{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Alta Vista Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":33.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9314124,"projectId":9252756,"letterContent":"The impact of our DonorsChoose project for the \"Bin It to Win It\" organization has been incredible for my students! Before receiving the materials, keeping our center activities organized was often a challenge — supplies were scattered, and students sometimes had a hard time transitioning smoothly between tasks. With the new bins, everything now has a clear place and purpose. Each center has its own labeled bin, making it easy for students to find what they need and put it back independently. This structure has helped them take ownership of their materials, stay focused during rotations, and maximize their learning time.\r\n\r\nThe excitement on my students' faces when the bins arrived was priceless! They couldn't wait to help sort and set up each one, and now they take so much pride in keeping our classroom organized. It has truly made centers something they look forward to — the colorful bins make our space inviting, and the sense of order helps them feel confident and prepared. Thanks to DonorsChoose and our generous donors, our classroom runs more smoothly than ever, and my students are learning the value of responsibility and teamwork every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1746647906973,"projectUrl":"project/bin-it-to-win-it-first-grade-needs-orga/9252756/","projectTitle":"Bin It to Win It: First Grade Needs Organization!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McKee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9314124_orig.jpg?crop=1284,1284,x0,y21&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696302213672","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9314124"},{"teacherId":9718584,"projectId":9446369,"letterContent":"The coding robots have transformed how my students learn computer science. Instead of just playing games on screens, they're now programming real objects to move and respond. Botley has been especially powerful because students can code without needing computers or tablets—they just press buttons to create sequences. When they see their robot follow the exact path they programmed, the connection between their commands and the robot's actions clicks instantly.\r\nWhat excites students most is that they can physically touch and control what they're programming. The Sphero Mini has been a huge hit during recess—kids are actually choosing to program soccer moves instead of just kicking a ball. The Sillbird building kits let students become engineers first, then programmers. They spend hours building different robot models, then figure out how to make each one move differently.\r\nI've noticed several students who normally struggle with traditional lessons have become classroom leaders with these robots. One student who rarely participated now teaches others how to debug their code when robots don't move correctly. Another student created an entire maze challenge system for the Robot Mouse that the whole class uses. Students who were once intimidated by the word \"coding\" now confidently explain algorithms to their parents. These robots proved to my students that they really can create technology, not just use it.","fullyFundedDate":1752613649877,"projectUrl":"project/code-create-conquer-robotics-for-futu/9446369/","projectTitle":"Code, Create, Conquer: Robotics for Future Programmers","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jaffee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9718584_orig.jpg?crop=406,406,x0,y125&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1735176081880","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9718584"},{"teacherId":7388045,"projectId":9229628,"letterContent":"Our Eagle Eye News Crew has been greatly impacted by the laptops you so generously provided. In the past, our students often lost valuable writing time when our school computer labs were closed for testing. Now, thanks to your contributions, they can work consistently on writing and editing their news stories without interruptions. This has allowed them to develop stronger writing habits, learn how to research efficiently, and collaborate in real time—skills that mirror the way professional journalists use technology every day.\r\n\r\nThe laptops have brought a new level of excitement to our newsroom. Students are thrilled to have their own dedicated tools for writing, and they especially enjoy the ability to quickly draft, revise, and share their stories with their peers. For many of them, it's the first time they've been able to use technology specifically for creating something meaningful rather than simply completing assignments. One of our quieter students, for example, has become much more engaged since receiving access to the laptops; she discovered a love for editing digital drafts and now volunteers to help others polish their articles.\r\n\r\nOverall, your support has empowered our students to see themselves as true reporters, with the technology they need to succeed. They are not only improving their writing and communication skills, but also building confidence as they take ownership of their stories. Your generosity has given them tools that will serve them well beyond our school news crew, and for that, we are deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1746648647909,"projectUrl":"project/breaking-news-empowering-young-journali/9229628/","projectTitle":"Breaking News: Empowering Young Journalists with Laptops!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rivera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7388045_orig.jpg?crop=1932,1932,x0,y70&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743705652863","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7388045"},{"teacherId":9099241,"projectId":9394903,"letterContent":"The \"Building Empathy and Emotional Skills: Social-Emotional Learning for Our Classroom\" project made a meaningful and lasting difference in our classroom environment. Many of my students come to school facing challenges that can make it difficult to manage big feelings or understand how to navigate social situations. This project gave us the tools we needed to build a strong emotional foundation and create a more supportive, respectful classroom community.\r\n\r\nWith the addition of SEL books, calming tools, visual aids, and interactive activities, students learned how to identify and name their emotions, practice self-regulation, and show empathy toward others. Our daily routines now include check-ins, emotion cards, and social stories that help students express how they feel and problem-solve peacefully.\r\n\r\nOne of the most noticeable changes was in how students began to support one another. They started using language like \"I feel...\" and \"How can I help?