Dozens of local teachers will get their school year wishes granted thanks to donations from SONIC Drive-In. As part of Teacher Appreciation Month, SONIC’s SONIC Foundation donated $1.5 million in May to local educators across the country.
It was part of the Limeades for Learning initiative in which teachers received a 50 percent match for each donation made to the teacher on the Donor’s Choose website.
Local teachers in the Santa Clara Unified School District, Sunnyvale School District, Fremont High School District and more asked for items specific for their classrooms. Mrs. Speight at Bracher Elementary School asked for help funding wobble stools for her fifth grade class.
“Right now, some students try to tilt in my current stools (not meant for wobbling) and risk falling or breaking the stools. Wobble stools will help our class become safer!” wrote Speight.
Meanwhile, Ms. Nancy at Hughes Elementary School simply wanted to inspire students to attend school regularly.
“At our monthly assemblies, we will give students certificates and allow them to choose a prize for perfect attendance. This will help them so much as far as building on skills and not falling behind in their academics, building a strong foundation for the future,” wrote Ms. Nancy.
Mrs. Moon at Vargas Elementary School used the funds to help reimagine her classroom’s Imagination Station.
“My students are going to be so excited and surprised for their new Dramatic Play clothes and toys,” Moon wrote after receiving full funding. “Our new ‘Imagination Station’ will inspire so much creative play. Plus I can embed in some social emotional learning with Math and Language Arts. Thank you so much for your generous support!”
The Limeades for Learning initiative donates a portion of proceeds from every drink, slush and shake purchased to the SONIC Foundation. Since 2009, SONIC has donated more than $26 million to funding local classrooms.
“SONIC is invested in supporting the local communities served by our more than 3,500 locations, and we’re proud of the impact we’ve made over the past 14 years through Limeades for Learning,” said Lori Abou Habib, Chief Marketing Officer of SONIC. “We’re grateful to all the SONIC guests who joined us in celebrating teachers this month by donating to a classroom request on DonorsChoose, and those who continue to help us support public education by grabbing their favorite SONIC drink and having a portion of the purchase go towards helping a nearby public school.”
Santa Clara Classrooms:
- Ms. Frances – Bowers Elementary School “It’s as Easy as ABC”
- Ms. Nadesh – Bowers Elementary School “Let’s Keep Nature & Outdoors Fun!”
- Mrs. Denise Salisbury – Bracher Elementary School “Mazes and Beads Too!”
- Mrs. Speight – Bracher Elementary School “Flexible Seating for Fifth Graders!”
- Ms. Allas – Cabrillo Middle School “We Need Math Essentials”
- Mrs. Seeger – Haman Elementary School “Multi-Cultural Book Clubs and Exciting Series”
- Ms. Nancy – Hughes Elementary School “Inspire Students to Attend School Regularly”
- Ms. Nellis – Hughes Elementary School “New Ideas With Teachers Pay Teachers”
- Mrs. Whyte – Laurelwood Elementary School “Summer Reading”
- Ms. Clarissa – Millikin Elementary School “Building Leaders, One Brick at a Time”
- Ms. Stuart – Montague Elementary School “Fine Motor Skills Are Essential”
- Mr. Loera – New Valley High School “Midday Snacks for Alt-Ed High School”
- Mrs. Allen – Scott Lane Elementary School “Magical Reading 2”
- Mrs. Allen – Scott Lane Elementary School “Classroom Supplies”
- Mrs. Kim – Scott Lane Elementary School “Book Collections”
- Mrs. Ramirez – Scott Lane Elementary School “Preserving and Reaching Goals”
Sunnyvale Classrooms:
- Mrs. Abousamra – Bishop Elementary School “More Art, Please!”
- Mrs. Walch – Bishop Elementary School “We Can Learn Here!”
- Ms. Flanders – Bishop Elementary School “Grow Kinders, Grow!”
- Ms. Landskron – Bishop Elementary School “Social Emotional Learning for Future Skills and Smiles”
- Ms. Mendoza – Bishop Elementary School “Making Learning Engaging”
- Ms. Monica – Braly Elementary School “Visual Cues for Me and You!”
- Mr. Dobervich – Fremont High School “Spring Cleaning and Replenishment!”
- Ms. Khare – Louis E Stocklmeir School “New, Exciting Lesson Plans to the Rescue”
- Ms. S – Louis E Stocklmeir School “Writers Workshop Center Materials”
- Ms. S – Louis E Stocklmeir School “Legos, Playmobil for Creative and Collaborative Learning/STEM”
- Ms. S – Louis E Stocklmeir School “Games for Our Game Club and Family Check Out”
- Ms. S – Louis E Stocklmeir School “Let’s Explore Art”
- Ms. S – Louis E Stocklmeir School “Calming Corner, Support for Special Needs”
- Ms. S – Louis E Stocklmeir School “Let’s Explore Art – Materials for Special Needs Students”
- Ms. S – Louis E Stocklmeir School “Cooking in the Classroom – Celebrations”
- Ms. S – Louis E Stocklmeir School “Cooking, Life Skills, Chef Creations/Egg Recipes, Tea Celebrations”
- Mrs. Kidonakis – Ponderosa Elementary School “Access to Just Right Books!”
- Mrs. Villeneuve – Ponderosa Elementary School “TPT Gift Card for Resource Materials”
- Mrs. Villeneuve – Ponderosa Elementary School “Scholastic News Magazine”
- Mrs. Moon – Vargas Elementary School “‘Imagination Station’ Reimagined”
Cupertino Classrooms:
- Mrs. Kolachalam – Warren E Hyde Middle School “Tie Dye STEM Based SEL Project”
- Mrs. Guyett – William Faria School “Hands on Math Centers!”