{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Catherine School Pre-K Head Start ","outOfStateSupporters":35.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7653965,"projectId":10192002,"letterContent":"Our students have been actively using the Lakeshore Hands-On Math Trays during small group instruction and independent center time, and the impact has been immediate. These trays have helped bring math to life by giving students a structured, engaging way to explore counting, sorting, and early problem-solving skills. One memorable moment was during a small group activity where students used the trays with counting bears to create and solve simple addition problems. Students who typically struggle to stay engaged were focused, excited, and eager to participate.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials were first introduced, the students were thrilled. They were drawn to the bright colors, organized compartments, and hands-on nature of the trays. Many of them immediately began exploring and asking questions, showing curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. The trays have especially supported students who benefit from tactile learning, allowing them to physically manipulate objects while building foundational math skills.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, we will continue using these trays to support more advanced skills such as patterning, number recognition, and early operations. Our next step is to incorporate them into structured math centers that promote both independence and collaboration among students. Thanks to your generosity, our classroom is now a more engaging, interactive environment where all learners can grow in confidence and ability.","fullyFundedDate":1776434399112,"projectUrl":"project/building-strong-number-sense-through-han/10192002/","projectTitle":"Building Strong Number Sense Through Hands-On Math Centers","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lawrence","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7653965_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y66&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1605916936068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lawrence105"},{"teacherId":7653965,"projectId":10175993,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students have been able to engage in hands-on, meaningful learning experiences that strengthen their fine motor and early math skills every day. We've been using the Max the Fine Motor Moose and the magnetic color and number maze during small group instruction, where students practice grasping, placing, and sorting with purpose. One special moment that stood out was when a student who typically struggles with focus stayed engaged for several minutes while carefully placing the rings on Max—smiling with pride after completing the task independently. The sensory bin materials, including the hedge balls, tweezers, and sorting cups, have also become a classroom favorite, helping students build hand strength while exploring colors, counting, and sorting.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their excitement was immediate. They were eager to touch, explore, and figure out how each item worked. The bright colors and interactive designs naturally drew them in, and even my more hesitant learners quickly joined in. These tools have created opportunities for cooperative play, turn-taking, and problem-solving, all while strengthening essential developmental skills in a fun and engaging way.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we will continue to incorporate these resources into our daily centers and targeted skill-building activities. Our next steps include extending these activities into more structured math lessons, where students will use the materials to practice counting, patterning, and early problem-solving. We also plan to track student progress in fine motor development and attention span during tasks. Because of your support, my students are not only building foundational skills but also gaining confidence, independence, and a love for learning that will carry them forward. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1775681055269,"projectUrl":"project/building-strong-hands-fun-with-fine-mot/10175993/","projectTitle":"Building Strong Hands: Fun With Fine Motor Skills!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lawrence","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7653965_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y66&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1605916936068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lawrence105"},{"teacherId":7653965,"projectId":10154155,"letterContent":"The Kindergarten, Here I Come! book has made a meaningful impact on my students by helping them build excitement and confidence about their transition into kindergarten. Through this engaging text, students are learning important early literacy skills such as recognizing letters and sounds, understanding story structure, and making connections between the story and their own experiences. We also use the book to introduce social-emotional lessons like following routines, building independence, and feeling prepared for new environments.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is interactive, joyful, and student-centered. During read-aloud time, students actively participate by asking questions, making predictions, and sharing their thoughts. We revisit the story throughout the week, allowing students to retell events, identify key details, and even act out parts of the book. These repeated experiences help strengthen comprehension while making reading fun and meaningful.\r\n\r\nSeveral of my students have especially connected with this book because they see themselves in the story. They are excited to talk about going to kindergarten, practicing routines, and sharing their feelings about this big milestone. For some, it has helped ease anxiety and build confidence, while for others it has sparked curiosity and enthusiasm about learning. This book has truly helped create a positive and supportive environment as my students prepare for their next educational journey.","fullyFundedDate":1775681053294,"projectUrl":"project/ready-set-kindergarten/10154155/","projectTitle":"Ready, Set, Kindergarten!