Aloha. I work at a school where the kids have a hunger for learning. Most of them live in a very poor neighborhood and come from poor families. They would like to get out of poverty and make something of themselves. The problem is that they do not have the funds and the means to get proper materials and supplies to succeed. We have been strugling along with the few supplies we have, but I want more for my students. I want them to get all of the opportunities other students have. Please help us educate our young ones.

I teach the newly developed Gifted and Talented class here at Fern Elementary School. Historically,our students were low performing, with one or two really high achievers per grade. But in recent times, we have identified a good amount of students who are high achieving and hold high potential to do even more! We are a title 1 school and the majority of our students come from the nearby housing project. Each year, our school struggles with finding the money to support our teachers with their classroom needs. Most of our computers are outdated, we lack the funds for many consumable science activities, and there is always a need to provide our students with things in the classroom. My class is technology based. We do the daily morning broadcast, the yearbook, create videos (PSAs) on character education topics, do intensive science, math and engineering projects, and handle our schools website. We are always thinking, always challenging, always busy. A donation to my classroom would allow for my students to spread their wings even further. We are limited in what science, math, and engineering activities we can do because of funding. Our broadcasting cameras and equipment are old and need replacing. These students have the opportunity to get into the technological side of learning, but we need funding to do so. These are very deserving, motivated, and inspired students.

My students attend a Title I school. Many of the students live in public housing and receive government assistance. Many of my students do not have the financial means to buy basic supplies such as pencils, erasers, and pencil sharpeners. Much of my classroom funds are spent on these types of items. Usually, in the middle of the year, my supply dwindles down to nothing and I have to use my personal money to by pencils and erasers. These simple essentials may seem insignificant to some families, but my students would be very appreciative of a generous donation of classroom materials. Having the right tools is the first step to success!

My students do not have access to technology in their homes, but deserve to have experiences that will help them to be effective users of technology for learning. They love coming to school and learning new things, but using technology helps them to overcome some of the socio-economic, language, and cultural barriers. There are 3 school issued computers in my classroom for students to use, but learning to use other types of interactive technology will help them to become more proficient academically and technologically.