{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Agua Caliente Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":22.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8713059,"projectId":10082308,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students now have their own copies of Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Titan's Curse, and it has truly changed the energy in our classroom. Reading time has become something students look forward to each day. Instead of sharing or waiting for a turn, every student is able to follow along, stay engaged, and feel like a real reader. They are excited to jump back into the story and often ask if they can keep reading at home.\r\n\r\nWith these books, we are working on important reading skills like understanding character development, identifying themes, and using evidence from the text to support our thinking. Students are having more meaningful discussions, making predictions, and building their vocabulary as they encounter new words in context. Reading in our classroom is very interactive—you'll see students annotating, talking with partners, and really thinking deeply about what's happening in the story.\r\n\r\nWhat has been most special is seeing students who used to struggle with reading become more confident and involved. Some are raising their hands more, others are making connections, and many are simply more willing to try. The excitement around this book has brought our class together and helped foster a genuine love of reading. Thank you for making this possible for my students!","fullyFundedDate":1772488634628,"projectUrl":"project/can-we-read-the-next-one-please/10082308/","projectTitle":"Can We Read the Next One? Please!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Milward","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8713059_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1664413545415","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8713059"},{"teacherId":8719605,"projectId":9777900,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our students were able to bring their learning to life in a powerful and hands-on way. When the clay and habitat containers arrived, the excitement in the room was immediate, wide eyes, huge smiles, and so many questions! We were even able to take this project to our STEAM lab, which made the experience feel even more special. In that space, students collaborated, designed, sculpted, and problem-solved like true scientists and engineers.\r\nIn class, students researched an animal and its habitat, then used the clay to carefully create a 3D model of their animal and design a detailed habitat inside their container. \r\n\r\nNext, students will orally present their habitat models to the class, explaining how their animal survives and why the features in their habitat are important. This allows them to strengthen their speaking and listening skills while demonstrating their science understanding. For many of my English learners, being able to physically build their habitat helped deepen understanding and strengthen language development.\r\n\r\nYour support did not just provide materials, it created an engaging STEAM experience where creativity, critical thinking, and content knowledge all came together. Thank you for giving my students an opportunity to learn in such a meaningful and memorable way.","fullyFundedDate":1764803584309,"projectUrl":"project/building-animal-habitats-with-stem-and-c/9777900/","projectTitle":"Building Animal Habitats with STEM and Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mitre","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8719605_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1686530582303","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmitre-aguacaliente"},{"teacherId":8713059,"projectId":9941188,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible generosity, our classroom has been transformed into a true art studio! The canvas boards, tempera paint, watercolor sets, brushes, palettes, and clay have opened up so many creative possibilities for my fifth graders. We are currently using these materials for a mixed-media art project where students are designing \"Desert Dreamscapes\" inspired by our Palm Springs environment. Students first sketch their ideas, paint a vibrant background on the canvas panels, and then create clay elements—such as cacti, mountains, or desert animals—to add dimension to their artwork. Watching them carefully mix colors, experiment with texture, and problem-solve has been truly inspiring.\r\nWhen my students first saw the materials, their faces lit up with excitement. Several students gasped, saying things like, \"We get to use REAL canvases?\" and \"This feels like an art class!\" Even students who usually feel unsure about art were eager to jump in, try something new, and take creative risks. The no-spill paint cups and organized palettes have also helped our classroom stay calm and focused while students work collaboratively.\r\nNext, students will reflect on their artwork by writing an artist's statement explaining their creative choices, the colors they selected, and what their piece represents about our desert community. We will then display their work in a classroom art gallery so they can share their creations with peers and families. Your support didn't just provide supplies—it gave my students confidence, joy, and a meaningful way to express themselves through art. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1769177905648,"projectUrl":"project/crafty-wednesdays/9941188/","projectTitle":"Crafty Wednesdays","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Milward","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8713059_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1664413545415","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8713059"},{"teacherId":10042656,"projectId":9376285,"letterContent":"On behalf of the students, I would like to extend our sincerest gratitude for your generous donations. Your thoughtful contributions of materials and resources have provided our students with invaluable tools to thrive both academically and personally.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, we are able to offer our students essential items that directly assist them in developing crucial self-regulation skills and improving their social interactions. These resources play a vital role in empowering students to manage their emotions, engage meaningfully with their peers, and build the skills they need for success.