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lawrence","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7653965_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y66&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1605916936068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lawrence105"},{"teacherId":7653965,"projectId":9982194,"letterContent":"Your generous support has truly made a meaningful difference in our classroom environment and daily routines. With the addition of the Lysol Air Sanitizer and disinfectant sprays, we have been able to maintain a cleaner, healthier space for our students to learn and grow. Each day, we use these resources to sanitize the air and frequently touched surfaces, especially during transitions between activities like center time, small group instruction, and hands-on play with materials such as blocks, playdough, and literacy games. One special moment that stood out was when students noticed and commented on how \"fresh and clean\" our classroom smelled, helping them feel more comfortable and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the students were excited and curious about how we keep our classroom safe. This opened up an opportunity for meaningful conversations about hygiene, germs, and taking care of our shared space. It became a teachable moment where students began to take more responsibility, reminding each other to clean up and keep their areas tidy. Creating a clean and welcoming environment has helped reduce distractions and allowed students to stay more engaged during activities, especially those that require focus like puzzles, building tasks, and early literacy work.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we plan to continue incorporating lessons around health, cleanliness, and responsibility into our daily routines. Students are currently working on building independence and social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and staying engaged with tasks for longer periods. Having a consistently clean environment supports these goals by promoting comfort, safety, and readiness to learn. Thanks to your generosity, we are not only maintaining a healthy classroom but also fostering lifelong habits that will benefit our students far beyond our classroom walls.","fullyFundedDate":1774963598491,"projectUrl":"project/a-clean-classroom-for-safe-learning/9982194/","projectTitle":"A Clean Classroom for Safe Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lawrence","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7653965_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y66&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1605916936068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lawrence105"},{"teacherId":7653965,"projectId":10108303,"letterContent":"Because of your generous donations, our students have been able to engage in meaningful, hands-on learning experiences using our new math and literacy resources every day. These materials have truly brought our lessons to life and helped make learning both fun and interactive.\r\n\r\nWe've been using the Fox in the Box Position Word Activity Set during small group literacy time to build vocabulary and strengthen understanding of positional words like \"in,\" \"on,\" and \"under.\" Students especially enjoy taking turns placing the fox and describing where it is, which has helped improve both their language skills and confidence in speaking.\r\n\r\nOur Number Bots and Number Pops have become favorites during math centers. Students love building numbers, counting, and matching while also working on fine motor skills. One memorable moment was watching a group of students work together to build numbers using the robots—encouraging each other and celebrating when they got the answers right. It was a powerful example of teamwork and learning combined.\r\n\r\nThe Super Sorting Pie and Lock & Key Counting Toys have also been incredibly impactful. Students are practicing sorting by color, counting objects, and matching numbers in a hands-on way that keeps them engaged. These activities have been especially helpful for students who need extra support with focus and number recognition.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their excitement was immediate—they couldn't wait to explore! There were smiles, laughter, and lots of curiosity as they eagerly jumped into learning through play.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we will continue to use these resources to build foundational math and literacy skills. Our next steps include extending activities to include simple addition, deeper vocabulary development, and increasing the amount of time students can stay engaged in structured tasks. We are also focusing on encouraging more cooperative play and peer interaction during learning centers.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity and support. Because of you, our students are developing essential skills in a joyful and engaging environment that sets them up for future success.","fullyFundedDate":1774963616716,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-math-literacy-magic-for-littl/10108303/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Math & Literacy Magic for Little Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lawrence","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7653965_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y66&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1605916936068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lawrence105"},{"teacherId":7653965,"projectId":10054598,"letterContent":"Our classroom has been filled with excitement and engagement since receiving these hands-on literacy materials! The Tactile Liquid Letters, Trace & Write Alphabet Center, and Write the Letter Activity Center have quickly become some of our most used resources during our small group and center time. One special moment that stood out was when a group of students worked together to trace letters using the tactile cards and then practiced writing those same letters at the center. They were fully engaged—talking about the letters, helping one another, and proudly sharing their work. These materials have made letter recognition and formation much more interactive and meaningful for my students.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their faces lit up with excitement. They were eager to touch, explore, and begin learning right away. The sensory aspect of the tactile letters especially captured their attention and helped even my more hesitant learners feel comfortable participating. Students who typically struggle with writing were more confident and willing to try, which has been incredible to see.