River Ridge is putting stand-up desks to the test
Sitting partially on the stool, with one foot on the stool and the other on the ground, is just one way students utilizing the stand-up desks can situate themselves for learning comfortably. Pictured (above), Danica, a third grader in Shawn Chatfield’s class, works independently on a Chromebook during class time. (Photos by Correne Martin)
Chatfield assists a student during work time. Helping out his pupils at their stand-up desks keeps the teacher from crouching to the level of a traditional chair and desk.
A student rests her foot on the swinging footbar and rocks that back and forth, while staying on task at her desk.
Former Sen. Herb Kohl fully funds $3K of project materials
By Correne Martin
Research purports that school children who utilize stand-up desks are actually more alert, perform better academically, burn more calories, minimize orthopedic problems, feel happier and just plain move more than those seated at traditional desks or tables.
At River Ridge Elementary School, teachers have put that theory to the test, and they have done so with assistance from the educational crowdfunding website DonorsChoose.org.
Sixteen students in Shawn Chatfield’s third-grade classroom have the opportunity this school year to share 12 such desks, complete with stools and swinging footbars, all while keeping their hands and minds on task. There are four others who study while sitting at a table, and assigned seats rotate throughout the year, so all of the children have the chance to experience the stand-up desks.
Stand-up desks first surfaced in the school district a few years ago. The students who use them do so in various ways. Some stand without the stool and do their work. Some sit partially on the stool with one foot on the ground and the other on the bottom of the stool. Others sit on the stool with both feet rested on the footbar and rock their feet back and forth while studying.
“We’re working on keeping the swing from banging loudly, but we’re getting better,” Chatfield smiled.
Last year, the passionate educator and his fellow elementary teachers were brainstorming about methods that could improve the learning environment for students. He had one student in particular who, he felt, would thrive more in a movement-rich setting. Fourth grade teacher Rita Trautsch had a few stand-up desks that she felt were beneficial for her students and shared her recommendation.
So Chatfield decided a stand-up desk was the potential solution and he spread the word on social media. Within three weeks, some anonymous donors, parents and 3M’s community giving program gave enough funds that a couple stand-up desks were purchased.
“I saw results right away. This kid was more focused, more engaged, more comfortable,” Chatfield raved. “He didn’t have to sit still anymore. He had always done an OK job, but he took more pride in his work.”
Chatfield also noticed positive feedback from the student’s family as well. “His parents were so grateful,” he added. “They feel it has helped his schoolwork a lot.”
Then, for the 2016-2017 school year, Chatfield included five more stand-up desks to his wish list upon budget time. That wish was granted.
Because the results so strongly affirmed his belief in the new classroom equipment, an enthusiastic Chatfield took to DonorsChoose.org to see if he could outfit more of his third grade classroom with the stand-up desks.
The weekend before school started in September, he posted his project requesting $3,231 toward five desks and five stools. To his surprise, just two days later, it was fully funded by former U.S. Senator Herb Kohl’s charitable organization, Herb Kohl Philanthropies.
“I was showing the kids what I was doing and that’s when we saw [the request] was fully funded,” Chatfield said.
Remarkably, the third grade stand-up desks at River Ridge weren’t the only materials funded by the surprise Kohl donation.
According to a news release from Herb Kohl Philanthropies, every Wisconsin project on DonorsChoose.org as of 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 6—nearly 700 across 140 districts—was funded in its entirety. That amounted to about 600 teachers and 43,000 students who received better access to the materials they believe could improve their performance. The former senator posted a message on each funded project, letting teachers know they were part of the surprise.
“I’m very thankful to the Herb Kohl foundation for this generosity,” Chatfield commented. “Education is evolving and student learning is evolving. I think [these desks] are the wave of the future.”
Superintendent and Elementary Principal Jeff Athey is proud to see this example of River Ridge’s teachers doing what they can to provide a welcoming and safe learning environment for all.
“Our teachers really know how to access the resources we need to educate our students to their fullest potential,” Athey stated. “There are a lot of people out there who support these types of things and sometimes school budget dollars are scarce. So whether it’s special carpets, smartboards or digital tablets, I give them a lot of credit for reaching out and asking for assistance.”
Seneca teacher’s ‘Write Away’ project fully funded by Herb Kohl Philanthropies
DonorsChoose.org is a crowdfunding website started by a history teacher. In 2000, Charles Best, a teacher at a Bronx public high school thought about all the money being spent on books, art supplies and other materials. He figured there were people out there who would want to help, if they could see where their money was going. Best sketched out a website where teachers could post classroom project requests, and donors could choose the ones they wanted to support. His colleagues posted the first 11 requests. Then it spread. Today, DonorsChoose.org is open to every public school in America.
Marlys Oldenburg, a middle school teacher at the Seneca School District, submitted a $400 project entitled “Write Away” to DonorsChoose.org, requesting two Chromebooks to be used in her fifth grade classroom. This would allow her students to have access in their classroom to work on their writing projects.
“I was excited to find out that my project was funded by the Herb Kohl Foundation,” Oldenburg said. The foundation funded nearly 700 projects from 600 teachers across Wisconsin on DonorsChoose the first week of school this year.
Find a classroom project that inspires you and give as little as $1. DonorsChoose is a public charity, so donations are tax-deductible. DonorsChoose fulfills the order once a project is fully funded, purchases all the requested items and ships them directly to the school.
Every donor gets a thank-you letter from the teacher, photos from the classroom, and a report of how each dollar was spent.
