Date: February 2025
School: Washington Elementary
Wish Delivered: STEM Supplies
Teacher Hallie Reikowsky says "The requested dramatic play learning tools will be used by grades Kindergarten through 4th reaching over 250 students. Joining me in our cozy learning tent surrounded by plum trees and open skies, each individual class attends our OE course at least once every week for 40 minutes (multiple classes join a second weekly session). With these supplies students will: Use STEM methodology to build shelters and habitat for each animal. Make ecological connections that all creatures rely upon one another via the food chain for balanced population dynamics. Apply knowledge and use natural items and puppets to dramatize how the food chain works. Strengthen literacy skills using reading resources to find answers. Use critical thinking skills to solve imbalanced food chain and genetic pattern scenarios. Understand the significance of Idaho’s natural resources by making connections through dramatic play. Building a collection of dramatic play items and growing our library will enhance our program and deepen scientific inquiry lessons. These tools will be used in a specific ecology learning block as well as used year round for many other learning opportunities."
Wish Amount: $434.27
Date: February 2025
School: Orofino Elementary
Wish Delivered: Classroom Furniture
Teacher Brynn Knudson says "My students are extremely active this year and have very diverse needs. I have two wobble stools in my classroom that are benefitting students tremendously. Since I only have two I don't have enough to meet the needs of my students. Wobble stools, also known as balance stools, offer a unique seating option that can benefit a wide range of students, especially those with diverse learning styles and needs. The key benefit I have witnessed is significant improvement in focus and attention."
Wish Amount: $509.00
Date: February 2025
School: Highland School District
Wish Delivered: Classroom Books
Teacher Kaleigh Poxleitner says "This will be my first year teaching literary studies (beginning in January) and we are lacking a supply of books beyond the boring classics. I want to be able to get multiple students interested in reading, and in order to do that, I need a larger variety of texts."
Wish Amount: $932.66
Date: February 2025
School: Orofino Jr. Senior High
Wish Delivered: Whiteboard and whiteboard supplies
Teacher Clarissa Beauregard says "I teach high school students ELA. We've been practicing more vertical learning, which is where they are working at white boards, standing and in groups. These groupings have immensely impacted the amount of buy-in, engagement, and critical thinking in all of my classes. We notoriously have low engagement throughout our school, but these vertical learning activities have proven that movement and allowing for more small group discussion and critical thinking increases student engagement."
Wish Amount: $393.85
Date: January 2025
School: Rocky Mountain High
Wish Delivered: Rolling Whiteboards
Teacher Daniel Drlik says "Student Council is the lifeblood of a high school. We plan events, promote activities, recognize individuals, and build school culture. This year we have accomplished many awesome things. We have begun new traditions. For example, a Hoe Down dance where we invited a DJ and line dance instructors to show the students how to line dance. This is something that we want to continue. We also like to hype up our sporting events as well as other competitions such as concerts and performances by our various competitive organizations. However, we are limited in trying to stay organized. We have a class of over 80 students and communication is difficult. With these whiteboards, we would be able to stay more organized."
Wish Amount: $1050.00
Date: January 2025
School: Canyon Springs Alternative
Wish Delivered: Math Supplies
Teacher Jamie Jamtaas says "We require clear backpacks within our school to promote a sense of safety and unity for our students. By showing other students there is nothing to hide it allows for the kids to focus fully on their education. However, many of our students come to us from different life situations that make it hard for them to get their own backpack. We want to be able to offer them this item upon entry into the school without any stress to them. Most of our students come to us with Math being the main course needed to graduate. Our calculators we currently use are so old and unreliable that for many students they need to rely on other resources to help them. We want to have working, readily accessible calculators for each math classroom so our students can again focus on their education and not on fixing the problem."
Wish Amount: $1391.00
Date: January 2025
School: Syringa Middle
Wish Delivered: Project Supplies
Teacher Kristy Rudan says "My request is to make a single wish come true for each teacher in my “class”; each teacher that I support and mentor is in need of something for their classrooms. In some ways, it’s almost like playing Santa Claus–leaving one gift for each of our incredible educators to use to continue inspiring others. The impact it will have is exponential, extending into the lives of 700 students. It’s an absolutely outside-the-box approach to a classroom wish list. It’s not traditional, I know. But not all classrooms look the same. What I do know is that the need is severe, hope needs to be restored, and I love and adore my “students” just the same as all teachers, so I’m here advocating for each of their greatest needs."
Wish Amount: $7785.44
Date: January 2025
School: Glenns Ferry
Wish Delivered: Photography equipment
Teacher Amy Hill says "As a teacher I am committed to enhancing the educational experience for my students and believe that incorporating modern technology, such as a high-quality digital camera, will be an invaluable tool in achieving this goal. The digital camera will allow students to engage in a variety of educational activities, including documenting projects, participating in creative photography assignments, and capturing moments during classroom events or field trips. These experiences will not only foster creativity but also help students build essential skills in digital literacy, visual storytelling, and multimedia presentation."
Wish Amount: $369.99
