{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Banks Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":28.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4799224,"projectId":10413292,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and for investing in my fifth-grade students! Your support has helped us create a special guided reading area in our classroom where students can learn, collaborate, and grow as readers.\r\n\r\nMy students are excited to use our new table and chairs during small-group reading lessons. This space allows us to gather together to discuss books, practice reading comprehension strategies, build vocabulary, and explore the deeper meaning of what we read. Having a designated area for guided reading makes it easier for me to provide targeted instruction and give students the individual attention they need to succeed.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw our new materials, they were excited to have a special place to meet for reading groups. They love having a comfortable space where they can share their ideas, ask questions, and learn alongside their classmates. Seeing their enthusiasm reminds me how much a welcoming learning environment can make a difference!\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue strengthening our reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and critical-thinking skills. As we read new stories and explore different texts, students will use our guided reading area to discuss characters, identify the central idea, support their answers with text evidence, and develop a deeper love of reading.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making this possible for my students. Your generosity has helped create more than just a place to sit—it has given my students a space to build confidence, discover new ideas, and become stronger readers. We are truly grateful for your support and for helping our classroom become a place where every student can learn and thrive!","fullyFundedDate":1786399415193,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-space-for-building-confident/10413292/","projectTitle":"Creating a Space for Building Confident Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jernigan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4799224"},{"teacherId":6576074,"projectId":10164563,"letterContent":"When I first became a teacher I quickly learned that planning ahead was the number one way to be successful. As I grew as an educator, I learned that no matter how much you plan there will still be things or needs that come up in spite of the best laid plans. So as I ended the school year I put together a list of tried and true essential items that were both consumable and reusable. In a Kindergarten class we use both! \r\n\r\nYour donations supported my planning ahead from previous experience and my hope for more adventures and excitement. Your impact spreads far beyond one classroom and one school year. You truly make a difference in public education!","fullyFundedDate":1774456357540,"projectUrl":"project/rocking-our-restock/10164563/","projectTitle":"Rocking Our Restock","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sloan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6576074_orig.png?crop=278,278,x0,y27&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660060665139","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6576074"},{"teacherId":10245994,"projectId":10337501,"letterContent":"Although after two different \"reorders\", I was not able to receive the items this project was intended for (lack of materials available). However, I ended up getting other materials to help increase the goal of \"learning in color\" such as colored dry erase markers. \r\n\r\nProviding colored dry erase markers has positively impacted the classroom by making lessons more engaging, interactive, and visually appealing for students. Using different colors helps highlight important information, separate steps in a problem, and organize notes in a way that makes content easier for students to understand. This is especially beneficial for students who struggle with attention, memory, or processing information, as color-coding can help them focus on key details and follow instructions more easily.\r\nColored dry erase markers also encourage student participation by allowing students to work through problems, demonstrate their understanding, and collaborate with their peers on the whiteboard. The variety of colors adds an engaging element to instruction and can help maintain students' interest during lessons. Additionally, using colored markers supports differentiated instruction by providing visual cues that help meet students' individual learning needs.","fullyFundedDate":1783949672240,"projectUrl":"project/learning-in-color/10337501/","projectTitle":"Learning In Color","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10245994_orig.jpg?crop=2045,2045,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757203105953","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10245994"},{"teacherId":10245994,"projectId":10384447,"letterContent":"Providing snacks to all students has positively impacted the classroom by creating a more focused, supportive, and inclusive learning environment. Students who may have forgotten their snacks or do not have access to snacks at home are still able to meet their needs during the school day. When students are not distracted by hunger, they are better able to concentrate on lessons, participate in activities, and complete their assignments.\r\n\r\nHaving snacks available for everyone has also helped reduce distractions and behavioral challenges that can occur when students are hungry, tired, or irritable. Students may be better able to regulate their emotions, demonstrate patience, and interact positively with their classmates. Additionally, providing snacks to all students eliminates the need to single out children who need assistance, promoting a classroom environment where everyone feels included, supported, and valued.","fullyFundedDate":1785093980979,"projectUrl":"project/bolts-pantry/10384447/","projectTitle":"Bolt's Pantry","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10245994_orig.jpg?crop=2045,2045,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757203105953","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10245994"},{"teacherId":9835435,"projectId":10316720,"letterContent":"These funds are not just covering the cost of incentives items; they are helping us create lasting memories, recognize student achievements throughout the school year on a joyful and encouraging note. We are truly grateful for this investment in our students' well-being and look forward to carrying this momentum into the next school year.\r\nWe are incredibly grateful for your generous donation. Your support makes a meaningful difference, allowing us to continue our mission and help those in need. Thanks to your kindness, we can create lasting change and impact more lives. We truly appreciate your generosity and belief in our cause!","fullyFundedDate":1787585137945,"projectUrl":"project/lets-demonstrate-exemplary-behavior/10316720/","projectTitle":"Let’s Demonstrate Exemplary Behavior!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Selim","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9835435_orig.jpg?crop=2284,2284,x1357,y13&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732285901892","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9835435"},{"teacherId":9835435,"projectId":10465173,"letterContent":"We are incredibly grateful for your generous donation. Your support makes a meaningful difference, allowing us to continue our mission and help those in need. Thanks to your kindness, we can create lasting change and impact more lives. We truly appreciate your generosity and belief in our cause!\r\nThanks to this generous support, our students will be able to enjoy out snacks that may not have been possible otherwise.