{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Barrett Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":42.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3911339,"projectId":10019629,"letterContent":"As both a teacher and a parent, I carry two hopes into every classroom and every school day: that children will be taught well, and that they will be truly understood.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping make that hope real.\r\n\r\nSilenced No More: Stories That Make Us Pause and Listen is more than a set of books. It is a mirror, a window, and a conversation starter for the adults who shape children's learning experiences. Where's Rodney? and Toni Morrison's In the Big Box do not ask students or teachers to simply comply or conform. Instead, they invite us to pause, listen, and reflect. They remind us that learning is relational and that children's voices matter.\r\n\r\nAs a parent, I know my child brings more to school than academic skills. They bring their culture, language, emotions, and lived experiences. Sometimes those experiences show up as questions, silence, resistance, or big feelings. Knowing that teachers will have stories that frame behavior as communication—and curiosity as something to honor—brings deep comfort.\r\n\r\nAs a teacher, these books affirm what many of us feel but don't always have the space to practice: that understanding must come before judgment. These stories gently challenge systems that prioritize control over connection and rules over relationships. They remind us that when a child struggles, the most powerful response is not correction, but curiosity.\r\n\r\nTogether, these books help both students and educators ask essential questions: What happens when someone is misunderstood? How do rules help—and how might they harm? What do we gain when we slow down and truly listen to children?\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, classrooms will be places where students are not just taught, but heard. Where teachers are encouraged to listen with empathy. And where children learn that their voices matter.\r\n\r\nThank you for supporting books that feel like love letters from students to teachers—and for helping us become the educators and parents our children need us to be.","fullyFundedDate":1768671993487,"projectUrl":"project/silenced-no-more-stories-that-make-us-p/10019629/","projectTitle":"Silenced No More: Stories That Make Us Pause and Listen","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bost","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3911339_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599392240300","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3911339"},{"teacherId":3911339,"projectId":10022292,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting Feeding Bellies and Filling Hearts.\r\n\r\nEvery day, my students walk into school carrying more than backpacks. They carry hunger—sometimes for food, sometimes for attention or love, and always for learning. Because of you, I am able to meet those needs with care, compassion, and dignity.\r\n\r\nFor many of my students, school is the safest and most consistent place they know. When a child's stomach is growling, it is harder to focus. When a child feels unseen, it is harder to engage. Your generosity allows me to respond in meaningful ways—by offering snacks that quiet hungry bellies, small treats that celebrate effort, and shared moments that remind students they are valued and cared for.\r\n\r\nThese may seem like small gestures, but to my students, they speak volumes: You matter. You are seen. You are not forgotten.\r\n\r\nFood, when offered with intention, becomes more than nourishment. It becomes comfort. It becomes a connection. It becomes a bridge to learning. Because their basic needs are met, my students are more willing to take academic risks, participate in discussions, build relationships, and believe in themselves.\r\n\r\nI feel my students' hunger not just for food, but for love, attention, and opportunity. This project allows me to respond with empathy and action.\r\n\r\nBy supporting Feeding Bellies and Filling Hearts, you have done more than provide snacks. You have sent a powerful message to children who need it most:\r\n\r\nYou're seen. You're loved. And you're worthy of care.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping me nourish both their bodies and their hearts.","fullyFundedDate":1768619616717,"projectUrl":"project/feeding-bellies-and-filling-hearts/10022292/","projectTitle":"Feeding Bellies and Filling Hearts","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bost","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3911339_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599392240300","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3911339"},{"teacherId":3911339,"projectId":9995820,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our \"Where My Purple Crayon Takes Me\" project. We are second graders, and your kindness means more to us than you know.\r\n\r\nWe love learning how to draw. Drawing helps us feel calm, happy, and focused. When we draw step by step, we learn how to follow directions and believe in ourselves. Coloring and drawing help our bodies slow down and help us when our feelings feel big.