{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Bemiss Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":30.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3094935,"projectId":9399804,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible generosity, our classroom Soft Start has been transformed! Each morning, my students now come in excited to choose from new engaging options like Magna-Tiles, marble runs, gel pens, kinetic sand, Plus-Plus blocks, and LEGO sets. These materials have helped students ease into their day with creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration — setting a positive tone for learning right from the start.\r\n\r\nThe first day they saw everything was pure joy. You could hear the buzz of excitement as students explored each bin, proudly showing off their marble run designs and colorful gel pen doodles. Others worked together to build complex Magna-Tile towers or LEGO creations, while some enjoyed the calming feel of the kinetic sand. It was wonderful to watch every student find something that sparked their curiosity and helped them feel ready to learn.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, our mornings are now filled with laughter, focus, and friendship. These materials have not only encouraged creativity but have also helped build teamwork, patience, and confidence. As we continue our Soft Start routines, my students are taking more ownership of their mornings and developing skills that carry into the rest of our day. Thank you for helping make our classroom a welcoming and inspiring place to begin each day!","fullyFundedDate":1756262148830,"projectUrl":"project/starting-strong-soft-landing-supplies-f/9399804/","projectTitle":"Starting Strong: Soft Landing Supplies for a Calmer Morning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lindsey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3094935_orig.jpg?crop=677,677,x28,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1628545068983","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-lindsey88"},{"teacherId":7858323,"projectId":9708197,"letterContent":"When the new sensory science materials arrived, my students' excitement filled the room! They immediately began exploring the calm strips, color-changing tubes, and sensory fidget items, amazed by how each tool responded to movement, light, and touch. These materials have helped students find focus and joy during hands-on science time, allowing them to regulate their emotions while staying curious and engaged.\r\n\r\nWe've already used the new resources during our \"Forces and Motion\" lessons, where students experimented with movement, light, and color reactions to understand scientific concepts through play. The calm, sensory-friendly environment has made a noticeable difference—students who often struggled to stay focused are now leading investigations and helping others explore.\r\n\r\nNext, we'll be expanding these sensory tools into our science stations and mindfulness area, encouraging students to make connections between movement, energy, and emotion as part of our ongoing curiosity and self-regulation work.","fullyFundedDate":1760649269973,"projectUrl":"project/little-hands-big-ideas-stem-tools-for/9708197/","projectTitle":"Little Hands, Big Ideas: STEM Tools for Curious Kids","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Adaszewski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7858323_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1642864359130","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bemisscience"},{"teacherId":7858323,"projectId":9711344,"letterContent":"When the sensory materials arrived, my students were immediately drawn to them—their faces lit up with curiosity and excitement! We've been using the new resources during science centers to explore motion, color mixing, and cause and effect. The sensory tubes and liquid timers have become a favorite tool for calming and refocusing, especially for students who need a moment to reset before diving back into learning.\r\n\r\nThese materials have transformed how we approach science and self-regulation in our classroom. Students are discovering that science can be both soothing and stimulating at the same time. Our next step is to connect what we've learned through sensory exploration to our upcoming lessons on energy and movement—helping students see how observation and curiosity lead to deeper understanding.","fullyFundedDate":1758766638020,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-ideas-a-base-for-every/9711344/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Ideas: A Base for Every Builder\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Adaszewski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7858323_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1642864359130","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bemisscience"},{"teacherId":7858323,"projectId":9698533,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has become a more calming, engaging, and curious space for every student. The sensory materials you helped provide—especially the colorful motion bubblers and sensory fidgets—have made a huge difference in helping students regulate, focus, and explore science through hands-on experiences. The first day we opened the box, students' faces lit up with excitement. Several immediately began experimenting with how the liquids moved at different speeds and angles, turning a simple moment of curiosity into a science conversation about density and flow.\r\n\r\nThese resources have been a perfect addition to our sensory science lessons, allowing students to see how color, light, and motion connect to real-world science concepts. They've also helped students who need sensory support feel more centered and ready to learn. I've noticed calmer transitions, longer periods of focus, and more teamwork as students share and explore together.