia, PA

We purchased an indoor, dual hoop basketball game for Ms. Ettorre's emotional support classroom at West Philadelphia High School, where nearly all students come from low-income households.

Ms. Ettorre writes that this year she is making the jump from being a kindergarten to a high school emotional support teacher. In her new role Ms. Ettorre will be providing a resource room for the kids to come to when they need to deescalate their behaviors, feel overwhelmed, grab a snack, or talk to someone. This basketball net will help make her room fun and welcoming. 

Juniata Park Academy

Philadelphia, PA

We purchased shirts with slogans about being kind and helping others, as well as anti-bullying messages, for students at Juniata Park Academy in Philadelphia, where nearly all students come from low-income households.

Mr. B writes that he is working to instill positive traits in his students by encouraging responsibility, respect for others, and being strong role models. His students receive positive behavior points when they display these traits and work towards earning a kindness shirt. Mr. B believes that practicing these behaviors, combined with wearing shirts that reinforce these messages, will lead to a happier, healthier learning space.