\r\n\r\nOur Draw & Write Journals are like our own magic purple crayons. When we open them, we can create anything we imagine. Drawing first helps us feel braver about picking up our pencils and writing our own stories. Now, writing doesn't feel as scary, and we are becoming more confident every day.\r\n\r\nWe are learning that our ideas matter and that our voices deserve to be heard. We love sharing our pictures and stories with each other, especially with our teacher, who believed we were authors and illustrators even before we did.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, we get to dream, create, and tell our stories. Thank you for helping us draw our way forward and for believing in us.","fullyFundedDate":1768499631717,"projectUrl":"project/where-my-purple-crayon-takes-me/9995820/","projectTitle":"Where My Purple Crayon Takes Me!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bost","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3911339_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599392240300","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3911339"},{"teacherId":3911339,"projectId":9720377,"letterContent":"Thank you for believing in our students and for helping us celebrate A Century of Black History Commemorations with compassion, pride, and purpose. Your generosity does more than provide t-shirts, decorations, and materials. It affirms our students' identities, honors their ancestors, and reminds them that their stories matter.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our students will proudly wear personalized Black History Month t-shirts that commemorate 100 years of Black history celebrations, honoring the vision of Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the founders of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. These shirts are not just clothing. They are symbols of voice, belonging, and legacy. When our students put them on, they wear history, dignity, and possibility.\r\n\r\nYour support also allows us to shine a light on Black history 365 days a year through meaningful decorations and student-created artifacts for our Black History Month Interactive Living Museum. With these materials, students will design original exhibits that connect the past to the present and inspire action for the future. They will learn compassion through perspective-taking, empathy through understanding, and responsibility through service.\r\n\r\nMy students are the ones Curtis Mayfield sang about in \"People Get Ready.\" They are the descendants of the stories Gil Scott-Heron reminded us not to forget. They are learning to keep their \"Eye on the Prize,\" to walk their own \"Freedom Highway,\" and to hold onto achievable dreams. When I look at them, I see Evers, Height, Garvey, Chisholm, Parks, Brown, Wells, King Jr., Bridges, Tubman, Truth, and Douglass reflected in their curiosity, courage, and hope.\r\n\r\nAs we explore, our students are learning that history is not passive. It is lived, built, and carried forward. They are discovering that change begins with understanding and grows through action. Or, as we remind them often:\r\nIf not us, then who? If not now, then when?\r\n\r\nYour kindness helps us teach our students that compassion is powerful, that one voice can make a difference, and that honoring the past fuels the future. Thank you for helping our students feel seen, valued, and inspired to become the change they hope to see in the world.","fullyFundedDate":1767896553323,"projectUrl":"project/celebrating-a-century-of-black-history-w/9720377/","projectTitle":"Celebrating a Century of Black History With Compassion","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bost","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3911339_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599392240300","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3911339"},{"teacherId":3911339,"projectId":9685545,"letterContent":"When the Jumbo Simple Machines Kit arrived, my Grades 1–3 students were buzzing with excitement. Eyes lit up, smiles spread across the room, and one student shouted, \"This looks like a giant building set!\" They couldn't wait to touch the pieces, ask questions, and start building right away.\r\n\r\nWe are using these new materials during our STEM time to build real, working machines. Students work together in small groups to create structures such as pulleys, ramps, and dollies. One special moment happened when a group built a pulley and used it to lift a stack of books. When it worked, the whole room cheered! Students quickly learned that pushing, pulling, and lifting can be easier with the right tools—and that mistakes help us learn.\r\n\r\nYour support gave donors a peek into a classroom full of builders and problem-solvers. Students who are usually quiet became leaders, explaining how their machines worked. Everyone had a job, everyone had a voice, and everyone felt proud of what they made.\r\n\r\nNext, students are taking their learning even further by connecting simple machines to create chain reactions. They are drawing plans, making predictions, testing their ideas, and trying again when something doesn't work. They are learning that engineers don't give up—they keep trying!\r\n\r\nBecause of this project, my students are learning by doing. They are building confidence, teamwork, and a love for STEM—one bolt, one ramp, and one big \"WOW!