\r\n\r\nYour kindness is making a profound difference in their lives, and we are so grateful for your continued support.\r\n\r\nThank you again for being a part of our community and helping our students reach their full potential.","fullyFundedDate":1758577863735,"projectUrl":"project/support-inclusive-classrooms-with-tools/9376285/","projectTitle":"Support Inclusive Classrooms with Tools for Special Education Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Flores","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10042656"},{"teacherId":6309709,"projectId":9750178,"letterContent":"Our classroom bins have been wonderful in keeping the classroom organized. We added classroom labels to them to help students know what is inside each bin. It has helped promote independence, and reinforce learning.\r\n\r\nOur students were very excited to have more storage bins to give us more materials at our hands. Being able to label them has been very visually stimulating and are helping the students understand the structure of the classroom. It has taken an adjustment for them as they learn that the bins get put back in a specific spot now and not just in a random spot. \r\n\r\nOur next steps include more independence with student learning. They are learning where their materials are and are starting to be able to locate what they need without teacher assistance.","fullyFundedDate":1758735158132,"projectUrl":"project/an-organized-classroom/9750178/","projectTitle":"An Organized Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Usher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6309709_orig.jpg?crop=1080,1080,x0,y180&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1664331180596","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6309709"},{"teacherId":22006,"projectId":9281517,"letterContent":"As soon as my students saw the boxes of highlighters, folders, and composition notebooks, their faces absolutely lit up. Several students immediately started sorting the folders by color and matching them to their reading and writing groups—already thinking like organized scholars. Others flipped through their new notebooks, excited to decorate the covers and make them their own. One student held up a pack of highlighters and said, \"Now we can annotate like real readers!\" That moment said everything: these materials didn't just arrive—they inspired confidence.\r\n\r\nWe've already put the resources to work. Students are using the highlighters to mark claim, evidence, and reasoning in our informational texts, and suddenly their annotations are clearer and far more purposeful. The colorful folders have transformed our transitions; students now move from reading to writing with ease because everything they need is organized and accessible. And the sturdy composition notebooks have become our daily literacy journals—students write reflections, respond to prompts, and track their progress over time. These tools have helped them stay focused, take ownership of their learning, and build strong habits that will carry them through the year.\r\n\r\nNext up, we're diving into a unit that combines close reading, daily writing practice, and small-group discussion routines. Because of your generosity, my students have the materials they need to fully engage in every part of that process. Your support ensures that each child feels ready, equipped, and excited to learn every single day. Thank you for believing in them and investing in their growth!","fullyFundedDate":1755714331108,"projectUrl":"project/ready-to-read-ready-to-write-ready-to/9281517/","projectTitle":"\"Ready to Read, Ready to Write, Ready to Shine!\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jorge Zaiden","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp22006_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755368752424","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/22006"},{"teacherId":22006,"projectId":9573678,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible generosity, our 5th graders have launched into an unforgettable reading adventure with The Wild Robot and will soon start The Wild Robot Escapes. These books have completely transformed our literacy block. Students are practicing key comprehension skills—inferring character motivations, analyzing text evidence, comparing themes from The Wild Robot, and tracking Roz's growth across both novels. Many of my students struggle with stamina and deeper-level thinking, but these high-interest texts hooked them immediately. Because they're so engaged, they're pushing themselves to use academic vocabulary, annotate with purpose, and discuss ideas with confidence.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom looks—and sounds—alive. You'll see students huddled around the text during partner reading, jotting RACE responses on sticky notes, debating why Roz makes certain choices, and sketching survival blueprints that merge STEM and literacy. For many of them, this is the first time they feel like \"real readers,\" not just students completing an assignment. One of my students who usually hesitates to read out loud now volunteers during every discussion. Another student who is fascinated with engineering has connected deeply to the robotics themes and is writing pages of predictions during our notebook time.\r\n\r\nYour donation didn't just put books on shelves—it opened a world. You gave 100+ students the chance to fall in love with reading, to stretch their thinking, and to see themselves as capable, creative learners. Thank you for believing in our school, our kids, and the power of a story that inspires courage, curiosity, and heart. We are profoundly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1755723415748,"projectUrl":"project/reading-goes-rogue-wild-ride-with-the-w/9573678/","projectTitle":"Reading Goes Rogue: Wild Ride With the Wild Robot Escapes","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jorge Zaiden","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp22006_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755368752424","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/22006"},{"teacherId":8713059,"projectId":9749695,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom book club. Because of your kindness, my students now have access to engaging, high-interest books that they are excited to read and discuss together. Many of my students do not have books of their own at home, so having their own copy makes reading feel special and meaningful.