\r\nThese funds are not just covering the cost of snacks; they are helping us create lasting memories, recognize student achievements throughout the school year on a joyful and encouraging note. We are truly grateful for this investment in our students' well-being and look forward to carrying this momentum into the next school year.","fullyFundedDate":1787585055443,"projectUrl":"project/brains-function-better-when-they-are-ful/10465173/","projectTitle":"Brains Function Better When They Are Full.","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Selim","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9835435_orig.jpg?crop=2284,2284,x1357,y13&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732285901892","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9835435"},{"teacherId":6576074,"projectId":9763505,"letterContent":"This grant has been one of my most loved and most used to date! The resources you have helped provide have made all the difference in my students lives. I have been needing sensory toys for my classroom that provided calm, redirection, and incentive. The wobble stools have been a game changer! Truly they are used every single day and my kids all want their own. I have seen so much growth with the ability to move safely as we complete our work. All of the games and center materials have added such wonderful conversations and creation. Thank you doesn't cut it, but I want you to know you've made a lasting difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1760962004295,"projectUrl":"project/work-our-way/9763505/","projectTitle":"Work Our Way!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sloan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6576074_orig.png?crop=278,278,x0,y27&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660060665139","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6576074"},{"teacherId":9617427,"projectId":10121638,"letterContent":"We have been using these resources during small-group instruction and literacy centers to practice letter sounds and word building. Students also love to use it on the carpet to build words using our curriculum. They are strengthening their skills to become strong readers and writers.They were proud to show their classmates the words they created, and it is wonderful to see their confidence grow.\r\n\r\nThe new materials have made our literacy block more active, hands-on, and engaging. Students especially enjoy using the sensory trays to practice letters and sounds while incorporating movement and creativity into their learning. The teaching tubs also give students opportunities to practice alphabet sounds in a fun and interactive way. Instead of simply completing a worksheet, students are touching, building, sorting, listening, and talking about what they are learning. Their enthusiasm has made literacy practice something they look forward to each day.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue building on these skills as we move into more encoding and decoding activities. Students will practice blending sounds together, reading simple words, and applying their phonics skills during small-group lessons and independent centers. As they become more comfortable with the materials, I will encourage them to work more independently and challenge themselves with new words. I am excited to watch these young readers continue growing in confidence, independence, and joy, and I am so grateful to our donors for helping make these meaningful learning experiences possible.","fullyFundedDate":1787165542775,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-literacy/10121638/","projectTitle":"Tools for Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Harris","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9617427_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1722464406249","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9617427"},{"teacherId":4584658,"projectId":10148238,"letterContent":"The Night Before Kindergarten will help introduce students to what they can expect as they begin kindergarten while building excitement about reading. We will use the story to practice listening comprehension, making connections, discussing characters and events, and sharing our own feelings about starting school. Students will also receive their own copy to enjoy with their families at home, extending the experience beyond the classroom. Thank you for being a part of making their first kindergarten experience so special!","fullyFundedDate":1773538470449,"projectUrl":"project/the-night-before-kindergarten/10148238/","projectTitle":"The Night Before Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Huff","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4584658"},{"teacherId":5964828,"projectId":9619089,"letterContent":"This project is especially close to my heart. I love North Carolina and I love teaching! Through this project, our students have developed a deeper love of their state and will carry the memories of this project through life - much like I did as a fourth grade student who also completed a scrapbook. \r\n\r\nWhen we dove into reading about NC, the symbols and learning all about this great state, our students were so excited. Some even expressed how excited they were to share all they had learned that day with their parents. \r\n\r\nJust knowing that they were able to take pride in their work and in this project, because of you, is so special! Thank you so much for helping my classroom give students MANY different ways to learn and love school.","fullyFundedDate":1757260311838,"projectUrl":"project/writing-through-north-carolina/9619089/","projectTitle":"Writing through North Carolina","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ayers","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5964828_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1628953800284","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hollie-ayers"},{"teacherId":9593638,"projectId":9878699,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my project, \"Lighting Up Literacy With The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.\" Because of your generosity, my third graders were able to experience a story that brought laughter, meaningful conversations, and a genuine love of reading into our classroom.\r\n\r\nAs we read together, my students connected with the characters, made predictions, discussed important life lessons about kindness and grace, and looked forward to each day's chapter. We were even able to watch the movie after and make comparison charts for the movie verses the book. \r\n\r\nYou gave my students the opportunity to build reading comprehension, strengthen classroom discussions, and create lasting memories together. One of my favorite things to do with my students is reading books for FUN and watching them love this story and talk through it is what school is all about. \r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and investing in their education.\r\nWith sincere gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1764608589846,"projectUrl":"project/lighting-up-literacy-with-the-best-chris/9878699/","projectTitle":"Lighting Up Literacy With the Best Christmas Pageant Ever","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Harrison","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9593638_orig.jpg?crop=426,426,x113,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721657181835","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9593638"},{"teacherId":6576074,"projectId":10158666,"letterContent":"Thank you again for the kindness shown to my students and I with your support of \"Summer Sendoff\". Each year I like to provide my students a book, sunglasses, and other fun summer materials that help ease their transition away from our class family. \r\n\r\nThe materials that you helped provide for my students summer send off project were so special to them. The excitement on their faces as they received their very own book and fun summer materials to say goodbye to our class family meant the world. As we said goodbye to each other, they looked forward to their summer because they had an exciting story about summer to get them ready.","fullyFundedDate":1773853789673,"projectUrl":"project/summer-sendoff/10158666/","projectTitle":"Summer Sendoff","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sloan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6576074_orig.png?crop=278,278,x0,y27&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660060665139","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6576074"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_3010","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":421,"numTeachers":35,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":34,"percentWhite":38,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":19,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":5,"gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.3,"schoolId":3010,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Banks Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Banks Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-carolina/lenoir-county-public-schools/banks-elementary-school/3010"}