{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Carey Ridge Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":11.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8784394,"projectId":10394257,"letterContent":"The Tonies are a HUGE hit in our classroom! 📚💙\r\n\r\nMy students are really enjoying the increased independence that the Tonies have provided them. As a special education teacher, one of the things I value most is finding ways to give my students meaningful opportunities to make choices, explore their interests, and participate as independently as possible. The Tonies have created another wonderful opportunity for them to do just that.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting things has been watching my students independently access age-appropriate books. Many of my students need additional support to access books and other classroom activities, so having a simple, engaging way for them to choose a story and listen independently has been amazing. They can make a choice based on what interests them, place their Tonie on the box, and enjoy a story without needing an adult to read it to them. That independence is huge!\r\n\r\nAnd honestly... how awesome is that?! 🥹📖\r\n\r\nThe Tonies have also created new opportunities for communication and social interaction. My students are able to share about their favorite books and characters in a low-pressure scenario. Some students may not feel comfortable participating in a traditional whole-group discussion, but talking about a character they love or a story they enjoy gives them something meaningful to connect with. It has been so fun seeing their personalities come through as they share their favorite characters and stories.\r\n\r\nI love that the Tonies are not just another classroom activity or piece of technology. They are helping my students practice choice-making, independence, communication, listening, and self-advocacy while doing something they genuinely enjoy.\r\n\r\nFor my students, having access to books in a way that feels accessible and independent can make such a difference. They are not just listening to stories—they are making choices, engaging with literature, discovering their interests, and finding ways to share those interests with others.\r\n\r\nWatching students experience that sense of independence is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching. 💙\r\n\r\nI am incredibly grateful to everyone who helped bring the Tonies into our classroom. Your support is making a real difference for my students, and we are already seeing so many wonderful benefits. We are excited to continue building our Tonie collection and giving our students even more opportunities to choose, listen, communicate, and enjoy books independently!\r\n\r\nThank you for helping make our classroom a place where every student can access books, explore their interests, and experience the joy of independence. 📚💙✨","fullyFundedDate":1788229669105,"projectUrl":"project/support-literacy-with-my-special-program/10394257/","projectTitle":"Support Literacy With My Special Programs Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merrell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8784394_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1785266654874","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8784394"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_20546","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":577,"numTeachers":36,"percentFrplEligible":21,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":73,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":12,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":5,"gradesServed":"K - 4","studentTeacherRatio":"16.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":88.2,"schoolId":20546,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Carey Ridge Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Carey Ridge Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/indiana/westfield-washington-schools/carey-ridge-elementary-school/20546"}