{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Academy Learning Center","outOfStateSupporters":21.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10594865,"projectId":10492461,"letterContent":"Our new sensory corner has already become one of the most loved spaces in our classroom! I have the privilege of working with five wonderful nonverbal students who each have unique interests, strengths, sensory needs, and ways of communicating. Having this dedicated space has given our students a safe and welcoming place to explore, make choices, and take meaningful sensory breaks throughout the school day. We have incorporated the sensory corner into our daily routines during transitions, independent work, and classroom activities. One of my favorite moments has been watching each student discover the materials and begin identifying the activities they enjoy most. Students communicate their choices through pointing, gestures, AAC, facial expressions, and other forms of communication. Seeing a student independently choose an activity or show excitement when entering the sensory corner may seem like a small moment, but for our students, these moments represent important steps toward independence, communication, and self-advocacy.\r\n\r\nWhen our students first saw the new sensory materials, their reactions were filled with curiosity and excitement. Some students immediately wanted to explore everything, while others took their time observing the new space before joining in. As they became more comfortable, we began seeing smiles, increased attention, gestures, and enthusiastic attempts to interact with the materials. The sensory corner has quickly become a place where students can feel comfortable while also practicing important skills. It gives them opportunities to make choices, communicate their preferences, practice self-regulation, and engage alongside their classmates. Most importantly, it allows us to meet our students where they are and provide them with meaningful ways to participate in the classroom. The excitement they show when they enter the space reminds us just how important it is to provide learning environments that recognize and support the individual needs of every child.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue building on this excitement and helping our students become more independent in using the sensory corner. We will work on teaching students to recognize when they need a sensory break, communicate that need, choose an activity, and transition back to classroom learning when they are ready. We will also continue incorporating sensory activities into our academic and functional lessons so that students can practice communication, social interaction, following directions, and independence in a fun and engaging environment. We are incredibly grateful to our donors for making this special space possible. Your generosity has provided more than sensory materials—it has given five amazing students a space where they can explore, communicate, make choices, feel successful, and be themselves. We are so excited to continue watching our students grow, learn, and discover new ways to engage with the world around them. Thank you for helping make our classroom a more welcoming, supportive, and joyful place for every student!","fullyFundedDate":1787242296269,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-corner/10492461/","projectTitle":"Sensory Corner","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Daniela","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10594865"},{"teacherId":10438120,"projectId":10106749,"letterContent":"Thank you again from the bottom of my heart! My students have been enjoying everything especially the sensory toys! We cannot wait for the nice weather so we can use our stepping stones and fun tunnel! The busy books were a huge hit they ALL enjoy them and I even ordered more! \r\nThey love all the different dot color markers just as much as my staff! They are less messy and that helps a lot also! My students were ecstatic when they were able to help me open the boxes and reveal some of their new classroom findings.","fullyFundedDate":1772593568278,"projectUrl":"project/pickling-around/10106749/","projectTitle":"Pickling Around","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Katie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10438120_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1771972615659","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10438120"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_97591","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":113,"numTeachers":20,"percentFrplEligible":16,"percentAsian":15,"percentBlack":16,"percentWhite":39,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":26,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":"5.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":78.7,"schoolId":97591,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Academy Learning Center on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Academy Learning Center","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-jersey/new-jersey-department-of-education/academy-learning-center/97591"}