Date: August 2025

School: Ponderosa Elementary

Wish Delivered: Classroom Supplies for Deaf Students

Teacher Brittany Orr says "I am Ponderosa's Teacher of the Deaf. The students I teach range between Kindergarten and 5th grade and are unique because they are Deaf. Children who are Deaf or hard of hearing often face significant barriers in acquiring language and literacy, especially when traditional auditory-based instruction is the norm. Our goal is to close this gap by implementing visual and tactile educational tools that align with how Deaf children most effectively process information—through sight, motion, and pattern recognition."

Wish Amount: $199.95

Date: August 2025

School: Maxine Johnson Elementary

Wish Delivered: Recess supplies

Teacher Becky Fogg says "Recess is a huge part of the school experience! We are a Title One school that serves a variety of students. While our building is a K-4th grade building, we do share our playground with 5th and 6th graders as well. Our little Kindergarten students aren’t able to use equipment or participate in some of the activities that our 5th and 6th graders can. We feel fortunate to be a school that provides full day Kindergarten. In some ways it has been a struggle but we feel blessed that we now have more time to allow the kids to play, interact with their peers and watch their imaginations flourish."

Wish Amount: $1,904

Date: August 2025

School: Kootenai Classical Academy

Wish Delivered: Classroom supplies

Teacher Deborah Coons says "As a charter school we receive very limited funds through the state and only a $50 classroom budget from our district to purchase materials. Any funds allocated to our school from the state are used for other resources and any fundraising we do has been used to fund the middle school wing of our building. This means that nearly all classroom materials—from pencils and paper to learning tools and curriculum we are to teach every day—are purchased out of our own pocket or through parent donations."

Wish Amount: $2,717

Date: August 2025

School: Reed Elementary

Wish Delivered: Classroom supplies

Teacher Chris Dixon says "These Items will help with STEM in my classroom and with my Lego League Students during all of the Year and at competition times each April. We are in a school that is over capacity and storage is limited so the Storage bins and shelves will help us out so much! The extra art items and glue gun will help so much for the posters that our Lego league students have to make to show their journey throughout the year and the hard work we put in. They will also help my classroom students with projects and posters that we make throughout the school year. It will also help teach the fundamentals of coding as a youth! This really brings a lot of confidence and happiness to children who are not able to do it themselves."

Wish Amount: $2,324

Date: July 2025

School: Adams Elementary School

Wish Delivered: Classroom Furniture

Teacher Ellie Rivard says "As a first-year teacher, I’m working on building my classroom from the ground up. I want it to be a safe, welcoming space where students can learn, grow, and feel excited to come to school every day. Many of these items, like the rug, circle pillows, and round pouf, will help me create a cozy reading area where students can relax and enjoy books. The reading phone will let them hear themselves read, which helps build confidence and fluency. Things like the 5-drawer chest, plastic drawer containers, storage bins, wood crates, cubbies, and magazine holders will help keep the classroom organized. These will also give students a place to keep their things, helping them take responsibility for their materials. Items like clipboards, carpet dots, and stickers will help with classroom routines and management. The stickers and LifeSavers will be used as fun rewards to motivate and celebrate students' efforts and good behavior.The magnetic tiles will be used for hands-on play and learning, helping students build creativity and work together. Each of these items will help me create a space that’s fun, organized, and built for student success."

Wish Amount: $725

Date: July 2025

School: Adams Elementary

Wish Delivered: Art Supplies

Teacher Beatrice Gatica says "I am an educator at Adams Elementary in Rexburg. I have experience teaching both Kindergarten and first grade, and I will be focusing on Kindergarten for the upcoming school year.

On my wish list, I have special pencils designed specifically for kindergartners. These pencils will assist our students in learning the proper way to hold a pencil, which is crucial for developing their handwriting skills. Additionally, I am seeking sensory toys that can be utilized during centers or provide students with a much-needed break from their learning activities. My wish list also includes various supplies for art and educational purposes. In Kindergarten, we utilize a wide array of materials to make learning enjoyable and engaging!"

Wish Amount: $650

Date: July 2025

School: Riverbend Elementary

Wish Delivered: 3D Printer

Teacher Tiffanie McNeel says "As a third-grade teacher, I am constantly seeking ways to make learning more engaging and meaningful for my students. A 3D printer would bring hands-on, interactive learning to life across multiple subjects. For example, students could design and print animal models during our science units, or create geometric shapes in math to explore fractions and measurement in a tangible, memorable way. This type of creative learning fosters critical thinking and helps students better connect abstract concepts to the real world."

Wish Amount: $991

Date: July 2025

School: Rigby Middle School

Wish Delivered: Classroom Supplies

Teacher Angilee Peck says "Our school totals around 960 students. This is the first year that elementary students from 3 schools are now combined to create the middle school population. This past year, our school district implemented a no cell-phone campus. That has resulted in a huge opportunity for face-to-face interactions and the increase in library use. Our library was not equipped for the influx of students. It is common to see students arrive in plenty of time before the bell, especially for those students needing a safe place as parents leave for work, as well as some arriving on early buses. With the new cell phone policy, the library is now becoming a popular spot to meet up with students. The grant will allow us to focus on creating a warm, learning enriched environment and to give room for my school budget to buy the books needed for our diverse student population."

Wish Amount: $1,740