{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Bright Beginnings ECC","outOfStateSupporters":33.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5836935,"projectId":10279916,"letterContent":"Thank you so much to Stellar Forge and our wonderful donors at General Motors for bringing these two chompsaws into our preschool classroom! The very first time the students saw them running in our room, everyone was instantly filled with curiosity. Their eyes lit up as they watched, and every single child immediately wanted to jump in and make something of their own. Because these tools are so kid-friendly and safe, they have been exceptionally easy and fun to integrate into our classroom with proper training.\r\n\r\nSome of the students and I recently put together a special project, and it was incredible to see how closely they followed directions. They have been taking turns so patiently and learning how to handle the tools with care. In just a short time, they have already used the chompsaws to craft everything from a fierce T-rex and a giant pencil to simple geometric circles. Seeing their fine motor skills and creative confidence grow as they bring their ideas to life has been pure joy.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, these chompsaws will remain a central feature of our hands-on building center as we dive into upcoming design challenges. I cannot wait to see what inventive creations they dream up next. Your generosity has provided our young learners with a unique experience that builds curiosity, problem-solving, and creative independence every single day. Thank you for making such a special impact on our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1779059598245,"projectUrl":"project/inspire-the-next-generation-of-creative/10279916/","projectTitle":"Inspire the Next Generation of Creative Thinkers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sarah","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5836935_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536290593055","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/planted"},{"teacherId":5836935,"projectId":10295881,"letterContent":"Dear Donors,\r\n\r\nThank you so much for bringing these incredible art supplies into our preschool classroom. When we opened the delivery boxes together, my students were so excited. Their eyes lit up at the sight of the bright new markers, and they were absolutely thrilled by all of the geometric foam stickers. It truly felt like a holiday in our room. They could not wait to get their little hands on the Do-a-Dot markers and start creating.\r\n\r\nWe immediately put these wonderful materials to work during a special \"Shape Monsters\" project. Using the heavy cardstock you provided, the children practiced their fine motor skills by gripping their new triangular crayons and peeling the backs off the geometric shapes. They giggled as they added googly eyes to their foam circles and squares to create the silliest monsters imaginable. The batteries you provided are the unsung hero of our room. They keep our image projectors alive in our drawing center and the students absolutely love them!\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, these supplies will be the foundation for our upcoming unit on our local community. The students will use the broad line and fine markers to draw their neighborhoods during our buildings unit. Your generosity has given my young learners the tools they need to express their creativity, build essential hand strength, and learn foundational concepts in the most special way possible. Thank you for investing in our classroom and making learning so colorful.","fullyFundedDate":1781577143416,"projectUrl":"project/help-restock-the-tools-our-preschoolers/10295881/","projectTitle":"Help Restock the Tools Our Preschoolers Use Every Day","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sarah","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5836935_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536290593055","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/planted"},{"teacherId":8539736,"projectId":10210633,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and providing us with these wonderful new literacy resources! My students love learning through hands-on activities, and the alphabet puppets, alphabet tubs, and other materials have made learning letters and sounds fun and exciting. We use the alphabet puppets during group lessons to practice identifying letters and their sounds, and the alphabet tubs give students opportunities to explore, match, sort, and connect letters with objects and beginning sounds. The students especially enjoy being able to touch, move, and interact with the materials while they learn.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new resources, they were so excited! They immediately wanted to explore the puppets and tubs and see what they could do with them. It has been wonderful to watch them work together, practice new sounds, and gain confidence as they recognize letters. These resources have helped make our literacy lessons more engaging and have encouraged students who may need extra practice to participate and keep trying.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue building our letter and sound recognition skills through hands-on activities. We will use the puppets and tubs to practice beginning sounds, letter identification, matching letters to objects, and eventually putting sounds together as we begin working toward early reading skills. Thank you again for investing in our students and helping make learning such an exciting experience!","fullyFundedDate":1779316613002,"projectUrl":"project/abc-adventures-hands-on-learning-for-gr/10210633/","projectTitle":"ABC Adventures: Hands-On Learning for Growing Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Crystal Lopez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8539736_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659552197419","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8539736"},{"teacherId":5836935,"projectId":10295688,"letterContent":"Our new math boxes have quickly become one of our favorite parts of carpet time! My students get so excited when it is time for math, and I love watching them grab their boxes and get ready to learn. They are using the Pop-Its to practice counting, the marker boards to make numbers and shapes, and all of the materials to explore math in a hands-on way. It has made learning to count feel like play, which is exactly what we want in preschool!