\"—demonstrating that they were truly internalizing the lessons. Conflicts decreased, cooperation increased, and students began to build stronger, more trusting relationships with each other.\r\n\r\nFor children who struggle with emotional regulation or social interaction, this project provided a safe, structured way to practice and grow. It empowered them with lifelong skills like active listening, empathy, and mindfulness. Thanks to this project, our classroom became a more caring, calm, and connected place where every child felt seen and supported.","fullyFundedDate":1753300476224,"projectUrl":"project/building-empathy-and-emotional-skills-s/9394903/","projectTitle":"Building Empathy and Emotional Skills: Social-Emotional Learning for Our Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Speckman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9099241_orig.jpg?crop=750,750,x0,y530&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689446123068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/vpkpack"},{"teacherId":9099241,"projectId":9375160,"letterContent":"The \"Rhyme Time: Building Literacy with Nursery Rhymes!\" project had a powerful impact on our classroom by sparking a love for language and early reading skills. Through engaging activities centered around classic nursery rhymes, my students were able to build foundational literacy skills such as rhyming, phonemic awareness, and vocabulary development in a playful and meaningful way.\r\n\r\nMany of my students enter the classroom with limited exposure to books and language-rich environments. This project gave them daily opportunities to chant, sing, and act out rhymes like Humpty Dumpty, Twinkle Twinkle, and The Itsy Bitsy Spider, which helped them make connections between spoken and written words. The repetition and rhythm of the rhymes helped even my most reluctant learners feel confident in participating.\r\n\r\nWe used hands-on props, sequencing cards, and storytelling tools to bring each rhyme to life. This helped boost comprehension and memory skills, especially for my English language learners and those who benefit from multi-sensory experiences. Students were excited to retell the rhymes during center time, building their speaking and listening skills while collaborating with peers.\r\n\r\nOverall, this project helped transform literacy time into an engaging, confidence-building experience. It laid the groundwork for future reading success while creating joyful memories around language and learning.","fullyFundedDate":1750946508495,"projectUrl":"project/rhyme-time-building-literacy-with-nurse/9375160/","projectTitle":"Rhyme Time: Building Literacy with Nursery Rhymes!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Speckman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9099241_orig.jpg?crop=750,750,x0,y530&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689446123068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/vpkpack"},{"teacherId":4594049,"projectId":9333749,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to my project, Literacy Center Refresh. Literacy Centers are such a fun and dynamic time for students to practice new reading and writing skills that they have learned in the classroom. We have exciting centers for writing, reading, working with words and also centers using technology. Most of these centers are hands on and use materials that need to be replaced throughout the years. \r\n\r\nYour donation helped update our centers and replace some of the consumable materials being used. We were also able to replace our listening center headphones that were amazing, but were almost 15 years old! (We take super great care of our materials) My student's favorite part of the day is literacy centers, and you have helped our classroom to continue centers with new supplies, exciting new materials and countless opportunities to learn and grow!","fullyFundedDate":1747659400685,"projectUrl":"project/literacy-center-refresh/9333749/","projectTitle":"Literacy Center Refresh","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cox","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4594049_orig.jpg?crop=1944,1944,x250,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753657891738","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4594049"},{"teacherId":794585,"projectId":8520082,"letterContent":"When our new stand up desk arrived, our class was ELATED to see such a valuable and helpful tool for our classroom! We have already been able to use this stand up desk daily and it has been so amazing to see our students be able to stand and work at the same time! \r\n The day I set up the standing desk, the students were amazed to see a desk that could move up and down with the touch of a button. Because of this, students were able to either stand while completing their work or move the desk down to be able to sit while working. \r\n I cannot wait to incorporate this standing desk even more this year and possibly utilize this desk as a center or an area for students to stretch their legs and move while working. As a 5 year old, and even as an adult, it's difficult to sit for a long period of time, so having the flexibility to stand and work really expands the possibilities! Thank you so much for your contribution and for helping our students learn in a new and exciting way!","fullyFundedDate":1722472962446,"projectUrl":"project/stand-up-for-learning/8520082/","projectTitle":"Stand Up for Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kellemen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp794585_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1467829617664","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mscleworth"},{"teacherId":9099241,"projectId":9350492,"letterContent":"The \"Summer of Dinosaurs and Space: Learning Through Hands-On Exploration\" project brought incredible energy and growth to my classroom over the summer. The children were genuinely excited to learn, and the hands-on activities made abstract concepts feel real and fun. They especially loved the ABC and number rocketships, which helped reinforce early literacy and numeracy skills in an engaging way while encouraging imaginative play. The dinosaur manipulatives were another favorite, sparking rich conversations about prehistoric life and giving them opportunities to sort, count, and role-play. These activities kept them focused and curious, supported fine motor development, and encouraged social skills as they worked together and shared ideas. Overall, the program transformed our summer learning environment into a vibrant, interactive space where children were eager to explore, learn, and grow every day.","fullyFundedDate":1747659401592,"projectUrl":"project/summer-of-dinosaurs-and-space-learning/9350492/","projectTitle":"Summer of Dinosaurs and Space: Learning Through Hands-On Exploration","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Speckman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9099241_orig.jpg?crop=750,750,x0,y530&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689446123068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/vpkpack"},{"teacherId":9099241,"projectId":9095195,"letterContent":"The \"Organizing for Success\" project has made a significant impact on our classroom environment and student learning. With the addition of Carolina Storage Centers, our learning space has become more structured, efficient, and student-friendly. These storage solutions have allowed us to organize materials in a way that supports independent exploration, smoother transitions, and greater access to hands-on learning tools.