\" moment at a time. Thank you for helping spark curiosity and joy in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1765921023357,"projectUrl":"project/chain-reaction-builders-simple-machines/9685545/","projectTitle":"Chain Reaction Builders: Simple Machines in Action","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bost","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3911339_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599392240300","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3911339"},{"teacherId":3911339,"projectId":9681076,"letterContent":"My students are blinded by science—in the very best way! The moment the Missing Money Mystery and Rogue Rodent Mystery kits arrived, the room filled with gasps, wide eyes, and nonstop questions. \"Are we real detectives?\" one student asked. Another whispered, \"This is going to be the best science ever.\" Before we even opened the boxes, excitement was buzzing—science was already alive.\r\n\r\nWe use these resources for comprehensive forensic investigations. During our first mystery, students worked in teams to dust for fingerprints, analyze clues, and record evidence in their lab notebooks. One unforgettable moment came when a group discovered a fingerprint match and erupted in cheers—then immediately remembered to use their quiet \"scientist voices.\" They weren't just completing an activity; they were thinking, collaborating, and problem-solving like true investigators. In that moment, science was \"poetry in motion.\"\r\n\r\nMy students understand that \"Science Is Real.\" They test ideas, revise their thinking, and celebrate mistakes as part of the process. They practice laboratory safety (including \"The Safety Dance\") and learn to communicate their findings clearly in scientific language. The lab notebooks have become treasured tools—filled with observations, hypotheses, and proud breakthroughs.\r\n\r\nNext, my students will dig even deeper. They'll compare evidence across mysteries, defend their conclusions using proof, and reflect on how scientists solve problems in the real world. We will extend these investigations into writing, where students explain their reasoning, and math, where they analyze patterns and data. Each mystery builds confidence, curiosity, and collaboration.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, science is no longer something my students read about—it's something they do. They're rocking down Electric Avenue, taking their learning higher, and discovering that their future is bright. They truly \"gotta wear shades.\"","fullyFundedDate":1766465447373,"projectUrl":"project/missing-money-rogue-rodent-mysteries/9681076/","projectTitle":"Missing Money & Rogue Rodent Mysteries: Future Scientists at Work","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bost","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3911339_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599392240300","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3911339"},{"teacherId":3911339,"projectId":9504417,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing Brains in Play: Where Learning Gets Fun to life! Your generosity has filled our classroom with excitement, laughter, and the kind of learning that sticks because it's powered by joy.\r\n\r\nThere's something truly magical about seeing a student's confidence grow as they master a skill through play. With games like FourScore, From 1 to Z, and Splat, my students are reading, thinking, and collaborating in ways that make learning feel like an adventure. Each game offers meaningful practice for every type of learner—especially my English learners—helping them strengthen language, problem-solving, and teamwork at the same time.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, we can now turn learning into an experience full of smiles, strategy, and celebration. Let the Games Begin! – and with each turn, my students are discovering that learning can be fun, engaging, and empowering.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the power of play, the spark of curiosity, and the magic of learning. Because of you, we're not just learning—we're playing to learn and learning to win!","fullyFundedDate":1761151580144,"projectUrl":"project/brains-in-play-where-learning-gets-fun/9504417/","projectTitle":"Brains in Play: Where Learning Gets Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bost","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3911339_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599392240300","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3911339"},{"teacherId":3911339,"projectId":9745468,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making our DonorsChoose project a dream come true! Our school community treasures celebrating literacy, creativity, and joy together—and this year, you've helped us bring a little extra magic to our annual Trunk-or-Treat event.\r\n\r\nWith your generous support, my students and I were able to create a whimsical Frog Princess-themed trunk, filled with enchantment, imagination, and fun. Thanks to you, our students will get to see a fairy tale come alive before their eyes—and experience firsthand that fairy tales can come true, but \"you gotta make 'em happen; it all depends on you.