\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite things has been seeing students who were once hesitant to join in become excited to show me what they can do. They are counting along with us, practicing numbers, and proudly sharing their work with their friends. Thanks to Stellar Forge, we have supplies we can use again and again to make math fun and meaningful. We LOVE math time, and I am so excited to see our little mathematicians continue to grow!","fullyFundedDate":1779316612842,"projectUrl":"project/support-hands-on-math-learning-for-curio/10295688/","projectTitle":"Support Hands On Math Learning for Curious Little Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sarah","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5836935_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536290593055","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/planted"},{"teacherId":5836935,"projectId":10186326,"letterContent":"The trampoline has made regulating in the mornings so much easier, and my students absolutely love it! Having a fun way to get their bodies moving helps them release extra energy, settle into the school day, and feel more ready to learn and participate in our classroom.\r\n\r\nBeyond regulation, students are building balance, coordination, body awareness, and gross motor skills as they jump and move. It has become a favorite part of our classroom routine and gives students a positive way to listen to what their bodies need while learning how to calm, focus, and get ready for the day.","fullyFundedDate":1778262224539,"projectUrl":"project/with-your-help-we-can-build-strong-bodi/10186326/","projectTitle":"With Your Help, We Can Build Strong Bodies and Calm Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sarah","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5836935_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536290593055","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/planted"},{"teacherId":10523078,"projectId":10323252,"letterContent":"These materials will have a positive impact on my Pre-K students by making learning fun, hands-on, and meaningful. The giant alphabet beads and pop beads will give students an engaging way to practice recognizing and identifying the letters in their names. As they choose the correct letters and create their own bracelets, they will strengthen letter recognition, name recognition, sequencing, and fine-motor skills. This activity will also encourage independence, problem-solving, and confidence as students proudly create something of their own. Most importantly, these materials will provide an exciting way for my students to connect early literacy skills with play and creativity, making learning a joyful experience.","fullyFundedDate":1781577145596,"projectUrl":"project/little-hands-big-skills-building-fine/10323252/","projectTitle":"Little Hands, Big Skills: Building Fine Motor Strength Through Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Faye","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10523078"},{"teacherId":5836935,"projectId":10176273,"letterContent":"Our classroom was filled with color and excitement when your generous donation arrived! Even though we received the supplies near the end of the school year, our preschoolers wasted no time getting creative. They loved experimenting with the paints, tempera paint sticks, and watercolors, mixing colors and proudly showing off their creations.\r\n\r\nWhat made these materials so special was watching the children discover that they could be artists in their own way. They experimented, made choices, tried new techniques, and shared their ideas with their friends. Along the way, they were strengthening fine motor skills, creativity, confidence, and self expression while simply having a wonderful time creating.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving our little artists the opportunity to explore the wonderful world of color. Your generosity brought so many smiles to our classroom and gave our students another way to express their big imaginations. We are so grateful for your support and for the beautiful memories you helped us create!","fullyFundedDate":1778262230079,"projectUrl":"project/with-your-help-colors-come-to-life/10176273/","projectTitle":"With Your Help, Colors Come to Life!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sarah","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5836935_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536290593055","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/planted"},{"teacherId":5836935,"projectId":9853492,"letterContent":"Last year, our light table quickly became one of the most loved places in our classroom. They LOVED the remote that would let us change the colors, and set the mode to static or color flow. They had a great time playing with the colorful sensory materials, building with translucent pieces, creating patterns, and discovering what happened when they combined different colors and shapes.\r\n\r\nWhat I loved most was watching how naturally learning happened through play. Students practiced counting, sorting, problem solving, fine motor skills, and teamwork without even realizing they were learning. They would invite their friends to join their creations, proudly show me what they had built, and come back again and again with new ideas.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our preschoolers had a special place to explore, create, and let their imaginations shine. We are so grateful for the opportunity you gave our students, and we wanted to share a few pictures so you can see the smiles, discoveries, and learning you helped make possible","fullyFundedDate":1774887186974,"projectUrl":"project/a-glowing-space-for-curious-thinkers/9853492/","projectTitle":"A Glowing Space for Curious Thinkers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sarah","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5836935_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536290593055","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/planted"},{"teacherId":8539736,"projectId":9398737,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has been transformed into an even more engaging, supportive, and joyful learning environment for our young learners!\r\n\r\nSince receiving these materials, my students have been using them every single day across multiple parts of our routine. One of the most meaningful moments has been during our morning circle time. With the new pocket charts and letter-of-the-day materials, students are actively participating in identifying letters, talking about the weather, and building early language skills. Many of my students, who typically need extra support to engage, are now volunteering to come up and interact with the charts—pointing, matching, and even attempting new words with confidence.\r\n\r\nThe sensory tools and flexible seating options, like the soft rainbow rug and fidget items, have made a huge difference in helping students regulate their bodies and emotions. For example, one student who often struggled to stay seated during group time now chooses a sensory item and is able to remain engaged for much longer periods. The play dough tools and art materials have also sparked creativity and strengthened fine motor skills, especially during small group activities.