The REACH (Relationship, Education, Accountability, Character and Hard work) classroom is an important hub for student success at Horizon Middle School West and it started the year with a major boost. The Awesome Foundation of Cass-Clay awarded West’s REACH teacher, Vian Mustafa, with a $1,000 check. These funds will help the classroom continue to provide basic resources for West’s fifth and sixth graders with high academic and socio-emotional needs.
“I always look for resources to help set my students up for success. These students include kids who sometimes don’t have the right school supplies or they might struggle throughout the school day if they need snacks,” explained Mustafa. “I also celebrate student progress with occasional classroom parties. I use my own money to pay for this, and it was starting to get expensive.”
During the second week of classes, representatives from the Cass-Clay chapter of the Awesome Foundation came to Horizon West to present the $1,000 check. The money will be used to support the REACH classroom and other areas at West connected with REACH, such as school counselors.
One example of how REACH supports students is through snacks. The school day at Horizon ends at 4 p.m. and West’s fifth and sixth graders typically eat lunch during the 11 a.m. hour. This gap between lunch and the end of the day frequently leaves some students in need of some energy by the middle of the afternoon. Mustafa identifies students who can’t afford to bring daily snacks but still need this boost and provides them a snack late in the day to keep them focused on learning.
REACH also provides kids with the necessary day-to-day classroom materials like pens and pencils.
“Working with our students, sometimes I see that they don’t have enough school supplies or they don’t have the correct school supplies, so I quietly bring them the supplies they need,” said Mustafa. “They smile and tell me ‘Oh, I wanted to ask for supplies but I don’t know how to go home and ask for them.’ Their smiles express how happy they are that someone paid attention and took the time to provide what they need.”
Started in Hutchinson, Minn., in 2006, REACH is now in schools across the state to serve students facing adversity and support their academic and socio-emotional development.
The Cass-Clay chapter of the Awesome Foundation gives grants of $1,000 to support ideas that help make the Red River Valley even more awesome to live in. Learn more by visiting their website.