{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Cass Lake - Bena Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":44.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5586276,"projectId":9722725,"letterContent":"The students were very surprised when the STEM boxes rolled into the classroom. They were ready to fuel curiosity and power innovation when the STEM boxes were opened. Students couldn't wait to build and experiment with different shapes, rods, pipes, and magnets.\r\nIn the classroom, we use centers that engage in building. What makes a bridge strong? How do vehicles roll, tow, and carry things? Our engaging building centers will teach kids to look closer at real-life designs—and make original structures that use the same important elements! We would use magnetic rods and balls as geometric shape builders to see how strong a building or vehicle can be through play. The students giggled as they built, and things didn't go as planned, but they tried new ways to make it better and big smiles to show staff their building centers with friends in the classroom. The class says a BIG THANK YOU to all!\"","fullyFundedDate":1763561283430,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-minds-powering-innovat/9722725/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Minds, Powering Innovation","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bergeron","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5586276_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1532886823693","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5586276"},{"teacherId":9052708,"projectId":9827661,"letterContent":"Thank you doesn't feel big enough for what Warm Winter Wishes has meant for my students. Because of you, winter looks different in our classroom this year. Not colder, but warmer, safer, and filled with dignity.\r\n\r\nWhen the hats, gloves, boots, socks, and jackets arrived, my students were buzzing with excitement. But what stood out most wasn't the noise, it was the quiet moments. A student carefully choosing a pair of gloves and immediately putting them on. Another hugging a jacket tight and whispering, \"This one is really warm.\" These weren't just winter items; they were comfort, security, and reassurance that someone cares.\r\n\r\nWe are using these resources every single day. Students are able to head outside for recess fully prepared, without worrying about cold fingers or wet feet. More importantly, they're able to focus during lessons instead of being distracted by discomfort. One morning, after a particularly cold bus ride, a student came in, grabbed a hat from our bin, and said, \"I can actually think now.\" That moment said everything.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has also strengthened our classroom community. Students understand that these items are here for everyone, no questions asked. They've shown incredible kindness—reminding one another to grab gloves, helping zip jackets, and making sure no one is left out. You didn't just provide warmth; you helped create a culture of care.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, our class is continuing to focus on learning routines, building independence, and showing responsibility—skills that extend far beyond academics. Because their basic needs are met, students are more confident, more engaged, and more ready to learn. Winter no longer feels like a barrier—it's just another season we're prepared to face together.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for giving them something every child deserves: warmth, comfort, and the feeling that they matter. Your kindness is felt every day in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1762724218218,"projectUrl":"project/wrapped-in-warmth-winter-care-for-every/9827661/","projectTitle":"Wrapped in Warmth: Winter Care for Every Student","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Garrison","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9052708_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760669236738","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9052708"},{"teacherId":9751232,"projectId":9719734,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of my DonorsChoose project, Brain Food for Bright Futures. My students are incredibly resilient, curious, and eager to learn, even when they are facing challenges outside of school. Many come from low-income households and may not always have access to snacks at home, but they arrive each day ready to give their best. Your donation helps ensure they have the nourishment they need to make it through the school day feeling supported and valued.\r\n\r\nProviding snacks like granola bars, fruit snacks, popcorn, crackers, and chips makes a meaningful difference in my classroom. These snacks help students stay focused, energized, and ready to learn, especially during long days when hunger can interfere with concentration. Beyond academics, your support helps create a caring and inclusive environment where students feel safe, comfortable, and free from worry or embarrassment. You are providing more than food; you are supporting dignity, confidence, and the foundation for learning. Thank you for helping me care for the whole child.","fullyFundedDate":1767201014193,"projectUrl":"project/brain-food-for-bright-futures/9719734/","projectTitle":"Brain Food for Bright Futures!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Zuehlke","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9751232_orig.png?crop=138,138,x5,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726518669389","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9751232"},{"teacherId":5518509,"projectId":9721078,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the help with purchasing a rug in our classroom. In the past, we have had to put masking tape on the floor and put their names on the tape so the students knew where to sit. Obviously this wasn't the most efficient way of rug spots. With the purchase of the rug, we are able to each have our own learning spot and this helps tremendously with staying focused in the classroom. The kids tell me every day they are so excited that we got a new rock. Thanks so much, I truly appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1764740656755,"projectUrl":"project/circle-up-and-learn/9721078/","projectTitle":"Circle Up And Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Alto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5518509_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1531285296290","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5518509"},{"teacherId":5518509,"projectId":9723851,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for contributing towards our classroom. We have after school stem classes, and these materials have helped to make it much more exciting for the kids. They are able to build towers and then share about them with their friends. It has been a great experience for the kids and the teachers. In the past, we were only able to work with five kids, and now we are able to work with 15 or more. The extra materials have supported the addition of more kids which is always a plus. Thanks so very much. It truly is appreciated","fullyFundedDate":1763561089011,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-curiosity-and-innovation/9723851/","projectTitle":"Fueling Curiosity and Innovation","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Alto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5518509_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1531285296290","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5518509"},{"teacherId":10190641,"projectId":9696864,"letterContent":"My students and I have been so excited to receive these donations in the mail. Every time I get a box, my students light up with excited smiles and cheers. With my own funds, I was only able to buy the same snack for several weeks. They have been delighted to be able to choose what snack we can have, now that we have several more options! They look forward to snack time every day, usually having several students throughout the morning ask when snack time is. They are hungry, growing 5th-Graders, and they look forward to snack time even more now that there are options, and that is such an amazing feeling. It is all thanks to you, the donors! \r\n\r\nI also have a student with a severe allergy, so the types of snacks we can have within the classroom are fairly limited, making our options even fewer, but knowing we have more options now is amazing! \r\n\r\nMy own monthly budget also thanks you. I was spending money from my own pocket to purchase snacks for my class, knowing that food is a nonnegotiable for my students, so I am extremely grateful for that as well!","fullyFundedDate":1767710653183,"projectUrl":"project/feed-my-body-to-fuel-my-brain/9696864/","projectTitle":"Feed My Body to Fuel My Brain!