Funded Feb 15, 2026

Because of your generosity, our new puppet theater has quickly become one of the most sought after spaces in our CORE self-contained classroom. We are using it regularly to support communication goals, social skills practice, and imaginative storytelling. During our heart block, students retell familiar stories using the puppets, taking turns as characters and narrators. In social skills lessons, we use the theater to role-play real-life situations such as greeting a friend, asking for help, or solving small conflicts. Watching students step behind the curtain and find their “voice” has been incredibly powerful.

When the puppet theater was first revealed, the excitement was immediate. Students’ faces lit up, and many could not wait to explore the puppets and stage. Even some of our quieter students were eager to participate. For several of our learners who struggle with verbal expression, the puppets have provided a comfortable and motivating way to communicate. We have already seen increased engagement, more spontaneous language, and wonderful moments of peer interaction that might not have happened otherwise.

As we move forward, we plan to expand our storytelling projects by having students create their own simple scripts connected to our current units. We are also incorporating the puppet theater into collaborative group activities where students practice sequencing, problem-solving, and expressive language. Your support has truly enriched our classroom environment and created new opportunities for growth, confidence, and joy in learning. Thank you for giving our students this special space to shine.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Medina