brittany laino - 2024 Fund A Teacher Recipient
October 2024
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Dear Alpha Beta Foundation,
I am a Pre-K Special Education teacher at PS 37R on Staten Island. This is my second-year teaching and I want to express my gratitude for the funds received from Alpha Beta Foundation, which have helped me to create a nurturing and wholesome classroom environment that has maximized the learning opportunities and engagement for the students. Students in special education require tactile, visual, and sensory support to thrive. Additionally, our early learners benefit from an environment that makes them feel welcome and safe and sets a foundation for those positive school associations early on in their academic journeys. Alpha Beta Foundation has given me the resourcesto provide such an environment for my students and, therefore, has contributed to their success. The following pictures offer insight into my classroom and explain how the funds were utilized in each center.
Again, thank you for your generosity.
Brittany Laino
PS 37R
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Dramatic Play Center
In the dramatic play center, we have a kitchen set, table,
chairs, and many look-alike household items that encourage
students to engage in pretend play scenarios. In this center,
a portion of the funds went toward purchasing play food,
plates, and silverware for students to interact with.​​​​
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Discovery Center
The discovery center is an area that promotes
hands-on/sensory experiences for students. In
this center, the funds went toward manipulatives
such as tweezers for enhancing fine motor skills,
colorful bowls and unifix cubes for sorting, lacing beads,
and child-friendly science books. ​​​​​​​
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Library Center
The library area is a cozy corner where students can
comfortably explore books. The funds in this center
contributed to the carpet, family tree, center signs, and
manipulatives to be used at the writing table seen
in this photo.
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