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dremmel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10190641"},{"teacherId":7139691,"projectId":9935265,"letterContent":"If you are able to see the photos I have submitted, you can see how your generosity has impacted my students! They are enjoying their flashlights and reading buddies so much! Yesterday they helped me get the flashlights ready to use and couldn't wait to get started. Thank you so much for adding fun and coziness to our reading! My goal is to make reading a positive and enjoyable experience so my students will want to continue to read. The practice of reading increases comprehension and makes students better readers over time. Thank you for being an important part of this!","fullyFundedDate":1767201013771,"projectUrl":"project/shine-a-little-light/9935265/","projectTitle":"Shine a Little Light!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kleefeld","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7139691_orig.jpg?crop=900,900,x0,y201&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1594945394064","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7139691"},{"teacherId":8489579,"projectId":9649520,"letterContent":"What a joy it has been to have these new items as tools in our classroom. We used our play pizza when singing a pizza song. The students smiled from ear to ear when I brought the pizza box out. \r\n We have used the play food for rhythm work. It is nice to have actual props when working in rhythms. \r\n The ice cream set we received will be put to use when we work on our ice cream songs. The students always get excited to see new tools to use in the music room. \r\n Thank you! Your generosity truly means so much.","fullyFundedDate":1756940759541,"projectUrl":"project/props-for-learning/9649520/","projectTitle":"Props for Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Durant","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8489579"},{"teacherId":6171900,"projectId":9853300,"letterContent":"I am a STEM teacher working with students as young as Kindergarten. My students learn best through play and intentional experiences. Coding addresses so many skills needed for academic success.\r\n\r\nProblem Solving, Critical Thinking, Analytical Thinking, Sequential Thought Process, Directional Concepts, Visual Tracking and 2-D to 3-D Correspondence are all activated when students program (code) robots. \r\n\r\nTHANK YOU SO MUCH for partnering with me to introduce my young students to this Programmable Robot Mouse and these higher level thinking activities. Your gift will be used by hundreds of students this year and in years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1764627431654,"projectUrl":"project/coding-for-everyone-with-robot-mice/9853300/","projectTitle":"Coding for everyone with Robot Mice.","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Raddatz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6171900_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1595049588152","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6171900"},{"teacherId":7129187,"projectId":9827646,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping me support my students in 2nd grade! The kids were so excited to receive a special package in the mail. We opened it up during morning meeting and their eyes lit up when they saw the clipboards and magnetic money. We have been using the clipboards regularly during math time and especially during our fun graphing unit as we got to venture out of the classroom as we surveyed students around the school collecting data for our bar graphs. This opportunity in part turned into presenting our research and being active in school improvement efforts. Thank you again for making experiences like this possible with your generous donation for school materials.","fullyFundedDate":1762787030231,"projectUrl":"project/real-world-problem-solvers-math-club/9827646/","projectTitle":"Real-World Problem Solvers Math Club","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Alger","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7129187_orig.jpg?crop=2308,2308,x0,y177&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758421643876","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7129187"},{"teacherId":6830876,"projectId":9689335,"letterContent":"Moving to a new school and a new grade level, my students initially had limited opportunities to engage in the creative design process during recess. With the addition of our indoor recess supplies, students now have meaningful choices that encourage creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. These materials have transformed indoor recess into a time where students can build, design, and explore their own ideas rather than feeling restricted by limited options. The supplies support social development, student voice, and hands-on learning, helping students feel more comfortable and confident in their new environment while making recess both engaging and purposeful.","fullyFundedDate":1758761774924,"projectUrl":"project/3d-printer-exploration/9689335/","projectTitle":"3D Printer Exploration","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kummet","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6830876"},{"teacherId":6830876,"projectId":9764894,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping us bring a STEM 3D printer into our classroom! Having a 3D printer of our own has transformed how students engage with engineering and design. Each week, a different student takes on the responsibility of learning how to program the printer, prepare it for use, and safely clean and remove finished items. This hands-on experience builds real-world STEM skills such as problem-solving, sequencing, and technical responsibility.\r\n\r\nStudents are excited to see their digital designs come to life, and the printer has inspired curiosity, creativity, and confidence in STEM learning. Your generosity has provided our students with an incredible opportunity to explore innovation in an authentic and meaningful way.","fullyFundedDate":1759541299569,"projectUrl":"project/3-d-printer-of-our-own/9764894/","projectTitle":"3-D Printer of our Own","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kummet","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6830876"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_74404","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":450,"numTeachers":44,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":98,"percentLatinx":0,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 4","studentTeacherRatio":"10.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":55.1,"schoolId":74404,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Cass Lake - Bena Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Cass Lake - Bena Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/minnesota/cass-lake-bena-public-schools/cass-lake-bena-elementary-school/74404"}