Teacher: Christi Ballard
School: Merit Academy
District: Woodland Park School District
District Website: www.merit.academy
School Address: 500 E Kelley's Road, Woodland Park, CO 80863
Grade Level: 3rd
Region: Central Mountains
Project Title: Appropriately Sized Chairs
Category: Social Emotional Learning
Amount Requested: $1,800

Project Description:
We are a charter classical school that was founded four years ago. We just recently took occupancy of a middle school, and the chairs that we're using are sized for middle school students. Only a couple of my 3rd graders' feet actually touch the floor when they are in their chairs. It's uncomfortable for some and can make it difficult to sit and focus for long periods of time. Having correctly sized chairs would empower the students to use good posture and show engagement by sitting tall rather than curling their feet up in the chair. We are a classical school and are teaching cursive, which works best when sitting with your feet flat on the floor, which is impossible for the majority of my students.

Project Justification:
Using a middle school, the chairs are inappropriately sized for my little 3rd graders. Most of their feet dangle all day. We are working to encourage good posture which promotes better overall health. One outcome would be confidence and pride in their work because of good handwriting, which comes from sitting correctly with feet on the floor.

Budget Breakdown:
25 chairs at about $60 per chair for a total of $1,800.

Photos:
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