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we will continue building on these foundational literacy skills by incorporating these materials into our daily routines. Our next steps include connecting letter recognition to letter sounds and early word building. These resources are helping to create a strong literacy foundation for my students, and your support has made a lasting impact on their confidence, engagement, and love for learning. Thank you for being a part of our classroom journey!","fullyFundedDate":1772419210481,"projectUrl":"project/building-letter-skills-through-hands-on/10054598/","projectTitle":"Building Letter Skills Through Hands-On Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lawrence","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7653965_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y66&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1605916936068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lawrence105"},{"teacherId":7653965,"projectId":10058598,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has been transformed into an engaging, hands-on learning environment where students can explore real-life skills through play. With the new Melissa & Doug Let's Play House Dust, Sweep and Mop Set, Melissa & Doug Wooden Brew and Serve Coffee Play Set, and Melissa & Doug Let's Play House Condiments Set, students are actively participating in our dramatic play area, especially in our classroom \"home\" and kitchen center. One special moment was when a group of students worked together to \"clean\" the classroom using the cleaning set, taking turns and encouraging one another. Another group created their own coffee shop, where they practiced taking orders, using polite language, and serving their friends. These moments are helping to build social skills, communication, and teamwork in meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their faces lit up with excitement! They were eager to explore and immediately began using their imaginations to create real-world scenarios. Many of them naturally began practicing sharing and taking turns, which are skills we have been working hard to develop. The realistic design of the materials helped students stay engaged longer and take pride in their play.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we plan to expand these experiences by incorporating more structured role-playing activities, such as setting up a \"restaurant day\" or assigning classroom helper roles like \"cleaning crew\" and \"barista.\" These activities will continue to strengthen language development, cooperation, and independence. Your support has made a lasting impact, and we are so grateful for the opportunities these resources have provided for our students to learn, grow, and succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1772419211160,"projectUrl":"project/little-helpers-big-learning-dramatic-p/10058598/","projectTitle":"Little Helpers, Big Learning: Dramatic Play for Life Skills","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lawrence","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7653965_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y66&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1605916936068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lawrence105"},{"teacherId":10261569,"projectId":9926289,"letterContent":"My students were so excited when they saw our new dramatic play materials! Thank you so much for the ATM, cash register, and Alphabet groceries we received through your generous donation. These are fun and exciting additions to our classroom. My students enjoy playing with these materials together. These materials give my students a chance to interact with each other and practice social skills.\r\n\r\nMy students play with the cash register and groceries every day we are at school! Students really enjoy buying and selling grocery items.\r\n\r\nThe ATM is used during our small groups to really hone in on learning about money. It is exciting to see my students interested in learning about real-world experiences.","fullyFundedDate":1765217628522,"projectUrl":"project/dramatic-play-encourages-creativity-and/9926289/","projectTitle":"Dramatic Play Encourages Creativity and Imagination","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mallory","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10261569_orig.jpg?crop=1276,1276,x198,y233&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758460607831","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10261569"},{"teacherId":7653965,"projectId":10058649,"letterContent":"Your generosity has transformed our math center into a hands-on, engaging learning space where numbers truly come to life! With the Snap-Bots from Lakeshore Learning, Ten-Frame Counting Toys, and Magnetic Numbers, my Pre-K students are building strong number sense through active exploration. During small group math this week, students used the Snap-Bots to count, connect, and build quantities up to 10. One student proudly said, \"Look! I made five!\" as he snapped together exactly five pieces without assistance. At the ten-frame station, children practiced placing counters in each box while counting with one-to-one correspondence, strengthening foundational skills aligned with early math standards.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, their excitement was priceless. They immediately gravitated toward the bright colors and interactive pieces. The Snap-Bots quickly became a favorite because students could physically build and represent numbers, while the magnetic numbers allowed them to match numerals to quantities on cookie sheets and our magnetic board. I observed increased engagement, longer attention spans, and more peer collaboration as students counted together and checked each other's work.\r\n\r\nNext, we are extending this learning into simple addition stories and number composition. Students will use the Snap-Bots to combine two groups and determine \"how many in all,\" and we will use the ten-frames to explore numbers beyond 10. These resources are not just toys—they are tools that are building confidence, independence, and a joyful foundation in mathematics. Thank you for investing in my students' early learning journey and helping them see themselves as capable mathematicians!","fullyFundedDate":1770391394669,"projectUrl":"project/building-number-sense-with-hands-on-math/10058649/","projectTitle":"Building Number Sense With Hands-On Math Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lawrence","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7653965_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y66&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1605916936068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lawrence105"},{"teacherId":7653965,"projectId":10040739,"letterContent":"The new jumbo lap board and dry-erase markers have quickly become an essential part of our daily learning routines. My Pre-K students use the lap board during whole-group and small-group instruction to practice writing their names, identifying letters, and drawing shapes. One special moment was during our morning message when students were invited to come up and write the first letter of their name on the jumbo board. Their excitement was clear as they proudly shared their work with their classmates, and many students who were previously hesitant to write were eager to participate. The fine-tip dry-erase markers have also been perfect for helping students develop their pencil grip and control while practicing letters, numbers, and simple drawings.