{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Bel Aire Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":60.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5193405,"projectId":9864828,"letterContent":"On behalf of me and my students here at Bel-Aire, I wanted to reach out and send a huge thank you for the incredible donation of diverse books. Sometimes it is hard to put into words what a difference a few boxes of books can make, but seeing the look on my students' faces when we opened them was honestly the highlight of my semester. I have been teaching for a while, and it is rare to see kids get this fired up over new reading material. The excitement was truly contagious throughout the entire building.\r\n\r\nI am so happy to tell you that the kids have not wasted a single second. The books have already been checked out and are flying off the shelves. In fact, many of them did not even make it to the shelves before a student was asking to take them home. It has been such a joy to see a student who usually forgets their book bag suddenly tucked into a corner, completely absorbed in a story that actually feels relevant to their life. They are carrying these books to lunch, to recess, and even home over the weekend with big smiles.\r\n\r\nWe talk a lot about making our classroom feel like a second home, but that is hard to do when the books in the room do not look like the kids sitting in the desks. By providing such a wide variety of titles, you have given my students a chance to see themselves in the pages. Whether it is a story about a family that looks like theirs, a culture they recognize from home, or even just a kid facing a struggle they understand, these books provide a level of validation that I just cannot teach through a lecture. It is one thing for me to tell them their story matters, but it is another thing entirely for them to find that story in a beautiful, brand new book. This collection covers so many different walks of life, and that variety is exactly what my students needed to feel included.\r\n\r\nAt the same time, this wide variety has opened up so many window moments. I have overheard students chatting about the different customs or characters they are reading about, asking each other questions, and learning about worlds totally different from their own. It is building a kind of empathy and curiosity that is just amazing to watch. They are not just practicing their reading skills; they are learning how to be kinder, more thoughtful humans. Watching them share these stories with one another has been the best part of my job lately.\r\n\r\nIn a school like Bel-Aire, we work hard to make sure our kids have everything they need to succeed, but budgets are always tight and the extras like a brand new, diverse library often have to wait. Your generosity skipped that wait and put these resources directly into the hands of children who need them right now. You have turned our reading corner into the most popular spot in the room, and as a teacher, there is no better gift than seeing a child genuinely excited to read. We are so lucky to have partners like you who understand that literacy and representation go hand in hand.\r\n\r\nThank you for caring about our classroom and for investing in my students. You have made a real, tangible difference in our daily lives here at Bel-Aire, and we are all so incredibly grateful for your support. It means the world to us to know that our community is behind us. We will cherish these books for many years to come as they pass through the hands of many more students.","fullyFundedDate":1766930532613,"projectUrl":"project/expanding-horizons-diverse-books-for-yo/9864828/","projectTitle":"Expanding Horizons: Diverse Books for Young Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Coppola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5193405_orig.jpg?crop=550,550,x101,y132&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754591544240","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lcoppola"},{"teacherId":5193405,"projectId":9195568,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of the calm down rug! Your kindness is making a real difference in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThe calm down rug provides a special, cozy space where students can take a moment to relax, regulate their emotions, and refocus. It helps create a peaceful environment that supports emotional well-being and self-awareness. This thoughtful addition encourages mindfulness and promotes positive behavior, making our learning space even more welcoming and supportive.\r\n\r\nWe truly appreciate your support in helping us nurture a calm and caring classroom community!","fullyFundedDate":1750256205614,"projectUrl":"project/calm-down-area-rug/9195568/","projectTitle":"Calm Down Area Rug","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Coppola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5193405_orig.jpg?crop=550,550,x101,y132&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754591544240","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lcoppola"},{"teacherId":9117039,"projectId":7909096,"letterContent":"We are so thankful for you. Without you we wouldn't be as successful as we are . Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you so much for your generosity and support! Because of your donation, our students have experienced meaningful growth and excitement in the classroom. Here's how your contribution made a difference:\r\n\r\nWhat did the project do for your students?\r\nThis project provided engaging, hands-on materials that brought learning to life. My students were more focused, curious, and excited to participate each day.\r\n\r\nHow did your students react?\r\nThe joy on their faces was incredible! They couldn't wait to explore the new resources. One student even said, \"This is the best day ever!\" when we first used the materials.\r\n\r\nHow has the project helped you as a teacher?\r\nIt gave me tools to differentiate instruction more effectively and create a learning environment that supports every child. I've seen improvements in student confidence and collaboration.\r\n\r\nWhat has your classroom been like since the project was implemented?\r\nIt's been buzzing with energy and creativity! The new materials inspired more student-led learning and deeper discussions. Our classroom feels more vibrant and connected.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in our students and helping us create something truly special. Your support made a real and lasting impact.","fullyFundedDate":1697028598663,"projectUrl":"project/we-are-wild-about-learning/7909096/","projectTitle":"We Are Wild About Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Taylor","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9117039_orig.jpg?crop=1011,1011,x0,y97&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690378351401","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/wildaboutlearning23"},{"teacherId":5193405,"projectId":9008229,"letterContent":"I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you for your generous donation of books to my classroom. Your kindness and support have made an incredible impact on my students, and I cannot express enough how much we appreciate it. Because of your generosity, my students—who attend a Title I school—now have access to new stories, knowledge, and opportunities that will inspire them for years to come.\r\n\r\nBooks are more than just pages filled with words; they are windows to new worlds, experiences, and ideas. For many of my students, the classroom is their primary access to books, and your donation has given them the chance to explore, learn, and develop a love for reading. The excitement on their faces when they see new books in our classroom is priceless. They eagerly flip through the pages, discovering characters they can relate to, stories that spark their imagination, and knowledge that expands their understanding of the world.\r\n\r\nAttending a Title I school means that many of my students face economic challenges that limit their access to educational resources outside of the classroom. Unfortunately, not all students have books at home or the opportunity to visit libraries regularly. That is why having a well-stocked classroom library is so essential—it gives students the ability to read daily, develop critical literacy skills, and find joy in books. Your donation has directly contributed to making that possible.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has done more than just fill our classroom library—it has helped foster a culture of literacy, curiosity, and a passion for learning. Reading is such a fundamental skill, but more importantly, it is a gateway to success in all subjects. When students have access to engaging and diverse books, they become stronger readers, more confident learners, and more thoughtful individuals.\r\n\r\nI have already seen the difference these books are making in my classroom. Students who were once hesitant to read are now excited to pick up a book and share what they've learned. They ask questions, make connections, and grow their comprehension skills in ways that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Your generosity has truly given them a gift that keeps on giving.\r\n\r\nBeyond academics, books provide comfort and inspiration. Some of my students find refuge in a good story, while others discover new dreams and possibilities they never imagined before. Whether it's through a fun adventure, a historical journey, or a story that reflects their own lives, these books are making a lasting impact.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of my students and myself, I want to express my deepest gratitude. Your support means the world to us, and the impact of your kindness will continue far beyond this school year. Thank you for believing in the power of books and for investing in the education and future of my students.","fullyFundedDate":1738881552300,"projectUrl":"project/books-for-our-library/9008229/","projectTitle":"Books for Our Library!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Coppola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5193405_orig.jpg?crop=550,550,x101,y132&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754591544240","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lcoppola"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_16622","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":599,"numTeachers":44,"percentFrplEligible":80,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":57,"percentWhite":20,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":12,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"13.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":39.4,"schoolId":16622,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Bel Aire Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Bel Aire Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/mississippi/harrison-county-school-district/bel-aire-elementary-school/16622"}