\r\n\r\nThese books are already helping build a strong reading community in our classroom. During book club time, students are learning how to share ideas, listen respectfully, ask thoughtful questions, and support their thinking with evidence from the text. Reading alongside their peers has increased motivation, confidence, and a genuine love for reading.\r\n\r\nYour support goes far beyond providing books — you are helping create lifelong readers. Because of you, students feel proud to hold their own novel, turn its pages, and see themselves as readers. Thank you for believing in our classroom and investing in our students' futures. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1758724567342,"projectUrl":"project/knowledge-is-power-books-for-everyone/9749695/","projectTitle":"Knowledge Is Power! Books for Everyone!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Milward","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8713059_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1664413545415","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8713059"},{"teacherId":3555331,"projectId":9815442,"letterContent":"I want to sincerely thank you so much for your immense generosity. Donors like you make a huge difference in students' lives and classroom experience. \r\n\r\nStudents have enjoyed using the paint pens for their possum art. It helped the color of their possums really pop. This was a fun activity because we got to read a book called \"Epossamundos\" and kids had an opportunity to create their own possum.\r\n\r\nStudents have also really enjoyed earning points to get the pencils. They love the smell of the scented pencils. \r\n\r\nThe laminating sheets have also come in handy for the students. They look forward to making more art with the paint pens and earning more smelly pencils.","fullyFundedDate":1760485812804,"projectUrl":"project/incentives-and-art-galore/9815442/","projectTitle":"Incentives and Art Galore","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Chaillot","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3555331_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1543592229245","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ericachaillot"},{"teacherId":5345897,"projectId":6846216,"letterContent":"Your support for this project means the world to us here at Agua Caliente Elementary School. Our students are LOVING using highlighters during our phonics lessons. They have their eyes glued to their decodable text, trying to find the phonics/spelling pattern we are working on. \r\n\r\nThey use their white boards multiple times a day- during math and language arts instruction especially. It is such a great tool for both the students and the teacher. The students ALL are participating; there is no opting out. The teacher can see what each student is thinking and provide quick feedback to specific students OR change whole group instruction quickly if many students are not showing understanding. \r\n\r\nIt is so important to have these materials for all students. Thank you for providing these supplies; it makes a large impact on a daily basis.","fullyFundedDate":1663634876539,"projectUrl":"project/letters-reading-and-writing-oh-my/6846216/","projectTitle":"Letters, Reading, and Writing, Oh My!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Raaum","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5345897_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1527458455578","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5345897"},{"teacherId":8719605,"projectId":9295783,"letterContent":"When the Secret Stories resources arrived, I started to put them up right away, but just a few at a time. This really piqued my students' curiosity, and they couldn't wait to find out what each \"secret\" meant. One moment that stood out was when a student who usually struggles with reading pointed to a poster and said, \"I know that one!\" He was so proud to use it while reading a new word.\r\n\r\nWe've started weaving the stories into our phonics lessons, and the kids are beginning to recognize and apply the patterns in their reading and writing. Our next step is to keep building their independence so they can use the secrets on their own with new words.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping bring these resources into our classroom. They're already making reading feel more engaging and fun for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1746787389706,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-the-reading-code-with-secret-s/9295783/","projectTitle":"Unlocking the Reading Code with Secret Stories!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mitre","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8719605_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1686530582303","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmitre-aguacaliente"},{"teacherId":9574435,"projectId":8982364,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generous donation of art supplies to our classroom. We were so excited to receive glitter, paint, paper, googly eyes, and so much more—it truly felt like the holidays came early!\r\n\r\nThe joy on my students' faces was priceless. They dove into the supplies right away and have been creating beautiful, imaginative projects every week since. Because of your support, we never had to pause and ask, \"Do we have what we need?\"—we had everything we needed and more. These materials helped my students express themselves, build fine motor skills, and, most importantly, have fun while learning.\r\n\r\nYour kindness made a real difference in our classroom, and we are beyond grateful. Thank you for helping us bring creativity to life.","fullyFundedDate":1739373222621,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-art-within-a-special-education-c/8982364/","projectTitle":"Sensory Art within a Special Education Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lucy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9574435_orig.jpg?crop=612,612,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720638343834","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9574435"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_32662","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":617,"numTeachers":22,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":93,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"28.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":77.7,"schoolId":32662,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Agua Caliente Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Agua Caliente Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/palm-springs-unified-school-district/agua-caliente-elementary-school/32662"}