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to use the sensory tools as part of a science and mindfulness station, where students can make predictions, observe changes, and record their discoveries. Your support through this project created more than just a calm corner—it created opportunities for exploration, confidence, and joy. Thank you for helping my students find both peace and curiosity in motion!","fullyFundedDate":1757536270123,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-science-calm-color-and-curios/9698533/","projectTitle":"Sensory Science: Calm, Color, and Curiosity in Motion","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Adaszewski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7858323_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1642864359130","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bemisscience"},{"teacherId":7858323,"projectId":9339863,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students are now exploring science in ways they never imagined! The microscope has completely transformed how we investigate the world around us. One of our first activities was collecting small natural items from our schoolyard—like leaves, bits of moss, and tiny bugs—and examining them up close. The excitement in the room was contagious as students gasped at the incredible details they could see. For many, it was their first real experience using scientific tools to make discoveries on their own.\r\n\r\nOne student shouted, \"It looks like a jungle!\" after seeing the texture of a leaf magnified, while another couldn't stop comparing the patterns of sand and soil particles. These moments have opened their eyes to the hidden beauty and complexity of the everyday world. The microscope has also supported lessons on structure, adaptation, and observation—helping students connect classroom learning to the environment around them in meaningful, hands-on ways.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to expand these investigations into small inquiry projects. Students will document and share their microscopic findings, connecting them to our studies of ecosystems and biodiversity. Your donation didn't just fund a tool—it sparked curiosity, confidence, and wonder in every student who peers through that lens. Thank you for making these hidden worlds visible to them!","fullyFundedDate":1755703019657,"projectUrl":"project/hidden-worlds-big-discoveries/9339863/","projectTitle":"Hidden Worlds, Big Discoveries","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Adaszewski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7858323_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1642864359130","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bemisscience"},{"teacherId":127218,"projectId":9466774,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity in providing these amazing music-making materials to our classroom! In a school with almost 400 students, all of whom come through the music room twice a week, we will definitely make great use of these rhythm sticks and frog guiros for beat keeping and creativity, and will enjoy using the frogs on a log manipulatives for vocal exploration, and more!\r\n\r\nMy first grade students are currently learning to sing the simple song \"Five Green and Speckled Frogs,\" which helps them practice steady beat keeping, singing, and even counting down, which relates directly back to math skills they are learning in their classrooms. The rhythm sticks and frog guiros allow me to assess multiple students at a time, while all students have the opportunity to enjoy playing an instrument without waiting for their classmates to take a turn! The felt frogs and log manipulatives are a fun way to play with the counting-down song, as well as doing some vocal exploration while imagining what sounds we can make to represent a frog jumping off a log. All of this allows the students to learn music through play and exploration, which is the best way for children to learn!","fullyFundedDate":1752853971848,"projectUrl":"project/how-sweet-the-sound-building-a-foundati/9466774/","projectTitle":"How Sweet the Sound: Building a Foundation for Musical Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Miller","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp127218_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752956724444","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsmillermusic"},{"teacherId":3190676,"projectId":9150691,"letterContent":"My students \r\nand I would like to thank you for your generosity with funding our classroom items for self regulation. The weighted animals that we received are the most used items in our calming corner. Whenever a student is disregulated, hugging or holding either the koala or the sloth seems to be the number one strategy to calm their bodies and emotions. Sometimes they even are just a nice support when students are attempting to do hard tasks in academics. The fidgets, sensory toys and building magnets are also a great tool to use for an earned break, an activity for learning social skills and using for our \"soft start\" to our day.","fullyFundedDate":1741557545843,"projectUrl":"project/self-regulation-of-emotions-leads-to-suc/9150691/","projectTitle":"Self-regulation of Emotions Leads to Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Slotvig","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3190676"},{"teacherId":7776636,"projectId":9172898,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our project. My students love to have an option of having the lights on but more mellow in our room. We use the star light covers every day! We also use the touch lights in one of our calm down spaces. The kids love them, and they are a great tool to use. The lights, fidget toys and weighted elephant stuffed animal are favorites during our classroom read aloud time. I am using the Social Emotional learning and Creative SEL books to plan lessons this year. The snacks helped us get through those hungry moments that happen between breakfast and lunch last year. The balance boards are also a tool that we can use to help build concentration and focus. We like to use them along with counting, math facts and alphabet practice to help our brain and body both work together at the same time. We used the pencils to start a classroom pencil challenge. Whichever students can keep track of their pencil for a whole month earn a prize! We appreciate the support you have given our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1742155626810,"projectUrl":"project/mrs-stiltz-sel-solutions/9172898/","projectTitle":"Mrs. Stiltz SEL Solutions","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Stiltz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7776636_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1741968258194","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7776636"},{"teacherId":964490,"projectId":9490010,"letterContent":"I