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, my students were thrilled. They immediately noticed how big the lap board was and were excited that everyone could see and learn together. They were eager to use the markers and asked to practice writing their letters and drawing pictures. The reusable surface has made learning feel fun and low-pressure, allowing students to try, erase, and try again. This has helped build their confidence and encouraged them to take risks in their early writing and drawing.\r\n\r\nThese new resources are supporting our continued focus on early literacy and writing development. Next, students will use the lap board to practice letter formation, drawing story pictures, and participating in interactive writing activities connected to our classroom books and themes. This hands-on practice is helping strengthen their fine motor skills, letter recognition, and confidence as emerging writers. Thank you for providing tools that make learning engaging, interactive, and meaningful for my young learners.","fullyFundedDate":1769176992032,"projectUrl":"project/write-wipe-learn/10040739/","projectTitle":"Write, Wipe, Learn!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lawrence","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7653965_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y66&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1605916936068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lawrence105"},{"teacherId":7653965,"projectId":10054573,"letterContent":"The Creative Teaching Press Book Buddy Bags have made a meaningful impact on my students by strengthening the connection between school and home. We are using these bags to send books and literacy activities home with students so they can practice important early reading skills with their families. One special moment was when students eagerly chose their Book Buddy Bag and could not wait to see which book was inside. During our classroom discussion, students proudly shared that they read their books at home and talked about the pictures and story with their families. This has helped build their confidence, excitement for reading, and sense of responsibility.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the Book Buddy Bags, they were immediately excited and engaged. They loved that each bag was colorful and special, and they understood that it was something just for them. Students carefully carried their bags, showing that they valued the materials. The bags have also helped teach important skills such as caring for books, following routines, and developing independence. Families have shared that their children are more interested in reading at home and are asking to read more often.\r\n\r\nThe next steps for my students include continuing to build their early literacy skills, such as identifying letters, recognizing sounds, and retelling stories. We will also use the Book Buddy Bags to introduce new vocabulary and comprehension activities connected to our classroom themes. These bags will help create consistent literacy experiences between school and home, ensuring that students continue to grow as confident, motivated readers. Because of your generosity, my students now have the tools they need to develop a lifelong love of reading.","fullyFundedDate":1769616254476,"projectUrl":"project/book-buddy-bags-taking-reading-home/10054573/","projectTitle":"Book Buddy Bags: Taking Reading Home","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lawrence","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7653965_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y66&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1605916936068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lawrence105"},{"teacherId":7653965,"projectId":10058729,"letterContent":"Since receiving these materials, my students have been able to engage more fully in hands-on learning and creative activities throughout the school day. The kids' paint aprons have allowed students to explore painting, sensory art, and classroom projects with confidence, knowing they can get messy while staying clean. The dry erase markers are now used daily during small-group instruction and independent practice, helping students work on letter formation, number writing, and drawing responses to stories. The desktop storage drawers have been especially helpful in keeping materials organized and easily accessible for students, promoting independence and smoother transitions.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new supplies, they were excited and eager to use them right away. Many of them immediately asked to paint or draw, and they were proud to put on their own aprons before starting art activities. Having clearly organized materials also helped students stay focused and reduced frustration, as they could easily find what they needed without waiting for adult assistance.\r\n\r\nThese resources have already strengthened our daily routines, and the next steps include expanding art-based learning and integrating more interactive lessons across literacy, math, and fine-motor centers. Students will continue using the dry erase markers for skill practice and the storage system to build responsibility and independence. Thanks to your generosity, my classroom is more engaging, organized, and supportive of meaningful learning experiences every day.","fullyFundedDate":1769463704077,"projectUrl":"project/create-write-and-organize-tools-for-a/10058729/","projectTitle":"Create, Write, and Organize: Tools for a Ready-to-Learn Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lawrence","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7653965_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y66&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1605916936068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lawrence105"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_117450","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":null,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":7,"percentBlack":43,"percentWhite":12,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":22,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - Pre-K","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"UNCLASSIFIED","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":64.4,"schoolId":117450,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Catherine School Pre-K Head Start on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Catherine School Pre-K Head Start ","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/pennsylvania/philadelphia-city-school-district/catherine-school-annex/117450"}