\"\r\n\r\nFor many of my students, Trunk-or-Treat is more than just candy—it's a safe, joyful way to gather as a community, celebrate together, and spark storytelling through costumes and themed decorations. Your contributions—from the frog lanterns to the Tiana Life-Size Cutout Stand-up—allowed us to transform an ordinary car trunk into a royal fairy tale adventure. As Tiana says, \"It serves me right for wishing on stars—the only way to get what you want in this world is through hard work,\" and your generosity has helped our students see the magic that hard work and creativity can create.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our students were able to experience joy and pride in decorating and hosting a school-wide celebration, see how stories can come alive outside of books, build excitement for reading, and feel a deep sense of belonging and community. As another favorite quote reminds us, \"The evening star is shinin' bright. So make a wish and hold on tight. There's magic in the air tonight, and anything can happen.\"\r\n\r\nYour support has given our students magical memories that will last a lifetime, and reinforced the power of storytelling, imagination, and love in our school community. As Tiana also reminds us, \"My daddy never did get what he wanted. But he had what he needed. He had love! He never lost sight of what was really important. And neither will I!\" Because of you, our students have experienced just that—a reminder that love, joy, and creativity are always within reach.\r\n\r\nFrom all of us in the school community, thank you for helping make our Frog Princess trunk—and our students' smiles—truly magical!","fullyFundedDate":1759806803718,"projectUrl":"project/hop-into-magic-frog-princess-trunk-or-t/9745468/","projectTitle":"Hop Into Magic: Frog Princess Trunk-or-Treat!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bost","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3911339_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599392240300","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3911339"},{"teacherId":3911339,"projectId":9349841,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous support of our classroom.\r\n\r\nYour gift of basic supplies—pencils, glue sticks, folders, and more—may seem simple on the surface, but in reality, it's a powerful investment in each child's potential. These tools are more than just school supplies; they are lifelines for students learning to organize their thoughts, manage their time, and believe in their ability to succeed.\r\n\r\nAs educators, we know that behavior is communication. So often, the struggles we see in the classroom are not acts of defiance, but quiet calls for help. With your support, we are not just giving children what they need to complete an assignment—we are giving them the foundation to build confidence, self-awareness, and independence.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, my students can begin to see themselves not as \"just another brick in the wall,\" but as valued individuals with unique strengths, goals, and voices. You are helping to create a learning environment where all children can feel safe, seen, and equipped to grow—not just academically, but emotionally and cognitively.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has already made a difference—and for that, I am deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1750095619152,"projectUrl":"project/executive-functioning-a-set-of-mental-s/9349841/","projectTitle":"Executive Functioning: A Set Of Mental Skills That Work Together","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bost","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3911339_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599392240300","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3911339"},{"teacherId":3911339,"projectId":9262469,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making this grant possible.\r\n\r\nHarold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson is more than just a beloved children's book—it's a profound metaphor for the work we do as educators. Like Harold, each of our students holds a magic crayon—an imagination brimming with possibility, a heart full of courage, and a mind capable of creating a world entirely their own.\r\n\r\nYour support allows us to remind our students that their voices matter, their dreams are valid, and they are the authors of their own stories. This year, the positive messages on their t-shirts will be more than just fabric and ink. They will be their \"purple crayons\"—symbols of identity, resilience, and hope they carry with them each day.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our students will walk the hallways with their heads held high, wearing affirmations of who they are and who they are becoming. In a world that too often tries to box them in, you've helped create a space where creativity leads, self-expression thrives, and every child feels seen.