am beyond grateful for your generosity in funding this project! Thanks to you, my students will now have toys and materials to play with at the beginning of each day. These resources will help them start the morning with joy, creativity, and a sense of community as they learn to share, collaborate, and express themselves through play. They have been so excited to play and explore with these toys, they can hardly wait for the next day to play again. \r\n\r\nYour support is giving them more than just toys—it's giving them opportunities to build friendships, develop social skills, and begin each school day with a smile. Thank you for investing in their happiness and growth.","fullyFundedDate":1753982118597,"projectUrl":"project/starting-our-day-in-a-calm-and-joyful-wa/9490010/","projectTitle":"Starting Our Day in a Calm and Joyful Way","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wilkinson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp964490_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1503855871113","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/964490"},{"teacherId":7858323,"projectId":9342263,"letterContent":"When the building bricks arrived, the excitement in our classroom was unforgettable. Students immediately began brainstorming ideas, working together, and diving into construction projects with energy and creativity. Their faces lit up as they realized these weren't just toys—they were tools for imagining, problem-solving, and building something bigger than themselves.\r\n\r\nWe've already started using the bricks in STEM lessons, focusing on teamwork and engineering principles like balance, stability, and design. One memorable moment came when students were challenged to build the tallest structure possible; they quickly discovered the importance of strong foundations and learned to test and adjust their designs. These hands-on experiences allow students to connect science and engineering concepts with play, making learning both meaningful and joyful.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to use the bricks in science and social studies projects, such as designing model habitats and building community structures that reflect the idea of \"bettering our world.\" Thanks to your generosity, my students now have the opportunity to create, explore, and collaborate in ways that inspire both imagination and deeper understanding.","fullyFundedDate":1750255568980,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-better-world-brick-by-brick/9342263/","projectTitle":"Building a Better World, Brick by Brick","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Adaszewski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7858323_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1642864359130","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bemisscience"},{"teacherId":7858323,"projectId":9262518,"letterContent":"When the big building bricks arrived, my students' faces lit up with excitement. They immediately gathered around to explore, and within minutes, they were collaborating, stacking, and imagining endless possibilities. From building tall towers to designing creative structures, these resources have opened the door to teamwork, problem-solving, and hands-on discovery.\r\n\r\nWe are now using the bricks to connect directly to our STEM lessons. Students are learning about balance, stability, and simple engineering principles as they test and redesign their creations. The oversized size of the bricks makes them perfect for group projects, encouraging even our most hesitant learners to jump in and share ideas.\r\n\r\nThe next step for us is to expand these building opportunities into science challenges—like constructing habitats, designing bridges, and exploring weight distribution. Thanks to your generosity, my students now have a tool that brings learning to life while also giving them a chance to be creative, collaborative, and confident.","fullyFundedDate":1746785326895,"projectUrl":"project/big-bricks-big-ideas/9262518/","projectTitle":"Big Bricks, Big Ideas!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Adaszewski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7858323_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1642864359130","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bemisscience"},{"teacherId":2119183,"projectId":9153014,"letterContent":"When our new high-interest decodable texts arrived, the excitement was immediate—students eagerly flipped through the covers and asked, \"Can I read this one first?\" For many struggling readers, it was the first time they held books that matched their level while still feeling like \"big kid\" stories.\r\n\r\nWe're already using the books in small groups, where students can practice decoding, fluency, and comprehension with texts that truly engage them. One student who rarely volunteers to read aloud jumped right in because the topic interested him. Next, our class will keep building fluency and stamina, with each student setting personal goals. Thanks to you, our readers are discovering that reading can be both accessible and fun.","fullyFundedDate":1742961694766,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-readers-high-interest-decoda/9153014/","projectTitle":"Empowering Readers: High-Interest Decodable Nonfiction!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Withrow","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2119183_orig.jpg?crop=1868,1868,x231,y687&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1705699286984","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2119183"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_36597","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":369,"numTeachers":42,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":57,"percentIndigenous":2,"percentLatinx":14,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"8.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":69.3,"schoolId":36597,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Bemiss Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Bemiss Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/washington/spokane-public-schools/bemiss-elementary-school/36597"}