Date: April 2024
School: Bliss High School
Wish Delivered: Computer, camera equipment, and lighting equipment
Teacher Tyler Jessup says "I'm striving to get a photography and drama program going. We've pieced together old, used cameras and a mishmash of sound equipment, but we need more to pull off productions for our audiences to be able to see and hear. Our stage doubles as our gym. The lighting is bad and we need the spots to help illuminate our plays. The camera equipment will help us create images of our production and help students gain a photographer's eye. The computer is needed to edit and process images and videos from both the photography students and drama productions. We are a rural school and our students do not have much in the way of opportunity."
Wish Amount: $3,130.93
Date: April 2024
School: Arco Elementary School
Wish Delivered: CD Players, Audio Books, and Chairs
Teacher Tiffany Wight says "I have several students that struggle reading in my classroom. They are also easily overstimulated. The cd players, audio books and stadium chairs will allow them to have flexible seating in the classroom and have down-time while they work on their listening comprehension skills, and also listen to a variety of stories. We also have these physical books in the classroom or school library, so they can follow along while it's read aloud. They enjoy listening to audiobooks, but I have 18 students and only $250 per year for my class that is supposed to cover art supplies, snacks, and classroom activities."
Wish Amount: $688.26
Date: April 2024
School: Ellis Elementary School
Wish Delivered: Multisensory tools/materials
Teacher Elizabeth Hall says "This is my second year teaching kindergarten. In an optimal setting, these supplies would be standard. However, we all know schools have budgets. Last year I did not know much about how to teach phonics and phonemic awareness, and they ARE very different. I didn't want to go into this year by not having all the training I needed in order to not "fail" my kindergarteners (ensure that they ALL had the tools and knowledge they needed to be successful next year) or my three young kids (one of them a kindergartener this year) at home, so I took extra training during the summer to learn more. What I learned is that I need to include more interactive multisensory strategies, and that there are tools to help me do this."
Wish Amount: $2,052.12
Date: April 2024
School: Ellis Elementary School
Wish Delivered: Chair pockets
Teacher MaryLynn Graham says "These chair pockets help my students keep their desks more organized. If they have larger library books, it helps with the wear and tear on the book so that it is not placed in their desk with all of their other school supplies. It especially helps students with poor organization skills and messy desks because the most important items are stored in the pocket on the back of the chair. I started using them this year (because I don't have individual cubbies) and they have really helped the students be able to find things more quickly and maintain a tidier, more organized work area."
Wish Amount: $142.00
Date: April 2024
School: Ellis Elementary School
Wish Delivered: Pencil grips, chair bands, and wiggle seat cushions
Teacher Mandi Burrell says "I have taught for almost 2 decades and I am noticing that students are less engaged and more squirrely. I have a high quantity that are diagnosed with ADHD and need something to help them stay on task. The pencil grips, chair bands and wiggle seat cushions are all for the purpose of ensuring safety, calmness and learning in my classroom. In addition to handwriting posture with the pencil grips the seat cushions help students sit in different positions all while maintaining engagement without distraction."
Wish Amount: $73.37
Date: March 2024
School: Wilson Elementary School/Canyon Springs High School
Wish Delivered: Pantry Storage
Teacher Melanie Farrell says "The focus of this grant proposal is to fortify our pantry's infrastructure by investing in storage and organizational accessories. With an allocation of approximately $600, we aim to optimize the layout and accessibility of the pantry, ensuring that families can navigate the space with ease and dignity. By purchasing shelves, bins, and other storage solutions, we intend to streamline inventory management, enhance visibility of available items, and create a welcoming environment conducive to empowerment and self-sufficiency."
Wish Amount: $587.12
Date: March 2024
School: North Star Public Charter School
Wish Delivered: Sinks
Teacher Michelle Galloway says "Because of growth, my science classroom is in a dry room (no access to water). This will help me continue to offer chemistry labs to my students which require access to water. Right now I am using bowls and pitchers which can spill causing an unsafe environment."
Wish Amount: $2,758.06
Date: March 2024
School: East Canyon Elementary
Wish Delivered: Books & Supplies
Teacher Jennifer Sharer says "I am looking to increase my effectiveness at the upper elementary level. I'm currently teaching 4th grade and need to up my game. I have spent most of my teaching career (25 years) in the primary grades or as a literacy specialist. Being back in the classroom with older kids means I need more (up to date) chapter books in my classroom library. I have included several book sets that represent the needs and interests of my students. One boy consistently writes his name in Greek - he would be thrilled if we got the Percy Jackson series in our classroom and could read about his passion for Greek mythology! Several items on my list will help me address the students who are struggling with reading. I am adept at providing interventions at skill specific levels for primary students and would love to have more resources for meeting the needs of older students."
Wish Amount: $894.42