\r\n\r\nYou haven't just funded a project—you've ignited a movement of belief and belonging. You've helped us draw a moon in the sky for students searching for comfort and direction. And because of you, they will know that even when their canvases are blank, they are never alone.","fullyFundedDate":1746787391361,"projectUrl":"project/harold-and-the-purple-crayon-color-outs/9262469/","projectTitle":"Harold and the Purple Crayon: Color Outside the Lines","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bost","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3911339_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599392240300","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3911339"},{"teacherId":3911339,"projectId":9139658,"letterContent":"This note is dedicated to the incredible young girls in our school—those who are investing in themselves, learning, growing, and preparing to shape the world. To the girls who work hard, dream big, and believe in their worth—you inspire us every single day.\r\n\r\nYou remind us that \"Girls Rule the World.\" With your strength and determination, \"with your persuasion, you can build a nation.\" You carry endless power, and with your love, you overcome challenges and rise to greatness.\r\n\r\nWe celebrate the girls who are taking over the world—one goal, one step, one dream at a time. Those who aspire to be college graduates, leaders, innovators, and changemakers. To every woman and girl \"getting it in,\" we honor your hustle, your passion, and your brilliance. Keep shining—because the world is brighter with your light.\r\n\r\nAs Maya Angelou said, \"You are the sum total of everything you've ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot—it's all there.\" Your story matters. Your experiences shape you—and they have the power to inspire others. That's why we encourage you to move forward with positivity, confidence, and courage.\r\n\r\nOprah Winfrey reminds us, \"Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.\" And Michelle Obama teaches us, \"There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.\" These aren't just quotes—they are truths we hope every girl carries within her.\r\n\r\nThanks to the Barbie Dolls from around the world—representing trailblazing women throughout history—we are shining a light on those who've broken barriers and blazed paths. Representation matters. You deserve to be seen, to feel empowered, and to know your worth.\r\n\r\nBy the time our girls leave this building, we know they'll believe—just as Katherine Johnson once said—\"Girls are capable of doing everything men are capable of doing. Sometimes they have more imagination than men.\"\r\n\r\nTo all the girls: we see you, we believe in you, and we thank you—for being brave, brilliant, and bold. You are the future, and the future looks powerful.","fullyFundedDate":1744128503688,"projectUrl":"project/who-run-the-world-girlsin-celebratio/9139658/","projectTitle":"Who Run the World? Girls...In Celebration of Women's History Month","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bost","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3911339_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599392240300","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3911339"},{"teacherId":3911339,"projectId":9086718,"letterContent":"Thank you for getting on the Bus and joining us for an unforgettable Black History Month Celebration!\r\n\r\nThere's a Double Dutch Bus coming down the street—moving fast, so shuffle your feet! Get on board, pay your fare, and tell the driver you're headed to the BHM Interactive Living Museum! This isn't just another event—it's a movement, a celebration, a chance to honor, learn, and uplift Black history, culture, and heritage.\r\n\r\nAt our BHM Celebration, you'll see, hear, smell, and taste the richness of Black Joy. From inspiring exhibits to soulful flavors in our Soul Food Kitchen, every moment will be a powerful experience of culture and community. Posters will enhance our museum exhibits, paper products and tablecloths will complete our displays, and the energy of the event will celebrate, educate, and elevate our entire school community.\r\n\r\n🎶 \"We're gonna have a good day!\" 🎶—No, we're gonna have a LOVELY DAY because of donors like YOU! Your generosity helps turn up the music, rewrite the lyrics, and bring this celebration to life. As the song says:\r\n\r\n\"Just one look at you... And I know it's gonna be... A lovely day!\"\r\n\r\nBecause of you, we can teach others that Black History is OUR History! Your kindness ensures that we can create an impactful, unforgettable experience.\r\n\r\nSo, get on the bus! Be part of the movement. Support. Celebrate. Elevate. Let's make this Black History Month legendary!","fullyFundedDate":1740070840159,"projectUrl":"project/double-dutch-bus-going-to-a-black-histo/9086718/","projectTitle":"Double Dutch Bus: Going to a Black History Month Affair","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bost","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3911339_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599392240300","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3911339"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_88743","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":225,"numTeachers":23,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":77,"percentWhite":8,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":6,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 4","studentTeacherRatio":"9.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":57.1,"schoolId":88743,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Barrett Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Barrett Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/pennsylvania/steel-valley-school-district/barrett-elementary-school/88743"}