\r\n\r\nStudents now take pride in maintaining their learning environment and are more engaged during activities, as they can easily locate and return materials. The improved organization has also freed up valuable instructional time, allowing for deeper focus on teaching and learning. This project has not only enhanced classroom management but also empowered our students to take ownership of their learning space—setting them up for success each and every day.","fullyFundedDate":1746786472145,"projectUrl":"project/organizing-for-success-enhancing-learni/9095195/","projectTitle":"Organizing for Success: Enhancing Learning with Carolina Storage Centers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Speckman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9099241_orig.jpg?crop=750,750,x0,y530&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689446123068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/vpkpack"},{"teacherId":9099241,"projectId":9263716,"letterContent":"The DonorsChoose project Preschool Graduation Celebration – Celebrating Our Little Achievers!\" made our preschool graduation truly unforgettable. Thanks to the generous support, each student had the opportunity to experience a meaningful milestone by donning a cap and gown—a moment they had been eagerly anticipating. Their faces lit up with pride and excitement as they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, marking the end of a year filled with growth and learning.\r\n\r\nTo top it off, every child received a summer bucket brimming with fun and educational goodies, sending them off into summer with joy and enthusiasm. This project not only celebrated their accomplishments but also reinforced the importance of community and support in helping our youngest learners thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1746786361098,"projectUrl":"project/preschool-graduation-celebration-celeb/9263716/","projectTitle":"Preschool Graduation Celebration – Celebrating Our Little Achievers!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Speckman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9099241_orig.jpg?crop=750,750,x0,y530&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689446123068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/vpkpack"},{"teacherId":9099241,"projectId":9052139,"letterContent":"The DonorsChoose project Sparking Creativity has significantly enhanced our classroom environment, sparking creativity and fostering a dynamic learning atmosphere. The students' enthusiasm for the new whiteboards, crayons, and pencil sharpener reflects the positive impact these tools have had on their educational experience.\r\n\r\nThe whiteboards have transformed the classroom into an interactive space where students eagerly practice writing letters and numbers. This tool encourages active participation and allows for immediate feedback, which is essential for skill development. The ability to erase and retry fosters a growth mindset, helping students build confidence in their abilities.\r\n\r\nThe addition of crayons has provided students with a medium to express their creativity and imagination. Engaging in coloring activities helps develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, which are crucial for writing and other tasks. Moreover, coloring allows children to explore colors and patterns, enhancing their cognitive development and understanding of the world around them.\r\n\r\nThe new pencil sharpener has streamlined classroom routines, enabling students to maintain their writing tools independently. This fosters a sense of responsibility and self-reliance, as students learn to care for their materials and manage their workspace effectively. Additionally, having properly sharpened pencils ensures that students can engage in writing and drawing activities without interruption, supporting continuous learning.\r\n\r\nCollectively, these resources have created a vibrant and organized classroom environment that stimulates learning and personal growth. The students' love for these new tools reflects their increased engagement and enthusiasm for learning. The support from the DonorsChoose project Sparking Creativity has not only provided essential materials but has also contributed to building a positive and inspiring educational experience for the students.","fullyFundedDate":1746648651024,"projectUrl":"project/sparking-creativity/9052139/","projectTitle":"Sparking Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Speckman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9099241_orig.jpg?crop=750,750,x0,y530&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689446123068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/vpkpack"},{"teacherId":4594049,"projectId":5076450,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous and thoughtful donations to my project. This was such a hard time for so many, and being able to provide masks for the students and an air purifier to keep our classroom fresh and clean was so important.\r\n\r\nBeing able to have some new books about diversity and kindness was also a blessing. So many different people with different circumstances and opinions make it extremely important to practice kindness and understand other people's feelings and issues.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your donations, especially during such a difficult time.","fullyFundedDate":1597504727002,"projectUrl":"project/a-safe-classroom-and-diverse-books/5076450/","projectTitle":"A Safe Classroom and Diverse Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cox","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4594049_orig.jpg?crop=1944,1944,x250,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753657891738","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4594049"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_47099","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":453,"numTeachers":52,"percentFrplEligible":84,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":15,"percentWhite":25,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":48,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"8.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":66.2,"schoolId":47099,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Alta Vista Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Alta Vista Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/florida/sarasota-county-school-district/alta-vista-elementary-school/47099"}