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their excitement was immediate and genuine. They were especially drawn to the colorful rug, the sensory toys, and the doll family, which has already become a favorite during imaginative play. There were smiles, laughter, and lots of curiosity as they explored each new item. It was clear right away that these tools would not only support learning but also bring comfort and joy.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are continuing to build on these experiences by integrating the materials into structured literacy and social-emotional lessons. The communication folders are helping strengthen the connection between home and school, allowing families to be more involved in their child's progress. We are also using the rolling carts to create organized, accessible learning stations so students can independently choose activities that support their individual goals.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, my students are not only learning—they are thriving in an environment designed to meet their unique needs. Thank you for making such a meaningful impact on our classroom and for believing in our students' potential!","fullyFundedDate":1758076506463,"projectUrl":"project/bright-beginnings-for-little-learners/9398737/","projectTitle":"Bright Beginnings for Little Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Crystal Lopez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8539736_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659552197419","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8539736"},{"teacherId":5836935,"projectId":9843656,"letterContent":"Our classroom has been buzzing with excitement as we explore all of our new materials. The sensory bins have become a favorite center, where students scoop, pour, dig, and compare textures and sounds. These hands-on experiences are building fine motor skills, vocabulary, and teamwork as children talk with one another about what they feel and discover.\r\n\r\nWhen the science viewers were first introduced, the room filled with gasps and wide eyes. The children were amazed to hold real-life images of animals and plants right in their hands. They eagerly began naming what they saw, asking questions, and sharing facts they already knew. The sand boxes have also been a huge hit, giving students another way to explore, create, and learn through play.\r\n\r\nNext, we are building on this excitement by encouraging students to become little scientists. We are practicing observation skills, comparing materials, and talking about living things and their environments. Your support is helping our students grow curious, confident, and excited to learn every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1764171381045,"projectUrl":"project/with-your-help-well-explore-splash-a/9843656/","projectTitle":"With Your Help, We’ll Explore, Splash, and Discover!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sarah","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5836935_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536290593055","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/planted"},{"teacherId":10312149,"projectId":9829145,"letterContent":"Thank you for your support and donation to my classroom. We just finished a reading unit about buildings and the magnetic toys lend themselves so well! My students pretended to be builders at a construction site and I was so happy to see them extend their learning. Without your donation, that would not have been possible.\r\nBoth of my classes have really enjoyed the busy board. They like the switches and gears and they get to practice sharing since everyone wants it!\r\nMy morning class has really benefited from the cause and effect toys such as the snail popper toy. We work with imitating motor actions and one student started pushing down the popper! It was a very exciting moment. The ball tower has served well for the students who are working on joint attention.\r\nAs winter starts rearing it's head we will be using the droppers and scoops for art activities and sensory table activities with water, food coloring, and coffee filters/pom poms. I am excited they will get to practice their fine motor skills in a fun way. \r\nThank you again for your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1761091711059,"projectUrl":"project/brand-new-classroom/9829145/","projectTitle":"Brand New Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Veeder","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10312149"},{"teacherId":5836935,"projectId":9829963,"letterContent":"When our new art supplies arrived, the excitement in our classroom was contagious! Happy squeals filled the room as the kids peeked into the boxes. They could hardly wait to open the paints, brushes, and paper. When I pulled out the projectors, several of them gasped and shouted, \"WOW!\" It was fun seeing how excited they were for all the new gifts.\r\n\r\nSince then, we've been busy creating and exploring every day. The kids have mixed colors, painted self-portraits on multicultural paper, and learned how to use the new tools to bring their ideas to life. The best part has been watching them share materials, take turns, and share supplies with each other. Our little artists are learning how to create and collaborate.\r\n\r\nNext, we're using our supplies to illustrate what we want to be when we grow up. I can't wait to see their dreams come to life through art. Thank you so much for helping our classroom shine so bright with creativity and joy.","fullyFundedDate":1761092817590,"projectUrl":"project/with-your-help-little-artists-will-shin/9829963/","projectTitle":"With Your Help, Little Artists Will Shine Bright!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sarah","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5836935_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536290593055","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/planted"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_104681","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":400,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":77,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":12,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":79,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":1,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - Pre-K","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":66.7,"schoolId":104681,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Bright Beginnings ECC on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Bright Beginnings ECC","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/kansas/dodge-city-unified-school-district-443/bright-beginnings-headstart/104681"}