Freedom to Succeed!

School:: Freeport Elementary
Subject:: Low Performing Students
Teacher:: Meaghan Balboni
Students Impacted:: 22
Grade:: 1
Date:: September 24, 2023

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

The Alys Foundation - $930.74

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 31

The 'Freedom to Succeed' grant awarded to my classroom included wobbly seats for small group, floor seating, 4 sets of sensory headphones, a weighted sloth, and a weighted lap mat. At least 31 students were directly impacted by these items- with many more students impacted in the coming years. This year, Tier 2 students who began the school year below grade-level have most utilized these supplies. These students had a hard time focusing and sitting still to complete tasks. Other students reported trouble focusing due to outside distractions, including regular classroom sounds. These noises have been eliminated or reduced due to using the sensory headphones. Students who need as much quietness as possible have benefitted from the headphones duing testing and other assignments. The weighted sloth and lap mat have been beneficial in calming more anxious students, or for calming students who would otherwise be out of their seat. The floor seats have been another boon to the classroom, being available to those students who avoid sitting on the floor during lessons. These items are all durable and ready to use for the upcoming years of students. Thank you to everyone who has invested in this grant for your interest and support!

grant photo

Student focusing on reading sitting on wobbly chai

grant photo

Student working quietly with headphones

Original Grant Overview

Goal

My goal is to foster a safe and fun learning environment while boosting engagement through choice of flexible seating, headphones, and weighted items to meet sensory needs of each child.

What will be done with my students

Students, especially those who struggle to focus or sit still, will be able to meet their sensory input needs with flexible and colorful seating options by Kore. Students will use the floor seating options during independent activity time and center work. I can also give small group lessons from the floor, which will be engaging and fun for us all. Students who struggle with concentrating due to background distractions will have appropriately-sized and intended headphones for noise-cancelling.

Benefits to my students

Having these items in my room ensure I am ready to meet the needs of any student who joins our class. Students will have greater ability to focus while using the wobble chairs, headphones, or weighted items. Students will be freed from distractions and supported in a calm, safe environment.

Budget Narrative

This budget is for the purchase of (1) weighted sloth, (1) weighted dog, (6) 16" wobble chairs, (3) sensory noise-reducing headphones, and (3) floor seats. The weighted animals will be used to help students feel calm and grounded while focusing on their work. The sensory headphones will be used to help distracted students focus and feel less anxious during tests and other independent times. The wobble stools will be used during small group to keep students engaged and focused. The floor seating will be used during independent work to keep students engaged and happy while learning.

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	Sloth Heavy Hugger	$57.99
2	Flex-Space Washable Comfy Floor Seat	$69.99
3	Flex-Space Washable Comfy Floor Seat	$69.99
4	Flex-Space Washable Comfy Floor Seat	$69.99
5	Kore Kids Junior Wobble Chair	$84.99
6	Kore Kids Junior Wobble Chair	$84.99
7	Kore Kids Junior Wobble Chair	$84.99
8	Kore Kids Junior Wobble Chair	$84.99
9	Kore Kids Junior Wobble Chair	$84.99
10	Kore Kids Junior Wobble Chair	$84.99
11	Flex-Space Washable Comfy Floor Seat	$69.99
12	Alpine Muffy Noise Cancelling Headphones for Kids	$29.99
13	Alpine Muffy Noise Cancelling Headphones for Kids	$29.99
14	Alpine Muffy Noise Cancelling Headphones for Kids	$29.99
15	Weighted Lap Blanket for Kids & Adults	$39.99
	Total:	$977.85

Please share this page to help in fulfilling this grant.